Baby's First Christmas

Posted on Thu Dec 25th, 2025 @ 4:25am by Captain David Tonelly [Reece]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium, Tonelly Quarters
Timeline: 24 Dec 2389
1083 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

After David had finished visiting Baeryn's stasis chamber m, he made his way home to hold their beautiful angel, Samanthanna. His heart was heavy, because he could feel he body between himself and Baeryn fading more every day. He knew that soon, he would have to make a decision for her care. The stasis was not stopping the disease, merely slowing its spread. The latest scans revealed that, if no cure was found by the end of next month, then the disease would have spread too far to save her life. Even for a man who has lived as long as he has, and loved as many as he has, losing Baeryn has become the hardest trial he as yet endured. The only ray of joy hat he has to hold onto, is Samanthana. He would endure every pain imaginable to ensure she was save, loved, and happy.

When he reached his cabin, he checked with the holonanny and was happy to hear that Samanthanna had had another wonderful day. He made his way to his bedroom and stripped out of his uniform, got cleaned up, and dressed in comfortable lounge wear. He then thanked the holonanny and dismissed her for the night. Afterwards, he gently scooped up his beautiful smiling daughter, both her smile and her eyes, she got from Baeryn. It was a bittersweet sight, but only made him love his child all the more.

After feeding and changing her into new pajamas, he carried her out to the living area and had the computer activate a holographic fireplace, complete with a soft, crackling fire going. He then asked for some holographic Christmas decorations to be put on display as well. As Baeryn was half Human, David wanted to ensure that their daughter knew about her full heritage.

Sitting in the large, overstuffed chair, facing the fireplace, David gently rocked and coo'ed his daughter. "Well, my precious one, it's your first Christmas. I wish your mother were here to help celebrate with us." He took a slight ragged breath, then continued. "But, you know what? As long as she is in out hearts, she will always be here." He leaned in and gently kissed her chubby cheek, earning a happy giggle in reply.

Smiling warmly down at her, his eyes and expression were both full of love for her.

"So," he began again. "To start of your cultural education, I am going to start with a Christms poem, one that the Humans have told and told to their children for hundreds of years. It's called, Twas the Night Before Christmas." He took a breath and began.

"Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse;
The stocking were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snuggled in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Momma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains fo a long winter's nap;
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what's the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up he sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a luster of midday to the objects below.
When what to my wandering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, he must be Saint Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they met with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop, the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney, Saint Michols came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkle! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth, was drawn up like a bow,
And the bear on his chin, was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe, he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke, it circled his head like a breath.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, despite of myself;
A wink in his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know, I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stocking and turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they flew like the down o a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere her rove out of sight,
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"

By the time he had finished reciting the poem, Samanthanna was fast asleep in the protective embrace of her father. The sight made David's heart beam with love and warmth, and e knew right then, that Baeryn had been there, watching her family from the new reality that she now existed in. David wasnt sure if hed ever find the half of their joined soul that she had possessed, but anything was possible.

He stayed there, in the chair, holding his angel, for the rest of the evening. At one point, he looked up and said aloud softly, "Merry Christmas to all who observe it."

~End~