Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are so fabulous. I was going to put this letter at the end of the previous chapter. Then I realized that Josephine would be ridiculously busy on the 24th, saying goodbye to her friends and getting to hang out with Liz and Kevin for the first time in forever. So, of course, she would forget to email her Aunt Lena. (I literally had to check what I used in the first story because we have to use first names in this chapter.) I also thought that maybe Josephine would want to wait until she opened her Christmas presents to send a proper thank you email. Perhaps she would like to wish her aunt a Merry Christmas.
In addition, you're going to see details about the last two days when letters from the team on New Vulcan finally arrived on Enterprise.
Day 307: The complicated nature of December 25 in the 24th century
December 25, 2263, 8:21 AM
Gina: So, I kind of need a ride from the VSA. Do you know for a place that doesn't allegedly celebrate Christmas, nothing is open today. Normally, I could just take a shuttle to the ambassador's compound, but they're not running.
Sue: Spock told me that would be a problem. We're on our way to come to get you.
Gina: I'm glad my big boss realized this would be a problem.
Sue: I think that might have something to do with most of the population being repatriated expatriates. They've all adapted to other Federation customs. They want December 25 off regardless of the fact that they don't actually celebrate anything. Nobody says no to a day off from work.
Gina: That is understandable. I am so happy I won't see my students for four days. Don't get me wrong, I adore teaching and working with them, but this field trip was exhausting. Chris three's mom has decided to take an earthbound assignment and is leaving in February when we do our shore leave repairs. Thank God.
Sue: I've heard nothing but horrible things about him. Ashley 3 really hates him. Three of your students are here, most likely fawning over my babies right now. If they can get them away from Zoe and the Nanas.
Gina: But the best three. Don't tell the other kids that.
Sue: Your secret is safe with me. The babies can't wait to spend more time with their favorite aunt. If you can get them away from the kids, Aunt Zoe, the Nanas, and the grandfathers.
Gina: Grandfathers?
Sue: Spock's dad and grandfather have claimed the babies. Besides, they can use a few more grandfathers. Ben and I lost our fathers a long time ago. We would like to pretend Mr. Johnson doesn't exist.
Gina: I'm not surprised everybody has claimed them. Your babies are the best. I had fun with them on the 23rd anyway. At least none of them threw up on an ambassador. I thought the dedication ceremony was low alcohol?
Sue: I will have you know that Reyes Junior had an allergic reaction that triggered the throwing up. Honestly, I'm grateful for it because it gave me an excuse to get out of there since I helped Olivia escort her back to the dorms.
Gina: How bad was it? We didn't get to talk yesterday because I had to spend the day wrangling my students. Which is how I know about the ambassador thing. Although I did get to spend the night with my girlfriend.
Sue: Very bad. Hikaru had to keep me from punching out at least two diplomats and a Federation representative. Also, if I didn't sneak down there early, I wouldn't have even got to see my sister. There was a lot of crying. I'm sure Jim has video.
Gina: They mentioned the kidnapping?
Sue: Yep. Apparently, it was my fault I was kidnapped.
Gina: Idiots. Were they stupid enough to say that in front of your mom?
Sue: No, but they did say it in front of Spock's father. Jim has 50 credits on them not being ambassadors anymore by his birthday.
Gina: His actual birthday or the day he celebrates it on?
Sue: Actual birthday. Although he now celebrates it on Spock's birthday on January 6 instead of March (a.k.a. Winona scheduled Labor Day) like he used to. This year they're doing an early joint birthday party on the first. Before everybody goes back to Enterprise.
Gina: Smart. So when do you think you'll get here? The guards are starting to look at me weirdly.
Sue: Maybe five more minutes. We just picked up Jim's bakery order, so we're heading over to the VSA now. We were supposed to get there before you, but we had to go to a different bakery in the shopping district. The one by the VSA is closed. Apparently, the shopping district doesn't care what day it is.
Gina: They don't care on Earth either, so that seems to fit. I'm surprised you're with Jim instead of the boyfriend.
Sue: Because he had to spend some time alone with his fiancé. You know I have my own room.
Gina: Even though I've read The Idiots Guide to Multi-species Polyamorous Relationships twice, I'm trying not to say the wrong thing.
Sue: I appreciate that you found time to read the book twice.
Gina: I am teaching four different grade levels simultaneously. There's a lot of independent study time because of that. Thankfully the group you think would need the most attention actually needs it the least. So I have a lot of time to read in class. As long as I don't have to referee a fight between the Chrises.
Sue: I feel like you break up a lot of fights.
