1A Christmas Story
Christmas Memories
Author's Note: I do not own most of these characters. Most of them are owned by Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy Productions. This story is about family. There are really no demons or any other supernatural beings in this story nor does it really take place in any season. In this story, Dawn is a witch. This was my first fan fic, but I did not post it because there was a similar story to this in the Charmed forum at the time. Please read and review.
The snow drifted slowly and gently towards the ground. Catching each sparkle of light, as the lights below luminated the streets. The dusting on the ground and in the trees gave a magic that only came once a year: Christmas
The horse, with a little Santa hat on his head, and sleigh drifted smoothly down the snow covered street. Friends and family tucked warmly under the blanket. Steaming cups of hot chocolate in their hands.
The soft music filled the room. Every now and then a Christmas Carol would play. One that would remind her of something that she had lost.
The faint knock on her door brought her back from her memories as she looked up at the opening door.
"You coming?" her sister asked, peeking her head in
"Yeah, let me grab my sweater" she answered, getting up off her bed and onto her feet as she picked up her sweater and headed for the door, giving a quick glance at the picture on her night stand, letting out a sigh.
She sat with her skates on but made no move to get up and go. She watched as three girls, the youngest she guessed about four and the oldest about nine skated by her. It brought a familiar pang to her heart as the younger one fell down. And just as she thought her tears would fall the older one skated up to her and wiped away the tear. Lifting her back to her feet she took her two tiny hands and as she skated backwards she pulled the younger one forward.
She watched them go around the rink once more, before she got up and placed her skates on the ice. She immediately took off at a graceful glide.
"What's on your mind?"
"Them." she said as she watched the girls skate around. She knew in her heart that the two were sisters. Sisters like us. Or sisters like we were. She thought as her mind wandered as the music blasted through the speakers.
"What about them?"
Dawn had said nothing back to her sister and just got up, and started skating off, thinking as the music continued blasting through the speakers.
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettle and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with string
These are a few of my favorite things
Dawn ran quickly down the stairs. Well as quick as her little legs would carry her. Almost tripping on the last one, only to hold her balance as he made her way to the living room.
"PRESENTS!" she cried out as she slid to a stop almost under the tree.
Buffy smiled at her baby sister, all of three years old as she grabbed a present and started to open it.
"Dawnie" She reached out and took the present, "Let's wait for mom and dad." She suggested as she saw her sisters lip start to quiver. But taking her in her arms before her sister could cry she made her way over to the hearth that held the stockings.
"How about we start here?" Buffy suggested as she set her sister down and reached for their stockings that hung from the fireplace, hand her sister her's..
Buffy watched in amazement as her baby sister sat on her lap and opened every gift in her stocking. She loved the look on her sisters' face as she opened each little parcel inside. What was it about Christmas that seemed to make her baby sister get an almost magical look on her face?" Buffy wondered, as she hugged Dawn tight and felt the hug returned ten fold as Dawn squeezed Buffy with every thing she had.
"Dawnie love Buffy.
Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things
The memory swirled around in her mind as she walked back home with her skates over her shoulders.
She paused a moment and just watched everyone doing their Christmas shopping. They all seemed so lost. As if Christmas was the next day; when in fact, they still had a little over a week to go.
She turned to the sound of the sleigh bells as another horse drawn carriage went by her carrying another family. Just enjoying the start of the holiday together.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things
She sat on the park bench as the snow continued to fall lightly. She tipped her head back, trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue. Though all she caught was another memory.
"You know living in California sucks at Christmas. We never get a white Christmas." Buffy complained as she flopped down on the couch next to Prue.
"Well we could go into the mountains for the holidays."
"What about mom?"
"Are you kidding me. Her and Christmas are like one and the same, and the chance to spend one with real snow. She'll jump at the chance."
"I didn't mean that. I mean you two on a holiday together, even Christmas is asking for trouble."
"Dawnie, it's Christmas, What can possibly go wrong?"
The cabin was decorated with ribbons and bows as the lights shone from over head casting amazing colors on the already fallen snow.
Dawn stood beside her sister and rested her head on her shoulder, "This is the best idea you've ever had Buffy. Everything I like about Christmas is right here." She said as she placed her arms around Buffy's waist, hugging her sister tight, while taking in the falling snow, as she tipped her back trying to catch the flakes.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad
She looked at the decorations that were sparse throughout the small apartment she shared with her friend.
She thought of all the times she was sad or hurt, every time she looked up it was the same face that was holding her gaze. Caring and full of love. The love only a mother could give. But yet she was not her mother. She was so much more then that.
She always would reminder her of the things she liked most. But most of all she let her know of her love, without even saying it. For that was truly her most favorite thing: The love of her family.
