Part 7 – A very merry Christmas? Part 1

Steve was working in the garage when he heard a car drive up and someone walked inside. Steve was beneath a car so he couldn't see who it was.

"Hello", a man's voice called. A voice Steve recognized at once and felt really awkward about hearing. "Is there anybody here?"

"Just a minute", Steve called and cursed himself as he rolled out from beneath the car and cleaned his hands on a rag. "What can I do for ya mister?"

The man paled and the woman put a hand over her mouth in shock.

"Steve ", the man stuttered. "I-is it really you?"

"Yes sir", Steve said coldly.

"B-but y-you d-died i-in Vietnam", the man exclaimed.

"Well dad looks like I didn't", Steve growled.

"B-but how long h-have ya been here?"

"A little bit over two years. I went home to ya."

"Y-ya did", Mr. Randle turned even paler. "W-what did I say?"

"You said: 'So, you're back, make yourself useful and get a job'."

"Oh no", Mr. Randle turned even paler. "I hoped that was just a bad dream…"

"Well it wasn't."

"Steve I'm sorry I said that."

"Well it doesn't matter what ya say", Steve said and glared at the man. "'cause nothing ya say means anything to me anymore."

"Son listen I know I've been a horrible father to you."

"Ya got that right!"

"Hey he's trying to apologize", the woman said angrily.

"In risk of sounding rude", Steve said and glared at her. "But who the fuck are you?"

"I'm Lucy, your father's fiancée since a year and a half."

"Poor thing, if ya run now you might get away unharmed."

"I would never hurt her", Mr. Randle said.

"You sure as hell could hurt me!"

"It was the alcohol Steve… I'm sober now; I've been for a year. I've never touched the stuff since. I lost so much when I touched it… I'm sorry."

"Oh yeah ain't good enough ya bastard. Ya slapped me around, kicked me, tried to rape me and almost got me killed!"

"I know", Mr. Randle said and lowered his gaze. "But I've changed Steve. When I got the message of you being MIA I cracked… I realized I lost yet another thing that was precious to me and this time it might even been my fault. It still is my fault that I lost you and the twins… and M…" Mr. Randle went quiet. "I mean your mother and"

"Save your breath I already know 'bout Marcus."

"Ya do?"

"Yup he lives here in town now, he's a cop. He took the munchkins away from me."

"So you are the one who took them away from me", Mr. Randle said. "I have a fuzzy memory of a young man telling me to sign a paper and after that all information I got from their school stopped coming. I realized the state had taken them away from me too… Just like the state took ya away to Vietnam." Steve was shocked when he saw the tears on his father's face. "I really have changed Steve… Please believe me."

"Wished I could", Steve said and looked at the floor. "I loved ya once… Even though ya slapped me around I loved ya… I promised mom to have patience with ya… But when ya told me that when I got home…" Steve felt hot tears go down his cheeks. "It hurt so bad that I couldn't love ya anymore."

"I didn't mean it Steve", Mr. Randle walked closer to him. "Please let me make it up to you."

"How are ya supposed to do that? You took my childhood away, I was the one taking care of mom and the twins since I was five. When she died ya chased me out of the hosue! You almost had me killed! You beat me up and hid me in a park to die!"

"I panicked, I was so regretful and I felt that I let not only you but your siblings and mother down… that's why I never went through with the raping… I loved ya and never wanted to hurt ya in that way."

"So ya wanted to hurt me?"

"No… The beer wanted me to… I tried to stop but I just lost control. I've changed Steve, please give me a chance to show it."

"How?"

"Steve", Lucy said softly. "We'll have a Christmas dinner Christmas day; we would both love it if you came."

"I don't know…" Steve said hesitant.

"Please."

"I'll think about it and I'll give ya a call."

"That would be real great."

"Thank you son", Mr. Randle said.

"Hey I haven't said yes yet! Now what's seems to be the problem with your car?"

Steve took a look at it and fixed the problem after five minutes. Mr. Randle paid him more than what it should cost and they left.

"Now that was odd", Soda said and walked up to his buddy. "Wasn't that your dad?"

"Yes… old man is sober now and he's met a new woman too. He tried to apologize to me… Said he loved me…"

"Really", Soda asked shocked. "That never happened before… Maybe he's changed."

"I dunno, they invited me to Christmas dinner… But I don't know if I gonna go…"

"It's your decision man… So it's two weeks left until Christmas… Are ya gonna celebrate the usual way?"

"Yes, I'll celebrate with my family at uncle Howard's… I don't know if Marcus will show up… I hope he'll let the munchkins come though."


"What do ya mean we won't go there", Miley yelled angrily into the phone. She was talking to Marcus and he'd just told her that she and Sean would not celebrate Christmas at their aunt and uncle's.

"Miley this is the first Christmas I'll celebrate with you guys", Marcus answered softly. "I want to celebrate it alone with you."

