Work Text:
First Married Christmas
Kestra Troi-Riker was just getting back to the quarters she shared with her husband of seven months, Damian Troi-Artxerx. She had just left a meeting with Captain 7 of 9 who told Kestra that they were going to be on a first contact mission and would be unable to spend Christmas on Earth. The Captain noticed her disappointment and apologized. She told Kestra that she and Damian could have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off.
After Kestra left 7’s Ready Room, 7 had Damian go to her Ready Room where she told him about the change in plans.
“I know Kestra is disappointed. Unless you have urgent appointments, feel free to take the rest of your shift off.”
“Thanks Captain.”
After he left the Ready Room, he went back to their quarters where he found Kestra lying on the bed. He lay down next to her and pulled her into his arms. She immediately started crying.
“This is the first Christmas I’ll be spending away from my parents.”
“I know.”
“It’s stupid since I knew that this could happen at some point in my career.”
“It’s not stupid at all. The captain said we have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off. How about if we run your Alaskan winter holodeck program? We can make it as cold as you want or even have a blizzard.”
“It won’t be the same.”
“I know.” He kissed her on the forehead. “How about if I make us dinner?”
“OK. I’ll contact my parents and let them know. I hope they won’t be too disappointed.”
Kestra was right that her parents were disappointed since it would be their first Christmas in 27 years without having their children with them at Christmas.
Kestra had just finished when the door chimed. “Come in Kyle.”
“I can’t get over the fact that you always know it’s me.”
“Yep.” She frowned. “I talked to mom and dad.”
“I figured you would. Were they disappointed?”
“Yes. I think more than they said. It’s the first time in 27 years that it’s just the two of them.”
“Do you want to stay for dinner?” Damian asked.
“Thanks.”
“Feel free to invite Lavinia.”
“She’s on duty.” He smiled. “I hope you don’t mind a 3rd wheel.”
“You’re not a third wheel. You’re family.” Kestra said.
During dinner, they discussed plans for Christmas. Kyle said he would see if Lavinia could get off for Christmas. Kestra would see if Jack and Sidney could get off. They planned on an afternoon on the holodeck running Kestra’s Alaskan winter program and doing all the Christmas activities they did the previous Christmas.
Over the next two weeks, Kestra worked hard on preparations for the first contact mission in the hope of keeping her mind off her first Christmas away from her parents. Damian did whatever he could to keep her spirits up.
On Christmas Eve, Kestra and Damian went to the holodeck to run their program with the Aurora Borealis. As they stood watching it dance across the sky, they reminisced about the previous Christmas Eve when they got engaged.
“I wish we were in Alaska with our family and friends.” Kestra said.
“I do too. Maybe next year we can convince my parents to join us for Christmas.” He pulled her closer. “I know my mother would love to see this in person.”
“I’ve been thinking over the last few days. Our second anniversary of our bonding is next year. I would love to be pregnant with our first child by then.”
“If that’s what you want, I’m all for it. Maybe we can plan it so our first is conceived on our first anniversary this spring.”
“I’d like that too.” She turned in his arms and kissed him.
The next morning, Damian woke up first and decided to make Kestra breakfast in bed. He knew she would love chocolate chip pancakes. When it was ready, he took it into the bedroom and put the tray on the bedside table before leaning over and kissing her.
“I love your waking me like this.” Kestra said as she opened her eyes.
“Then you’ll love your breakfast.”
She sat up and smiled when Damian put the tray in front of her. He sat in bed beside her as they ate.
That afternoon, they went to the holodeck and started the program running. They were soon joined by Sidney, Jack, Kyle, and Lavinia. They decided to build snow people knowing that a snowball fight would soon ensue. As the fight heated up, Seven contacted Jack.
“Seven to Crusher.”
“Go ahead.” He was hit by a snowball thrown by Sidney. “Hey!”
Seven laughed. “Who hit you with a snowball?”
“My lovely bride.”
“Is it safe for Raffi and me to come in?”
“Sure.”
Everyone stopped throwing snowballs. The door opened revealing not only Seven and Raffi but Will, Deanna, Jean Luc, Beverly, and Damian’s parents, Leanne and Dave. Kestra squealed when she saw her parents and ran to them. They pulled her into a hug as the others went over. Damian hugged his parents and Jack hugged his.
“What are you doing here?” Kestra asked.
“When you couldn’t come to us, we contacted 7 and asked if we could come to you.” Will explained.
“I’m sorry, Sidney, but your parents couldn’t make it.” Seven explained. Your mother wanted to come but your father and Alandra couldn’t make it, so she didn’t come.”
“It’s OK.” She smiled. “Now I don’t have to hear ‘when are you going to have children?’ from my mother; although I’ll probably hear it from my mother-in-law.”
“I promised your mother I would ask.” Beverly said with a smile.
“The answer is we’ll let you know when it happens.” Jack said. Like Kestra and Damian, he and Sidney had decided to start a family. They were planning to wait until their first anniversary to do so.
“Mom, don’t even ask.” Kestra said. “We’ll let you know when it happens.”
“Did I ask?” Deanna asked.
“No, but you will. I’m sure Leanne will as well mostly for Lilly.”
“She told me to ask.” Leanne said.
“OK, enough of the pestering.” Will said. “Is dinner going to be deep-fried turkey?”
“Of course.” Damian responded. “Kes and I were going to make it but you’re more than welcome to assist.”
“Sure, if you need me.”
“Not really.” Kestra said. “I’ve watched and assisted for a long time.” She smiled. “The safeties are on so there’s minimal danger.”
“And we have a doctor and a nurse here if necessary.” Lavinia added.
While everyone other than Will, Kestra, and Damian went the ship’s kitchen to make the side dishes, Kestra and Damian got the turkey ready. When it was ready, Damian lowered the turkey into the deep fryer.
By the time the turkey was ready, the others returned from the ship’s kitchen. Jean Luc went to his and Beverly’s quarters to get some Chateau Picard wine for the meal.
They changed the program to the dining room of the Riker’s house in Alaska. When everyone sat down, Will offered a toast.
“I know most of us thought that this Christmas dinner would be much different than it is. Deanna, Beverly, Jean Luc, and I thought we’d be in Valdez. Leanne and Dave thought they’d be on Betazed. The Enterprise crew thought it would be just them. I’m glad that Seven and I could work it out that we could spend Christmas together.” He raised his glass. “Merry Christmas!”
Everyone echoed “Merry Christmas.”
Before he sat down, Will glanced at Deanna who just shook her head, but it didn’t stop Will from adding “maybe next year there will be two more added to dinner or at least soon to be added.”
Kestra and Sidney looked at each other and shook their heads. Even though neither told the other, they both hoped Will was right.
Christmas was different than everyone hoped but all were happy that they could spend it together.