CHAPTER 3-JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Thank you to everyone who have reviewed this story :) Sorry for the long wait. I promise that next time it will not be this long. Please check out my other stories "A Love Reborn" and "Final Fantasy 13: A Love Story" as well. Hope you enjoy this chapter! Oh and one more thing, if I get enough reviews for this story, I will treat you all to a little surprise :) Enjoy!
There was a frantic ringing of the doorbell as Claire was standing on top of a chair trying to put the star on top of the Christmas tree in the living room. Sazh was holding the chair for her while Dajh was arranging the gifts up under the tree. Vanille and Hope were in the kitchen finishing up the last preparations for Christmas dinner that night. Hope had heard the doorbell in the kitchen and went to open to the door. There stood Fang, his mother in law with Lumina, his new sister in law. Fang had a huge pan full of some type of food while Lumina had several bags of gifts in her hand. "Hey, Hope!" Fang yelled as she ruffled Hope's hair and handed the pan of food over to him. Hope greeted her and then took the food to put in the kitchen. Once there, he saw that Fang had brought apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream. Hope admired the smell and couldn't wait to devour it. "Hey, dear. How is married life?" Fang smirked as she plopped down on the living room couch. Claire finally got the stairs on the tree and smiled at her mother. "Can't really complain." Claire answered her. As she stepped off the chair, her mother noticed her pink hair pinned up with a white flower. She also had on a Mrs. Claus long sleeve shirt that was low cut and the skirt stopped above her knees. She also had on red heels and Fang has never seen her daughter in heels except on her wedding day. Fang raised an eyebrow and chuckled a bit. It was weird seeing her daughter dress so grown now, she wondered just how far she had gone with Hope. "So, where did you get the outfit?" Fang asked. "Christmas present from Hope." She replied with a smile. Sazh, Dajh, and Lumina made her their way outside to put the lights up around the house. Fang motioned for her daughter to come closer to her and she obeyed. "What did the doctor say?" She whispered in her daughter's ear. Claire noted the concern in her voice and the sorrow in her brown eyes. "Mother, do we really have to talk about that, now. It is Christmas." Claire pleaded with her mother. "You didn't want me to bring it up on your wedding day so I didn't. You wanted to get married ahead of schedule and I let you. You didn't want to talk about over the phone or when no one is around, so we don't. But please Claire, I am concerned about you." Fang whispered as she caressed her daughter's cheek. Claire sighed and looked away. She really didn't like to discuss but she knew she couldn't avoid it. She smiled at her mother as she spoke. "The doctor said that everything is as normal as it's going to get. He did some bloodwork and I seem to be doing fine." Claire explained. "Are you sure?" Fang asked. Claire just nodded and went outside to check on how the lights were coming along. Fang had an inkling her daughter was lying but decided to let it go for now.
Vanille hissed when the heat from the oven came into contact with her hand. Hope shook his head as he took her by her injured hand and put a cloth over the burn. "Are you ok?" He asked. Vanille simply nodded. "It is just a little burn." She said with a smile. Hope chuckled at her never-ending optimism. Vanille hopped back over to the oven and took out the ham. Her white skirt jolted along with her body as she moved the ham to the dining table. "Oh, Hope. This is your first special occasion as a married man!" She exclaimed as she took him by the hand and twirled him around the kitchen. "Now does it feel?" She asked. Hope pulled away from her and laughed nervously. "It is cool. Claire seems real happy so I am happy." He said as she took the rest of the food from the kitchen counter to the table. Vanille smiled and just nodded her head. She looked at Hope up and down for the thousandth time to admire his outfit again. He had on a red and white Christmas robe with a red shirt underneath. His pants were red and his slippers were white. It didn't take her long that they the outfit was a gift from his new wife. Obviously the two wanted to coordinate. Vanille admired how he coordinated with his wife even though he did look a little silly. Hope didn't notice the way Vanille looked at him and he didn't notice her red face whenever he smiled at her. A part of her wished he wasn't so oblivious, but a bigger part of her wished for his eternal happiness.
