Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. This chapter is a departure from our normal format, but necessary. Someone was able to schedule a video conference with Jim and his nephew from an undisclosed Star base. Thanks to the Kirk family drama, this is going to be ridiculously long.
Day 164: Meet Your Grandma
"OK, I should never underestimate your ability to talk Pike into doing anything." Jim said as his mom popped up on screen. Even though he received an official communiqué, allowing him and Spock the use of long-range conference room six at the Star base, Jim still wasn't certain the meeting would happen until he saw his mom. Fingers crossed, this goes better than Spock meeting his new foster sister.
Apparently being raised as an only child (most of the time) made Spock very territorial, not that Vulcans will ever admit to being territorial. Just another thing to add to the list to talk to Margarita about during his next session which will probably be in an hour. So many things to talk to Margarita about. Even if it's like 11:15 PM Star base time, Margarita will want to talk. She will be observing anyway to keep things from going nuclear awful.
"Actually, it was Ming that authorized this. Thank your brother for dating up." Jim couldn't help but roll his eyes at that. His husband was practically Vulcan royalty, even if he had to deal with the bigots. "All she wants is for her granddaughter to see her dad for at least the last 15 minutes. Which is why we chose a time better for us than for you. Sorry. Maybe he can join around midnight your time."
"That can be arranged." Jim already had his PADD out composing a quick message to Sulu. Hopefully, he was close by. Okay he was probably keeping Pav from making bad hook up decisions. It was close to midnight and both had leave at the moment. They would totally be at one of the bars or restaurants on base.
"Where is Peter?" Winona asked.
"Waiting outside with Spock as Margarita tries to calm him down." Because Peter kind of went into a full-blown panic attack 10 minutes ago. "The one time he met one of his grandparents involved getting a restraining order after the fact, so he's nervous." He started hyperventilating and may have thrown up on a yeoman. "Dr. Margarita is trying to give him a little pep talk right now before he joins us."
"That poor child. Not even 13 yet and has gone through so much." A tear was running down Winona's cheek on screen.
"Yes." You don't even know everything yet.
"So I assume he is staying?" Winona asked.
"He wants to." Like he wouldn't let go of him and Spock for a good 15 minutes when he brought up the possibility. He's grown very attached to them over the last week. "But I haven't heard from Starfleet yet so I have no idea how successful Chen was." Although, this was the woman who defied Starfleet and rescued Tarsus before the second round of the executions could start, so he has faith in her.
"However, the father-in-law is on board with fostering another child. And since Peter finds Spock's new foster sister, Saavik, to be the epitome of cool, New Vulcan was his second choice."
"Really, I expect official orders to get there by now. Peter is officially a member of the Minors on Enterprise program. Ming had it approved the same day we last talked."
"That is absolutely fantastic." Because even though they would be able to visit New Vulcan a lot more than Earth, Jim really wanted to keep Peter with them. Also, Spock was a little worried about his father raising a human child without Amanda there.
"Was there any resistance? Or do you not know the answer to that question." Jim really wanted to know what was going on with Starfleet politics. Okay didn't want to know but he needed to know because that's what first officers did.
"Of course, there was resistance, but Chen reminded the others of why Peter Kirk is an orphan. Is he going by that name?"
"Yes because apparently that's been the name he's been going by for the last 12+ years. Her as well at least since her sister was murdered. I guess she introduced us using her maiden name because I guess introducing your son's uncle to him when you're dying is probably not the right time. This whole situation has been crazy."
"That's probably why she did it. How have you been holding up?" Winona asked.
"Pretty good actually under the circumstances." He hasn't locked himself in the bathroom to cry. Not since finding out anyway. "Thanks to all the times I have babysat Jo Jo and took care of Kevin, I knew most of the stuff I'm supposed to be doing. The rest I have Spock for. You have no idea how many parenting books he has read in the last four days." Jim is pretty sure that his husband has been reading some of those on the bridge when he is supposed to be reading reports. Jim is so proud.
"Probably a lot. Although most things about parenting are not in the books. Really, I'm just glad you married Spock, instead of a piece of shit like Frank. So you're ahead of me." Winona said bitterly.
"You didn't know he was a piece of shit when you married him." Frank had everybody fooled.
"No, but there are things that in hindsight I should've noticed. It doesn't matter because I'm sure you will do much better than I ever did."
