[He furiously wished that he could trade places with George, if only to make sure that Jim got the childhood he so rightfully deserved. It wasn’t long before the irrational thoughts of what could have been dragged a few smarting tears from his eyes.] I’m so sorry, son. I…I’d do anything- give anything- to bring your father back for you.
[Jim hated his birthday. Hated it more than anything in the fucking world- hated it. When he'd been small his mother, his brother and he would've flown to San Francisco to attend the USS Kelvin Memorial Ceremony, every year. He'd stand in a suit and painful shoes every time, be rewarded with a cone of ice cream as they made their way back. They'd celebrate the day after, maybe. But it was sad and small and Winona would watch with pain in her eyes. After she stopped being around he stopped going, but he didn't celebrate either.
He also hadn't attended a Memorial Ceremony since he was eight. And now they were going to make him. Now that he was in Starfleet. And nobody seemed to understand except Bones, except Pike, why he couldn't bear to.
He tried to talk but instead could only whimper, pressing his face hard into Pike's shoulder.]