Keen on Holiday Spirit

Posted on Fri Dec 26th, 2014 @ 4:20am by Chief Petty Officer Adriana Keen & Lieutenant Commander Morai Keen

2,486 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: What Dreams May Come
Location: Keen Quarters
Timeline: NA

ON:

The tree was up. The lights twinkled gently and the ornaments sparkled. Mistletoe hung in strategic and surprising places. "White Christmas" was playing softly. Pine and cinnamon delicately flavored the air.

The only difference was, this year instead of a red minidress with white fur trim, Adriana was wearing a longer maternity dress in a creamy white with a holly and ivy pattern on it. She smiled and sang to herself and Little One while she opened a bottle of sparkling cider.

Keen had booked light tonight; his wife adn he had traditional dinner together and since Kitten had often told him how much this holiday meant to her in her childhood Keen felt the need to be home not only for her but Little One as it was going to be a special holiday for the Little One.

"I am home." He annouced as usual when he came through the door.

"Merry Christmas, Keen Cat," Adriana called out. "Merry Christmas, Papa!" She met him only a few steps in the door and stopped him, glancing up to where a sprig of mistletoe was hanging.

"Seems I have been trapped." He said with a grin as he put his arms around his family. "What better tradition to come home to, than warm affections exchanged?" He gave her a long kiss that showed how much he had missed them while at work.

She kissed him happily and hugged him close a long moment. She loved Christmas, always had, and this year was even better because Little One was finally on the way. "I missed you," she admitted as she gave him an extra squeeze. He had come home early, but she had worked through lunch so she could get off early and they hadn't seen each other since this morning. "And you know how impatient I get for Christmas," she laughed.

"The one part of your life I have noticed a lack of growing up on your part." He did not let her go quite yet. "The most playful Kitten I know is on this date." He winked. "Softer than any time as well."

She laughed again. "You say that on our anniversary, too. And my birthday. And your birthday. And the day I found out we were finally going to have out Little One." She took his hand to rest in on her stomach and find where you could feel their baby kicking.

"So I look for the best in my wife." He teased. "Tis the season you say." and kissed her before he go into more trouble.

A kiss was a pretty effective 'get out of jail free card' and Adriana indulged a little as she let him change the subject. "Come on, let's go sit down and you can take a break. I could use a little rest, too, and put my feet up for a bit. I just opened a drink for us, we can relax for a while now and worry about dinner later."

"Of course sitting aside with my Kitten is always relaxing." Keen admit as he went to the place to sit down with something to drink. He is reminded that nothing is softer and more relaxing than a Warm Kitten. "I could use some caressing the Little One to be known as being around." He winked. "I know my Kitten also is relaxed by this."

She grinned and brought her own drink to the couch, settling in beside him and swinging her feet up to rest along the couch with a deep sigh. "Oh, that feels good," she said and leaned up against him.

"Have to keep my Keen Cat and Good Daddy rating up." HE leaned to kiss her at the base of the neck and feather touch of his family. "So are we keeping up with teh traditions at midnight Love?" He asked almost innocently.

"That rather depends on which traditions you mean," she asked with a sly smile. "If you mean, 'at midnight it officially becomes Christmas and that means we can open our presents because I can't wait a minute longer'.... Yes." She laughed and joined him and gently stroking her pregnant belly. "You know how I feel about my Christmas. We also need to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' tonight," she reminded him.

"Of course, how could I ever forget your favorate Christmas story." He chuckled. "You hear that Little One? You get to hear a Christmas story on top of everything else." He bent down to kiss the belly of Kitten.

Adriana laughed and shook her head at him, playfully ruffling his hair. "Doesn't that sound like a fun night, Papa? Reading stories with Mommie and Little One on Christmas Eve?" As he sat back up she leaned into him again. "I hope we get to spend every Christmas like this for years and years to come." She rested her hands on her stomach. "We'll have our own children for a couple decades. And then eventually grandkids of our own to read to," she dreamed aloud, imagining a whole passel of children with her dark hair and Morai's nose ridges. She fondly remembered her Christmases growing up, with her brothers and sisters and cousins creating glorious, happy chaos. That was what she wanted for their children; memories of family and warmth and love and play and presents...

"I think we should get the fisrt Little One out before we go about thinking of Grandchildren." Morai teased a bt as it was another side of Kitten that made her so lovable, her love of life as an outlook. "Though you did use Children which is a plural form of the word." He winked. "I take it being with child is more than just a good look for you, it is what you really want?" It was an obvious question. "I think that is a present we can try to give even past Christmas?" He winked. "See Little One you are going to have siblings to play with?" He rubbed her belly a little.

"Plural, yes. At least three. Maybe four. Or as many as we are blessed with," she laughed again.

As if laughing with her, Little One moved, kicking and wriggling and Adriana quickly moved Morai's hand so he could feel too. "Little One wants to play. Feels like we have a gymnast on our hands. Probably going to climb and tumble over everything. Won't that be fun to keep up with?"

"Should I request more pading under the carpet?" He said with wide eyes as the movement was amazing to him. "Little one is moving about all right." He said slowly. "So amazing..."

"You have no idea... It's like no other feeling in the Universe," Adriana mused aloud. "And... Morai, I can't explain how it feels to have OUR baby move and grow inside me..." She just smiled dreamily and closed her eyes; her husband's arms were around her and she encircled their baby with hers. Layers of love being added one atop the other; their family growing like a shining, precious pearl.

"I love you Kitten." Morai said as he gave her a light squeeze. "You too Little One." He lean down to kiss her belly before retuning to kiss her. "So what you want me to replicate for Dinner?" He smiled. "And 'NO' I am not hinting at your present?"