Claire was watching Sazh, Dajh, and Lumina decorate the house with red and blue Christmas lights. The air was cold against her legs but she welcomed the fresh air. Fresh air always helped to relax her mind and ease her troubles. She closed her eyes and smiled as she inhaled and exhaled deeply several times. Claire didn't notice the black trunk pull up followed by a silver van. She didn't notice when Snow and Serah got out of the white trunk and when Noel, Yeul, Caius and Alyssa emerged from the van. She didn't even notice when Snow came to her for a bear hug. "Sis!" Snow yelled catching Claire off guard as he embraced her engulfing her small body into his large one. Serah just giggled and went inside followed by the rest of the extended family. Claire stomped on Snow's foot hard and he went down to the ground with a thud. Claire made her way into the house followed by Dajh, Sazh, and Vanille. When she walked in, she witnessed the sight of Noel putting her husband in a headlock while Caius had grabbed his legs from off the ground. Their wives were telling them to stop, but of course the boys didn't listen. Fang was on the couch laughing her ass off at the scene along while Sazh took the kids over to where Vanille was to help her set the table. Claire slowly walked over to her distressed husband and put her hands on her hips. Noel and Caius both looked up at Claire who stayed silent but her stern look said a thousand words. The two gently let go of Hope and apologized to Claire for making a ruckus in her house. Serah had just come in the house after tending to her husband. "Now, Claire." Serah said with a frown and her hands on her hips. "Was that really necessary? Did you have to be so violent?" She said as she shook her head. "He hugged me. You know I don't like a lot of physical contact. He is too big for that anyway." Claire said nonchalantly as she straightened out Hope's hair and clothes that became wrinkled during the ruckus. Hope just grinned at his wife thankful that she was so thoughtful. Serah scoffed at her younger sister and was about to say something else but then suddenly Bartholew and Nora Estheim, walked in with a pan full of freshly baked cookies in a shape of Christmas trees and reindeers. "Hey, Hope!" His father's voice rang in the air as he and his wife both embraced their son. "Hey, mom. Dad. Just in time. We were about to eat without you." He said with a smile. "Oh, nonsense. We brought cookies. They took a little while longer to bake than expected." His mother said with a smile as she sat the cookies down on the kitchen counter and turned to Claire. She was smiled nervously at her mother-in-law. "Hello, Mrs. Estheim. How are you?" She asked in a low, timid voice. Nora just chuckled. "No need to be so formal with me." She embraced Claire. "You are family now so just call me Nora." She then kissed Claire on her cheek and joined the rest of the family in the living room.
With stomach's growling and patience very thin, Claire finally announced that it was dinner time. As soon as he uttered those words, everyone filled into the kitchen like a bunch of wild animals. Hope pulled out a seat for Claire as the rest of the husbands did the same. Noel and Caius were absent, but everyone was too hungry to care. Claire set plates for the both of them just to be safe. "I don't know about you but I'm hungrier than a chocobo!" Snow's voice roared through the house. Serah plucked her husband on his ear. "Calm down, Snow." She said with a giggle. "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!" Dajh said as he plopped down next to his dad. He marveled over the food while Chocolina rested in Sazh's afro. "These days, beloved friends and new family are the moments we live for." Fang said as she started grace. "Let's enjoy this special occasion." Everyone agreed with cheers. "Now, let's dig in." She added. "Finally!" Snow exclaimed. Bartholew scoffed at Snow's reaction. "Have something to say?" Snow asked the man. "Snow," Hope but in. "Don't start." He then glared at Snow. "You know they say the loudest one in the room," Bartholew said as he pointed his fork directly at Snow. "Is the weakest one in the room." Snow's veins bulged from his neck. Serah saw this and gently rubbed his forearm. "Dad, please." Begged Hope. Bartholew grumbled and left the dinner table. "Dad!" Hope was about to go after him, but Claire grabbed onto his robe. She looked up at him and smiled. "Everything is going to be ok, dear." She assured him. Hope merely smile and sat back down. "Hey," Sazh started who made this potato salad? Its..Its.." He trailed off. "Yucky!" Dajh blurted out. Yeul dropped her fork in embarrassment and was about to walk out as well when Caius and Noel appeared in the doorway. "Noel! Where have you been?" Yeul demanded with her hands on her hips. "Huh?" Noel said with a goofy grin as he stumbled to a seat new to his wife. Caius sat down next to Alyssa. "Um, Noel are you-" Yeul started. "No." Caius