Christmas Countdown
I always do something countdownish so with twelve days to go, I thought I'd best start! Hope you enjoy!
Merry Christmas!
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A huge waft of hot air expanded through the air as Nomsa opened the oven door. She wafted it away with her towel before drawing out the last tray of gingerbread men. The sweet scent of ginger filled the kitchen, joining the many other sweet scents that were being created by the food.
Today was the day of the annual Christmas Party at Leopards Den. Everyone was invited, from close family friends, to Danny and Alice's work friends right through to the township families. It was a huge event and everyone almost made an effort, in particular Nomsa who took care of all the food and drink and Caroline, who took care of all the outside decoration and general running.
Leopards Den looked as stunning and picturesque as ever, maybe even more so as the magic of Christmas engulfed it in all its glory. It was exquisitely decorated with tinsel, lights and ornaments. A tree sat lavishly decorated in the front room - already surrounded by presents which had began to spill out into the main living area. The whole house oozed season cheer and comfort and was overall exceptionally welcoming and warm.
"How's it all going Nomsa?" Alice asked as she walked through carrying a Robert's school bag as he followed behind her, his arms full of christmas decorations he had made during the day.
"Nearly all done, just the final touches to do." Nomsa smiled, "Did you have a nice day Robert?"
"Yeh..." He smiled, walking forward, "I made some decorations."
Alice smiled at Nomsa from behind him, both women unspoken basking in his cuteness. Alice mouthed 'there's more' to Nomsa, who smirked back.
"But not all for the house." He told the old housemaid, "This one for you for the kitchen." He announced passing her a paper chain of gingerbread men before clutching the rest of his collection to his chest, "I'm taking the rest to Daddy."
"Thank you very much." Nomsa smiled, pinning it up straight away.
"Wait til you see what he's done for Dup." Alice winked as she and Robert began to walk down to the animal hospital. Nomsa chuckled, knowing Robert and how cheeky he was, it was no doubt going to be the height of amusement. But for now, she had one hundred and one things to do before tonight's Christmas party.
(x)
"Rosie, if you don't love him why are you with him?"
"Oh Dad, you don't get it!" Rosie moaned as she walked around to the other side of the animal hospital. "I do just... I dunno."
"He's not Ma-"
"Don't!" Rosie cut her father off with a stern look and pointed finger. Danny raised his hands in surrender.
"I do get it though don't I?" Danny asked quietly just as the door to the animal hospital burst open and his son rushed through, his arms full of what looked to Danny to be arts and crafts. "Hey Robbie! You have a nice day?"
"Yeh, I made some decorations for the animals and then I got one for Dup and a picture for you and Mummy and a picture for Rosie." Robbie announced, walking past his father and dropping all of his work onto a chair. Danny smiled at his wife as she walked through the door, her expression one of amusement as she winked at her Husband.
"Show me what you got then son." Danny smiled.
"I drew Rosie this. It's her and Cassidy but in the north pole!" He exclaimed, giving Rosie a piece of paper which showed a stick woman and a rather dodgy looking cheetah holding hands in the snow. Rosie beamed as she looked at it, before leaning down and hugging her baby brother, giving him a kiss on the head as she did so.
"Thanks Robbie, I love it."
"It's cool." Robbie announced making everyone laugh, "Ok, I made reindeers for the animals and then I drew you and Mummy as Santa and Mrs Claus." He announced, handing Danny a picture of him and Alice holding hands in fetching red outfits. He smiled warmly, "It's for your room."
"I shall put it up as soon as I go back up." Danny promised, glancing over at Alice with a pointed look. She blushed, turning away and suddenly busying herself as Danny smirked to himself. None of which was unnoticed by Rosie who swiftly followed Alice leaving her Dad to entertain Robbie.
"Alice!" Rosie called as they walked out into the side pen. Alice turned, rolling her eyes slightly before looking at Rosie properly, "Mrs Claus."
"Your father is a pain!" Alice exclaimed turning around once again to get some feed for the zebras that were currently in the hospital, "And your brother doesn't help."
"Alice, I wanted to talk to you... about Dylan. Dad's been trying to help but, well it's awkward talking to Dad." Rosie admitted, "I don't know what to do... He's going to be parading around the Christmas party like he owns me and announcing to everyone that we're to get married and all that kinda crap but, I'm not sure I... you know, love him that much. I never doubted with Max..."
"Is it you never doubted with Max, or are you doubting because he isn't Max. You know it's perfectly acceptable to still love him Rosie." Alice said softly, "It's not been all that long."
"But I do like Dylan." Rosie sighed, sitting down on a bale of straw. "He's a good laugh and a nice man. He's got a good job... he's safe and secure."
"Rosie... are you settling for settlings sake?" Alice asked outright, "Because we're not in the 1920's where we have to marry you know. If you are not ready to marry him then say you are not. If you don't want to be with him, don't be with him. For christs sake Rosie don't sign yourself off to a loveless marriage or a half hearted relationship. I worship the ground your Dad walks on but we argue and row like a cat and a dog. You need love to make up and enjoy the making up."
"He's a good man Alice." Rosie defended.
"Yeh... and so's Todd the animal feeds supplier." Alice sighed rolling her eyes. "Rosie you asked for my advice and this is it... Don't marry Dylan if you don't love him and stop it before it's too late. Now there's plenty of young men at this party tonight - make use of it."
Rosie rolled her eyes before sighing, what kind of Christmas would Dylan have if she dumped him now?
(x)
Six hours later and the party was in full flow. People littered Leopards Den, socializing freely as the rumble of chattering and the clashing of glasses rippled through the atmosphere. Everyone was enjoying themselves and at present, the local choir was belting out a number of traditional Christmas songs which many people were joining in with.
