author's note * This is a fic I wrote back in 2004, and happened to come across it the other day* I submit for your approval, "The Heart Of Christmas".
It was the week before Christmas, 1964. Peter was in the kitchen, fixing his infamous Cream of Root Beet soup. Micky was upstairs tinkering with one of his inventions. Peter gave his soup one final stir and smiled in satisfaction.
"Done," he said, "hey guys! Soup's on! Micky? Mike?" Peter decided to head upstairs and tell his room mates that their supper was ready. In the meantime, someone slips into the balcony door. He takes the soup, blows on it, and slurps it down greedily. He then places the pan on the stove and slips out again quickly, so as not to get caught.
Peter and Micky come down the stairs and head to the kitchen.
"Cream of Root Beer again?" Micky asked in disgust.
"I don't know how to fix Cream of Water," Peter replied. Micky took one look in the pan and shouted in disbelief.
"Hey, what gives? There's no soup in here," Micky stated as he turned the pan upside down to show his friend the proof.
"It's gone! What could have happened?" Peter cried, as tears began to fall down his face.
"Oh come on Peter, it's ok. I didn't like Cream of Root Beer much anyway," Micky said, placing a hand on his friend's back. About that time, Mike comes walking through the front door.
"Uh oh, what's wrong, Pete ol' buddy?" Mike asked as he saw his friend wiping his eyes.
"Aw, something came into the house and ate Pete's Cream of Root Beer soup," Micky explained.
"Whoever did must be crying too by now." Mike said. "Do you know who or what it was?"
"No, I went upstairs to get Micky. Then when we came down here, the soup was gone," Peter said, crying again.
"Oh it's alright, don't cry. Besides, I have good news," Mike said.
"You got us a job!" Micky said with excitement.
"No, that would be great news. Anyway, I went over to Saint Mary's today and signed us up for their annual Christmas dinner," Mike said.
"Yum! I can taste that pineapple glazed ham already," Micky said while patting his stomach as his mouth watered.
"That is good news," Peter said, "now, when are we getting a Christmas tree?"
"Well Pete, we just can't afford it this year," Mike said painfully. He hated disappointing his friends. As it was they had already discussed earlier that week that no one should get the others a gift, due to their very tight budget.
"Aw man, what a drag. No tree, no presents," Micky said, looking like he was about to cry.
"I wish I could do something, but the rent is overdue and the heat has been shut off," Mike said. "You know, my mom use to say"Michael, Christmas isn't about trees and lights, presents and mistletoe. It's about the baby born long, long ago."
"Baby New Year?" Micky asked.
"No, baby Jesus! Baby New Year! Whadda ya say baby new year for?" Mike said, rolling his eyes.
"At least baby Jesus got presents," Peter said glumly as he headed to his room.
"Yeah, let's just skip Christmas all together this year," Micky said as he went to his room.
Mike was left downstairs all alone. He sure felt crummy. He really wished he could make the place at least look a little Christmasy. All of a sudden, he had an idea. His friends sure would be surprised this year.