The Perfect Gift

Chapter 7:

The cab slowed and rolled to a stop in front of a short wall topped with ornate spikes that provided fashion more than protection. In fact, the spikes were currently coated in green paint with tinsel to look like miniature Christmas trees. The wall itself was one large painting. It looked as if someone had given the neighborhood kids a box of paints and spray cans and said "Have at it!" Pictures formed from pictures and when one looked close, they could see individual pictures but at a distance, everything merged into one large picture.

"The Architect's Garden," the driver announced.

Peter and El looked out the window, examining the wall that curved around the unknown property on the other side and the locked metal gate that interrupted the painting a short distance away. They exchanged a quizzical glance and then filed out of the cab.

"How much?" Peter asked, digging his wallet out of his pocket in preparation to pay.

"Oh, nothing for you, Agent Burke," the driver said. "I just need to give you this."

Peter looked up from his wallet to stare oddly at the driver as an envelope was extended to him. He took it slowly with slight disbelief that there was yet another card. He raised his gaze once more to try and get a good look at the driver that knew his name but before he could, the tinted window rolled up and the car rumbled away.

"Well that's something you don't see every day," Elizabeth commented as she came up to stand beside Peter.

"What? A cab driver not taking money or a cab driver giving me a card?"

"Both."

Peter chuckled and looked down at the envelope that was, as expected, labeled with his name.

"Go on, open it," Elizabeth said excitedly. "All these letters, they're like clues for a treasure hunt."

Peter smiled down at his wife and flicked the envelope open. A card decorated with a picture of a tree void of its leaves but layered in snow stared back at him. Inside were two tickets for the Architect's Garden.

Knock on the gate to the tune of "Jingle Bells." It read.

El took the letter from Peter as he examined the tickets. She looked up and locked her sights on the metal gate. "Come on," she squealed, pulling Peter towards the gate.

They stopped in front of it and Elizabeth leaned towards it, her gaze flickering over the park and ice rink inside. A tall pine tree adorned with tinsel and ornaments stood proudly in the middle of the frozen pond, much like it had in a previous card Neal had given Peter. A few benches loomed on the sidelines, quiet patches of individual gardens circled around the rink, small gazebos stood in the snow, and more land stretched out behind the tree.

El was practically jumping up and down. "I've heard a lot about this place," she bubbled enthusiastically. "I've been wanting to come by."

Peter relished in the sight of joy glistening in his wife's eyes. Work had been stressful lately with late and often shifts. It was nice to see her so happy.

Without waiting for Peter's consent or any other form of encouragement, El started pounding loudly on the gate in the rhythm of "Jingle Bells." She was too excited to feel embarrassed but Peter looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching. It was pretty suspicious when a couple were standing in front of a closed park and singing carols with their fists.

As soon as El finished with the chorus, a Santa Claus impersonator ambled out from a ticket booth stationed just past the gate. He was dressed warmly in a knitted sweater that pronounced his belly and a funny hat rested on his graying head.

"Beautifully done, Mrs. Burke," the man chuckled as he removed a ring of keys from his belt to unlock the gate. "You have a talent."

Elizabeth beamed and tugged on Peter's arm as if to say, "Look, it's Santa!"

The man rolled the gate open and beckoned the two inside. El followed obediently but Peter hesitated before taking his place protectively beside his wife. The man locked the gate after them. An empty park with a fat jolly guy locking them in alone ignited Peter's paranoia.

Peter and El paused inside the park, looking around, El basking in the sight of the gardens and inviting frozen lake and Peter looking for what might be lurking in the trees.

"It's a real honor, Agent Burke," the man enthused as he held out his hand to the agent. "Martin Watkins at your service."

Peter could only shake the beaming man's hand.

"You and Neal really helped me out. I owe you guys."

Peter scrutinized Martin, the agent in him suspecting anyone in contact with Neal. So far, the people Neal knew were all con-men – and the occasional con-woman – who could deceive just as easily as Neal.

"Why?" Peter asked suspiciously. "What did we do?"

"Oh, Neal warned me you'd ask questions. Don't worry about it. It's all in the past." Martin waved the subject away and ambled inside the ticket booth to take his place behind the glass. "Now, I believe you have some tickets for me."

Peter pulled the tickets from his pocket and glanced from them to Martin.

"Neal?" he asked as he slipped the tickets through the slit under the window.

"Neal." Martin chuckled as he accepted the tickets. "All right, Mr. and Mrs. Burke. The park is all yours. Your skates are at the first table."

Peter couldn't suppress the smile that curled up his lips as El led him away to a table laden with snacks and warm drinks where two pairs of ice skates leaned against the stone chairs. Neal had done all of this for them, for Peter.

Neal had given him a Christmas with his wife: the only gift he wanted.

But what was Neal doing? Peter and Elizabeth were really his only company besides June and Mozzie. Jones and Diana were probably spending their own holidays with family as most likely was June. And Neal didn't like to intrude on families.

In fact, Peter and El were probably the closest thing to a family Neal had. And if they were here, what was Neal going to do with his free day? Hopefully stay out of trouble. But still…

Before Peter could think more on the subject, Elizabeth pushed him into one of the chairs and commanded him to put on his pair of skates. Then she busily started putting hers on.

Peter picked up the left skate and looked inside. It was his size. Of course it was.

._._._._._._.

Sorry I took longer than usual to post. I went camping to Big Bear for New Years. No computer with internet up there.

And it's still technically winter so this story can still be posted. Though it is going on a lot longer than I previously anticipated. But I'm not getting any complaints, so I guess it's all ok.

A lot of you commented on my "Assassin's Creed" blurb. That's cool. I mean really cool. It's an awesome game and I encourage others to play it, unless, you know, you don't like plunging a knife into someone's back. The first game is old so it's pretty cheap compared to the newest installment of the series. It is a little repetitive but still good. And you bromance lovers can find a bromance between Altair (the main character) and Malik (the man who hates him) as many other people have. I love watching their relationship develop. And the D.A. artwork is good too. If interested, you should check out Doubleleaf. Her art is good.

Well, now that that's out of the way, until next time.

Hobey-Ho