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Spock had noticed that Leonard frequently hummed to himself while performing repetitive tasks. Occasionally, he also sang under his breath. Spock had noted that this most often occurred while Leonard was preparing to brush his teeth, but it had also happened while Leonard washed his hands, cleaned up any sort of hobby based supply, and once while he was putting on his pants.
As Leonard grew more comfortable with the new arrangement between Spock, Jim, and himself, it happened more frequently.
Spock did not comment on it. Both Jim and Leonard did many illogical things, things that confused him and made him question why he was always seen as the odd one, and the songs were just one more thing on that list.
But then, Jim noticed too.
They were preparing for the day, all three of them crammed in the bathroom together. Leonard was humming as he grabbed the toothpaste from the drawer.
“Bones, were you a kindergarten teacher in another life or something?” Jim wrapped his arms around Leonard and kissed his neck. “You’re always singing those old kid songs.”
“What?” Leonard placed his oral hygiene instruments on the sink and turned to Jim. “No I don’t!” He looked at Spock. “Do I?”
“With increasing frequency as you become accustomed to our presence in your space.” Spock told him. “I have a spreadsheet if you would like more detail.”
Jim laughed (as Spock had hoped he would) and Leonard scowled (as Spock had known he would) and Spock replied with a calculated eyebrow movement.
“Well, they’re real ear worms aren’t they?” He hummed a little more of the song. “Used to sing it to my daughter when we’d brush her teeth before bed.”
Jim froze. “Daughter? You got a wife and family we should know about, Bones?”
“Ex wife. Did I really not tell you two about this?”
“You have not.” Spock said.
“It’s not a very happy story.” Leonard shrugged and went back to preparing for his oral hygiene routine. “She took everything in the divorce, including Jojo. But I don't want to talk about that now.” Leonard’s face shifted into a teasing expression. “I want to brush my teeth and then have you two kiss me silly before our shifts start.”
Spock obliged him.
On a night when Jim was unable to join them for dinner, Leonard acted particularly sad. He barely ate. He did not make eye contact. Leonard did not even respond to the baiting comments Spock made about emotions.
“Leonard,” Spock said as he placed his hand over his, “you appear to be unwell.”
“Sorry, Spock. It’s not you. Just got some stressful news this afternoon.”
“Would you like to discuss it? I am, as you would say, always willing to lend an ear.”
“You’re secretly quite sweet, aren’t you?” Spock raised an eyebrow, and Leonard smiled (as Spock has hoped he would). “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” He sighed, shifting in his seat. “Got a message from my ex that Jojo fell off her bike. They had to take her to the hospital but she’s home resting now.” He rubbed at his eyes with his free hand, his other hand squeezing Spock’s. “I feel like I taught her to ride just yesterday and now she’s zooming around and cracking open her skull like some kind of insane Humpty Dumpty!” He sighed again. “It’s hard, being so far away from her.”
“I am certain she knows you love her.” Spock said, truthfully. “Despite the distance involved you appear to be an excellent father.”
“Spock! You trying to sweet talk me for something? I’m not sure it’s true but it’s a very kind thing to say.”
“I do not ‘sweet talk’ anyone. I am merely stating the facts as I see them.” Leonard kissed his hand, and Spock flushed, feeling very seen.
“Jim, eat your damn salad.” Leonard snatched away the burger Jim had sat down with and replaced it with the extra plate of vegetables he had procured from the replicator. “I swear to god if you have a heart attack before age 50 it will not be because I didn’t try hard enough!”
“I’ll be fine, Bones.” Jim laughed, his eyes following the burger. “Can I at least have it after I’ve eaten the green stuff?”
Leonard’s eyes went soft and crinkled around the edges. “If you eat all of the ‘green stuff’ then I’ll let you have the burger.” Jim reached for it and Leonard snapped it away. “Nuh-uh! After the greens!”
Jim pouted, but began to eat his salad.
“Leonard is correct that a proper diet including vegetables will help you live a long and prosperous life, Jim.” Spock told him, and Leonard smiled (as he had hoped he would) and Jim frowned (as he had expected him to) while Spock began working on his own meal of vegetables and rice.
