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The downside to being part of a five-year mission in space is that you hardly have much time to be home. Thankfully, though, Jim had been gracious enough to grant shore leave for the holidays, and you couldn't be happier about it.
Finally being home - no longer confined to your duties aboard the Enterprise - is a blessing for you and Leonard both.
On top of that, Joanna is meant to visit for a few days. She's been eager to see her dad in person now that she could, and you can't blame her. Besides, you see this as a chance to bond with her more. Joanna seems to like you just fine, but you've always had an inkling of doubt for some reason.
In order to make Joanna's visit perfect, you've taken it upon yourself to start some cookies. Unfortunately, you've made quite a mess. Flour is splattered on your apron, and Leonard can't help but laugh when he comes in to check on you.
"You know, I'm pretty sure the flour is supposed to go in the bowl." Leonard leans against the counter, an amused look on his face.
"How silly of me. I never would've known if you hadn't said something," you retort, barely holding back a smile of your own.
He snorts and kisses your forehead. "Whatever would you do without me, darlin'?"
"I might actually finish these cookies on time, for starters," you tease. You've just started to cut them into shapes and set them on a baking sheet. You know Joanna's due to arrive any minute, and you want them done by then so she has a snack.
Leonard laughs and shakes his head, holding his hands up in surrender. "Don't let me distract you, sweetheart," he says.
It's as you're carefully setting the cookies into the oven that the doorbell rings, and you don't have time to make a witty retort before Leonard leaves to answer it. You hear him greeting Joanna and letting her in from the cold.
Shit. A little earlier than you hoped, but you’ll manage.
You're already taking off your flour-covered apron when Joanna comes in, immediately zeroing in on the smell of cookies baking.
"Are you baking something?" she asks curiously, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
You nod, giving her a quick hug once she's no longer in danger of being equally covered in the mess you'd made.
"They shouldn't take too long," you assure her. "Why don't you get settled in the meantime, and then we can catch up while they finish."
Joanna nods and eagerly follows Leonard to the guest room you'd cleared for her.
Catching up with her goes by quickly, and the second the cookies are done and cooled down, her and Leonard both immediately reach for them. They comment on how well you did before easily falling back into conversation. From the sound of it, Joanna's just really glad to see her dad again. You can't imagine how much she misses him each day when he's millions of miles away.
Once most of the cookies are gone, Joanna gets the bright idea to play outside in the snow, which you're all too happy to agree to.
Leonard has some objections. "It's too cold right now, and the snow will be piled nearly as tall as you," he says, crossing his arms.
"Please, dad? It's not as bad as you're making it sound."
"Len, it's not like we won't be out there with her. Would you rather be there with us or leave us to our own devices?" You know all too well that he'd much rather be present in case anything goes wrong.
You and Joanna give him the best pleading looks you can manage. Leonard sighs and grumbles but ultimately caves.
"Fine, but you two better bundle up properly. The last thing I need is for both of you to get hypothermia or frostbite."
Despite his grumbling, he smiles, happy to see you two getting along. Even if it's in union against him. You know this is just his way of showing he cares, so neither of you are too surprised that he's given in.
Once you're all dressed appropriately for the weather, you head to the front yard where plenty of snow has accumulated. You're not at all surprised when a snowball hits you're back. You turn to find Joanna pointing at Leonard, who immediately hides another snowball behind his back.
"He did it!"
Leonard looks betrayed, though not surprised. "Anyone ever tell you you're a snitch?" he mumbles. "Some kid of mine."
Joanna only laughs. You snort and grab a handful of snow, quickly forming a snowball and tossing it at him in retaliation. Joanna is quick to join you.
"Oh, so that's how it's gonna be, huh? Ganging up on me already?"
Leonard grins, despite his complaining, and quickly tries to defend himself. You two are quite the team, though, and he quickly realizes he has no chance.
"Alright, alright. Truce," he calls, ducking behind a tree to dodge the line of fire.
You turn to Joanna, silently asking whether to call it even.
"Hm, I don't know. What's in it for us?" she asks.
Leonard weighs his options for a moment. "I'll make hot chocolate," he offers. "Just the way you like it, kiddo. Plenty of cinnamon and marshmallows."
Joanna pretends to consider his offer, though you know she'll take it.
"Deal. But you have to help us make a snowman."
"Fine by me."
You laugh and shake your head, kissing his cheek when he finally comes out of hiding.
Joanna is quick to start the bottom of the snowman, and you and Leonard jump in to help when it gets too big. It goes smoothly with the three of you working together.
While you're finishing up, Leonard heads inside to fetch a carrot for the nose. When he returns, he pauses to take in your handiwork so far.
"Why's he frowning?" he asks, glancing at you two.
You finish placing the sticks being used for its arms and stand back. "It's you," you proudly proclaim.
Joanna nods, standing back to get a good look at your snowman. It was her idea to use some twigs as eyebrows to make him look grumpy.
To your surprise, Leonard doubles over in laughter as he takes in the nearly finished product. You and Joanna share a high five as he collects himself, more than happy to see that he likes it.
"Alright, you got me. I guess I should've seen that coming," Leonard says, shaking his head once his fit of laughter ends. He places the nose and takes off his hat, placing it on the snowman's head. "There. Now he's perfect."
You grin, kissing his cheek. "He looks just like you," you tease.
"I don't see it," he jokes, kissing your forehead.
"What? The resemblance is uncanny. I can barely tell you two apart."
Joanna fondly watches you two tease each other, more than relieved to see her father happy. You only stop when you two hear her sniffle from the cold as she wraps her arms around herself.
Leonard sighs and fixes her scarf so it's covering her nose properly. "Let's get you two inside before you get yourselves sick," he insists.
"Well, if we do, we'd have the best doctor in the galaxy to look after us," you joke, following them inside.
He laughs, though he gives you an exasperated look. "Keep it up and we'll see about that."
You know he'd happily take care of you guys with only some mild complaining. He hurries you both into the kitchen to make hot chocolate and warm you guys up. Any doubts you have about Joanna liking you have been erased from your mind, and you fondly watch them as Leonard wraps you both in blankets before starting the hot chocolate.