To Our Love: Present and Future: Thanksgiving Day 2577 Pg 2

“Well I am just an old Southern Baptist boy from Georgia.” Len says to me.

“You may be a Christian Southern Baptist boy from Georgia but you are not that old.” I reply.

“Age is a state of mind.” I tell Len.

“I like your philosophy Karissa.” Len tells me.

“I don’t have time for zealots, theologians, or philosophers.” I tell Len.

“Len has Sickbay been busy.” I ask Len.

“No not at the least. It’s been quiet all day. I expect the usual indigestion problems later on due to the holidays.” Len laughs.

“Do you know what one of the seven deadly sins is Len?” I ask Len.

“No, but you are going to tell me aren’t you Karissa?” Len asks me.

“Yes, one of the seven deadly sins is gluttony.” I reply.

“I have never understood the seven dead sins.” Len tells me.

“They are sin that people commit every day.” I tell Len.

“I see that is interesting.” Len says walking around our table getting his Thanksgiving Day dinner.

“How do you like the new additions to our music library?” I ask Len.

“You have a great selection of different kinds of music.” Len says.

“Yes I added some classical music from the romantic period of Classical Music into our music library.” I tell Len.

“I see what composers did you add?” Len asks me sitting down and beginning to eat.

“I added Chopin, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, and Handel’s Messiah to our list.” I replied.

“Yes if I remember they all come from that very romantic period in classical music, accept Handel was from the Baroque period which was also Bach and Mozart.” Len said.

“Well Len, I didn’t know you liked classical music.” I said.

“Yes, I like it fine. I think I am with you though my favorite period is the romantic period in classical music.” Len answered.

“Len tell me what classics have you read?” I asked.

“I do all my reading on the computer now a day Karissa.” Len replied

“I see the 25^th century gadgetry has bitten you on the ass too speak.” I said laughing.

“Another one of the seven deadly sins is laziness.” I tell Len.

“Well I have five more to go huh?” Len tells me laughing

“Yes, five more.” I reply.

We just laugh about it because I just like to point it out.

“This is a really fine Thanksgiving Dinner Karissa.” Len says.

“I am so glad you are enjoying it Len.” I reply.

“How are the children doing? Len asks me.

“Kate is in the nursery playing with her toys. Kevin is a sleep.” I tell Len.

“Kate fills up on Thanksgiving goodies?” Len asks me.

“Oh yes, Kate enjoyed every bite of her food.” I told Len.

“This is great wine, did you fine this vintage?” Len asks me.

“It isn’t that vintage it is the year 2570.” I tell Len.

“It’s great and mellow.” Len tells me.

“Dale gave me that bottle of wine.” I replied.

“Karissa have you yourself eaten today?” Len asks me.

“Yes of course, right after Mass. You know me I can’t eat too much.” I reply.

“Karissa just as long as you have eaten that is all that matters.” Len tells me.

“I am not the one to eat too much meat.” I reply, “I stay with the vegetables.”

“You have to eat a little protein.” Len tells me.

“I had some turkey breast Len.” I reply.

All right, make sure you eat 4 oz of white meat.” Len says.

“I do eat exactly that much and 3 oz of lean red meat.” I tell Len.

Kevin is sitting back listening to Len and I talk to each other.

“Len have you heard any thing new on Denice and Scott?” I ask Len.

“No Karissa, just what I already told you. I expect they are having Thanksgiving dinner in the Mess Hall. They are missing a real delight here.” Len said.

“Len, Denice knows where Kevin and I live.” I reply.

“Have you seen Linda today Karissa?” Len asks me.

“No she will come by when she is ready.” I reply.

“I gather she hasn’t found anyone yet?” Len asks while he is eating.

“No she hasn’t had any luck so far.” I tell Len.

“I can’t understand that there are over 200+ men aboard the Enterprise. Many of them are bachelors, looking for someone.” Len said.

“Linda is picky and very selective.” I tell Len.

“What about you Len, I know there are over 200+ women aboard the Enterprise. I haven’t seen you take any interest and any of them.” I tell Len.

“Karissa, you know I never will. The one woman I love and want is already taken.” Len tells me. “It doesn’t stop me from loving you though. I think Kevin can appreciate that.”

“Yes I can Bones. I know My Karissa is a very special young woman. I knew it when I set eyes on her at Star Fleet Academy. I knew she was the one I would be spending my life with and sharing it with.” Kevin tells Len.

