Christmas Memories III

Christmas Eve dawned clear and chilly.

It was the bright sunlight that actually woke Razerlight up. And she immediately felt miserable. The events of the previous day were still hovering in the back of her mind and she considered of staying in bed all day. She didn’t want to bear with the official dinner Speedwind had stated they would have and even less she wanted to embarrass herself with not having any Christmas gifts for anyone else.

The rest of the house sounded silent as she got up from her bed and shuffled her way downstairs. But the moment she opened the door into the living room, she was welcomed by an amazing scent of Christmas ham, gingerbread and a happy bustle.

Amethyst was running around, carrying plates to the table, checking the oven and humming a happy tune at the same. She was wearing a long evening dress and a white apron on top of it. Somehow she managed to maintain both the elegance of a sophisticated lady and the warmth of a homely family mother.

Speedwind was loading presents of all sizes under their Christmas tree that has been set beside the living room fireplace.  He was also warmly laughing at Rody who tried to tie a bowtie around his throat and was seemingly having great trouble. Both the men were wearing suits.

Christmas Eve with fancy dresses and suits didn’t bring Raze good memories. And seeing all her friends dressed up like that made Raze feel like fleeing from the room before she was spotted. However before she managed to turn and run Amethyst’s warm voice nailed her on spot.

“Morning dearest.”

Slag it. “Good morning. “

“I think the proper greeting would be ‘Good afternoon’.” Speedwind laughed as he stood up to tie Rody’s bowtie for him. “Since your highness decided to sleep a little late. Do you have any idea how late it is? We’ve already been up for hours.”

“Actually I considered of sleeping through the whole day.” Raze snapped and crossed her arms. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“It’s Christmas Eve. And as you know it’s a big celebration – a fancy one! So for once I have a proper reason to order everyone to dress up their best!” Speedwind grinned and finally got Rody’s suit in order. It was weird to see the young, skinny lad in such a fancy suit, but even Raze had to admit that he looked handsome. 

“So while you go upstairs to change” Speedwind continued. “Would you mind checking on Piper and Kron? They have been locked up in Piper's room for hours and we’re almost ready.”

“What?” Raze exclaimed. “Change? I have nothing to wear!”

“You can’t attend the Christmas dinner in your pajamas dear.” Amethyst came to her and gently turned her around. “I’m sure you’ll find something, and if not, you can borrow something of mine.”

Raze had no other options but to return upstairs. She stopped on the first door in the corridor and heard some silent conversation inside.  As she knocked the door she could hear Piper let out a cry.

“WHO IS IT?”

“It’s me. Open up.”

After a moment of rattling the door opened slightly and Pipers face appeared in the gap. She was grinning widely.

“Sorry Raze, you’re not allowed in!”

“What’s going on in there?” Raze asked and tried to peek in over Piper’s head. But before she could spot anything else than a desk with small objects spread on it Kron’s face appeared out of nowhere on the level of hers to block the view.

“Nothing of your concern, Sunshine. “ He said grinning eve more widely than the smaller face below his. “So why don’t you excuse us and go bother your pretty little head with other matters – like, lets say, what you’re going to wear today.”

Raze frowned at the duo grinning at her, having a bad inkling that they were plotting something.

“Speedwind asked me to tell you they are almost ready. So you two should get ready too!”

“So we’re not in a rush then.” Kron said and closed the door leaving Raze standing in the corridor and considering of punching something – anything.

--

Piper and Kron didn’t appear downstairs until two hours later. The sky had already turned dark and the table had been fully set. Even though Raze had not heard either of them shifting between rooms, both Piper and Kron came in the living room fully dressed. Piper was wearing a glittering blue skirt and, much for Razes surprise, Kron was wearing a suit.

After an hour of searching Raze herself had managed to find a pair of dark trousers and a claret-colored blouse she thought would serve as a fancy outfit. She didn’t remember packing those clothes, so she just suspected Amethyst had something to do with it. 

Their medic’s efficiency got a whole new meaning when the team seated on the table for dinner. Raze couldn’t imagine how on earth Amethyst had managed to make so many dishes in such a short time, and how everything looked so much unlike the dinners she had attended as a child. The table looked just as fancy as any other but somehow with all her closest friends sitting around it, it looked inviting.

Speedwind stood up and the rest fell silent.  

“My dear friends. It has been a long year for all of us, rather adventurous year I could say.” He started with an official tone. “A year with some surprises and also a year with some great challenges. I’m happily surprised that all of us has made through our cooperation alive and more or less sober.  Even though we’ve had up and down hills, there are not any other people I would love to spend my Christmas with better than you five.”