Gina: Way too many. I'm just trying to understand. I might not always get it perfect, but I promise I'll keep trying.
Sue: Which you know I appreciate. Although you're probably still going to need Ben to tell you that it's perfectly OK.
Gina: No, I got that when you came to pick up the kids. It was like you three were the perfect little family.
Sue: I'm sure the fact that I kissed Hikaru in front of him and you and he didn't even blink helped.
Gina: It was more like he was enjoying the show.
Sue: Very much. I know this wasn't what you were expecting because this wasn't what I was expecting, but I like this family. Besides, you know how great Ben is. This entire situation is a vast improvement on my last relationship. I'm glad that's over, and I never have to see him again.
Gina: The universe was really smiling at you by not tying you two together with a child.
Sue: I think he would've abandoned me anyway if the baby was his. He already dumped me as soon as I found out I was pregnant. But at least this way, I didn't have to get Shawn involved to get child support.
Gina: That's true. Also, instead of raising D alone, you have two co-parents.
Sue: And I get a bonus daughter. Maybe even more. Ben and Hikaru are already talking about more kids.
Gina: Is your never getting pregnant again stance starting to soften?
Sue: Possibly. I don't think I would completely freak out about a birth control failure now. I spent an hour crying after discovering that I was pregnant the first time. Although maybe it helps now that I have the best baby in the world.
Gina: I remember all of those rapid messages.
Gina: And the video call. You really couldn't stop crying.
Sue: The boyfriend dumping me may have contributed to all the crying. In the end, it was for the best. I think now I would just shrug and go, "OK, the babies are getting a new sibling."
Gina: However, you still ensured that your birth control is working correctly?
Sue: I picked up all the supplies myself after lunch with Hikaru's sister on the 22nd. I feel like Ben and Hikaru are less likely to get fertility lube accidentally due to sheer laziness, but I'm better at reading Vulcan. Unfortunately, all the ingredient lists are in Vulcan.
Gina: I'm glad the fact that you used to translate my love letters has become useful.
Sue: I've always liked your girlfriend. And now your new job means you get to see her more often. Maybe one of you will actually put a ring on it soon.
Gina: She is considering taking a detail on Enterprise. These last few weeks have been a trial run. It will be part of a cultural exchange for 24 months.
Sue: Is she going to do it? And then maybe after that, you can go to New Vulcan for a couple of years.
Gina: She doesn't want to make a final decision until after her detail is done, but I think she's 90% in favor. But I'm also considering if I can survive New Vulcan. I did OK with the field trips, but the next few days at the ambassador's house will be the real test. I wish my girlfriend was with me, but I can figure out if my body can take being here full time.
Sue: The ambassador has air conditioning. Ashley says that it really works, unlike your housing at the VSA.
Gina: Thank God.
Sue: We're outside. Jim has a croissant and tea for you.
Gina Good tea?
Sue: Well, good tea that's not an intoxicant. That's for after we put the kids to bed tonight.
Gina: I like the way you think
XXXX
From: kitten_loverJJMU
To: Legal Queen
Subject: Merry Christmas, thank you for all the presents
Time sent: 12/25/2260 17:21:08
Merry Christmas, auntie:
I know you celebrate. They really don't here on New Vulcan. Most Vulcans don't celebrate Christmas. Also, Spock's mother was Jewish, so he is more familiar with those cultural traditions. We already lit the menorah earlier during our stay. Grandpa likes to keep a lot of Amanda's traditions alive. Which is why we did gingerbread houses today.
The team from Earth brought all sorts of goodies to celebrate. I built a gingerbread fortress with Ashley 3, Peter, and Cousin Saavik. We used licorice to line the border. There are also gummy bear sentinels. I think it's cute. I sent you lots of pictures of the various houses. You can pick your favorite. Vote for me.
I think ours is cuter than Zoe's. Zoe's team built a gingerbread castle. Her team had the babies, Ben, and her mom.
Do you know Zoe? She's taking a job at the VSA. She's also Ben's sister, sort of. You know we don't really care about DNA in this new family. We're all about families of choice. I think my new grandfather is an upgrade.
Anyway, I've been on New Vulcan, probably since you wrote this letter. It's been about two weeks already. Mom was with me for the first week and ½, but she's now on Enterprise serving as acting captain. Uncles Jim and Spock are here on a "diplomatic mission." There was definitely a lot of diplomatic ass-kissing at the dedication ceremony a couple of nights ago. Uncle Jim referred to himself as the best arm candy.