“I have always said you were lucky Kevin to have caught Karissa.” Len said.

“I am very blessed to have caught and won Karissa’s heart.” Kevin tells Len, “I was even more blessed when she gave birth to our two children.”

“Yes you have much to be thankful for Kevin and Karissa.” Len said.

I just smile and I hear Kevin Jr crying.

“Excuse me, Prince is crying.” I said, I get up, walk over to the nursery, and go into the nursery to his crib.

“Good afternoon prince, I see you have woken up.” I tell him, picking him up.

“Yes you are wet and hungry again.” I tell him giving him a kiss on the forehead. I carry him over to the changing table, change his diaper, and carry him out into the living room.

Len smiles and says, “Kevin Jr is a fine healthy baby I swear.”

“Ah yes, we are blessed. Kevin Jr is just learning to smile.” I tell Len, “He smiles every time he sees his daddy.”

Kevin walks over and takes him from and a big smile comes over Kevin Jr’s face.

“See Len, our son smiles at me when I hold him. He uses to look at me as if I was crazy.” Kevin says laughing.

“I told Kevin that Kevin Jr was trying to focus his vision and that is why he would look at him as if he was crazy.” I tell Len.

“Kevin Jr looks a lot like Kevin for sure.” Len says.

“I know I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I tell Len.

I hand the baby bottle to Kevin and Kevin sits down in the recliner and starts to feed Kevin Jr.

I just smile and sit back down.

“Kate likes to be by herself. We are thinking about asking Mandy what kind of educational toys we can get her to play with that will be stimulating.”

“I think that is a good idea. Mandy is a child development specialist.” Len answered.

“I want to get her some children’s book and read to her every night a new story.” I tell Len.

“It’s a good way to introduce her to the Arts and Humanities.” Len says to me.

“I know that is why I want to do it.” I reply.

“Karissa how was Mass turn out this morning in the chapel?” Len asks me.

“The turn out was pretty good. I am surprised but happy.” I said, “One Sunday you must come with us.”

“Yes I will think about your offer.” Len said.

“Great Len, do so. I think you will enjoy it.” I tell Len.

Len finally finished his Thanksgiving dinner and I ask, “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Yes, I would love a cup of coffee.” Len replies.

I get up and go to our automatic coffee dispense, order Len a black mug of coffee. I walk it over to him, hand it to him.

“Thanks Karissa.” Len says.

“You are welcome Len.” I reply.

“Karissa honey, Prince is already finished his bottle.” Kevin said.

“He was hungry. I mixed his formula with baby cereal and fruit.” I tell Kevin.

“He sure did like it.” Kevin tells me.

“Thank God that he did. I mixed oatmeal, apple sauce, and formula together.” I told Kevin.

“Prince seems to enjoy the sweetest of the apple sauce.” Kevin tells me.

“Most babies love sweet things. It is naturally sweet though. No sugar added.” I tell Kevin.

“I tell you Len, Karissa is the most loving mother I have ever known.” Kevin says.

“Karissa is a natural with our children.” Kevin says kissing me. I kiss Kevin back and Len just smiles at me.

“Well you place Kevin Jr in his swing. He likes to swing back and forth.” I tell Kevin.

“Linda got this for Kevin Jr right?” Kevin asks me.

“No, Kate had it before Kevin did.” I reply.

“Oh really, I wonder why I didn’t notice it.” Kevin says to me.

“I don’t know sweetie, it’s been here since we had Kate.” I told Kevin.

“Did Linda buy it for Kate then?” Kevin asked me.

“Yes she did. She thought it would something that Kate enjoyed. She did and now Kevin Jr does.” I reply.

“Kevin likes it. He is smiling again.” Kevin tells me.

“Kevin Jr is a naturally happy baby.” I tell Kevin, “Just like Kate was and she is a naturally happy little girl. She just likes her privacy.” I tell Kevin.

“Hey Bones, is it natural for children to be by themselves?” Kevin asks Len.

“Kevin children like their privacy as much as we like our privacy. I have seen Kate interact with her peers at the pre-school program. She gets along with everyone.” Len said.

“Yes Mandy told Karissa and me that.” Kevin said.

“You have nothing to worry about Kate. She is a very lively young girl.” Len said.

I smiled at Len because Len delivered her. He was actually the first one to hold both Kate and Kevin in his arms.

