Chapter Text
Unbeknownst to the Kirk family, their antics had been observed by a young, dark-haired boy with pointed ears at the opposite end of their aisle. He had watched as the one they called Jimmy presented his case logically to his brother and mother, as he desperately wanted a particular decoration Humans called a ‘musical snow globe' ornament. But obviously the little boy had not been taught in the ways of emotion control, as most on this planet were not.
The handsome young observer looked like he might be close to George’s age and height, and he could easily pick up every whimper, as his Vulcan ears heard much more acutely than Humans', just as his inquisitive chocolate brown eyes peering from beneath slanted eyebrows provided him with superior vision.
He returned to the side of a hauntingly beautiful, wispy dark-haired Human woman wearing a scarf of festive colors, currently checking out the shop’s selection of Hanukkah candles and decorations.
“Mother, in the next aisle, there is a little Human boy who is crying.” 
“Oh, is he injured, Spock? Does he need help, or is his mother with him?”
“I believe his mother is the one causing him distress. He asked her to purchase
something for him and she denied his request.”
“Oh, that happens, Spock. Human children often want things that aren’t best for
them.”
“But I heard him, Mother. The little boy’s name is Jimmy, and he did not ask for
anything big or dangerous. Only a musical orb he found, which he assured her is the
best available on your planet. As such, I would like your permission to give him mine.”
Amanda bent down and kissed the top of her son’s head, much to his embarrassment. This was the very first time she had seen her soon to be seven-year-old, half-Vulcan son exhibit this kind of compassion toward another child—the kind of empathy she wished Spock’s Vulcan father, Sarek, would himself exercise more often—and it filled her with relief and joy.
Spock, her miracle child conceived only with special medical intervention, had already been taunted by a few abusive Vulcan boys at school. Apparently, their parents had taught their pure-blood children that 'Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations' didn’t apply to children of mixed Human-Vulcan heritage, and they had physically attacked her precious son as being inferior. Ever since, Amanda worried her son might harbor real scars left by such cruelty and never reach out with concern to others.
She was delighted to see this proof her worries were unwarranted.
Amanda would give Spock anything he expressed a desire for, but it happened so rarely she had little chance to do so. And now here he was, unselfishly asking for this one thing, and she’d have to say no, as her son didn’t understand he shouldn't interfere with another family’s actions and decisions for their own children.
“Mother, the ornament he wants is the same one you are buying for my room in our apartment at the Vulcan Embassy, the one you already paid for that is presently waiting to be wrapped and boxed at the back counter for safe transport home."
“Spock. I don’t understand. I thought you liked that one yourself. The snow globe with the children seesawing, right, that plays music? Didn’t you like it best, too?”
“Preferences are illogical for Vulcans, Mother, as are gifts when one’s needs are already met. May we, Mother? May I give it to Jimmy instead? He is indeed very sad and hurt.”
“Spock, I’ve never seen you react like this. Why this little boy?”
“I…do not know, nor why his present depth of sorrow discomfits me. I am only certain this is important. Therefore, Mother, I request we hurry and retrieve the ornament now before his mother takes him and his brother, George…or Sam…I am unclear on that point…and leaves this store.”
Amanda peeked around the corner at the scene Spock had observed. “Oh my God,” she whispered, surprised. “I know who she is! His mother.”
Spock’s eyebrow disappeared up beneath his bangs. “Who is she?”
Amanda gazed into her darling son’s eyes, so serious, having no idea.
“She is the wife of the famous starship Kelvin First Officer, George Kirk; the ship that was mysteriously destroyed a few years ago. Those are his sons, and the younger boy was born that day. Their father became captain during the battle and sacrificed his life trying to save everyone on their vessel, including Jimmy and his mom.”
“I perceived there was something special about him. I mean, about this family.”
Spock’s mother glowed at her son, her heart overflowing with love. “All right, Spock. Hurry and go retrieve your snow globe, and you may give it to him if you wish. I’ll go greet Mrs. Kirk and try to delay her departure to give you enough time.”