“Aww, Mr. Fancypants. I’m so touched!”  Kron exclaimed and showed a face of such a sarcastic affection, that if it had been anyone else in the world, Raze would have almost believed he meant it.

“Apparently Mr.Kron doesn’t want to get into eating at all!” Speedwind said lifting an eyebrow. “I’m not done yet!”

Raze tried to keep her face in check, but Speedwind had combed his straw yellow hair back and looked unusually sophisticated. It was something that didn’t really match his cheerful personality. This was probably why Kron and Rody too had such difficulties in pulling straight faces. Yet either of the men tried to hide their amusement. Speedwind eyed both of his comrades seemingly seriously, but his lips were twitching as he too tried to hold back a smile.

“As I was saying … It’s a great honor to have you all here. You are the most difficult and complicated team I’ve ever been privileged to work with. Never have I had such a hard time with not losing my temper almost every single day. However I guess I should thank you for all the grey hair you’ve caused me, because never in my life have I had such a hilarious year. So thank you.” Ignoring the eye rolls of his team Speedwind turned to Amethyst. “ … and most of all, thank you for my amazing wife, for providing us such an amazing Christmas feast.”

The team leader’s warm gaze was returned with a delighted smile, but before any of the rest managed to snap any sarcastic comments Speedwind turned his attention to them again.

“I just wanted to say, that you’re the best family I could ever have.” He lifted his glass. “Merry Christmas!”

--

Raze had never had a fancy dinner like that in her entire life.  Most of her adult years she had tried her best to avoid all the officialities that included suits or dinners, but had any of them been like their Christmas dinner, she would’ve joined most gladly.

Speedwind and Kron behaved themselves for the first five minutes, but soon the polite conversation turned into open joking and both the men started reminiscing the most embarrassing and silly moments the other had gone through during the last year.

With Piper joining the chat with her adorably innocent comments Raze and Amethyst found themselves having difficulties with eating while they were all laughing so hard. They shared memories and stories, enjoyed the food and naturally Raze too got her share of comments of her own stumbles.  But for once she found herself able to laugh at them.

After hours of sitting around the table, one by one each of them went to change something more comfortable on and shifted on the living room side. As usual Kron occupied the large armchair that had grown to be his favorite place in the house. Speedwind and Amethyst shared the sofa and Rody was left with the footstool. Piper and Raze settled with pillows on the floor.

Too impatient to wait any longer Piper then announced that it was time to share the presents.

Raze shifted on her pillow uncomfortably while eyeing the presents under the tree. She had no gifts for others and she felt bad for it. Yet she was also rather sure she wouldn’t be receiving any herself. That’s why she was frankly surprised as Piper first pulled out a large parcel and scuttled to her. “This is for you!”

Raze stared at the big soft parcel she was handed. “But …”

“No buts!” Piper and Amethyst exclaimed in unison.

Raze wrapped the parcel open and pulled out a soft white pullover with a large collar. As she was holding the shirt up high so that everyone could see it Amethyst gave her a warm smile.

“I’m sorry dearest, there were not any other colors and I thought that it would suit you…”

“I love it!”

If Amethyst was surprised by Raze smiling brightly and immediately pulling the sweater on, she didn’t show it. She only smiled and briefly gazed at Kron warningly. He had just been about to snap some sort of a comment, but noticing the gaze of the medic just rolled his eyes and remained silent.

It was Rody’s turn next. His parcel was one of the smallest and as usual no emotions could be read from his face as he gently opened it.

“It’s an mp-player.” Speedwind grinned when Rody pulled out a little metallic object and large blue headphones. “I’ve noticed how much you seem to enjoy music, so I thought you might like a proper music player and headphones.”

At first Rody just about stared at the objects in his hands, but then he lifted his gaze and granted Speedwind one of his warmest of smiles that made his eyes shine and posture stand up as if everything in him wanted to show how happy he was.

“You’re welcome!” The team leader replied with a smile just as warm.  “Now let’s see what we got here!”

Speedwind reached for his parcel – a large one with green paper on it. Ripping the paper open the team leader pulled out a pair of fluffy pink bunny-shaped slippers and a book - and burst out laughing.

“’How to become a braniac – easy tips of hacking for noobs’.  AAAW! KRON YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE!” He exclaimed still laughing and pulled the slippers on his feet.

