Chapter Text
“I haven’t seen Leah’s boys in so long,” McCoy said as they headed back downstairs. “They’ve got to be getting big now.”
Mrs. McCoy was at the stove when they entered the kitchen. Another woman was at the sink.
“Hi Leah,” McCoy called across.
The woman at the sink turned, then wiped her hands on a dishtowel. McCoy met her in the middle of the room for a hug.
“Lenny!” Leah said. “It’s nice to have you home.”
“It’s good to be here,” McCoy said. “This is Jaylah.” He waved her forward. “This is my sister Leah,” he said to Jaylah.
“Welcome Jaylah; it’s nice to have you here.”
“Thank you,” Jaylah replied.
Leah reached down for McCoy’s hand and examined the ring on it.
“Can’t believe you did it again,” she grinned.
“Come on Jaylah,” Mrs. McCoy said. “Those two have years of teasing to get out.” She led Jaylah to the table.
“And I can’t believe you forgot to tell us,” Leah said with an eyebrow raised. “Or invite us.”
“Hey!” McCoy laughed. “It just kinda happened. Emotions running high, ship destroyed, each thinking the other might be gone…”
“Yeah, yeah,” Leah said with a dismissive wave and a grin. “Wait. Are you really married? Or are you faking having a partner? Is that why we haven’t met him?”
“Jaylah…” McCoy called for help.
“Montgomery Scotty is real,” she said with a smile. “He is who saved me.”
“See?” McCoy rubbed it in his sister’s face.
“What’s she mean ‘saved?’” Leah asked.
McCoy made his way to the table with Leah and sat.
“Did you read about that last mission the Enterprise had?”
“The one that destroyed it?” Leah asked.
McCoy nodded. “Jaylah was there on Altamid. She escaped from Krall, and helped save us. Now she’s with us and going to the academy.”
A young boy ran into the kitchen before anything else could be said.
“Uncle Leo!” he exclaimed, and threw his arms around McCoy.
“Oh my goodness! Look how you’ve shot up Dylan!” McCoy said.
“I’m almost five feet,” the boy said excitedly.
“Hey,” McCoy said to his nephew, “this is my friend Jaylah.”
“Hi Jaylah! I’m Dylan.”
“Hello Dylan.”
“I like your markings,” Dylan said and motioned at his own face.
“Dylan!” Leah hissed, but Jaylah laughed.
“Thank you. My father told me they mean I am fierce.”
“You wanna help show Jaylah around tomorrow before dinner?” McCoy asked.
“Yeah!”
“Where’s your brother?”
“He’s out there with great-Nana and Dad.”
“Here you are,” Mrs. McCoy said, returning to the table with two plates. “Dylan, you run along and play. Let these two eat alright?”
“Yes grandma,” the boy said and trotted back out of the kitchen.
McCoy and Jaylah ate their dinner. Mrs. McCoy and Leah kept them company, in between getting up to check on things for the dinner the next day.
“I can put some coffee on if you want Leo,” Leah said.
“No, I’m good for now. Thanks.”
Leah nodded.
“What are the boys up to?” McCoy asked. “They’ve been awful quiet out there.”
“Steven promised them a movie earlier. It should be finishing soon.” Leah glanced across at the time. “And those two should be getting to bed soon.”
McCoy stood up. “Well let me see how big David’s gotten at least before you send them off. Wanna come darlin’?”
“Ok Dr. Bones,” Jaylah said and stood.
Leah raised an eyebrow at her brother. McCoy laughed.
“That’s what she calls me. Too much time around Jim,” he said, putting an arm around Jaylah’s shoulders. “Though, I know you know how to ask for me by my real name.” He winked at Jaylah, thinking back to her dislocated shoulder at the clinic.
“Fill me in later,” Leah laughed.
She picked up the empty dishes and walked to the sink. Mrs. McCoy was rolling something out on the counter. McCoy led Jaylah out to the living room where both his nephews were lying on the floor watching a movie. Their dad was reading in the corner and a small older lady was sitting on the couch. She noticed the newcomers first.
“Oh Leonard!” she called out and raised her arms.
McCoy walked right to her and leaned down for a hug.
“Hi Nana,” he smiled.
“I’m so glad to see you! Sit, sit!” Nana McCoy patted the couch next to her.
“Hi Steven,” McCoy called to the man in the corner.
“Hi Leonard,” his brother in law called back.
McCoy nudged one of the boys with his foot.
“Hey there David.”
“Hi Uncle Leo,” the boy looked over his shoulder quickly then turned back to the movie.
“Who’s this?” Nana asked, nodding at Jaylah.
“This is Jaylah. Jaylah, my Nana.”
“Hello.”