Winona was embarrassed as soon as she noticed the famous wife of Vulcan's Ambassador Sarek approaching the scene of her son’s outburst. She began apologizing, when Amanda stopped her.
“Mrs. Kirk, please, it’s quite all right. If we apologized every time our children were noisy, that’s all we’d ever get done!” Amanda patted Winona's arm with gracious understanding, in spite of the fact her own son had very seldom expressed anything noisily in his entire life.
“Lady Amanda, I’ve always wanted to meet you. I had no idea you'd know who I am. And this is my son, George, Junior.”
“Please call me Amanda. How do you do, George?” She offered her hand, which George readily shook.
“And please call me Winona. And this little one is my son, Jimmy. I apologize if we disturbed your shopping.”
“Oh, not at all. I used to be a Human child myself, you know,” she teased playfully. “I remember how we are at that age. Though sometimes, my husband accuses me of having never outgrown the desire for things I don’t need.”
Winona chuckled, instantly charmed by the only Human woman who had ever married and bonded with a Vulcan. “Thank goodness! I was beginning to think the proprietor would suddenly appear and toss—”
“Mother. I have it now,” Spock interrupted, having appeared with his arms held stoically behind his back. Though rather than being an imitation of Vulcan custom, it was because of what he concealed behind him.
“Mrs. Kirk, this is my son, Spock.”
Spock displayed the ta’al, carefully protecting his hidden treasure with the other hand. “Live long and prosper, Mrs. Kirk. I grieve with thee.”
Winona looked up at Amanda, puzzled.
“I hope you don’t mind. I explained to my son about the Kelvin and the loss of your husband, your sons’ dad.”
“Nice to meet you, Spock. You are a very polite young man. And this is my son, George. The little guy making all the fuss is Jimmy.”
“How do you do, George. Mrs. Kirk, I apologize for interrupting, but may I speak with your son?”
Winona tilted her head, seemingly baffled by the seriousness of this young Vulcan boy’s request. “I guess?” She turned back to Amanda who smiled, nodding her own consent.
“Of course you may, Spock. George, why don’t you take Spock and wait for us out front. We’ll be leaving in just a moment.”
“No, Mrs. Kirk," Spock clarified. "I wish to speak with your other son, Jimmy.”
Now Winona looked really confused, but…Amanda winked at her, so she figured Spock must have already shared with his mother what he wished to say.
Winona again squatted down to Jimmy's height so she could search his face, just making sure he didn't feel pressured into anything he didn't want to do. “Sweetie, is it okay if Spock talks with you?”
Unexpectedly, Jim’s face lit up, all disappointment forgotten. “Yes Mommy! I like his ears!”
George quickly turned away, coughing, trying unsuccessfully to hide his snickers.
But Winona's eyes widened, thoroughly mortified. "I...I'm so sorry, Lady Amanda. And Spock, I apologize! Jimmy has never met a Vulcan before."
Amanda smiled warmly. "Please, it's truly all right, isn't it, Spock?"
Spock blushed slightly. "Yes, Mrs. Kirk. But may I now speak with Jimmy?"
“Of course. If...if you're sure you still want to." Winona stood, moving out of the way. "Go right ahead.”
Spock looked down into the little boy’s cherubic face that very much resembled one of his mother’s angel decorations.
“Jimmy, when I was at the back of the store, guess who I met?”
“Who? Tell me who!”
“A man all dressed in red, with a long white beard. He seemed very…" Spock searched for the correct word. "Jolly.”
“SANTA CLAUS!” Jimmy shouted, clapping with joy. “See Mommy? There really is a real live Santa Claus. You just didn't know!”
Winona sighed, shaking her head and smiling as if in amusement at her innocent son.
“Spock! What did he say? What did he say?” Jim could barely contain himself at this happy discovery.
“The man laughed very loudly and bellowed, ‘Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas, Spock!’”
Jim gasped, his eyes sparkling with wonder. “Mr. Spock! Santa knows your name!”