“Anytime Speedpants.” Kron grinned while opening the last parcel himself. His grin however was replaced by a look of surprise as he too pulled blue bunny-slippers and a book out of his parcel.

“’Golden guide for good manners’” He read from the book cover and glared at Speedwind, who was now laughing so hard that tears were running down his cheeks and he had trouble with not falling on the floor. “You know, you are so going to regret this!”

However his threat went unheard, for Raze and Piper too were laughing their heads off.

--

They sat in the living room all night, each enjoying their presents and moreover enjoying each other’s company.

Raze was sitting on the floor and leaned her back on the chair and looked at her friends. Rody had put his new headphones on and was intensively fingering the music player. Speedwind and Piper were both crouched down over the microscope Piper had had as a gift and babbling happily. Kron had actually started to read the book he has gotten as a present. Amethyst had disappeared into the kitchen.

Carefully Raze stood up and sneaked out of the living room without anyone noticing. She tiptoed her way through the hall and outside into the chilly winter night. The lights on the porch were set low, so that she could see the stars shining in the clear sky. Not a sound was heard.

She inhaled the freezing air and leaned her back on the porch banister. To think about it she couldn’t recall the last time she would have felt herself that serene on Christmas. She had been afraid of the whole Christmas turning into an awkward farce, but she felt more home than ever.

She heard the door being pushed open behind her and soon she sensed someone standing right next to her.

“Don’t you know that when someone exits the room she is usually looking for a moment to be alone?” She growled under her breath and Kron gave out a laugh.

“Seriously, when a lady exits a room like that, it’s a clear invitation for all the men present to go after her. Almost like an unwritten and an absolute rule that one of the guys has to follow her – and unfortunately I lost the rock, paper and scissors for Rody. “

“What are you doing here?”

The man shrugged. “Well, I just thought that it would be nice to have a beautiful romantic moment of stargazing with a …”

“Shut up.”  Raze growled at him, but the corners of her mouth were twitching as she tried to hold back a smile. “Did you have something important in your mind? If not you can well get back inside while I’m still in the mood of not punching your nose flat.”

“As a matter of fact I do!” Kron smirked and picked something from the pocket of his jeans. “Or if you want to I can also give it to you with all the rest around and staring at your expression.”

He handed Raze a little parcel, not much bigger than her palm. It had no decoration, only a simple white ribbon to keep the brown wrapping paper in place. Yet Raze stared at it as if she had never received a gift in her entire life.

“Wait! What?” She turned to him her eyes glowing with annoyance. “YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T BUY ME ANY GIFTS!”

Kron shrugged with an amused grin on his face. “Indeed, so consider that gift being mainly from Piper.”

Raze took a one last glare at the man and then slowly wrapped the parcel open, well aware of her companions stare. Inside the paper a tiny case of copper color was revealed.

“What is it?” Raze asked turning the small object in her hands. It looked like a pocket watch or an old fashioned metal pillbox.

“Open it.”

With an odd feeling of presentiments crossing her mind, Raze clicked the case open – and she had to place her hand of her mouth to hold in a gasp.

The case was a tiny music box. The moment she opened to cover the porch was filled with a beautiful jingle of her favorite tune, the one she still recalled from all the years back. Inside the case two tiny swans circled each other. She turned to Kron and for once didn’t even try to hide the surprise from her face.

“How did you know? I mean … where. In the store they were so expensive, how did you …” Razes flood of questions was cut as she saw Kron lifting an eyebrow and smiling at her.

“HOLY MOTHER OF …” She glanced at the music box again. Tiny cogwheels could be seen under the cover and the swans were actually different in size. “YOU MADE THIS?”

The man grinned from one ear to another with his arms crossed on his chest. “Thank Piper and her tiny fingers from most of the detail work. You have no idea how hard it was to get all those clock-parts in the right places. Actually the whole idea was originally hers.”

 Razes face fell. “She told you!”

“… of how you stared at that music box on the store window display, yes.” Kron finished her sentence. “She refused to give me any further details, but just stated you needed a music box for a present. Apparently I have to dig out all the juicy details of this back-story myself later.” He paused.  “But for now – you’re welcome.”

Raze turned her gaze down and gently fingered the music box. The tune silently hovered between them. She supposed Kron to brag something more, but he remained silent.

“Thank you Kron.” She finally whispered. “It’s beautiful.”

She was happy that the porch was dark so that he couldn’t see the blush that had risen on her cheeks.