It will take me way too long to recap everything I have done on the planet so far. However, I got to go to an animal sanctuary, tour a Vulcan farm, and get kicked out of the Vulcan Cultural Center. Technically Peter got us all kicked out of the Vulcan Cultural Center, but the curator was a prejudicial idiot. Don't worry, it's been resolved by mom and Peter becoming Vulcan citizens. Well, Peter is. Mom will have to wait approximately six months for things to be finalized.
Don't worry, you have pictures of everything courtesy of Peter. He loves taking photos of absolutely everything he sees. So I think there's probably a good 400 to 500 pictures coming your way. You can refer to it as how my niece spent her summer vacation on New Vulcan. It's summer here, which makes building gingerbread houses and drinking hot chocolate seem weird, but I'm rolling with it.
Uncle Spock is funny when he's a little chocolate drunk. Not like mom was with alcohol. It's not a trigger like actual alcohol for me, which is good. Actually, Ashley three told me that the others stopped trying to break into engineering for alcohol because they knew the drinking bothered me. They're such good friends.
I'm really sad that yesterday I had to say goodbye to all my friends except Ashley 3, who is staying with us. Her guardian is a doctor, and she is staying on the planet to keep the interns from doing more stupid stuff and keep us all healthy. I'm sure my dad would've liked to of been down here, but I think after the chaos that happened last time he visited New Vulcan, he's OK not leaving the ship even if that means I'm here without them. Apparently, Uncle Spock got kidnapped by an ex or an ex of an ex. It's confusing. Regardless, Uncle Jim and Spock make excellent babysitters.
Anyway, Ashley 2 and Jay cried. Actually, we were all a teary-eyed mess. This is the first time I'm going to be away from them for any amount of time in 10 months. It feels weird to be away from them. But I'm going to send lots of pictures and everything else, especially of the babies. Unlike the last group of friends, I think they're actually going to write me back. Their guardians don't think they should ditch me just because my alcoholic biological mom wrapped her car around a tree.
Liz and Kevin got here late on the 23rd. I didn't even get to see them until yesterday because the dedication ceremony was so chaotic. We were at different tables. Because Gina was done with all of us, Liz and Kevin had to sit with my classmates. I had to sit with grandpa upfront. They were with Liz's mom doing Starfleet stuff the rest of the time. Sue was also annoyed that she barely got to see her sister.
However, yesterday we just got to hang out and go back to the shopping district. We were on babysitting duty so the grown-ups could have alone time. I think I now know why Gina has been reading The Idiots Guide to Multi-species Polyamorous Relationships in class. Which is fine, they can do them. I just don't want to know why mom owned that book before.
I was happy to find out that the Learning Store is really a toy store for Vulcans. The only rule is everything must be educational. So I may pick up a few things. Grandpa does not give presents. He just provides gift cards and tells you to buy stuff. So I bought more clothes, including a few Vulcan robes, because I like them. I think dad will be concerned about the fact I'm bringing up a whole suitcase with new clothes. He already made a joke about the ship only having so much closet space. I'm sure I can talk Scotty into giving me more space when he gets back. I'm his favorite.
You'll be happy to know that I got all your presents. Thank you for the obscene amount of Oreos, especially the chocolate-covered ones. A certain cousin may have tried one (or 5) for the first time and said she saw her hand move. She's sleeping it off right now. So now we're not allowed to pass chocolate to the Vulcans that are not Spock. Whoops. We also thank you for all the other snacks as well.
I'm so happy with the art kit. As well as all the books. I can't wait to try everything. We will have so much fun. Please thank your friend Alex for me. I assume that you were using gender-neutral pronouns on purpose. More power to you.
Also, I'm so happy you're making new friends. I was really worried about Kevin and Liz being away, but I'm glad you're meeting new people and have people who support you. Liz told me all about how Shawn has just been the best boss. Apparently, they had dinner with your boss and his husband a few times. They're the best, per the couple. Liz told me not to worry because you would be spending Christmas there with them.
I wish you could've been here too, but I also heard you're working on a really big case, and you need to concentrate on that. That's in addition to dealing with Evil Nana Kirk. I hope you take the old lady out. While shopping yesterday, I came across the unauthorized biography in the fiction section. From everything I know, it is definitely 100% fiction. She's such a hateful person. She reminds me of the judge. So that makes you really the best lawyer to deal with her.
Are you also handling the unauthorized likeness lawsuit? Winona brought us heroes of the Federation playsets. Jim said they were safe for us to play with. They're also compatible with the Legos. You know I already have Starfleet Barbies. Even though I'm 12 now, I still want more. I'm never giving up toys.
