|
|
 |
Untitled |
|
By: Threnody
Bob sat on the couch, bathed in the light of Christmas. The lights on the tree shone brightly in the dark room. Bob leaned back and reflected on the day.
********************************************
The holiday had started like any other: in chaos. Enzo ran into their room at the crack of startup and begged to be allowed to open his gifts. Bleary eyed and exhausted from having been up all night wrapping the damn things, Bob and Dot stumbled into the living room. Enzo pounced on his presents and exclaimed over each one before tossing it aside and moving onto the next. Dot smiled as she watched her younger brother tear into his presents. Working all those long hours through the year was worth the sacrifices just to see the look on Enzo's face on Christmas morning. Bob watched her carefully. Things had calmed down since the business with Daemon ended. Now all they had to face was each other and the future. Which was more frightening than anything they had ever faced before. Bob took the opportunity and reached under the tree.
"What's this?" Dot looked at the small package, and then at Bob. Enzo had finally gone through all his gifts and was doing an in-depth analysis of each one's capabilities.
"Just something I picked up. Open it."
Still puzzled, her fingers quickly undid the ribbon and wrapping. Her eyes sparkled as she opened the small box. "Is this what I think it is?" She looked at Bob.
He shook his head. "Not yet. I want to wait until I can get something better for you. But it's a promise that one day it will be what you think." He reached over and plucked the box from her hands. Taking the ring from its place, he slipped the silver ring over the fourth finger on her left hand. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I promise."
Dot smiled, her cheeks flushed. She gave him a kiss and whispered a thank you in his ear, promising to make it worth his while after Enzo went to bed. Speaking of whom, Enzo had finished with his presents and was watching the exchange between his sister and Bob.
"Can I see? Does this mean you guys are getting married?" He crawled over to where Dot and Bob were sitting.
"No, it doesn't mean we're getting married. But it does mean we'll be together for a long time." Dot held out her hand, and Enzo inspected the ring. It had hands holding a heart with a crown on it. "What is it?"
Bob reached out and took Dot's hand. He pointed at the ring and explained the significance of each part. "And when someone you love as much as I love your sister gives the ring, the heart points down, to the vein which flows to the heart." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. Enzo wrinkled his nose. "You guys are so gro-" He was cut off by a knock at the door.
"Oh dear. I didn't realize it was that late. It must be Enzo and AndrAIa." Dot started to get up, but Bob pulled her down. "They've seen you look worse, Dot." She gave him a dirty look. "It's Christmas," he offered. "All right," she sighed. "You win."
"Bob! Dot! Look! More presents!!" Enzo bounded into the room, his arms full of gifts.
"Merry Christmas, guys." Matrix and AndrAIa sauntered in, holding hands. "You'd better let him open those before he pops." Matrix nodded towards Enzo, who was jumping around the room. Frisket, who had come with Matrix and AndrAIa, was trying to knock him down. Enzo bounced up to the couch. "Can I open it, canIcanIcanI? Pleeeeeease?"
Bob laughed. "Yes, you can open it."
Enzo sat down where he stood and started ripping. Matrix and AndrAIa exchanged greetings with Dot and Bob, and sat on the love seat. The light bouncing off the ring caught AndrAIa's eye. She nudged Matrix. He saw what she was trying to draw his attention to, and quirked an eyebrow. AndrAIa cleared her throat.
"Are congratulations in order?" She asked, gesturing to Dot's hand.
Dot laughed. "No. Not yet, anyway." She elbowed Bob, who grinned.
"Are you guys gonna open your presents, or do I have to do it for you?" Enzo was sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by the latest toys and miles of wrapping paper. The adults laughed, and Enzo passed out presents and Dot went into the kitchen to make some java. Bob followed her. He caught up with her at the sink, as she was filling the pot with water. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him.
"Was that okay?" He asked.
"The ring? Of course! It's beautiful."
"That, too. I meant what it stands for."
"Yes, that, too. I'm fine with it, Bob. We spent so much time skirting around our feelings. We should take it easy." She leaned back and kissed his cheek.
"I'd hoped you would understand. I didn't know. I just didn't want you to be angry with me."
"I'm not angry, Bob. I'm glad that you don't want to rush things."
"Good." He spun her around and kissed her deeply. "Hurry. I'm dying for some java." He flashed her a lopsided grin and disappeared into the livingroom.
