Introduction: 7 years ago
"Mama, where's Dad?" Leon asked pulling my sleeve with the impatience you'd expect of a six year old on Christmas. I looked toward the door and then at my son. Kneeling down to his level I ruffled Leon's hair.
"Remember Daddy had to leave on important business a few hours ago. Big and important. Dad's a very busy man." Leon looked up at me sadness shining in his hazel eyes.
"But Ma. It's Christmas..." His shoulders drooped and he waddled back into the living room sitting by the tree holding the present we'd picked out for his Dad.
Sighing I stared at the door almost begging him to just come home. The Trickster apparently couldn't be bothered to stop his job for his son's sixth Christmas. Rubbing my hand over my pony-tailed dirty blonde hair I approached Leon. "Hey sweetheart, how about you can open up one present early because Daddy's a little late."
His face brightened a little, but the disappointment was still there. "Any of them?" He asked, looking around at the boxes. Most of them were for him just a few for other people.
"All of them but that one." I explained pointing to a silver wrapped narrow box in the back.
"Ok." He looked around and then started examining them picking up presents, shaking and weighing them for the best prize. He was smart and knew that bigger doesn't always mean better. Choosing a medium heavy present after much consideration he looked at me, asking permission again just to be safe. I nodded and he carefully tore through the wrapping.
Leo's eyes widened in joy when he spied the new remote control car inside. It was green, gold, and black. Loki colours Gabe would have said. Thinking about Gabe made me angry and frustrated but I pushed it back, I wanted my son to have a good holiday even if his Father was being an ass. "Mama it's so pretty." He touched the box most likely considering whether to open it up or not.
"I think I'll wait for Dad. He'll want to play with it too!" He set it aside and walked over to the counter and went back to colouring his pictures. Once Leon was out of sight I put my head in my hands, trying not to cry. Gabe hadn't been around lately always running off to give his just deserts to people and now he was missing important moments in our lives.
Being a Trickster really can't be that challenging. Against my better judgment, I forgot about Leon in the kitchen and began to cry in our living room right next to the tree. A tree that was supposed to be for the celebration of his family. Sobbing I did not hear Leon approaching until he wrapped his arms around me. "Mom, Dad's going to be here. And even if he doesn't come home for me he'll come for you." Leon stated looking at me with sad eyes.
I looked at him in shock before enveloping our son in a huge hug. "Your Father loves you! Don't think for one second that isn't true."
"But wouldn't Dad stay around then?"
"He just loves his work, angel. You see when Dad goes out he feels like he used to back when he had his other family. Back before us Dad was a very powerful man, but he gave it up because he was sad a lot and he went and found us."
"Mom, do you think he misses us?"
"Of course he does. He'll be home soon you'll see. Dad will appear and scoop you up and we'll open up lots of presents."
"I love you, Mommy."
"I love you too, Leon." I kissed the top of his head and wiped my face. "You want to open up another one?"
"Okay, but no more after that otherwise. Dad will feel left out."
"Alright. How about this one?" I pointed to the biggest one. Leon jumped up and began to pull off the wrapping and as he pulled with determination and childish excitement a bike appeared.
"Mom!? This is so awesome!" He ran around looking at the box from all angles. I put on my best smile but my anger and worry over Gabe was still there and my eyes kept glancing toward the door. "Hey, Mama?"
"Yeah?"
"Is Uncle B. going to come? He said he might be able to right?"
"That's what he said. I'll go call him." I stood and walked to my bedroom. Away from Leon's intelligent gaze I whispered out a prayer to heaven. "Balthazar? I was just wondering if you could stop by Leo really wanted-."
"I brought him something." Balthazar exclaimed holding out a gift.
"Come around the front entrance you crazy angel I think he might find it weird that you just spawned in his parent's bedroom."
"Good point." He laughed before vanishing. As I walked out of my room a knock resonated from the door.
"Wonder who that could be?" I asked with a smile. "Why don't you go answer it, Leon." He ran towards the door and ripped it open.
