“Here,” Jayne said, standing in the doorway to the engine room, holding out a small package. “My mom sent this for the squirt. Figured she could have it now as it’s her birthday.”

Kaylee took it, intensely curious. She opened the bag and looked inside. “Oh, that is so sweet!” she exclaimed, pulling a little hat out, just like the one Jayne had.

“I mentioned to her in my last letter about you havin’ a kid, and she thought it’d be just the thing to keep the cold out.” Jayne was almost embarrassed. “A’course, if you don’t want it …”

Kaylee held it up to the light. “I think it’s lovely,” she said, a big smile on her face. “And I know Bethany’s going to love it.” She played with the pompom on top.

“Ma sent one for Freya, too,” Jayne added unexpectedly. “Hers is green and white, like she asked for a while back.” He grinned. “Don’t think Mal’s gonna be too pleased when he sees it.”

“Why?” Kaylee asked, still entranced by his gift.

“Well, ‘cause I kinda like the idea of us all dressing up in ‘em and taking a capture, just for posterity,” Jayne said mischievously. “Maybe put it on the Cortex, you know, one of those adverts telling everyone who we are.”

Kaylee laughed. “Oh, we have to. The capture, at least. Have you given Freya hers yet?”

Jayne shook his head. “Was gonna wait until after the birthday,” he admitted. “Didn’t want it to seem like I was trying to make it less special for the pumpkin.”

The young mechanic put her hand on his arm and smiled. She knew he was better than he made out, that he had more depths than most others gave him credit for, depths he hid because it wasn't ‘ manly ’. “Thank you, Jayne,” she said sincerely.

He nodded and stood up straighter. “So, when’re we gonna eat?” he asked, back to business. “I'm hungrier’n hell and could eat a horse.”

“I think we did,” Kaylee said, grimacing. “Back on Verbena last.”

“Tasty, though,” Jayne added. “Bit tough, ‘til you got past its hoofs.” He grinned at her.

She thumped him lightly on the ar