*****************************************************
"Mouse, come here and give me a hand." Dot swore. "This is not coming out right."
"You say that every time, and every time it comes out delicious." Dot gave Mouse a dry look.
"That isn't much help. You could pitch in and do those dishes, y'know." She gestured towards the sink full of dirty pots and pans.
"Whatever." Mouse rolled up her proverbial sleeves and dug in.
"How are you doing with those cookies, AndrAIa?"
"Um..Okay, I guess. They don't look quite right." Dot came over and looked in the bowl, poking the runny dough with a fork.
"Add about a half-cup more flour, and you should be okay." AndrAIa nodded gratefully and wiped her forehead, leaving a streak of flour behind.
"I hate Christmas. I can never get this damn bird to turn out right."
"I'm sure it'll be fine, just like last Christmas and the one before that."
"What are you doing in here, Bob? I thought I told you guys to stay out of our way."
"We need more food. You're taking too long." AndrAIa smacked his hand away from a plate of cookies.
"It'll be ready in another few minutes. Go play with Matrix and Ray and Enzo."
"But we're bored," he whined.
"I don't care. Shoo!" AndrAIa pushed him out the kitchen door, and Dot shot her a grateful look as she mashed the potatoes.
"Can you get the bird?"
"Sure." AndraAIa crossed the kitchen and extracted the bird from the oven. "What now?"
"You come here and mash this. Then add the mashed turnips and mix it all together." Dot and AndrAIa traded places, and Dot placed the bird on an attractive serving platter while AndrAIa followed orders and Mouse called the boys to the table.
*********************************************
Matrix sat back in his chair, which groaned under the stress. "That was delicious."
Dot beamed. "I couldn't have done it without my helpers."
AndrAIa and Mouse smiled. Dot started to get up to clear the dishes, but Matrix interrupted.
"Don't bother. We'll do it," he gestured to Bob, Ray and Enzo as well as himself. This elicited a groan from the far end of the table.
"Do I have to?" Matrix gave Enzo the evil eye. He and Bob responded as one.
"Yes." Enzo groaned again. Dot and the others rose. One group collapsed on the couch, and the other started to clear the dishes.
********************************************
Matrix kissed his sister on the cheek. "Thanks for a wonderful day. And the gifts." He grinned. She hugged him. "No problem. See you tomorrow." She hugged AndrAIa, and whispered her thanks. She moved on to Mouse and Ray, then joined Bob and watched the rest say their good-byes. They smiled as they watched Matrix and Enzo together.
"They've come a long way," he commented. Dot nodded.
Enzo joined them, and they waved one last time before closing the door.
"Time for bed, kiddo."
"Aw, Dot, it's Christmas! I don't have school tomorrow. Can't I stay a little longer?" Bob started to open his mouth, but Dot silenced him with a look.
"You heard the boss, Enzo. Go to bed. And don't give me that look. Just go." Enzo grumbled as he headed upstairs.
Bob and Dot sat on the couch in front of the tree, where they had started the day. Bob sat in one corner, and Dot snuggled up beside him.
"You have fun?" he asked.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, tons." He smiled.
"Actually, yes I did. It was nice to have everyone around. No arguing. No fighting," she looked up at him and smiled. "No games." He grinned.
"Yeah. That was nice. All of it was, but especially that part." He pulled her closer to him, and they sat in silence, just looking at the white lights twinkle against the colored balls and home-made ornaments Enzo had brought home in years past. Bob thought the light twinkled especially bright on their ornament. She had gotten it engraved with his, hers, and Enzo's names, Enzo's being below theirs. It was just a little thing, to commemorate their first Christmas as a family. He loved it. He looked down at Dot to tell her again how much he loved it--and her--but she was already asleep.
*********************************************
It was later. He was looking at the tree, mulling over the day's events in his mind. Their first Christmas. He felt lucky. He hugged Dot tight, and she woke. He kissed her forehead.
"Have a nice rest?" he asked.
"Mmmm...restful. But I'm a little sore from being stuck like this. Mind if we move it to the bedroom? I believe I still owe you a thank you." She grinned.
"Ooh. I think I'm going to like this." He hoisted himself off the couch and pulled her up with him, capturing her in a kiss before she had time to escape. She grinned mysteriously.
"Oh, I've got a few tricks up my sleeves. You'll just have to find out, won't you?" She turned and started for their bedroom. He followed, thinking this might be his favourite Christmas ever.
|