Dinner party

[dctr_mccoy]

As cozy as it had been camping out in his old CMO quarters with Jim, they were both looking forward to moving back to Jim's rooms. The added bonus of the renovations, the extra room and the larger bathroom and living area were the icing on the cake

Comments

[genius_level]

"I'm glad, too," Jim told him with a grin, watching Bones get dressed. "Gives us the whole day to christen our new rooms." They hadn't had much time to linger but that shower had been fun, the new bathroom so spacious and new that they had enjoyed the few minutes together, washing and touching. It felt good being back in their rooms after so many weeks of waiting for the renovations to be finished, and while they both wanted to just explore all of the new additions, they had guests arriving soon. Standing in front of the closet with a towel wrapped low around his hips, though, Jim realized he had something of a dilemma when he saw how Bones was dressing for dinner. He pulled out a couple of shirts and tried them on, then put them back when he realized they wouldn't button. "Shit."

Shrugging, he reached for the clothes he'd bought on Risa. He didn't want to wear the uniform, not tonight, so he found one of his new shirts and a sweater, and finally settled on an old pair of jeans that hung low on his hips. They fit considerably snugger than they usually did, but he managed to get them buttoned. "It's a good thing we bought all that stuff," he mused as he pulled on the t-shirt and sweater. Jim chuckled when he looked over at Bones. "By the time this is over, I don't think anything else will fit."

[dctr_mccoy]

He paused as he watched Jim looking over his wardrobe. Leonard was about to offer one of his broader shirts when he saw Jim choose a shirt and sweater from Risa. "That looks good, Jim," he said, one hand on Jim's shoulder as he leaned against him. "And its just another month or so."

One more month until they were parents. The idea was still hard to believe, but here, in their renovated rooms, the nursery still being worked on but starting to fill with baby furniture and supplies making it all the more real. "Any more thought about where you want to go, for the birth?" Leonard knew that Geoff had been talking to Jim about it, but ultimately, as long as Geoff approved, the decision would be Jim's, where he was most comfortable.

[genius_level]

He turned and nosed against Bones' cheek. "It's comfortable, at least," he said, then grew quiet for a long moment. It was hard to believe there was only about a month left until their daughter would be born. "It's gone by faster than I imagined," he observed. Aside from the days Bones was missing, which had seemed interminable.

Jim pressed his lips against the corner of Bones' mouth. "I've thought," he admitted, hesitating. He knew Bones would prefer the starbase medical facility, and he'd made a good argument for it. But that nagging, irrational fear in the back of his mind wouldn't go away. It was illogical, he knew that (and could hear Spock's voice telling him so.) He touched their foreheads together and sighed. "I'd prefer Risa. Or the colony, I suppose. You said their facilities were good." Jim licked his lips, then pulled back and met Bones' gaze.

[dctr_mccoy]

"I can't believe she'll be here soon," Leonard agreed with Jim. One more quick kiss and he stood quietly, listening to Jim's words. He knew that Jim had deep feelings on this matter, and though he'd never tell Jim that he was being silly, Leonard did worry that Jim's fear was getting the best of him in this situation.

"Of the two, I'd say the colony." Risa's facilities were good, but the Vulcans were better (though he'd never admit this in front of one of them). Jim was looking at him with that look, as if he were worried about Leonard's thoughts. He reached out and cradled the back of Jim's head with his hand. "We can go there, Jim, and they just stay for a few weeks afterward. We'll be comfortable and safe there."

[genius_level]

He nodded, his eyes drifting shut as he leaned against Bones. "I'd like that." Jim's arms slid around Bones and he sighed, shaking his head with a rueful grin. "Suddenly it feels a little more real, if that makes sense." It was one less decision they had to make, and Jim was glad it was done. They could make their plans now. "Thank you," he murmured. He knew he was letting his past get the better of him on this subject, but Jim felt better with the plan to be planetside for the birth.

His eyes opened and he gave Bones a lopsided grin, then reached up to run his hand through Bones' hair. "Paula and Sulu should be here soon. I guess we'll have news to share." Jim's grin broadened into a smile as he recalled his conversation with Hikaru that afternoon. "He thinks you're checking him out, making sure he's good enough for her."

[dctr_mccoy]

"I am," Leonard snorted, walking toward the living area. Just about everything was back in its place, the books on the shelves, their possessions displayed. For a room on board a starship, it looked very much like a home, and knowing that this would be Olivia's first home, at least for her first few years made it that much more important to him. "Is it wrong that I'm hoping Paula offers to help out with the nursery?"

It was almost comical, the one room that Olivia would be spending the most time in was the one that they were having the hardest time fixing up.

[genius_level]

Jim followed Bones into the living area and lowered himself into a chair, grunting comfortably as he leaned back. He was looking forward to a little relaxation and some good company, and laughed when he realized what Bones had in mind. "He's fallen hard," Jim commented. "It sounds like they're really getting serious." His smile faded a little when he recalled the worry and anger on his friend's face that first morning back on the bridge after Paula's assault. Sulu had managed, but he'd been anxious and unusually quiet, until finally Jim had managed a private word with him.

He chuckled. "If it's wrong, we both are," Jim admitted. "I don't know the first thing about making a room pretty, so I'll take whatever help we can get."

[dctr_mccoy]

Leonard flopped onto the sofa across from Jim, watching Jim's face. The idea that his friend was happy and in love pleased him, and as much as he wondered if they were moving too fast, he had to look at his own life. Two years ago, they were still in San Francisco. Today, he was married, with a baby girl on the way. "You won't be mad if I ask him, privately, how things are between them?"

He laughed again at the idea of needing help for Olivia's room. "Maybe you can take Paula in there for a once over while I interrogate the helmsman."

[genius_level]

"Mad? No, of course not," Jim said, eyebrows raised. "I know you're just looking out for Paula." He looked over at Bones, sprawled out on the sofa, and wondered again how he'd managed to get this lucky. "I think he knows that, too." His head tilted to one side and he rubbed his neck, then stretched. "You really are worried," he observed at last. "If it's any consolation, I think she picked a pretty good one." Jim flashed Bones a smile.

"I just might do that," Jim agreed, reaching out with his foot to nudge against Bones'. His eyes darkened as he continued. "Go easy on Sulu and I might be convinced to do other things after our guests leave."

[dctr_mccoy]

"It's not that I think there's anything wrong with him. Two people can be perfectly nice people, but still not be right for each other. I guess," he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck, "I'm just worried because its not fun when it doesn't work out. I've been there, when it doesn't work, and there's hurt and anger and pain. I just want to make sure that she doesn't have to suffer any of that." She was a grown woman, he knew this, but still... he was protective of his friend. Couldn't help that.

Leonard laughed at Jim's last comment, leaning forward to take Jim's hand in his own. "Is that a promise, Captain?" he asked, their own wedding bands clinking together.

Then the chime rang, and Leonard held out his hand. "Stay there, let me get this," he grinned, knowing once Jim was in his chair, getting him out would take a little work. Walking to the door, he called out, 'open', and greeted their guests. "Hello you two."