“You know.” She said after moment of hesitation “Now I feel bad for not having a present to you.”

Kron gave out another laugh. “Oh well, I’m not that much into sharing gifts in the end.” He said. “Besides I’m a humble man you know!”

“Humble is one of the last words to describe you!” Raze snapped. She was growing nervous. “Now spit it out! I know you’re plotting something. What do you want?”

Kron leaned closer and gave Raze a devilish grin.

“Nothing much …” He stated and lifted a finger indicating Raze to look up.

Raze felt the cold shivers run through her spine as it occurred to her what she might see with glancing up. Trying to convince herself that this would again be one of Kron’s regular jokes, yet the same time strangely wishing her guess would be right, she tilted her head.

Hanging on the rafter of the porch, right above where she and Kron were standing – was Piper's mistletoe.

Even the darkness couldn’t hide the blush that rose on her face, with her eyes growing wider and her breath getting stuck in her throat. A long moment of silence followed with Kron smirking widely and Raze pondering her options.

The first idea that occurred to her was to run, or punch him, but her chances of keeping up her appearances had already been lost. Besides, she owed him a gift.

Squeezing the music box in her hands and her heart pounding harder she had imagined possible, she took a step closer, stood on her tiptoes and gently presser her lips on his cheek. She could smell him, feel his warmth on her face and feel the smirk on his. 

“Happy Christmas, Kron.”

Then without another word she turned and rushed inside the house leaving the man standing on the porch. She literally ran her way upstairs, straight into her own bedroom and slammed the door closed. Pressing her back on the closed door she inhaled deeply. How long had she been holding her breath?

Her thoughts were running wild and she felt like she could catch none of them. It was crazy. She had actually kissed him, the most annoying man on earth. She had kissed Kron, the same Kron who made her mad every single day, pranked her whenever he could, argued with her of all the things possible, the same Kron who always did everything better than her and generally made her life miserable. Yet the same Kron who had given her the most wonderful gift anyone could give.

One, surprisingly small, part of her wanted to storm back downstairs and slap him of his arrogance. Yet more surprisingly she found that she had actually wanted to. She had wanted to kiss him. And he had wanted her to do so. 

Raze opened the music box again and the happy tune flooded in, making her feel warm like wrapped in a blanket.  She let her legs collapse.

Sitting down on the floor, holding the tiny music box she found herself laughing and tears running down her cheek the same time.

--

Hot coco warmed her fingers nicely as Razerlight stepped into the living room. After recovering from a little incident between her and Kron, she had returned downstairs to join the others. The evening had ran fast with the crew playing games, testing out their presents and generally just enjoying simple pleasure or hanging out with no rush to anywhere.

Eventually all the bustle had settled down. Fire in the fireplace was burning low, lights were down and everything was quiet. Speedwind and Amethyst laid on the sofa, cuddled close to each other, both deep in sleep. Raze could see Rody sitting in the library, with his new headphones in his ears, reading a book. Piper had taken it off to have a shower so for a moment Raze could enjoy the silence.

She took it to the large armchair and sat down careful not to spill her hot coco.

“Hey!”

Startled Raze almost fell off the chair. Barely keeping the hot chocolate from spilling she turned to glare at Kron whose lap she had accidentally sat on. “THIS IS MY PLACE!” She snarled at him letting go of his shirt she had grabbed to keep her balance. “GET OFF!”

“I didn’t see your name on it!” Kron snarled back holding the book he had been reading further away from Razes drink. “You lifted your pretty butt – so the seat was free!”

“You knew I was just in the kitchen and was about to come back – SO MOVE YOUR AFT!”

“Not going to happen.” Kron said and tried to push Raze down from his lap. “This is the best seat in the room and it’s currently mine, so I’m not going anywhere!”

“Fine!” Raze scowled and lifted her feet over the armrest so that Kron couldn’t stand up unless she moved away. “Neither am I!”

“Please Sunshine, I bet you’re the one who gets uncomfortable first!” Kron rolled his eyes and dived back behind his book.

Raze muttered under her breath and tried to ignore the man and focus on not spilling her hot chocolate on her white pullover. 

Slowly sipping her drink she let her gaze wander around the room. She had always imagined Christmas night would mean cleaning up after the mess made during the day or that the feeling of the day would vanish during the night. But eyeing the room it seemed to her that nothing could ever be cozier.

“It has been quite a Christmas.” She stated.

A grunt was heard from behind the book.

“I could get used to celebrating holidays like this. How about you?”

