Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all absolutely lovely.

Day 332: Greetings from the mother-in-law.

From: KirkWX

To: Spock's_cuddlebunny

Time arrived: 01/18/2261 00:00:01

Subject: Thank you for your message

Did you really think I would wait until I dropped off my future daughter-in-law in Yorktown to write to you? You should know better than that. Although I probably will write to Peter and CC you once I arrive. You know I adore my grandbaby.

Thank you so much for sending me a rapid message yesterday. I really needed it. Between anniversary day and having to say goodbye to you and Kevin, it's been a rough couple of days. I am trying to enjoy my remaining time with the babies before we drop them off at Yorktown.

Even though I'm sad to be saying goodbye, I'm glad we had an excellent visit. I'm also pleased that I got to see you in action. You're a good co-captain. I feel like the first officer thing is mostly on paper. We'll see how that goes when you and Spock switch on the next assignment. Although thankfully, you have four more years before worrying about that. Unless you get tired and just say fuck it and do something else. You know I'm going to be the first one to support you if you do decide that. Starfleet shouldn't be everything.

It's weird to think that both of my babies are in space. I hoped I would have a little more time with Kevin, but those days were numbered. With him wanting to do diplomatic track I hope that means he will be living on a planet most of the time. Although Liz is command track, who knows what that means. Although my instinct is telling me ambassador on ship eventually. The two bodies problem is always a problem.

In addition to yesterday being my least favorite day of the year (you know it is, which is why we moved your birthday), we also arrived at an unknown ship to do a surprise inspection. So far, nothing looks horrible. There's not even a distillery in engineering. However, there is an entire cannabis farm in Botany. I regret that I have to be zero tolerance for drugs. I couldn't even have the specialty while we were on the colony. I was stuck with the virginal lemon bars.

At least families will be back on ship soon enough everywhere which would be good for people like Ben. If that stupid ban didn't happen, you would've never ended up with Frank. I hope lifting the regulation will keep many kids out of bad situations. I hope so, at least. I always believed it was stupid even though it was supposed to be for my benefit after delivering you in the neutral zone. I'm sure somebody was trying to get that rule passed before but just used me.

No one asked me, a new single-parent, what they actually needed.

I never thought I would find myself here again, not just in Starfleet but actually having an active part in your life. Not after everything that happened before, especially with the drinking. But I'm grateful for the second chance, not just with you but with Kevin. I'm glad we have a better relationship now, even though you're so far away. Each time I get a new letter from you I'm excited because that means that you're still willing to talk to me.

I realize that the only way I will maintain this is to stay sober. Everything falls apart whenever I start drinking again. I doubt you would let me anywhere near Peter if I went back in the bottle. So I'm trying my best. I hope it's enough, though.

Anyway, I'll see you this summer. Liz assures me they're not going to elope on a space station during the trip for the Sulu wedding, but I'm bringing a second wedding appropriate dress just in case. I think they're too much in the love bubble to make it until graduation.

Ben is trying to talk me into being his best person because Zoe says it's bad luck for her to participate in the wedding party for his second wedding after being in the first one. I think that's just an excuse. Unfortunately, Ben is still not speaking to most of his other friends, and honestly, it's probably for the best.

Xxxx

From: KirkWX

To: Jim's_cuddlebear

Time arrived: 01/18/2261 00:00:01

Subject: Thank you for allowing me on your ship

I just wanted to write you to thank you for your hospitality and for allowing me to spend time on your ship. It was wonderful seeing where James works. Also, despite a few idiots, the crew greatly respects you and your husband.

You're probably finding it odd that I am writing to you. I usually write to Jim or Peter, not you. Let's be honest; I've been outright hostile to you for most of our acquaintance. I am very sorry I took out my regrets regarding my second husband on you. That wasn't fair. I took one incident out of context and built an entire narrative out of it that was completely inaccurate. I am deeply sorry for doing that.

On New Vulcan, I saw firsthand how well your relationship with Peter and James is. I realize that you really are a good father and husband. Parenting is difficult even under the best of circumstances, and these were not the best circumstances. I made a lot of mistakes as a parent. Even though my kids are grown, and I have grandbabies, I still make mistakes. Although I hope they're less catastrophic now.

I know firsthand that parenting is even more complicated when you jump into a situation like you did. I'm sure I made more mistakes with Kevin than with Jim and Sam. Considering where my mistakes with Jim lead, that's saying something. Thankfully Jim was there to keep it from being even worse. Peter loves you. And it's apparent that he's loved and cared for by you and James. He's nowhere near as traumatized as a child who lost both parents before becoming a teenager should be. I know that's because you and my son are doing your best.

I'm sorry I judged you harshly before I knew you. I'm also sorry that I let my old issues keep me from having a good relationship with you. I'm hoping that moving forward, things can be better.

I look forward to spending time with you and Peter this summer. I hope you can also forgive me for the way I treated you in the past. Again, I am incredibly sorry for how I treated you before I knew who you really were, and I hope we can move forward.

Xx

"She really did apologize," James said as he read through the letter on his husband's PADD 3 times.

"You are surprised by this?" Spock asked.

"My mom hasn't always been known for her apologies. Obviously, she's getting better at that.

"She is."

"Although, it's sad that your letter is more emotionally honest. I feel like she didn't even know how to end my letter, which is why she brought up wedding stuff." James lamented.

"I'm sure she knew I would share it with you." Spock suggested.

"Of course, you would. We have that marriage." James leaned over and kissed him.

"I'm glad you're up here and not down on planet trying to collect plant and soil samples again without being seen by the locals." After several days of observations, they realized they could continue taking samples without interfering with the local population.

"I am as well. We should be leaving this planet within the next 48 hours. Once our data collection is finished, we will move to the next moon in the system."