"We will see, but the kid is already spending quality time with Margarita." Literally at the moment. "So the jury is still out."
Gina is also suggesting art therapy and Jo Jo has graciously offered to share her stash. Although, Jim is planning to take Peter to take out in the morning to get some things before they leave. At least this Star base has a mall.
"That would be in the positive column. I didn't do that for you until it was court ordered."
"Will Kevin and Liz be joining us?" Jim asked changing the subject.
"In a few minutes. I spoke with my therapist earlier and she suggested that it might be a little too much for Peter to meet us all at the same time. Also one of the people in our party happens to be a toddler that's prone to screaming."
"As well as dive headfirst into baked goods." Jim quipped.
"That happened yesterday to a cupcake. It's like she's convinced that all baked goods should be eaten directly from the table in the messiest way possible."
"Please tell me there are pictures?" Jim asked.
"Already uploaded."
"Which means they will get here in a week." Jim remarked just as he heard the door open.
"Peter is ready to join this conversation now." His husband said as he led the 12-year-old into the room. At least he was breathing normally right now. That was a good sign. Of course he saw Margarita in the back. Smart husband. She was staying out of camera range, but staying in the room. Good doctor.
"Peter, this is my mom Winona. Remember, I showed you a picture earlier." As well as told him a few stories. All good things. Mostly. Peter just nodded his head making Jim glad that this was a video feed.
"He really does look like you at that age." And equally antisocial, but Jim was dealing with the aftereffects of Frank. Maybe he can understand Peter better than he thinks he does.
"I will show you images later to confirm this." Spock said from behind Peter. Peter adored Spock. Vulcans in general, really. He actually got along well with Jim's father-in-law.
"So you're my grandmother?" Peter asked, looking at the screen.
"Yes and I'm sorry we didn't get to meet before."
"Mom was going to bring me to meet you last time we were on Earth, but your neighbor said you were in rehab." Jim put his head in his hands, as Spock began to rub his shoulders. Really he should have totally expected this.
"That's probably true. I am an alcoholic, but I am in treatment right now." At least mom is being honest.
"Is that why I am living on ship?" Peter asked.
"No, you're living on ship because we want you here and you want to be here. And yes it's been approved, so you will get to stay with us. I'm sure you're happy about that because you're already BFFs with Josephine." Jim explained to his nephew. He could feel Spock's relief through the bond.
"Because she understands what's going on." Peter responded.
"She does."
"Although I was looking forward to spending time with Saavik." Jim could feel his husband's lack of surprise at that comment. Peter already really liked his foster aunt.
"Chances are we will end up on the colony sooner rather than later. So you will have plenty of time to hang out. You might as well call Kevin and Liz to come in."
"Kevin is your brother?" Peter asked.
"Yes." Jim confirmed. "I knew I should have given you family tree flashcards." Yesterday's quick rundown was not enough.
"But not my dad's brother because mom said that you were his only sibling."
"Winona adopted me after Sam died, but I am totally willing to take the fun uncle roll. Sam did see me as a little brother anyway. So, expect a care package filled with goodies the next time Enterprise hits another Star base." Kevin explained.
"The end of next month maybe. And I think that's only because of the September crew switch out. Which may become the October switch out for us. You know I was really expecting the five-year mission to be more exploring and less every day drudgery."
"That's because they're getting the hang of this or at least that's what Chan says. So Peter expect Oreos, games, and art stuff when you get new crewmembers. Have Jim give me a list of anything you want." Kevin offered.
"You don't have to." Peter mumbled.
"I want to. According to Liz over here, it is the responsibility of aunts and uncles to provide you with all the fun stuff, especially when you're stuck on ship and the real deep exploration part of the five-year mission will kick in." And Jim was hoping that was soon because the mini missions were starting to cause a headache.
"I like comic books. Josephine has been letting me read some of hers. But I like different things."
"Marvel or DC? Josephine is a Marvel girl." Kevin asked.
"IDW and Boom. Although Disney also owns Boom now."
"I like someone who takes a third option. I think you'll fit in just fine, but I'll make sure that I put in some chips for you. Streaming doesn't quite work on Enterprise." Especially when they get into uncharted space. After the Devon fiasco, Jim was looking forward to two months of deep space. Especially deep space without Jeremy. They put him on the shuttle this morning. Champagne may have been popped.