“See, even Spock agrees with me!” They watched Jim grimace at the salad. “You remind me of Jojo when you make that face,” Leonard said. “I had the hardest time getting her to eat vegetables! She loved them as a baby but she hit age three and hasn’t willingly eaten a salad since.”
“I’m sure as she gets older her palate will change. Or perhaps she will find her own doctor friend to guide her.” Spock told him, and was pleased when Leonard reached over to squeeze his hand.
“Hey, check this out.” Leonard was grinning, his face aglow with happiness. For all that he liked to frown and grumble about things, Spock knew that this was his truest face. He was beautiful, so beautiful in his joy.
Jim took the PADD and pressed a button, filling the room with the sound of approximately 30 voices of small children. “Jojo did a Fathers’ day song with her class, isn’t it sweet?” The song was out of tune, the children’s voices unpracticed. Spock could hear where they missed notes, or took a breath too late.
On Vulcan it would never be acceptable.
But Leonard’s daughter was human, and as a human composition it had a certain charm to it. The imperfections were filled with an enthusiasm he had never heard in a Vulcan child, and it was endearing to think of how hard they must have worked on the recording.
“Bones, this is adorable!” Jim hit play again as the song ended. “What a thoughtful idea. I’m glad they were able to get this out over subspace in time for Fathers Day!”
“What do you think, Spock?” Leonard’s eyes were searching as he gazed at him. “Worst racket you ever heard?”
“It is quite a striking arrangement,” he took the PADD from Jim and paused the song, “and I am pleased she sent you such a thoughtful gift. However,” Spock put the PADD down and took both of their hands, “I believe I have heard enough, and I am ready to move on to the next part of our evening.” Leonard looked confused (as he had expected) and Jim had a wicked smile on his face (as he had also expected).
“Next part? Did you have something planned?” Leonard asked.
“Nothing too complicated. Just a little date night.” Jim said as he moved to kiss Leonard, then stepped aside so Spock had room to do the same.
“We will be adjourning to Jim’s quarters where we will have more room.” Spock told him. “Come, Doctor.”
In the turbolift after a long shift, Leonard held two fingers up in the ozh'esta and looked at Spock shyly. “I already talked to Jim about this, but I’d obviously like you to come too. Jojo is having a big birthday party at the farmhouse in Georgia while we’re on shore leave on Earth, and I’d like you to come, Spock. I know loud human gatherings aren’t enjoyable to you-“
“I will come.” Spock laced their fingers together. “Of course I will come.” Leonard kissed him then in the human way (as he had hoped he would) and Spock felt very pleased with himself.
Jim loitered near Spock’s science station, a frequent occurrence when they were in warp with little to do outside of the normal routines. With the bright, colored lights of the bridge behind him and a fond smile on his face, Jim looked as beautiful as he had ever seen him. One curl from his hair was falling into his eyes, and Spock could see the almost invisible mending line from where he must have ripped his uniform shirt on some away mission or another.
In the past, he had reserved his studies of Jim and Leonard’s physical forms to furtive glances and occasions where they might not notice. Now that they had an arrangement, and they had both told him they enjoyed his eyes on them, he did not hide it.
“What sort of gift should we get Joanna?” Jim asked, leaning over. Spock could smell the coffee on his breath from this angle, and with it a hint of the same mouthwash Leonard used. The mingling of their scents was intoxicating, even here where he could do nothing about it. “I confess, I am uncertain what gifts a little girl might find enjoyable.” Spock looked up at him, and tried to focus on the task at hand.
“Dolls?”
“It is illogical to think she might like dolls simply because she is a girl.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Jim rubbed his face. “Books? Can’t go wrong with that.”
“Perhaps…” Spock hesitated, a little nervous of his suggestion. “I did a small amount of research on bicycle safety standards.” He pulled up the PADD he had been searching on and held it out to Jim. “This is regarded as the safest bicycle on the market. Paired with a helmet I believe it would make a good gift, and it would also help ease some of the doctor’s fears.”
“It’s perfect, Spock.” Jim smiled at him (as he had hoped) and it was like the sun smiling at him. Spock was pleased with this response.