“Come sit dearie, I don’t bite.” Nana laughed.
Jaylah sat next to McCoy.
“Now Leonard, is this the one you married?” Nana continued. She peered at Jaylah with a smile.
McCoy laughed. “No Nana, Monty is out at Yorktown and couldn’t make it. Jaylah is a very dear friend; like family.”
Nana nodded. “Good. There’s always room for more family in this family. What do you do Jaylah?”
Jaylah looked puzzled. “What do I do?”
“Are you in Starfleet like Leonard?”
“Oh. I am at the academy.”
“And what do you study? Are you going to be a doctor?”
“Engineering.”
“Monty says she’s going to be a great one,” McCoy said. “She fixed up nearly an entire Federation starship by herself.”
“You fixed a starship?” Dylan had turned from the movie and sat up looking at Jaylah wide eyed.
“Montgomery Scotty made it fly,” Jaylah said.
“But it wouldn’t have done that without all the work you did first,” McCoy insisted.
“Did you get to fly it?” Dylan asked.
Jaylah shook her head.
“Have you flown other ships?”
“Shh,” said David over his shoulder at his brother's growing enthusiasm.
“I have not flown,” Jaylah said. “Only in the simulator at the academy.”
“Dylan has decided he wants to be a pilot,” Nana said.
McCoy looked at his nephew. The boy looked so much like Leah when they had been young. Behind Dylan, David turned the movie off as the credits began.
“What about you David? Know what you want to do yet?”
The other boy shook his head as he sat up.
“You gonna give me a proper greeting now your movie’s over?” McCoy teased.
David got up and hugged McCoy.
“You’re going to be taller than your mom any day now,” McCoy said.
David rolled his eyes.
“This is Jaylah,” he introduced her. “And this is David, Leah’s older son.”
“Hi,” David said as he sat back down by his brother. He cocked his head to the side as he looked at Jaylah. “Where are you from?”
“I don’t know,” Jaylah said softly. “I lived on Altamid, but I am not from there.”
“Her markings mean she’s fierce!” Dylan exclaimed to his brother.
“Time for bed!” Leah said entering the room.
“Mom!” David groaned. “Why can’t we stay up? It’s a holiday.”
“It’s already nine thirty!” Leah said.
“Come on boys, let’s go,” said Steven, getting up. “Say good night.”
“Good night,” David and Dylan chorused. One at a time they each leaned down to kiss Nana on the cheek.
The boys left the room slowly followed by their parents. The three left in the living room could hear when the boys called goodnight to Mrs. McCoy, then the sounds of footsteps on the stairs.
“They’re good boys,” Nana said. “I’m so happy to see you here Leonard,” she continued after a pause. “I try to follow the doings of the Enterprise as much as I can, and oh I was so worried about you after that last mission.”
McCoy saw a tear forming in the corner of his Nana’s eye.
“They didn’t say much at first, except the ship had been destroyed. That wait to see your name…” she grabbed McCoy’s hand and squeezed. McCoy covered their joined hands with his other one. “And that’s where this young lady comes in is it?”
“Yes Nana. Jaylah was living and working on an old Federation ship and helped us escape.”
“And James T and Montgomery Scotty helped me escape,” Jaylah said.
“Monty and I took Jaylah in, and well, she’s family now. She’s even a McCoy Nana,” McCoy smiled.
“What?” Nana asked in surprise.
“I did not have another name. Dr. Bones let me use his and Montgomery Scotty’s.”
“Well! Another McCoy! That’s wonderful dearie.”
McCoy felt Nana’s fingers touching the ring on his finger. He moved his other hand away so she could see.
“Now, tell me about this husband of yours Leonard…”
“You doing alright darlin’?” McCoy asked when they had gone up to their room for the evening.
“Yes Dr. Bones,” Jaylah said with a smile. “I like your family.”
“You feel overwhelmed at all, you go right ahead and find somewhere quiet. All these McCoy’s together can get a bit boisterous.”
Jaylah nodded her acknowledgement and went into the bathroom.
McCoy woke first and stretched himself out as he sat up. He gathered his things and went silently into the bathroom, hoping the noise wouldn’t wake Jaylah. Though, she lived in the dorms, hopefully she could sleep through all kinds of noises.
He glanced across at her peaceful, sleeping face as he finally left the room.
Downstairs the smell of strong coffee hit him and he breathed it in happily. He followed the scent into the kitchen.
“Good morning Leonard. Did you sleep alright?” Mrs. McCoy was stirring something on the stove.
“Like a log Ma,” he chuckled and went to the coffee pot. “Mmm,” he said after a sip, “no one makes it like you.” He lifted the cup in salute to his mother. “No one else up yet?” He asked as he moved to stand at the counter opposite Mrs. McCoy.