"I discover that on Devon. I discovered a lot of terrible things on Devon. I told mom not to take the job there, but she didn't listen." Jim put a comforting arm around Peter as did Spock. All the parenting books he's been reading has talked about the importance of tactile parenting in humans. Spock is trying.
"Sometimes parents are stupid. Jim did not want me to go to Tarsus and I did anyway. I'm so sorry about that." Winona apologized.
'Because you didn't want to deal with the fallout of my sexual assault by your ex-husband that you tried to kill.' Yeah it's probably best Jim not say that out loud especially because Winona actually apologized for once. No use scaring Peter before he gets used to this family. Poor child.
"So Peter tell me everything about you?" Liz asked. Peter really didn't respond he just shrugged. This did not surprise Jim at all.
"OK so how about this, we tell you about us and then when you're up to it maybe you can write us a letter. I write to your friend Josephine all the time. She should be getting a letter from us in a little while. We emailed one recently." Liz told the group.
"It could take a little while. The servers are dealing with a ridiculous backlog of messages. Sulu got two in the same day that we know were sent a few days apart." Jim explained with a sigh.
"I like Mr. Sulu. He's going to teach me how to fence." Peter said almost enthusiastically.
"Everyone adores Mr. Sulu. He is Dez's father." Liz said pointing to D, that she was holding or at least trying to. Jim thinks she'll be on the floor of the communications room where they're doing this call within the next two minutes. It may be sooner.
"Is she with you because her mom is dead?" Peter asked. Jim just kind of wants to hug him again. That precious baby.
"No. Her mom, my sister Sue, is a first officer like your uncle although unlike him she's not a captain yet. Jim is special." Liz smiled at him.
"I realize that."
"Anyway baby D is living with us while her mom is away on a mission for the next 10 months. She left in June and should be back hopefully by Desi's second birthday, fingers crossed."
"Unless she puts in a transfer because her Captain is an asshole." Jim heard Kevin mumble under his breath.
At that point, his mom totally took over and started telling Peter all about his new family. Winona talked about her new job at Starfleet and she's excited and happy which Jim is surprised about. She also tells Peter a story about his dad from when he was dating Peter's mom. No one mentioned that Sam proposed before Tarsus, but Peter's mom was the one who didn't want to do a long-distance relationship. Jim wonders if she regretted that. She did take the Kirk name after her parents murdered her sister.
Winona moves on to talking about adopting Kevin but glosses over the reasons why she adopted Kevin. No one wants to mention Tarsus hell or what happened to Sam there. Yes, let's not try to remind Peter that both of his parents died on far out colonies.
But only one was murdered by a genocidal asshole. Yes let's not bring that up.
Kevin talked about school and his desire to be a diplomat someday. He is currently taking Romulan 2 and getting very confused with Vulcan along with the internship. That led to a side conversation between Spock and Kevin about his foster sister. Peter just stayed quiet listening even when the conversation switched to Liz talking.
Liz introduced herself as adopted daughter of Ming Chen head of Starfleet. Command track at the moment but could switch back again. Although, Jim thinks she'll stay with command because she's a natural leader. He wants her on Enterprise so badly, but it probably won't happen because he's pretty sure he can't have Kevin on his ship. Although maybe that doesn't matter as much anymore because Spock is in charge. Something to look into.
"We're probably going to have to end things so Mr. Sulu can at least say hi to his daughter. It's almost midnight. But do you have any questions for us?" Winona asked.
"Why am I just meeting all of you now? I didn't even know I had a grandmother on my dad's side until last year." Peter tells them, and Jim is not surprised.
"And unfortunately, I was in rehab at the time. I don't know the answer to that question, Peter. But the past doesn't matter. We are here now and we really do want to get to know you." Winona explained.
"If you want, you can write to us. You can ask us anything. We may not know the answers to your questions, but I will tell you whatever we can." Kevin tells him.
"Will you tell me stories about my dad?" Peter asked.
"I only knew him towards the end, but Jim and Winona have tons of good stories." And Jim knew that Kevin didn't want to share those stories, not even with Jim.
"I'll record a video file about that time Sam tried to sell Jim for a box of chocolate when he was six." Winona offered much to Peter's enthusiasm and Jim's mortification.
"And on that note, Sulu is now standing at the door, so we are going to head out of the room and let you chat for a few minutes before our allotted time ends. I'll write in a few days. Love you guys." Jim said getting them all out the room as fast as possible, just as the clock struck midnight.
To be continued