The farmhouse was already crowded when they arrived, full to bursting with relatives and friends of the McCoys. Leonard shook everyone’s hand, or he hugged them, but he took great care to stand between Spock and anyone who moved to touch him. Jim immediately headed to get them drinks (ice water for Spock, beer for himself and Leonard) and overall Spock found himself remarkably comfortable. It was hot, and it was crowded, but rather than being oppressive it felt like abundance. He was pleased to see that Leonard and his daughter had so many people who loved them.
Just as Jim returned with the drinks, a young woman of about 20 ran up to them, throwing her arms around Leonard. Was this the ex wife?
“Daddy!” She shouted, and kissed his cheek. “I’m so glad you could make it, old man!”
“Who you calling old, missy?” Leonard hugged her right, then held her back to look at her. “You’re as pretty as a peach tonight, sweetheart. It’s good to see you.” He hugged her again, then presented her to Jim and Spock. “Jojo, these are the men I told you about, Spock and Jim Kirk.” Jim’s mouth was hanging open, and Spock suspected that if he hadn’t been training to control his facial expressions he would appear the same. “What?” Leonard startled a little, looking at them. “What’s the matter?”
“You are Jojo, Leonard’s daughter.” Spock confirmed verbally, and both McCoys nodded.
“You’ll have to forgive our rudeness,” Jim held out his hand to her, and she ignored it to hug him (as expected). “From the way Bones speaks about you we expected you to be much younger.”
“Much younger.” Spock reiterated.
“What!” Leonard shouted, his face growing red. “How old did you think she was? I talk about her all the time, surely one of you must have picked up that she’s an adult!”
“Dad,” she laughed, “did you get all sentimental and start talking about how my favorite book is Goodnight Moon again?” She held up the ta’al (unexpected, impressive) and smiled at Spock. “It is very good to meet you both. Dad’s had some great stories about your time together on The Enterprise. And,” she leaned in between Jim and Spock with a conspiratorial look at reminded him very much of Leonard, “he’s been happier with you than he has been in years.” She reached out to squeeze Jim’s hand. “I’m happy he found you.”
“Now who’s getting sentimental?” Leonard grumbled.
Together, the four of them went to the backyard where a pile of presents sat on a table.
“Ah,” Jim held up his hand to stop them, laughing nervously.
“There may be a small problem with our gift,” Spock told them. “It was intended for a small child.”
Joanna laughed, and pointed to the large box covered in colorful cartoon frogs with an elaborate set of ribbons atop it. “This makes so much more sense now. I thought it might be a prank!”
“What did you get her?” Leonard looked worried (unfortunate, but expected at this time) and Jim looked guilty (unnecessary, but also expected given the nature of their gift).
“A child sized bicycle with an extremely high safety rating.”
“And a helmet.” Jim added.
“After we heard of your accident we thought you might like a higher quality mode of transportation,” Spock explained to Joanna, who couldn’t seem to stop laughing.
“She fell off her hover bike!” Leonard’s voice was pitched higher than usual, and he looked distressed. “You really thought she was that little?”
“You played her class song for us!” Jim exclaimed. “It was adorable!”
“Her kindergarten class!” Leonard rubbed at his eyes, looking exasperated. “Jo’s a teacher!”
“He informed us you had not willingly eaten a vegetable since you were three. It seemed logical to assume you were under age 10.” Spock told Joanna, who was holding her stomach and laughing hard enough to have tears in her eyes (curious, surprising, positive?)
“Ever heard of hyperbole, you pointy eared chucklehead?”
“Dad, I eat vegetables! All the time!” She wiped the tears from her eyes, then hugged Leonard again.
“We will send you a more appropriate gift.” Spock told her.
“No, no,” she waved his words away. “This was the best present I could have asked for. I can’t believe he still talks about me like that.” She smiled up at her father.
“You’ll always be my baby, Jojo.” He kissed the top of her head, and hugged her tight. “Even when you’re old and gray, you’ll be my little Jojo.” His gaze turned to Jim and Spock with a look of fond exasperation.
Jim held out both hands, the picture of innocence. “I think it’s time we had a little meeting about family trees.” He said. “Between how we met Spock’s parents and now this, I need a detailed report from both of you including names and ages of all family members!”