Danny was dancing with Alice, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as they swayed in time to the choirs gentle beat. Both were smiling dumbly into the others eyes, neither willing to break the gaze.
"Mr Trevanion... I do believe we have ourselves a success." Alice crooned, breaking the eye contact to glance around.
"Hmm, I believe we do." Danny replied, "But it would only be truly a success if this little piece of greenery worked it's magic and allowed me to give in to my desires."
Alice frowned as Danny raised one steady hand above their heads, she looked up and smirked as she noticed the mistletoe above them. She shook her head, pulling his head down to hers and kissing him chastely before pulling back, "Dear Husband, you needn't have bothered with that." She beamed, before once more pulling him down into a passionate embrace. Both pulled away chuckling mumbling amongst themselves until their attention was drawn away by a man clearing his throat both turned and almost fell through the floor as they saw who was in front of them... holding their son.
"Max!" Alice squeaked, the alcohol making her voice slightly more high pitched then usual, "What are you umm-"
"Trust me, I didn't want to come here. I'm the barman. My mate's been called away, his wife is giving birth and well, no one should miss that. I found Robert in my grate filling this," He said, showing them a decorated whisky glass, "With numerous drinks. Looks like vodka, whisky, rum, gin and some orange juice and apparently it's for Dup."
"Robbie." Danny groaned, "I told you, you could give it to Dup and fill it up after the party."
"But he's drinking now Daddy."
"When isn't he?" Alice muttered, "Thank you Max, we're both grateful and I'm sorry about Robert, we'll of course reimburse you the costs."
"It's fine Alice." Max smiled, "He's a great kid."
"Thanks." She smiled as she watched Danny carry him over to Dup who was stood by the bar with Rosie, "You ought to get back over there. People will be thirsty."
"I don't want her to see me Alice - it's Christmas, I don't want any bad atmosphere."
"You get back to the bar, look to the right hand corner before you make any moves ok?"
"Ok." Max frowned before walking back over tentatively. He hid his face the best he could until Dup clicked his fingers.
"Hey man, another whisky eh?" Dup called. Max nodding, his head down. "You not speaking man?"
Max took a deep breath before raising his head, his eyes met Rosie's almost instantly and she couldn't hide her shock.
"I didn't want to upset you or make things awkward." Max admitted placing a whisky down in front of Dup before giving Rosie a glass of her favourite white wine.
"You remember." Rosie gasped as she sipped the vino. "Sancerre."
"Barman's secret." Max smirked, "You look good."
"Thanks. You too." Rosie replied, "Listen, I need to-"
"Dup! Rosie!" Danny shouted, "Stay there! Robert's got something for Dup!"
Max leaned on the bar, smiling as he noticed Danny approaching with Robert in his arms, Alice not far behind. Robert was grinning, hiding something with his father's body. Max didn't notice Alice slink off to the side and place a green plant on the side of his bar.
"Dup!" Robert called as Caroline and Nomsa also wandered over. "I made you a present."
"Ach man! That's sweet." Dup smiled.
Robert withdrew it and placed it down on the bar. "I decorated it for you, I knew it was your favourite."
All of the adults began to laugh widely as Dup sat speechless. Caroline shook her head as Max and Rosie began to laugh hysterically like a pair of teenagers.
"Really Anders, it says a lot when a five year old child decorates a whisky glass for you for Christmas crafts at school!" Caroline exclaimed walking away.
"I say a smart kid." Max laughed.
"What's going on?"
Rosie turned and physically paled as she noticed Dylan moving towards her. Panicking she moved quickly behind the bar with Max. She didn't have the first clue why, but she didn't want him anywhere near her, not now Max was here.
"I'm helping Max out."
"Hey! That's ironic your ex is called Max and a barman." Dylan exclaimed, "Still as long as he's an ex."
"I'm an ex." Max spat moodily.
"Oh! You're Max!" Dylan beamed, falling forward.
"And you're drunk." Alice spat disgusted, "Dylan go home."
"No! I'll stand guard on the veranda." He announced, stumbling off.
"Dylan! I don't need your guarding! I don't need you!" Rosie exclaimed on the spur of the moment, "So just... go."
Dylan frowned before continuing on his journey, collapsing heavily onto the veranda stairs.
"I best go find Charlotte." Alice smiled, quickly excusing herself and winking at Max. He smiled back, before turning to the right hand side of the bar. He smirked as he noted what Alice had placed there. She was with him - was this a sign maybe Rosie felt the same as him.
"Rosie, you could make my Christmas amazing you know..." Max began, leaning on the bar casually.
"How?"
"By agreeing to give us another go." Max told her, "I love you Rosie. I never stopped and I realise now, more so at Christmas, how much you mean to me. Make my Christmas."
"Max... I..."
"Well." Max sighed, grabbing the gift Alice had left him, "At least you have to kiss me."
"Says who?"
"Says Christmas Law." Max smirked cockily, "Look up."
Rosie did so and gasped as she noticed the mistletoe above their heads. She shook her head, announcing how wicked and cruel he was before nodding and kissing him in a restrained yet somewhat tender manner. A light ignited within her and in moments the respectable kiss had developed into a passionate, strong kiss which no one could mistake for anything other than two people in love.
"I don't want alot for Christmas..." Max began to sing, "Because all I want for Christmas is you..."
"Promise never to sing again and this Christmas couldn't be any more perfect." Rosie beamed as she wrapped her arms back around his neck and kissed him once more, sealing the deal properly.
A/N - I'll try update everyday from now on til xmas :) Soooooo, Robert's a bit older five as I had the idea of a cheeky little lad stealing Dup's fav. whisky glass and decorating it haha! And Rax are back together because, that's how it should be innit!
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