I wonder sometimes wonder what Len and my children would have looked like.” I would never know.

Kate came running out, looks at Len and says, “Hello Doctor McCoy.”

“Hello Kate, how is your Thanksgiving going?” Len asks Kate.

“Momma gave me chocolate milk with my dinner.” Kate said.

“Oh you like chocolate milk huh?” Len asks.

Yes Momma gives me it with my meals.” Kate replies.

“Momma, Daddy, Kevin, and I went to Thanksgiving Day Mass today.” Kate tells Len.

“Yes I heard you all attended Mass.” Len says.

“Why don’t you attend Mass with us Dr.McCoy?” Kate asks

“Kate, I am not a Catholic.” Len tells her.

“Daddy is not a Catholic and he went to Mass with us.” Kate said.

“Kate we don’t ask people questions about religion.” I tell her.

Kate looks at me; she is young and doesn’t realize religion is one of the controversy subjects.

“Karissa it is only natural for children to ask questions.” Len tells me.

“Yes but some questions start controversy.” I reply, “I am afraid we know the three subjects that only adults are permitted to talk about as long as it is civil discussion.” I tell Len.

“Yes I do know about those three subjects.” Len said.

“Well if we get into religion, it offers gets diverted into sex and then into politics.” I said.

“I know you don’t like to discuss politics Karissa. This is because from the kind of background you grew up in and also came from.” Len said.

“Yes I don’t bring it up much unless someone asks about it.” I tell Len.

“It’s just as well. Let sleeping dogs lie.” Len tells me.

“I do let sleeping dogs lie.” I tell Len.

Kate is sitting on Kevin’s lap listening to music.

“Kate will at least grow up with appreciation of music.” Len said.

“Yes Kate will along with the other Arts and Humanities.” I reply.

Len gets up and says, “First of all, I want to thank you for your hospitality, the Thanksgiving dinner was grand, and last but not least thanks for the company Kevin and Karissa.”

“You are most welcome Len. Do come around for the next holiday which will be Christmas Eve and Day after Mass.” I invited him.

“Thanks I will. Kevin, Kate, and Karissa you all have a good evening and enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving.” Len says, I walk him to the door, see him out. I watch him walk down the corridor and eventually out of sight. I close the door, walk back over to recliner, and sit down.

“Well I am glad Len came by.” I said to Kevin

“Karissa, I know very well it would do me no good to tell Bones he can’t come by and see you.” Kevin tells me.

“I am afraid you would break his heart. I don’t want that on my consciences. We are just friends.” I tell Kevin.

“I know Bones and you are just friends.” Kevin tells me.

“I am glad that you know this. I would never be unfaithful to my wedding vows and you.” I tell Kevin.

“I know that. I never saw you talk to anyone at Star Fleet Academy accept out of kindness and common courtesy.” Kevin says to me.

“Well The Academy is different. If you didn’t at least say hello you would be labeled “anti-social.” I tell Kevin, “I mean I am in a way.”

“Well I don’t know about that anti-social bit, I do know you don’t like crowds.” Kevin said.

“Yes I hate crowds of people.” I said, “That is one reason why I always sat under that oak tree way up on top of that hill. It was so peaceful and serene.” I told Kevin.

“I never saw you be rude to any passing students.” Kevin said.

“No, I never was rude to anyone. If they talked to me I would talk to them.” I said.

“You were a smash at the prom.” Kevin reminded me.

“Yes I realize we were a smash. I was glad to get out of that stuffy prom.” I said, “I thought I would pass out.”

“We were both surprised when the voted us King and Queen of The Prom that year.” Kevin said.

“Oh yes what a shock.” I reply, “I remember our dance.” I said romantically.

“So do I and you charm everyone there?” Kevin said.

“Our dance was so romantic. Remember what they were playing, “Unforgettable by Nat King Cole.” I said.

“Yes I remember when I lead you out on the dance floor. All the male students looked at you in that romance blue silk off the sleeve gown you wore.” Kevin said smiling.

“Well I only had eyes for you.” I told Kevin, “No one else mattered that night. They still don’t.” I tell Kevin.

“Karissa you are an incurable romantic.” Kevin says kissing me.

“I know it’s not a bad thing. It is a good thing.” I said.

“I agree I am one too all because of you.” Kevin tells me.

“You give me far too much credit.” I reply.

“We incurable romantics always find each other. It doesn’t matter where we find each other we just do.” I tell Kevin