Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all fabulous. The last chapter got so long that I decided to split it, which is also why the call was taking place so late at night. But hey it's technically day 165.
Day 165: Post midnight conversations
"How are you feeling, Peter?" James asked Peter once they were out of the room.
"OK." Peter responded, not looking at either of them. Spock was concerned.
"Just like the term fine, okay has various degrees of meaning." Spock told the group.
"Although the fact that you have not resumed hyperventilating leads me to believe that you actually are okay. Or at least okay-ish." Dr. Margarita Cruz said from beside the group.
"Or at least no longer terrified. The throwing up earlier had me a little concerned." Jim added.
"Maybe not overwhelmed anymore. They were nice. I don't know why I was so scared." 'Because your maternal grandfather murdered your maternal aunt.' However, Spock had enough decorum not to say that out loud.
"I told you they would be." James placed a hand on Peter's shoulder.
"I've never met a nice grandma before. I think I might actually want to talk to grandma Winona again."
"We are exploring that during your next session." Spock heard the doctor mumble under her breath.
"Winona has her issues like the alcoholism, but she's never been abusive." No, that was James' stepfather and for the sake of Peter, they won't be talking about that. "Also expect her to totally spoil you. Your care package is going to be gigantic."
"She doesn't have to."
"She wants to. We were barely speaking at the time and she still sent care packages when I was at the Academy."
"Really?"
"Yes." James reassured.
"Do they really want to get to know me? They said I could write, but do they mean that?" Peter asked, and Spock was expecting this question.
"Yes. Mom and Kevin were ridiculously excited to talk to you, Liz as well. You're going to have so many presents waiting for you next time we're at a Star base."
"But why? Is it because I am a connection to Sam? Sometimes I think mom only kept me around because she misses him. Did miss them." Spock is not surprised that Peter is stumbling over using the past tense. He still struggles with that in relation to Amanda and it's been over two years.
"No." James answered quickly.
"You're a very fascinating young man." Spock added.
"And I think now that they know about you, they want to know who you are. But Liz and Kevin at least realize that it might take you a moment to want to share so they are giving you a moment."
"Because I'm Sam's kid?" Peter asked.
"Because you're Peter. And I know you probably don't believe that because growing up I felt like people only cared about me because of my father. He died about five minutes after I was born. Everybody always saw me as the second coming of George Kirk and not Jim Kirk. But eventually I found people that liked me for me, and I like you for you."
"But I wouldn't be living with you if I wasn't your brother's son. I would've been on the shuttle with all the other kids this afternoon. Or rather yesterday." Peter said yawning, probably realizing that it was after midnight, at least on Star base. The Star base was two hours ahead of Enterprise time.
"Actually, James was looking into the possibility of us fostering you before we were aware you were a genetic relative." Because James knew your mother's family was abusive before he knew about your grandfather murdering your aunt. "However, the fact you are a genetic relative makes it feasible for us to keep you with us on Enterprise."
"Exactly. The genetic related thing just makes it easier to overcome Starfleet bureaucratic bull… OK who wants ice cream?" Thankfully, James corrected his language quickly.
"I would love some, but it's after midnight and I have a full day of appointments. However, both you and Peter are on my docket tomorrow. Noon for both of my Captains and 1 PM for Peter."
"Of course, Margarita. And it just sounds awkward for us to have the same rank." Margarita took her leave at James' words.
"Despite the fact that we will have several meetings in the morning related to our next assignment, I believe I would like something with chocolate." He would really like some chocolate right now. "Although, I am uncertain where we can find ice cream at this time and I prefer not to imbibe replicated ice cream when not necessary."
"Every Star base has at least one 24-hour market." James smirked at his husband before grabbing his hand and pulling him into a discrete Vulcan kiss. "I feel like we can all use some ice cream right now."
"OK I was kind of surprised to be called here." Sulu said as he popped on screen. Liz was just happy to see him. "How did the meeting with Peter go?
"Well mom agreed for us to meet Peter if baby D got to see her dad. Which went well, by the way. We have about 15 minutes for family bonding time. Wave to daddy, sweetie." And Demora did without any additional prompting.
"I feel like this is like a misuse of her position. Demora is adorable." Sulu said, waving back at his baby girl.
"Still better than building secret war ships." Liz quipped.
"This is true. So, what's been going on?"
"Oh, you know the usual falling into cakes and making a mess."
"Do you know that we do at least one load of laundry every day now? How can an almost 14-month-old be that messy?"
"Jim practically spent the first three years of his life in the mud." Liz heard Winona said off-camera. She wondered if Sulu heard that.
"I'm not surprised. How are things with Ben and the custody issues? Is he waiting in the wings?"
"I wish, but he is at an emergency lawyer meeting right now because things aren't that complicated with the former in-laws. I tried to get another window. But mom wouldn't budge, and then had to be there." Liz explained.
"So, things are that bad."
"Yep. Ben and Zoe are currently engaged in a PR war with the fertility clinic and Zach's parents. Shawn is ready along with Ms. Lee. However, that means mandatory meetings when he could be at least talking with his boyfriend."
"I am not surprised. And I understand. I always knew baby K would always be his priority. I didn't understand it until I had Demora, but I get it now."
"Daddy love." Demora told her dad.
"It's been only two months and she's gotten so big. Also, that almost sounded like a sentence."
"It's all the cake." Kevin remarked.
"Way too many birthday parties." Liz added.
"That's to be expected because my sister is a party planner and will use any excuse to throw a party. Especially if you're willing to pay for it. Therefore, I'm planning to elope."
"Is there something you need to tell us?" Liz asked.
"Not yet. How are my sister and brother-in-law? How are the kids? This must be awful for them."
"The kids are devastated, especially because Alicia has been trying to get back in contact with them over the last few months. Her new friend Arlene convinced her to."
"I don't know if that's better or worse." Sulu sighed.
"I think better in the long run anyway, but they're just sad right now. Which explains why your sister is having a superhero themed sleepover this weekend and both your girls are invited. I am too as a chaperone."
"Of course, she is. She buries herself in her work instead of processing her emotions. Like she couldn't give that celebrity wedding to someone else right after the miscarriage." Sulu lamented.
"Everybody processes grief differently and that's her process. The brother-in-law is sad, but dealing with it. Or at least I think he is. I think I'll have a better handle on everything after the superhero sleepover. I have to find the perfect superhero pajamas."
"Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, or Agent May?"
"Quake for baby D, but I'm still trying to figure out the rest of us."
"Of course. Send me pictures."
"We will and I'm being told that we're going to have to cut this short. I will write soon. I promise to give you all the juicy details regarding the custody situation. But hey at least baby K is safe."
"For the moment anyway. You do promise to get a hold of me right away if it does go completely sideways."
"Yes. Remember my mom is head of Starfleet." Liz tells him.
"I know. Give my love to Ben."
"I will. That man misses you so much. Fingers crossed, this will get straightened out and he can take the Yorktown job."
"I hope so too. Bye baby, daddy loves you."
"Love, daddy." Desi waves at the screen just as it goes blank. Of course, 30 seconds after that, she decides to take off her shoes and throws them at the screen because of course she does.
To be continued