Kron let the book drop his eyebrows frowned, but instead of replying he burst out laughing the moment he saw her face. Raze stared at him, surprised, but not noticing that the hot coco had left whiskers of whipped cream on her upper lip.

“What is it?”  She demanded to know, but her annoyed glare only made Kron giggle harder.

“Oh it’s nothing” Kron managed to say once his laughter ceased, but an amused grin remained on his face. “What did you say again?”

“What’s so funny?!”

“Nothing” His grin grew even wider. Raze tried to eye her shirt for any stains, but the sweater was just as white as it should be. Kron hid his face behind the book again.

“KRON!” 

She put the cup away on the nearest table and turned to glare at Kron and then eye the room for any more mistletoes or silly decorations that could possibly be getting stuck to her hair. She spotted nothing.

 “Trust me, you don’t wanna know” The man replied from behind his book, but burst out laughing again.

“Kron! I’m warning you!” Raze scowled as loud as he dared, grabbed the book from his hands, threw it away and pointed a finger at his face. “Now stop grinning like an idiot and tell me what’s so funny!”

“Very well then …” Kron smirked and leaned closer. “Close your eyes.”

Razes eyes grew wider as she stared at Kron like he was out of his mind. “The hell no!”

He only shrugged letting her know that his terms had been set. She had to either take it or leave it. Raze tried to read his face to find out the reason for his currently amusement, but Kron was just grinning his usual self-satisfied grin, of which Raze couldn’t tell much. Most probably it was again one of his mindless jokes, something totally stupid and not worth losing her cool. But on the other hand Raze was curious, and she didn’t want to go around and knowing there was something ridiculously wrong with her looks.

Letting out a resigned sigh she glared at Kron for the last time and closed her eyes.

She was prepared for everything, a slap on the back of her head, a tug on her hair, tickles, anything. For a moment that felt like several minutes she just sat there still, eyes closed, inward cursing herself of being such an idiot. When she felt Kron leaning closer to her, she stiffened her posture, prepared to punch him in the face if he did anything more than snatching something from her hair.

But what she wasn’t prepared for – was the gentle lips that slightly stroked her upper lip under her nose.  Instinctively she leaned in but his lips disappeared as fast as they had appeared as he leaned back again. Raze opened her eyes and she found Kron licking cream from his lips.

“Hmm. Delicious.” He said thoughtfully, his grin mischievous. “Perhaps I should make one of those hot cocoas for myself too.”

Razes hands immediately flew on her face and her cheeks turned almost as red as her hair.

“YOU SLAGGING IDIOT! WHY COULDN’T YOU JUST SAY THAT I HAD CREAM ON MY FACE!?” She snarled at him, trying to hide her face with her hands and not knowing where to turn it.

“And pass that amazing opportunity to get you to make faces like that! Ha!” Kron laughed.

Raze sat still, trying to stop her hands from shaking. Without thinking she heard herself continuing.

“Could you..” She mumbled from behind her hands slowly lowering them. “Could you … do that again?”

Now it was Kron’s turn to show a face of uttermost surprise. Eyeing the lady sitting on his lap he seemed like he didn’t really believe of what he had just heard. However he managed to gain control over himself quite fast.

He leaned closer again. Letting her hands drop to her lap Raze closed her eyes and felt how his fingers gently stroked hers.  Feeling his face hovering just above hers, she tried to keep herself from shivering. Just a little bit closer. But just before Raze managed to tilt her head to kiss him, Kron turned his head, so that his lips were on the level of her ear.

“You know, I’m not that easy.” He spoke in low voice.”Besides, I’m still waiting for my Christmas present!”

Raze opened her eyes. Kron leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. His grin had narrowed into a content smile that threw her a challenge.

Her inner self was screaming for her to stand up, throw the hot drink on his grinning face and stomp out of the room. But the memory of the tune in the music box hovered still on the back of her head and so was the feeling of his breath on her face just moments ago. For once Raze was not about to lose the challenge. She crossed her arms as well.

“Fine. Close your eyes.”

Kron lifted an eyebrow. Raze was sure he would snap some sort of a sarcastic comment, but to her surprise the man just smiled and closed his eyes as told.

What are you doing?  Her inner self demanded to know, yet Raze couldn’t reply. She knew she was being an idiot again, she knew she was once again playing his game with his rules; she knew she wanted to run and she knew she didn’t want to. Yet she knew that the precise moment was her one last chance to either get away, or to do it and then probably regret it for the rest of her life.

So she leaned in and kissed him.

