Work Text:
A Titan New Year
During the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Will took Thad and Kestra ice fishing again. He also permitted Thad to grill the fish by himself. Kestra helped Deanna with the side dishes. He also taught both how to cross-country ski using skis that he got both for Christmas. Not surprisingly, both picked it up quickly.
As much as Kestra enjoyed skiing, she enjoyed sledding more. Will decided to take her to his favorite sledding hill which was a bit longer than he preferred but he knew with his being there, she should be fine.
On New Year’s Eve, Will and Deanna decided to take the children to the overlook where they would see the Aurora Borealis on New Year’s Eve like he did when he was a boy.
Early in the evening, Will and Deanna took a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride with Will’s cousin’s babysitting the children. Neither was happy about their parents’ going out without them. Will promised he would take them on a horse-drawn carriage ride before they beamed back to the ship.
“We haven’t had a date night in some time.” Deanna observed.
“We should do this more often. Thad and Kes are old enough to understand.”
“Fortunately, on the Titan, they have friends that they can stay with.”
Will could see that Deanna was getting cold despite her heavy coat. He pulled the blanket up over both and she snuggled close to him.
At the turnaround point, the driver turned to Will and Deanna and asked them when they wanted to take the children for a ride. He told them that he didn’t have any other customers that evening so they could go when they got back to the house.
“Will we be back before about 1100 hours or so?” Deanna asked. “Both are looking forward to going to the overlook to watch the Aurora Borealis as we ring in the new year.”
“We can make it happen.” The driver responded.
When they got back to the house, it wasn’t surprising that both children were still up. They ran out of the house and asked the driver when they were getting their carriage ride.
“Well, I have no more customers tonight so you’re more than welcome to have your ride tonight.” The driver told them.
“You’ll need to dress more warmly than this.” Deanna told them. Both had only their jackets and boots on.
Thad and Kestra ran into the house and came back out a few minutes later with Thad’s wearing a hat and Kestra’s wearing earmuffs but no hat. Both were wearing gloves.
“Are you sure you’ll be warm enough without your hat?” Deanna asked Kestra.
“Yes.”
Deanna looked at Will. “She’s too much like you.”
He chuckled. “Let me guess, your hat is in your pocket.”
“Yes, and I have my hood.” Kestra responded. Deanna just shook her head.
When everyone was in the carriage, the carriage started moving. Kestra was sitting next to Will while Thad was sitting next to Deanna. Neither wanted to sit with their sibling.
When they returned to the house, Deanna went into the house to get what Ali and the children prepared for the trip to the overlook, including makings for s’mores. Deanna carried sparkling wine for the adults and apple juice for the children. Kestra carried the food. Will and Thad carried the wood and the sticks for roasting the marshmallows.
When they reached the top, Will and Thad built the fire while Kestra and Deanna laid out the makings for the s’mores. Deanna also placed the glasses for the sparkling wine and juice out on a table that Will brought up earlier in the day. When the fire was ready, everyone took a stick and marshmallows. As they were making the s’mores, Will checked his chronometer for the time.
“OK gang, it’s only a few minutes to midnight. Let’s get our drinks ready.” Just as everyone had their drinks, the Aurora Borealis began dancing overhead. “It’s almost midnight.”
“Can we countdown?” Thad asked.
“Yes.” Will said and began the countdown. “Ten…” Everyone else joined in. At midnight some fireworks started on the Prince William Sound. “Happy New Year.” He said before giving Deanna a kiss and then both hugged the children. Will and Deanna were both a little surprised when Thad and Kestra hugged. Despite being close, they rarely hugged each other.
“Did you learn Auld Lang Syne?” Deanna asked.
“Yes.” Kestra said and began to sing. “Should auld acquaintances be forgot…” Everyone else joined in.
After everything was cleaned up and ready to take back down to the house, Kestra asked.
“Can we do this every year?”
“Absolutely.” Will told her. “We may have to do it on the holodeck, but we’ll make it work.”
“OK.” She was satisfied.
“Did we tell you that I went into labor with you in the holodeck under the Aurora Borealis?” Deanna asked.
“Really?”
“And when I called Dan and Joan to tell them about you, Joan asked what time you were born preferably Earth time. I told her. She told me that at that moment the Aurora began
dancing around the sky.” Will added.
“Wow!”
“What about me?” Thad asked.
“You woke me up and then had to have a special operation because there was a problem.”
“You know what might be funny?’ Kestra asked.
“What’s that?”
“When I grow up and meet someone special, he could propose to me under the Aurora Borealis.”
“Sweetheart, don’t grow up too fast.” Will said as he hugged her. He looked at Thad. “You either.” He pulled Thad in the hug too.
“Don’t forget me.” Deanna said and stepped into the family hug as the Aurora continued to dance overhead.