"Do you think the next planet will have Muppets, not the little ones but the big giant ones?" Jim asked. "I must find pictures of that big blue one to show you."

"I am uncertain. Although it is possible since it is the only other planet in the system that could possibly support life."

Xxxx

From: Spock's_cuddlebunny

To: KirkWX

Time sent: 01/18/2261 21:34:01

Subject: Definitely bring two formal dresses to Yorktown

I've been informed that Liz promised Sulu she would not overshadow his wedding. I think they just want to be dating for a little bit before the wedding. So I don't expect them to tie the knot until they have to for tandem assignments. But it wouldn't hurt to bring a second dress. The grandbabies are still in the ruining your clothing stage of life. Spock ended up changing his top one breakfast after baby D got jam handprints on his shirt. I'm sending you that picture just in case you did not get it earlier.

I vote for you to be the best person since Zoe said no. I'm sure Ben will not have any other friends coming to the wedding. Partly because it's so far from Earth and partially because of what you mentioned. Although maybe he'll make more friends while at Yorktown.

Yeah, I really should not have expected you to wait until Yorktown. It is good to hear from you. I'm glad that you had this time with the kids. I'm also pleased that you're doing better. I'm proud of you for getting your one-year chip this time. You're doing good, and I appreciate it. Thank you for not indulging in the good lemon bars. It's good to see you not repeating the same mistakes as last time.

I'm grateful that we can keep Peter with us for now. The program gets reevaluated soon. We're almost approaching the one-year mark. Even if I'm not sure who is actually doing the evaluation. Maybe Chen was doing that while she was on the ship. Although since she's known Gina since possibly pre-k, that might be an ethics issue. If by some catastrophe, they decide not to expand the program, Cookie Vulcan will be looking at teaching positions at the VSA. But for now we're staying put.

I can't believe it's been a year since this mission started. It's been an amazingly crazy year with a mix of good and bad things and some bizarre things. Fraggles are real. That will make sense to you when you see the report. No, I will not elaborate. We're still observing. We're also trying not to break the prime directive as we do it. It's been one of those weeks.

I get that it probably has been a sad couple of days. Even I am teary-eyed that my baby brother is on a ship without me. But I think you'll be OK and so will Kevin. OK, there's the assholes he's dealing with, but I think other than that, it's going well. We are so going to have to compare notes on that. I'm trying to decide if he will be more honest with me, you, or the fiancée. I'm not sure. I tend to be more truthful with Spock than I am with other people, so that might be it.

PS: Did you get Spock a T-shirt that read "my species initiated first contact, and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" for his birthday? I initially believed it was one of the kids, but I have yet to get a confession. I have attached that image for your amusement.

Xxxxx

From: Jim's_cuddlebear

To: KirkWX

Time sent: 01/18/2261 22:55:23

Subject: Thank you for your apology

Thank you for your letter. I appreciate you reaching out to me directly without an intermediary. It would be illogical for me to say that I was unaware of your hostilities regarding myself. I understood that it was coming from a place of concern due to my own actions and not out of a place of prejudice. This is refreshing because most of the dislike I encounter is directly related to my heritage.

I received an expletive-filled letter from your former mother-in-law soon after our nuptials were made public that was promptly turned over to the authorities. Her distasteful comments about me in the book were mild by comparison. Yet her dislike for me was not solely based on my gender and species. She also dislikes that I am of Jewish heritage even though I'm nonpracticing. Apparently, she's anti-semitic. This is not surprising.

I appreciate your apology. I accept it because I saw from your actions during our trip that you have changed. It was evident that you were less hostile, and now I know it was not just for Peter's sake. Apologies are meaningless without taking action to rectify the situation.

I understand your apprehension. I did choke your son, creating a mental bond that technically married us by the culture of my people. It is logical you would be upset at that situation and mistrust me. You may have even felt that I entrapped your son in an abusive relationship. Because of your personal history, it's logical for you to feel this way. But I am not your former husband. I assume you are aware of that at this point but let me try to alleviate any lingering fears. You should be well aware that I would never abuse or neglect James. Any type of physical encounter would be completely consensual, including strangulation. Although I have been informed that this is not something I should include in this letter, I feel it is something you should be made aware of. James wants me to delete that from the letter, but I think it's essential that you have actual assurance in that regard.

I will acknowledge that becoming a parent suddenly was a challenging experience. It was made worse because I didn't have my own mother to seek advice from. I've been reading many parenting books since we received custody of Peter.

My father tried, but he was the least hands-on parent. His third attempt at parenthood is doing better than the first two attempts, but he comes to us for parenting advice. It seems as if we are all making it up as we go to use a phrase from one of Jim's favorite songs. But we are trying our best that's all we can do right now.

James appreciates all you're doing to try to be in Peter's life. We're aware that staying sober is an ongoing process for you. But we appreciate the effort that you're putting into maintaining your sobriety. We look forward to seeing you this summer and also continuing correspondence during the time between. Several pictures are attached, including recent attempts at making vegan sugar cookies.

During mid-February, we will be at a Starbase to undergo repairs due to the incident in engineering. I'm sure you had a chance to survey the damage during your visit. Thankfully, nothing needs immediate repairs but it is something that must be dealt with nonetheless. We hope to have a video call at that time.

To be continued.

So, you may have noticed that this is labeled as chapter 332 even though it's only two days later per the email dates. Now that we're only a month away, I am aware that I miscounted at some point during the story, and we are off by four days. Because I'm too lazy to go back and correctly renumber, we're just going to skip an extra day between the following four updates. That way, when we get to February 17, it will actually be day 365.

Yes, that T-shirt exists and has been worn by at least one Spock actor at a convention.