“He must be a very adept telepathic Earth citizen. Though he did actually ask what I wanted him to bring me on the night he flies around your planet, delivering presents.”
“What did you tell him you want?”
George, who had been amused watching this fanciful performance play out, began to appear a tiny bit jealous, as his little brother had never looked at anyone else but him with such adoration. But he had to admit, Jim’s tears had all but disappeared because of this young Vulcan, so it must be a good thing.
“I told him I wish for nothing. But that I had a new little friend who did want something very, very much.”
“Really? Where is your new friend?”
“It is you, Jimmy. I meant you. And I told him how very much you had wanted something here in the store.”
Jim was all wide eyed and dimples until suddenly, his glee disappeared.
“Was he mad? Did he say I had been a very bad boy and cried when Mommy told me I couldn’t have it?”
Spock's brows unconsciously twitched, aggrieved that this cowering little one believed he had been ‘bad’ and didn’t deserve his heart’s desire. The young Vulcan sensed a stirring in his side that he neither understood nor had ever felt before.
“Of course not, Jimmy! In fact, he placed his finger beside his nose, and twinkled his eyes. And suddenly—”
“What? What happened?” Jimmy now was jumping up and down, giddy to learn he hadn't just been placed at the top of Santa's 'naughty list'.
“Then suddenly, Santa held out his hands…” Spock sank to the floor so Jimmy could easily see. “And there was a ‘poof’ and clouds of white glittery smoke floated everywhere. And then this appeared in Santa’s palm.” Spock revealed the cherished snow globe, holding it out to Jim.
Jimmy practically tripped and fell backward seeing Spock hold the very thing he had wanted so much. “Wow! Look, Mommy! Look, Sammy! Look! Mr. Spock, can I come visit it at your house some day and play with it too?”
Amanda was caught off guard seeing a tiny smile form on her son’s lips, even if for only a second, before he caught himself and suppressed it.
“If your Mommy says you can. But to do that, you have to bring it with you. Because, Jimmy, Santa said this is for you!”
And Spock took both Jim’s hands and carefully placed them around the sphere, ignoring the slight static pop that jumped between their fingers. “Now be very careful so it won’t break. Always hold it with both hands and take very special care of it.”
“I will! I will! I promise!” And Jimmy bent forward and kissed the snow globe. “I love you so much. I promise never to break you!”
And then the impossible happened.
Jimmy reached forward and kissed Spock on the cheek. “I love you so much too! And don’t worry! Even when I grow up, I'll always keep it with me and you can come over and play with it!”
Amanda had never before seen the expression that now adorned her son’s gorgeous face. He blushed, his Vulcan side losing some sort of battle, as his very Human eyes glistened with emotion. He stood, attempting to regain his composure, clasping his hands once again behind his back.
Spock looked up at his mother. “May we some day visit the Kirks? If you do not mind, of course, Mrs. Kirk.”
“Of course I don’t mind, Spock. You just performed one of the most beautiful, selfless acts I’ve ever seen; so much like my George always does." Winona gathered her older son into a big hug. "I'm so proud of both of you. And you are welcome to come visit any time, Spock, and so are your parents."
Winona added, regretfully, "I’m just sorry that I’ll only be on Earth for a few weeks before I go back on duty. Amanda, perhaps we could plan something soon before I leave? Here, I’ll give you my comm number, if I can find it in my bag. My eyes seem to be a bit blurry right now.” She fanned her face and then dug around till she found one of her small, shareable information chips, placing it carefully in Amanda's hand.
“Thank you, Winona. I will check our schedule and contact you in the next few days. Spock and I are free most any time, as my husband will be tied up with Federation negotiations for months yet. I would love to see your home all decorated for the holidays, and give the boys a chance to get to know each other. Oh...and I know! I'll make cookies! Vulcans don't really partake of Earth treats the way I bet these boys will—and you and I, of course. I've missed holiday baking.”
"We love cookies, Mrs. Amanda! That would be awesome. Thank you," George chimed in. "Please come over soon. Anyone who can make my buddy here this happy will always be my friend, too!”