"Hmm..." Adriana thought for a moment. "What was the name of that stew we had when we went to that Bajoran Restaurant for our first 'real date?' It was served with that flat bread. That sounds really good ... But I think I want my salt and vinegar chips instead of the bread, right now."

"I can arrange that, stew and salt with vinegar chips instead of bread and I know the perfect desert ; Shinga Root with extra sweet sause?" He tried to tantilize her taste buds.

She laughed. "Of course." Shinga root was his favorite dessert, specifically his mother's recipe. Adriana had it scanned and in the replicator, but his mother had made her promise the recipe would be locked. Morai was only supposed to get it on 'special occasions' or when he had 'been good'. Both counted for tonight.

"You two relax and I will get it started." Keen said as he got up and went to the replicator. "How big a bowl of chips Kitten?" He asked honestly.

She winked at him. "Just start with a medium sized bowl. I'll get more if Little One insists."

It did not take that long to get the food replicated; Kitten had set the table so Keen need only put the food upon it and he was ready to enjoy a little evening with his family. He took the comm badge off and tossed it to a counter as he was 'off time' so not to be easily disturbed.

"Okay, Kitten, your dinner awaits." He offered a gentlemanly hand to his beloved wife.

She reached up to take his hand; normally this was a symbolic gesture and an excuse to hold hands for a moment, but recently she started to appreciate the little bit of assistance. "Thank you. Keen Cat," She said as he helped her stand. As they made their way to the table, she stopped short and pointed up to another bundle of mistletoe. She didn't waste any time in giving him a sweet, soft kiss.

"It seems I am loved by the Prophets to have given so many blessings and oppurtunities to show my love for my Kitten." He said after the kiss leading her to the table to seat her. "How long before the traditional call home to wish the Clan a Merry Christmas?"

"Not for another few hours. We have time to relax as a family before they call."

"DInner and some mood music and ..." He winked. "I would hate to read the story and the two of you go to sleep before midnight." He teased a little.

She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. She had no problems falling asleep nowadays, that was certain. Being pregnant was exhausting! But glorious. "Have I mentioned recently that I really do love you?" she asked as she grinned at him.

"I was just beginning to wonder?" He smiled. "You know what I say; nothing says love like a warm Kitten?" He put his hand on top of hers. "I love you also, Kitten." He wanted her to know he loved her and give her the exclusive rights for the moment and grinned. "I love you also, Little One."

She turned her hand up to squeeze his gently while she smiled her love and happiness at him. She dunked one of her chips into the stew and munched down on it happily. It wasn't exactly a the most expected flavor combination, but with Little One's influence Adriana thought it was absolutely delicious.

"I wonder if you will like these flavors after Little one can't make the choice?" He teased. "I think we have some time to eat and then after the call you what time it wil be?" He winked.

Adriana laughed. "You bet I do!"

[Later]

Adriana laughed and waved again as the family said their goodbyes and Merry Christmases over subspace. "Love you all, Merry Christmas," she said again.

"Be well and the Happiness of Holidays." Keen said, hoping it was correct.

"Good night, Merry Christmas, we love you, call soon," and other farewells streamed through the screen over subspace before they hung up and ended the call.

Keen began as the screen went blank, he had that sly grin that always came to him. He reached under the tree and brought out a small box and gave it to Kitten.

She laughed and hugged him. "You are getting to know me too well," she said and kissed his cheek. "Sure you're not getting bored being married to me?"

"I try not to but then you have a tendency to keep things on a more playful level." He smiled. I cannot find a reason to be bored." He sat back to watch her open he present.

To his surprise he had managed to get the project completed, a simple silver chain and locket with the inscription ' Loving Mother' on it. What had been the tight fit was a micro holo emitter able to display several inserted holograms at a height of about six inches each image.

"It's beautiful," Adriana said and opened the locket.

The Image of the first baby scan of the fetus was put or display in the locket.

"Thank you, Keen Cat," she whispered, getting a bit emotional as she leaned to him, blinking back tears while she kissed him softly.

Keen accepted the kiss; his Kitten was always welcome to give him any attentions. "You are welcome, Kitten."

Adriana leaned down carefully and pulled out a rectangular box from under the tree, handing it to her husband. "Merry Christmas," she said with a smile. She hoped he liked it; this year she had struggled a bit to think of a present for him, and had actually called his mother to ask for ideas.

"Why is it I always get the Bigger ones?" He teased. "I will have to get you a larger one next year." Keen said as he smiled.

In the box was a soft, very sturdy piece of fabric held in a loop with a stylized metal clasp. The metal was engraved with Bajoran symbols asking for protection and care for a baby. The two pieces together made a sling for carrying a baby- on Bajor, where things had been so difficult for so long, it was much more common to see men using these kinds of slings as they worked or went about their lives than it was on Earth where people were able to take so much more time off for their children.

"Little one and I get time together..." Keen said with a whimsical expression, he had forgotten the little things like this. "Thank you." He kissed his wife. "Something to nestle the Baby with." He looked fondly at it; almost as though he could remember his own time in one. "Keep Little One closer to my heart..." He mused and smiled very brightly. "Mine, no borrowing." He teased with a wink as he put it on. "And who says baby things are not fashionable?"

"You look great, Papa." Adriana smiled and held out her arms to be hugged. "And Little One will be the safest and most loved little one in the universe with you."

"Merry Christmas, Kitten." Keen brought his family as close as he could to himself.

"Merry Christmas, Keen Cat," she whispered.

FIN.

In the spirit of Christmas, we hope you enjoyed this little diversion. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night! From-

Lt. COMDR Morai Keen
Chief Counselor/ 2XO

PO 1st Class Adriana Keen
Operations

 

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