Peter says thank you for the Lego set and the Lego batwoman. Not evil Nana Kirk bought him two superhero playsets, one Marvel and one DC. (Jim's mom refuses to lose the title Nana Kirk to the evil one.) So we are going to have a lot of fun building those.
I love Lego daddy; he is so adorable. This makes up for the fact that they didn't do a Barbie version of dad, although they did one of mom. I'm going to take him everywhere. Uncle Jim talked him into agreeing to the license, apparently. They were contacted directly instead of using a blanket Starfleet license, unlike Mattel. Jim said that was worked out quickly by Shawn's firm.
Liz's mom also bought us an Enterprise Lego set, so we decided to give that one to the cousin. Grandpa wants to help her build it. We kind of expect that it will be displayed on the mantle by the time we go back. Actually, there's a good chance they'll finish construction by the end of the night.
I really had fun today, and a lot of that was because of all the goodies you sent. So thank you. I hope you're having a good day today. Liz promised me that you won't be alone today, making me feel better. I remember Christmas was always when the judge was at his worse, so I'm glad you will be somewhere safe and far away from him. I think that might be why I really don't want to celebrate, but I never turn down gifts or gingerbread.
I can't wait to see you in person. You're right; you should get to explore the universe. This is actually the first time I've been on another planet. If your sister didn't wrap her car around the tree, she would have sent me to boarding school off-planet, but she died before it happened. So my time on New Vulcan was my first real taste of being off of Earth. I feel like a starship doesn't really count as being off-planet.
I really liked it. I think grandpa will try to get us to come and stay more often. There was even talk of a six-month program at the VSA for future applicants. Although we have to be at least 14 to do the program. We're thinking possibly 2263. We will just have to see.
Anyway, write back when you can. I miss you and hate we won't see each other until summer. However, I am really looking forward to it.
PS: I'll ask grandpa later if we can video call you. Cousin Saavik calls Peter all the time, so I think it might be feasible. They have a long-range communications room in the compound.
XXXX
December 25, 2260, 6:45 PM
Somewhere in suburban San Francisco
Months ago, when Lena found out that Kevin and Liz would be spending the holidays in New Vulcan, she assumed she would be alone. At the time, she thought they would be coming back, not going onto other assignments. Technically they will be back but not until June, and the baby won't be coming with them.
This is Lena's first holiday season since cutting her father out and her second one since her sister's death. Last year she got to spend it with her brother-in-law and niece. (Leonard never became her former brother-in-law because, to be honest, she always liked him better than her sister.) This year she was planning to watch 20th century Christmas movies with replicated turkey for one. Things were going well with Chloe, but she wanted her to spend the holiday just with her daughter. It would be the first one post-divorce, and it made sense for it to just be the two of them.
Thankfully Shawn invited her to spend Christmas day with him and his husband Cory. They were the most adorable couple. They met in law school and have been inseparable ever since. She was happy to be there because Cory is an excellent cook.
"I am very thankful that you invited me because the dinner was lovely. Much better than anything I could have possibly replicated." She said, taking a drink of her hot chocolate. Although alcohol was never her drug of choice, she felt it was best not to touch it at all after what happened with her sister.
"Nothing replicated tastes good. It's why I made your hot chocolate from scratch. With actual chocolate." Cory commented.
"Bless you." It really was good hot chocolate.
"We're happy to have you here. Besides, we both know what it's like to have horrible family members." Cory and Shawn shared a look. She knows that they aren't really on speaking terms with most of their family.
"Although I don't know if any of your fathers have tried to get you fired." Lena joked.
"My mother did. Thankfully everybody else at the firm liked me more." Shawn remarked.
"She was just a nasty person. Although she never did try to break down our front door." Shawn gave his husband a look at that comment.
"That hasn't happened yet," Lena remarked, causing her boss and his husband to share a look. "OK, why are you looking at each other like that?"
"While Corey was making your hot cocoa, I got a call from the security team." Shawn had arranged for a security team after the last time the judge violated his restraining order. The firm was paying for it because the guy was unhinged and interfering with clients. They discovered he was paying the bail of Ben's former father-in-law just to get back at Kevin and Liz for supporting her.
"What happened?" Lena asked.
"It doesn't matter. The judge violated the restraining order again. So he's back in jail. The new wife can bail him out or not." Shawn explained.
"Preferably not." Cory took a long drink of his wine.
"That said, you should probably stay at a hotel for a couple of days."