“I thought I heard Nana moving around, but no one else has come in yet.”
“You need any help?” he asked after he had another drink and set the mug on the counter.
“Do you want to stir, or get out the breakfast dishes?”
“Whichever you want me to do Ma.”
Mrs. McCoy held out the handle of the spoon to him and he stepped forward to take it.
“What time we eating today?” he asked as Mrs. McCoy got out bowls.
“About 3 or so,” she replied.
They fell quiet, working contentedly. McCoy looked up at the sound of someone else entering the kitchen. He smiled at the sight of his young nephew still wiping sleep from his eyes.
“Morning Dylan,” he greeted him.
“Hi Uncle Leo. Hi Grandma.”
“What are you doing up early?” McCoy asked as the boy made his way over.
Dylan shrugged. “Mom was snoring.”
McCoy let out a bark of laughter. Trust the young to be truthful.
“What’s for breakfast?” Dylan asked, trying to look in the pot.
“Oatmeal,” McCoy answered.
“What do you want on yours Dylan?” Mrs. McCoy asked.
“Ooo, what is there Grandma?” Dylan moved away towards the table.
McCoy grabbed one of the bowls his mom had sat by him and dished a few scoops into it. He dished a second bowl, then turned the heat down under the pot. He carried the two bowls to the table, then went back for a third.
“Could you pass the blueberries?” McCoy asked his nephew. “Thanks.” He sprinkled a few in, and watched Dylan do the same. He drizzled in a bit of honey, and held back a grin when his nephew followed suit.
“Anything else?” McCoy asked.
Dylan shook his head and began to eat. McCoy looked at his mother and shared a smile.
“Jaylah! Are you ready?”
Dylan went flying to the stairs yelling.
“Dylan!” Leah admonished her son, “Don’t yell in the house!”
“He’s fine,” McCoy laughed, “Just excited.”
Leah rolled her eyes at her brother. “Says the one with no kids.”
“Hey! Now you know that’s unfair. I have to deal with Jim everyday locked on a starship.” McCoy stuck his tongue out at his sister.
“Now who’s being childish?” Leah asked back with a raised brow.
Jaylah came down the stairs at that point.
“Are you ready?” Dylan asked eagerly.
“Yes,” Jaylah said with a smile.
“Can we go now Uncle Leo?”
“Where’s David? Did he want to come too?”
“Dunno,” Dylan called over his shoulder. He had already grabbed Jaylah’s hand and was leading her to the back door.
“Dr. Bones!” Jaylah looked back in surprise.
McCoy and Leah couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’ll send David out if he wants,” Leah said.
McCoy nodded and followed after Jaylah and his nephew. He grabbed his coat off the hook and Jaylah’s as well. Once outside he handed hers over and put his own on. Dylan had put his on before he went running and yelling through the house.
“Can we go to the stable first Uncle Leo? Please?”
“What is a stable?” Jaylah asked.
“Don’t tell!” Dylan looked at McCoy. “We can surprise her!”
McCoy laughed. “It’s a surprise darlin’.”
“Come on, come on!” Dylan urged them as he ran ahead.
“Think he's a bit taken with you,” McCoy said as they followed the young boy.
Jaylah frowned at him.
“Taken?”
McCoy laughed. “He wants you to be his friend.”
“Oh.”
McCoy held back another laugh as Dylan opened the stable door and Jaylah followed him in. A gasp was followed by a whinny and McCoy entered the stable behind Jaylah.
“Dr. Bones!” Jaylah grabbed his arm. “What are these?”
“This is Honey and that’s Max,” Dylan said. He was reaching up to rub at Honey’s neck.
“They’re horses darlin’,” McCoy said.
“They are huge,” Jaylah said with wide eyes.
“They’re big, but they’re sweet as sugar,” McCoy said. He walked to the horse Dylan wasn’t rubbing. “Aren’t you girl?” he said to the horse, petting along by her mane. The horse let out a neigh, then ducked her head towards McCoy. “I don’t have anything for you right now,” he laughed at the horse nosing at him. “Wanna pet her?”
“Pet?” Jaylah asked, her eyes still wide.
“Like this!” Dylan called out and demonstrated.
Jaylah moved slowly over next to McCoy. She slowly let McCoy guide her hand along the horse’s neck.
“We can go for a ride later,” Dylan told Jaylah.
“Ride?” She looked at McCoy, her eyes widening again.
“Tomorrow maybe Dylan. Don’t think there’s enough time with dinner today.”
“Guess that’s true Uncle Leo,” Dylan said with a frown.
“Come on, we’ve got lots more to see before we need to get dressed for dinner,” McCoy said.