Star Trek Imagines

13. Thanksgiving Isn't Real (Montgomery Scott)

(Published November 28, 2024) 

   "When are we going to talk about Thanksgiving, Scotty?"
   He let out a large exasperated sigh as he dropped the clean shirt he had been folding.  "Do we have'ta?" 
   "I'd like to."
   "Why?"
   "Because it's one of the most important holidays of the year?"
   He snorted, unconvinced.  "What makes ya say that, love?"
   "It's about family, Scott.  It's about being thankful for what you have.  It's about thinking of blessings instead of worrying about the trials of life."  I crossed my arms and looked him in the eye.  "It's about adults being happy for a day."
   Scotty grabbed another shirt only to toss it forcefully down into the laundry pile again.  His face was anything but happy, and I had the feeling that Thanksgiving might bring back some memories he'd rather not relive.  A sliver of guilt lodged in my gut, but it wasn't really my fault.  I hadn't known because he hadn't told me. 
   "Thanksgiving isn't real, Cora!  Lincoln moved it from its original date an' plopped it right in the middle of November, which makes absolutely no sense if ya think about it since all the harvesting happens in September an' October.  And, might I add, that it's another holiday where families pretend to get along an' end up going home with horror stories 'bout their relatives so they can feel better about their own sorry lives.  We live in space; we don't even have family values anymore, so why keep torturing ourselves with painful memories over a holiday that isn't even legitimate?" He let out a short, heavy breath at the end of his rant.  
   I moved around the laundry filled bed to his side.  Engulfing him in a soft embrace, I tried to think of the right words to say.  His worked up breathing slowed as the hug continued, and after a long minute, his hand reached up to gently grasp my arm.  His thumb caressed my skin as he leaned his head against my own. 
   "Sorry, love.  I just...  It's a stupid holiday."
   "You should've told me about your feelings for it before," I murmured. 
   "Yeh, well, I hate makin' a fuss."
   Smiling, I pulled away and glanced at his lined face.  "Why don't I believe that?"
   Thinking for a moment, he nodded with a grin.  "Good point.  Anyway, why s'it so important to you?"
   "Guess I just romanticize old memories of a large family dinner that people actually showed up for.  You're right, though.  It's not the same as it once was." Space wasn't a good place for a family or the traditions that came along with it. 
   "I mean, we can still make a fancy meal 'r something." His eyes lit up at the thought of food. 
   "I doubt the kitchen has cranberry sauce stocked," I said with a laugh. 
   "Cranberry sauce?" He made a face that told me he was not one of the few people (like me) who liked the tart dish.  "Why did I fall for ya again?"
   "I dunno.  You said something about love," I teased. 
   "Oh yeah." He stepped forward, grabbing me in a dancing pose and whisking me around for a few spins through the room.  "I do love ya, don't I?"
   "I certainly hope so!"
   "I do.  Cranberry sauce and all."
   "Good, good.  You know, it might have to become a christmas thing since Thanksgiving is out." I paused as another thought occurred to me.  "Unless you don't like christmas either."
   A large grin spread over his face as he winked at me.  "Oh, I love christmas.  I've got presents already wrapped and hidden for ya, my lovely lady."
   "What?" My eyes grew wide.  "Like what?"
   "I ain't tellin'." He chuckled, spinning me around once more.  "You'll have to wait and see."
   "I have to wait over a month!  Ugh, torture."
   "You've got me, love.  You'll survive."
   Grinning, I lightly pecked his lips with my own.  "Yeah, I guess I will."