"We made reservations at the hotel next to the firm. It's lovely. We stayed there when the house was being renovated." Cory added.
"Of course you did. You didn't have to do that."
"Actually, we did because he broke down your door. And set fire to your computer. There is a little bit of smoke damage possible." Thankfully no work stuff was actually on her computer. Like it's been for the last 200 years, everything is stored on an external server. Thankfully this means that she didn't lose all of the pictures of the kids hanging out and you walk in that Leonard's girlfriend has been sending her.
"I'm gonna have to move again? I think having your father tried to burn the place down is grounds for expulsion. The condo board will not be happy." She is so exhausted with him.
"I've never done property law, but it's a possibility. Thankfully Rebecca does, and she can help you find something wonderful."
"Preferably, something with really good security," Lena remarked.
"This is a nice gated community. There are a few units available right now." Cory suggested.
"I'll think about it if you get me more hot chocolate."
"I'll make you a whole thermos worth after you get your last present. Come with us." Cory said, getting up from the table.
"Another present? You gave me a weekend spa package. That was more than enough." Lena said as she followed behind her boss and his husband.
"That's my traditional holiday bonus. But this is just for you and the real reason why you're here." Shawn explained.
"Other than keeping me away from my father," Lena commented.
"Keeping you far away from the judge is by itself a good reason, but you're going to like this more," Shawn said as he opened the door to a room she hasn't seen yet. Because apparently, it was their communications room.
"You have a long-range communication room in your house?" The firm had one which is where she was planning to call Josephine if possible.
"When you're the head of a law firm that is accredited on 30 different planets, it's necessary. That's not counting all of our Starfleet clients." Shawn explained.
"Being in San Francisco, we do a lot of interplanetary litigation. It's our specialty, actually."
"Which is why you have me studying for the Vulcan bar exam?" Lena asked.
"We do a whole lot of work for the Vulcan embassy. Which is how I got recommended to help your brother-in-law with the custody situation. Cory's more of a diplomat lawyer; I'm a family lawyer. Thanks to the unauthorized likeness suits, Captain Spock is one of your clients. You may need to argue cases on New Vulcan in his defense. It would be practical."
"Especially if I might have to leave to get away from my father." And she's wondering more and more if she will have to do what Ben and his mother-in-law did. Even Zoe wasn't coming back. She got a job at the VSA. They received the rapid message about it yesterday, and it was discussed during an official briefing. It's reasonable to assume that New Vulcan could use lawyers.
"It might not need to come to that just yet. He violated the restraining order again. So he'll probably get locked up this time."
"I don't think he's actually going to stop until he is dead." Or the other way around, but Lena doesn't want to say that out loud.
"Well, he's 80 and not the healthiest person. But I'm not opposed to actually having a rep on New Vulcan. Again we do a lot of work with the embassy, so having someone on the planet would be useful."
"So why am I here?" She asked.
"Christmas present," Cory commented. At that moment, the screen came alive, and she saw Liz on-screen with the babies. Both babies were playing with the doll she sent them. They were adorable.
"I did promise to call. Happy Christmas." Liz said.
"Thank you. I see the babies are enjoying their Christmas present." Lena smiled at the babies. They are the cutest.
"So very much. I sent pictures." Liz answered.
"Good. Where's my niece? Did she get all her presents?" She asked.
"Yes. Also, Gina delivered your presents to Leonard and Nyota yesterday. I'm sure you'll get a thank you note in about 2 to 3 weeks."
"That's so kind. I just assumed they wouldn't get there until Josephine went back after New Year's."
"Gina wanted to. Kevin is getting Josephine, but I thought we could talk for a minute."
"Did either of my bosses send you a rapid message about the stupid thing my father did today?" Lena asked.
"Yes. Are you OK?" Liz asked.
"I don't even know yet. I've only known about the incident for about five minutes. I'm trying not to let him ruin my day. Although I regret you won't be coming back to help me house shop. The current place was so perfect."
"You'll find something better," Liz says just as Josephine runs into the room, followed by her friends Peter and Ashley. Although she's not sure which Ashley because her niece had two good friends named Ashley.
"Well, it looks like video chat is possible." Josephine looked very happy to see her on-screen.
"Very possible. Introduce me to all your friends." Josephine excitedly began introductions, although she regrets her cousin wasn't there due to accidental chocolate intoxication. As she met her niece's friends, Lena forgot about the whole situation with the judge. She'd much rather spend quality time with her niece.
To be continued…
So sorry, this chapter is coming in January. I'm still working on the next batch of chapters, so I couldn't post two back to back.