"Uncle B.!" He yelled throwing his arms out as Balthazar lifted him into the air.
"Hey, Kid! How you doing?" He set Leo back down and removed his wool coat and threw it over a chair. Advancing he wrapped me in a warm hug. "How are you, Casey?"
"I'm holding it together. We're down one main character right now but we'll figure it out. Why don't you show Uncle B. your new bike!"
"Wow! That's pretty badass!" He exclaimed.
"Balthazar! Language!" I yelped laughing. He threw a hand over his mouth an amused twinkle in his eye.
"Uncle B. is right though." Leon agreed looking at the box in approval.
"That's it get out of my house! You're a horrible influence on my kid!" I laughed pointed the door sarcastically. "Now who wants cookies?!" I yelled. Balthazar and Leon's hands both shot up. "And this is when we find out you Balthazar are secretly on seven."
"Hottest seven year old you've ever met!" He rebuked. Rolling my eyes I grabbed the tin of cookies from the counter and cast a look at the door yet again just praying that he'd make it home. I could handle him missing Christmas but it'd be a punch in the face to Leon.
"Come on, cookies!" Balthazar commanded. Placing on a smile I turned and brought the tin back making sure to throw it at Bal. He pulled one out and placed it atop Leon's head and shoved one into his mouth. "Milk too!" He requested almost unintelligibly through a mouth full of cookies.
"Uncle B. you've got to say please too!"
"Yes, what happened to your great angelic manners, good sir?!"
"Please," he grumbled eating another cookie. "Tell you what champ, in your room you'll find a present; why don't you go get it? But it is hidden so you'll have to look hard." Leon rose to the challenge and raced to his room.
"Where's Gabriel?" I asked as soon as Leon was far enough away.
"No clue but if he doesn't show up I'm kicking his ass!" Balthazar stated in anger. "It's complete bullshit that he isn't here. He can stop giving people his 'just deserts' and show up to his fucking kids Christmas. I don't think he realizes what he's doing. He has forever so it never really occurred to him that little things like this will really matter to Leo."
"I don't know what to do, Balthazar." I placed my head on the mans shoulder in agitation. He wrapped his arms around me, trying to help the only way he could.
"I hope he comes sister. If he doesn't then I'm very sorry both for your emotional trauma and the fact the man's going to be so badly beaten he won't look too hot for awhile."
"Thanks. Nice that one angel could spare the time."
"Not really a big deal. In the past five hours. Michael broke Zachariahs nose. Rachel had a mental breakdown. I told Michael to go fuck himself because he's a stupid prick who doesn't care about anyone but big Daddy. And Castiel has managed to be completely uncaring about the whole damn thing. How is that for Christmas, eh?" He shrugged and stepped back at the sound of Leon rushing towards the living room.
"I found it!" He war cried jumping on the couch the present cradled to his chest.
"Well open it right up Kiddo!" Bal cheered happily. And past Leo's eyes Balthazar grasped my hand in comfort, rubbing my knuckles as we watched my son open up the box. He opened it carefully and peered into the wooden box.
Balthazar stood from his spot and crouched down next to Leon on the floor and said, "That's very important to me, Leon. And I trust you to take care of it and wear it. This will protect you, a long time ago my Dad gave that to me. Not personally but it still means a lot."
Balthazar raised up the Sigil of Defense necklace carved with runes and appeared to be incredibly old. Gently and seemingly with purpose placed it around my son's neck. "Thank you Balthazar. That may just rest my soul a bit."
"I try." Leon gave my friend a hug and touched the necklace with pride. I looked at Bal in thanks and he winked at me.
"Thanks Uncle B.!"
"You're welcome Kiddo."
The night wore on and it was 11:00. This was the latest Leon had ever made it but he was determined to wait for his father. His eyes drooped and he looked ready to fall asleep.
"Leo. you want to open the rest of your presents?" He looked at me with anger and disappointment blazing in his eyes.
