A Hume Family Christmas
Secret Santa fic for Golden-Black Dragon. Desmond and his family celebrate Christmas
Desmond was fast asleep when a loud beeping noise roused him from his deep slumber and caused him to dash into the living room.
4 8 15.....
The code-his first thoughts. 4 8 15 16 23 42 ENTER!
But no, there were no dusty old computers, no freaking countdown clocks, no Gernimo Jackson records in the room... Just little Charlie playing with some buzzing robot thingy, his eyes sparkling brighter than the toy's.
"You sure scared me brotha" Desmond said amused, and kissed his son on the cheek.
"You were almost ready to press that button, didn't you?" Penny asked, concern and compassion audible in her voice.
Desmond gave her a weak smile. It happens all the time. Even the faintest, distant noise immediately puts him out of his sleep and causes him to mumble the damn numbers. Sometimes Penny wonders if Desmond will ever be able to sleep again.
"I forgot it's Boxing Day" he replied matter-of-factly and looked at the noisy toy.
"I should have bought you earplugs" Penny said and smiled. "Instead, I got you something else"
"What is it?"
Penny took out a beautifully warped bottle and gave it to Desmond. He carefully unpacked it.
"McCutcheon whiskey!" he exclaimed and chuckled.
"My father made a lot of bad choices in his life, especially rejecting you, Des. But at least he has a good taste in alcohol" Penny said and gave him a warm smile.
"I've got something for you too. Close your eyes"
Penny did as he asked her, and felt his warm hand on her wrist. When she opened her eyes, she saw a beautiful golden bracelet with an engraved sing: You are my Constant
Suddenly she felt tears in her eyes. Sad memories dashing through her closed eyes.
"Penny?" he whispered to he ear. "You remember that day I called you from the boat?"
"Every second of it" she said, still trying to hold back tears.
"If you hadn't answered the phone...." Desmond's voice broke.
"Mommy? Daddy?" Little Charlie unceremoniously interrupted their sweet moment. "I'm hungry!" he called out and pouted.
Penny and Des laughed as the little boy glared at them, annoyed that his mom still didn't make breakfast.
"I want pancakes" he demanded.
"I better get to it or we'll be in trouble" she said feigning concern, and quickly wiped off a tear. Charlie sat on Desmond's knees and grinned, satisfied he once gain managed to get what he wanted.
"I think now I know what your constant is, brotha" Desmond said and let out a small chuckle, while Charlie looked at him bemused, having no idea what his dad was talking about.
"Daddy, what's a con.. con...strant?"
"A *constant* is someone or something that you really care about, and that will never change, no matter what happens.. or happened" he explain and looked dotingly at Penny, recalling how her immutable love saved his life once.
"Like... Christmas?" Charlie asked, still confused.
"Heh, yeah, like Christmas"
THE END ;)