If Raze had had time to think about it she would have been surprised of the fact that Kron didn’t seem surprised at all. For the very moment her lips touched his Raze found herself pulled into a passionate, deep kiss and his hands around her waist.

If Kron had had time to think about it he would have been surprised of the fact that each of his kisses was returned gladly instead of her pulling away - and that the little game he had meant for a joke had turned into Raze's slender arms around his neck and tender fingers stroking his hair.

But they didn’t, for they were only aware of each other. His fingers caressing her neck and his kisses whispering words that told her she had no way to escape. Raze felt warm, and safe, and with each kiss her grip of reality became looser and she wanted nothing more but him to hold her closer and never let go.

After a moment of which length either of them was aware off, as if the whole concept of time had suddenly disappeared – Kron managed to break out of the kiss. Silently he whispered.

“You know Sunshine, it’s getting late. You should go to sleep.”

Raze didn’t even open her eyes. “Shut up you moron!”

And Kron was pulled into another deep kiss and if Raze had had time to think about it she would have noticed that he was grinning.

There was no way he was going to let her sleep that night.

--

Piper padded down the stairs. Instead of a shower she had ended up taking a long bath and now her hair was standing up all curly. She had a blanket wrapped around her and she felt warm and sleepy.

Supposing the rest of the crew was asleep already Piper silently tiptoed her way into the living room. Like she had supposed Speedwind and Amethyst were sleeping on the sofa. Yet she had to suppress a happy giggle when she noticed that the team leader and his wife were not the only lovebirds in the room.

Kron had fallen asleep in the large armchair. Raze had nestled on his lap her head pressed on his chest and both hands cupped under her cheek. Kron had wrapped his arm around her shoulders and the other was resting on her hips. He was leaning his head on her hair and for once both of them seemed to be smiling in their sleep.

Piper took a blanket from one other of the chairs and gently threw it on her sleeping friends. Glancing around, she noticed that the sixth member of their team was not present. Feeling a little sad Piper assumed Rody had gone to bed already.

Piper blew off all the candles and threw few more sticks of wood into the fireplace. She was just about to head back upstairs when she noticed that the library had the lights on. Peeking in the door she found Rody there sitting cross-legged on a divan in the middle of the tall shelves. He was deeply immersed into a book and had the headphones hanging on his neck.

“Oh, you’re still awake” She stepped into the room.

The lad glanced up and granted Piper with a gentle smile.

I am. But you should be sleeping already.

“I’m going.” Piper replied to her friend. “I just wanted to check you out before I go. Is it a good book?”

Rody only nodded, but didn’t lift his gaze again. Piper wriggled her fingers behind her back and tried to come up with something more to say, but couldn’t come up with anything.

“So, well. I think I’ll go. Good night Rody.”

A page was turned. Good Night Piper.

Piper was about to shut the door, but instead she remained standing in a dark living room holding the handle as a thought crossed her mind.

She stepped back in.

“Umm. Rody, are you going to stay up late still?”

A shrug.

“I mean are you about to head upstairs once you’ve done with that book?”

The page he was turning slowly stopped in the middle way and Rody lifted his head. One of his eyebrows rose as he eyed the girl standing on the door. And it was not the first time Piper was sure Rody was able to read her thoughts.

I suppose so. Why?

“Oh, well. I just came to think about … “Piper grinned. “You know how it’s so lonely and dark upstairs. And since everyone else is … “She couldn’t help but glance over her shoulder into the living room where the older couples were sleeping. Slightly blushing she turned to Rody again and tried to stand a little better on the doorway. But it was too late; Rody had already leaned to his side to see what Piper had been glancing at and now his expression turned from curiosity into confusion.

“Oh never mind. I’ll just go to bed” Piper hastily blurted and once more was about to turn to leave the room. But suddenly Rody’s warm brown eyes lit up as a wide grin took form on his face. He was laughing. He made more room on the divan and gestured Piper to take a seat as well.

You can sleep here.

Not wanting to wake everyone up with laughing, Piper just took a happy bounce and scuttled to her friend. She took a seat next to Rody, who straightened his legs so that both of them would have enough space to comfortably lie on the divan. Piper cuddled her blanket and pressed her head on Rody’s lap. She had already had the best Christmas of her entire life, but if anything could make it even better – it would be falling asleep right next to her best friend.

“Rody … “ She whispered before her eyelids became too heavy to remain open. A gentle stroke on her hair replied. She smiled. 

"Merry Christmas."