The most wonderful time

Posted on Fri Jan 6th, 2023 @ 10:09pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Mason Malone & Ensign George Paxton

Mission: Character Development
Location: George's quarters
Timeline: a little after mission
1473 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

In full fashion of the year, Mason opted to wear very dark green pants and an equally bright red shirt, knowing full well the red didn't quite suit him. He whistled softly as he clutched the small parcel under his arm, making sure not to crush the bow he'd so carefully and painstakingly tied around the parcel. In his hand, he also carried a small box and he was making sure not to jostle the box too much, just in case.

Juggling the items around, he wiggled to press the chime, doing his best not to drop the things he was carrying.

"Come in!" George announced. "I'm glad you could make it!" He said as his partner walked in. "I have to admit, I was a little surprised that your family did this whole holiday tree thing too. It doesn't seem all that common these days, and if I'm being honest I don't even really know where the tradition came from," he chuckled.

"Technically, the tree itself isn't part of the Christmas holiday, it's a pagan thing to do with a festival of light if I remember correctly. I don't really know when the two became a single tradition, but yes at home we did put up a tree. Probably because mom and dad did when my sisters were little, and they carried on that tradition." Mason smiled as he placed the box in George's hand. "Careful with these, they're fragile," he instructed, leaning in to steal a kiss in the process. "I take it you're not religious either?" Glancing past George, he saw a partially done up tree though the lights were flickering in a variety of colours. "If anything, it makes a place look cozy right?" he added, "perhaps we should add a fireplace projector to finish it off?"

"No, I'm not religious. My family wasn't either. Though I suppose if you go back far enough someone was, that's probably where this whole tree thing started in my family." George noted before accepting the package from Mason, delighting in the added kiss. "What is this?" He lifted the package slightly with a befuddled expression. "Were we supposed to exchange gifts tonight? I...I didn't know."

Mason shook his head. "Nah, but I did still have this for you. And the box contains ornaments from home we can put in your tree. I can't put one in my quarters because of Merlin." He smirked. "That little devil will just destroy the tree and ornaments, just because he can."

"Ahhh, yea I bet he really loves having a holiday tree up," George chuckled as he sat, getting comfortable before opening the package that Mason had given him. The engineer carefully peeled back the ribbon and wrappings to reveal a beautiful hand-painted glass ornament depicting a mountainy area. It particularly resembled the region where the two had hiked on their first date. "Oh, Mason this is lovely," George stood up and hugged Mason. "Thank you."

"It was fun to do, I'd never painted glass before." He smiled, happy his efforts had paid off. "It took a few tries too," he added as he watched George put it up in the tree. "I'm glad you like it, I really am. I was a bit nervous about making something so... personal, but it did mean a great deal to me."

"Maybe next year we should paint one together. Make our own little tradition of sorts," George smiled. He loved family traditions and making new ones too. Something about them just felt so homey and warm. Like lighting a small candle of familiarity. "And what are the rest of these?" He peeked in the other box that Mason had brought over and quickly gushed at the cute little historical ornaments. "Aww, these are ornaments from when you were a child? They're adorable. Here, help me hang them."

"From my ah..youth yes," Mason confirmed as he helped put the delicate items put up in the tree. "I like that idea, of starting a tradition like that. Perhaps, we can make one together later too?" He really did like the suggestion and it showed in his face. "Do you have anything from your youth to add?"

"I would love that. And yes, I have quite a few of my own childhood ornaments, some newer ones too." George pulled out a box of small items slightly bigger than Mason's. "This one is the last family photo we all took when we got together for the holidays four years ago. My brother Grant sent it to me last year. We were never that close growing up since he's eight years older, but somehow he knew it was exactly what I needed when I was missing home." The smile on George's face seemed both filled with joy and sorrow at the same time as he looked at the photo. Fortunately, the sorrow melted away as he looked up at Mason. "Where should we put it?"

"Somewhere visible," Mason suggested as he gently rubbed his partner's arm in an attempt to be of comfort. "You know...why don't we visit them on our next leave? Spend some time with your family, and some time with mine? I haven't seen my sisters in quite some time either, though I doubt we can all get together as some are in Starfleet too and if not them then their husbands." He smiled knowingly. "My youngest sister is still some 8 or 9 years older than me, if I did the math correctly. She's about 38 or something, and I'm nearing 30." He truly was the Benjamin of the family, though he never wondered why. Perhaps it was circumstance, perhaps it was simply unplanned. He couldn't ask his parents and he sure wasn't going to ask his sisters.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," George replied, the smile on his face growing. "I would love to meet your family. Many of my siblings are close to home, and I'd love for you to meet them as well. They'll absolutely love you I'm sure." He practically gushed with joy at the idea. "Let's finish putting these up, then maybe we can plan out our shore leave over a cup of hot cocoa?"

The brightest of smiles touched the security officer's face. "My sisters will adore you," he beamed, "and I can't wait to meet your family. Have you uhm...ever taken someone home? Introduced to your family and all?" Mason blushed a little. "Oh...maybe I can arrange for Angelique to visit as well, or do you think that's a little too soon?"

"I've introduced one or two people to my family before. They're very welcoming people, they're sure to love you," George suddenly embraced Mason in a bear hug. "I'm just so excited! I can't wait to meet your family and for you to meet mine. And of course, I would love to meet Angelique, but it's up to you if you think it might be too soon."

"I don't know," Mason admitted, "we are serious....committed right? I mean, I think we are....and if we are going home, I think she should spend time with her aunts too.. and with us." He smirked, albeit somewhat uncertainly. "Can you handle a teenager?"

"I sure hope so," George chuckled. "I'll look forward to meeting her. In the meantime, let's finish the tree. Maybe after we can take a picture and send it to our families with a note saying that we'll be visiting soon." His face was beaming with joy at the thought.

Mason smiled and wrapped his arms around the other man. "Always the sensible one," he teased as he kissed him. "And that's one of the reasons I love you." It wasn't long before the tree was all done up and they had dressed up nice for the picture. "Do we pose? Or just take a few at random and send the best one?"

"A few random ones. I'm not sure which side is my best side," George joked before posing for the camera. "Ooo I like this one," he said after the third attempt. "What do you think?"

Reviewing the images, Mason nodded. "It does look less... posed than the other one, and not so...unnatural."

"Unnatural?!" George said, mocking offense. "We look beautiful in all of these photos," he chuckled. "I guess the only other thing we need to decide on is which family are we visiting first?"

"Of course we do," Mason grinned, "but that particular one doesn't look so posed. And uhm....you haven't seen your family in quite some time right? Maybe see yours first? That gives Angelique time to travel from Mars. If Alex will permit it of course."

"Works for me. I can't wait," George replied before pulling Mason in for a kiss. "Thank you so much, for everything."