quickly interjected. Noel then gets up and runs to Alyssa and yells in her ear. "Yes, I am. I am high off life!" Caius then gets up, grabs Noel by his throat and forcibly plops him down next to his wife. "Thanks, dear." Spoke Alyssa as she stroked his long, purple hair. Caius smirked at his wife's kind gesture. "Stupid big head." Grumbled Noel. "You ignorant leech of perplexity!" Exclaimed Caius as he slammed down his plate of food. "Boys!" Nora exclaimed and then she turned to Snow with a smile. "So, Snow," She said trying to lighten the mood. "How are the candied yams?" She asked. "A numb numb numb." Was all Snow could say as he savagely ate nearly all of the yams. "Don't talk with your mouth full you big lummox!" Exclaimed Fang with a disgusted look in her eyes. "Who died and made you Goddess of Chaos, Fang!" Snow bounced back. "So," Claire turned to Vanille who was seating next to her. Vanille was in her own little world for this whole time. Most of her "world" consisted of her and Hope. "Are you enjoying yourself?" Claire asked who was oblivious to Vanielle's demeanor. "Huh?" Vanille said as she turned to Claire. She raised her eyebrow at Vanille. "Oh! I am so sorry!" She exclaimed with embarrassment writing all in her face. "I space out a lot at times." Vanille couldn't stop laughing. "Of, course." Claire sighed as she picked up her orange juice and slowly drunk it down. "Hey, um-" Sazh was about to begin again. "Shur up, Sazh!" Hope shut him up very quickly. "You got some more shit to say about my cooking!?" Yeul yelled in defense. Hope then sighed as he got up from the dinner table. "Everyone as soon as you are finish eating, please leave." Everyone was in shock and disbelief at Hope's declaration as he walked out of the kitchen followed by Claire who totally agreed with him. "Well, I hope you all are happy!" Said Fang with a frown. Soon, everyone grabbed their presents and was out the door.
Later on that day, Claire was washing the dishes while Hope came from out the bedroom. His robe and shirt was off but he still had on his red pants and white slippers. He had a necklace hidden behind his back. He slowly walked over towards Claire without her noticing. He then took out a necklace from his pocket, lifted it up and put it around Claire's neck. He clasped it together and then he kissed the back of her neck. Claire gasped and then looked down to see an owl draped around her neck. "Your mom told me it was your favorite animal. Merry Christmas, my dear wife." Hope whispered in her ear. "I-" Claire cleared her throat before speaking again. "Hope, you already bought me something. You don't have to do this." Hope noticed her voice was shaking and he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame as a sign of comfort. "Nothing but the best for you, Claire." Hope then traveled one hand up to Claire's shoulders and started massaging them. Claire felt like her skin was on fire from his touch. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. "You look so beautiful today, Claire. I can't stop looking at you in this outfit." Hope wanted to feel her skin against his so bad but knew better. They have only been married a few short weeks and they barely even kissed. Claire was taking things real slow and he was fine with it. Still, a part of him wished she was more open about her feelings for him. "Well, keep looking." Claire with a smirk on her face that Hope couldn't see. Hope chuckled as he continued to message her pale shoulders. "I could look at you all day." He purred in her ear. Claire closed her eyes and smiled. She finished washing the dishes and then turned to Hope so they were face to face. "So can I." Claire looked up at Hope who was a foot taller than her. Her eyes traveled down to his bare, muscular chest and it took all her strength to keep herself from blushing. She had never seen him shirtless before but she couldn't deny that she found the sight alluring. She could easily wrap herself up in his warm embrace and that is actually what she did. She wrapped her arms around Hope and gripped his bare back. Hope, who was shocked by the contact, didn't dare respond in fear of scaring her away. She had never hugged him like this and was wondering where it would lead to. Claire noticed his discomfort and directed his arms so he was holding her. He closed his eyes and enjoyed this tender moment with his wife. Claire honestly didn't know what came over her. All she knew was that she wanted to feel Hope's chest against her body. "Merry Christmas, Hope." Claire said her face buried in his warm chest. Hope inhaled the scent of her hair and enjoyed her body against his. "Merry Christmas, Claire." He said with a smile. Claire then let him go and looked into his green eyes. "Goodnight, Hope." Claire smiled as she walked out of the kitchen and into her room. Hope sighed as he looked out the window. He smiled at the joyous memories he just made with his new wife. Their very first Christmas.