"No! I don't want any stupid presents! They don't mean anything without my Dad. And I don't want that special one you said I couldn't open! Take them all back! I don't care, I'm going to bed." And with tears in his eyes he ran to his bedroom.
In anger punched the floor and covered my face. "Damn it Gabriel! Where the fuck are you!" Bal nudged my shoulder in comfort.
"I'll go talk to him." Balthazar stood and walked off. I followed him and stood outside the room as they talked.
"I'm sorry your Dad wasn't here, Kiddo."
"I don't care. It doesn't matter anyway." Leon grumbled.
"You can't lie to me, Leon."
"Yeah, it sucks. I want him here."
"You know my brother he can be a bit of a fool. But I know how you're feeling."
"You do?"
"Yeah, you see I grew up with a Dad who I never even met. I love him don't get me wrong, he'll always be my Dad. So you remember that at least your Dad does come around. Now enough of this cheesy shit, get some sleep kid." He walked out the room and smiled at me. We headed back to the kitchen and he sat at the bar. "Waiter. Drinks!" He ordered.
I laughed and pulled out some of the better scotch I had. Pouring him and myself a glass I downed mine in one go. "That's it, sweetheart just get drunk. Instant stress reliever!"
Laughing I downed another glass before remembering I actually got Balthazar a present this year. Last year I forgot and felt like an ass because he got me a nice necklace. "I got you a present!" I declared excited, grabbing it from under the tree. Handing it to him he weighed and examined it closely.
Sitting on the barstool next to him I blurted out, "For the sake of baby Jesus it isn't a bomb Bal open it!" He raised an eyebrow at me before pulling at the wrapping to revealed a classic aged bourbon.
He grinned at me before pulling me into a hug. "Thanks!" I beamed at him before pouring him another drink. We conversed quietly for a while careful not to wake Leon. And then at about 2:00 Gabriel thought it would be a good time to return for Christmas. By this time I was only mildly drunk seeing as Bal had made me slow down on the drinks.
He came waltzing in like nothing fucking happened. I looked at him as he came over and shook my head in disbelief. "Hey, Casey. Sorry I'm a little late. Did a really good one with a fake vampire. Should have seen the girl's face."
"Sounds fun." I stated dryly taking another drink of the nearly empty scotch. He caught the sarcasm and raised an eyebrow at me. I pulled out my present for him from under the counter. Placing it in front of Gabe he sat down smiling at the parcel.
He tore into it with the same excitement I had seen on Leon's face. He pulled out a box of fudge from his favorite candy store, Kilwin's. Giving me a kiss in thanks he said, "Thanks, love. Did Balthazar come?"
"Yeah he actually left a few minutes ago."
"Oh. Glad he could make it."
"Yeah did better than you." I stated bitterly.
"What's that supposed to mean."
"You should have been here Gabriel!"
"Casey I love you but I'm Loki I've got a job to do. These sons of bitches don't stop because it's Christmas!"
"He decided that Christmas sucked because of you Gabe."
"He knows what I do is important."
"Does he? Does he really?"
"He know's I love him. It's Leon he's a good kid, he'll be fine."
"I don't know Gabe, you're my husband and I love you so much," I wrapped my arms around his waist burying my head in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. "But he needs his Dad around Gabriel."
"Ok, it's Christmas come on let's get your present." With one hand on my waist he grabbed a box from the tree. Sitting down in front of me he watched as I carefully opened the package. A gasp escaped my throat as I stared down at it in awe. "It's a Torc, they're normally worn by Goddesses but you're pretty enough to be mistaken for one and well you're with me." He grinned winking at me.
"It's beautiful." I breathed staring down at the gold metal necklace adorned with emeralds. It was obviously ancient and expensive.
"Here." He picked me up and placed me in his lap like I weighed the equivalence of 5 pounds. Gently smoothing back my hair Gabe kissed the side of my neck before fastening on the necklace. Curling up with him I let myself fall asleep in my angel's arms.
Little did I know that Balthazar and Leon were watching with content from the hall. This is my family: Gabriel, Balthazar, Leon and me.