"What about Steve?"

"I'll invite him too… But I think he'll rather spend Christmas with the others than me."

"But Marcus", Sean called over Miley's shoulder. "We've always celebrated Christmas there. Please can't we go?"

"I said no Sean. Now when will I pick you up at the airport on the 24th?"

"At four pm", Miley said quickly and Sean stared at her.

"Okay I'll see you then. I'll call tomorrow bye guys."

"Bye Marcus", the twins called and left the phone room.


"Miley why did ya tell Marcus we'll be there at four? Ya know we'll be there at three!"

"Yes but I have a plan."

"A plan?"

"Yeah… Listen Marcus doesn't want us to celebrate Christmas with the family right?"

"Yes…"

"But we want to right?"

"Yes this far I'm on."

"Right now listen carefully. It will take an hour to drive to the airport from Tulsa. Marcus thinks we'll be there at four. But we'll call Steve up to come and pick us up at three. So Marcus will leave Tulsa around three and by then we'll leave the airport. We'll go past him on the road there and Steve will take us to Aunt Tia's! Marcus will search the airport for us when he gets there at four. He'll probably think the plane is late at first. Then he'll check on the boards and there will be no information of our plane. So he'll have to go to the information counter. It's likely that it will be a line there so he'll have to wait. When he finally realizes there is no plane coming from D.C. at four he'll get to the phone and try to call Steve up. He'll probably get no answer and he's already spent an hour at the airport. So he'll have to go back home. He'll be in Tulsa at six and by then we've gone so far in the celebrating that he'll have to let us stay!"

"Just one problem sis."

"What?"

"How do we get Steve to pick us up?"

"That's easy, we'll tell him Marcus asked us to ask him 'cause he has to work overtime. Ya dig?"

"Yeah I dig… but what if Marcus thinks Steve's the one behind it?"

"We'll have to protect him for once."

"I love ya when you're devious."

"I know."


24th December and Steve was at the Curtis house. The gang was having their private little Christmas party. They were playing poker and joking when suddenly the phone rang. Darry reached over and squeezed it to his ear by using his shoulder.

"Hello", he said as he threw a card into the pile in the middle. "Oh hi Merry Christmas. Yes he's here. Steve Miley wanna talk to ya." Steve rose and took the phone. The gang yelled Merry Christmas to her and Steve chuckled.

"Hi there honey", he said and smiled. "What's up?"

"Sean and I'll be at the airport at three pm Steve and Marcus has to work overtime and asked us to call ya to see if ya could pick us up before going to Aunt Tia's."

"Why didn't he call himself?"

"He had to get back to work."

"Hm… Marcus told me he wanted this Christmas to be a little different."

"Maybe because he'll meet the rest of the family for the first time? So Stevie can ya get us?"

"Yeah sure I'll see ya then. Say hello to Sean for me and I'll see ya soon."

He put the receiver down and looked at the gang.

"Two-Bit, have ya taught my lil' sis to lie?"

"What", Two-Bit asked in mock horror. "I would never do that!"

"Something wrong", Soda asked.

"Nah she just seemed nervous", Steve said and sat down. "No biggie."

"Ya sure it's not a biggie", Pony asked. "Ya look like it is."

"Huh", Steve looked up confused. "Why'd ya say that?"

"You're scowling", Two-Bit said and threw away a card. "Ya never do after talking to the munchkins."

"So? I'm just concentrating on the game."

"Yeah right", Dallas said and lit a cigarette.

Steve sighed and rose, took his coat and went for the door.

"Where are ya going?" Darry asked.

"To the airport of course… It will take me an hour and a half to get there."

"Why the extra 30 minutes", Two-Bit asked as Steve put on a scarf and gloves with only half fingers.

"I gotta get home and get their gifts and I have to call my aunt to tell her we're gonna come."

"Okay Steve", Soda said. "Say hi to the munchkins and Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas", the gang called after Steve as he left, calling out Merry Christmas as he went.


"Come on Sean stop fidgeting", Miley said while they were leaving the plane. "It will be just fine!"

"But what if Steve's figured it out and both of them are waiting angrily at us?!"

"Relax you, I and Marcus are supposed to be the smart ones in the family and Marcus hasn't figured it out."

"Steve's smart too", Sean mumbled and buttoned his jacket. "He just doesn't wanna show it and 'sides he knows us! He knows when you're lying!"

"Don't be such a chicken everything will be just fine. Ya want to celebrate Christmas like we always have don't ya?"

"Yes but I don't wanna Steve to get in any trouble."

"Miley! Sean!" they heard their brother's voice and soon saw his smiling face.

"Steve", they called and ran over to him and embraced hard.

"Damn guys ya're getting taller still!" Steve said and ruffled Sean's hair and kissed the top of Miley's head. "But still not taller than me!"

"We missed ya Stevie", Miley said and gave him a back breaking hug. "Come on let's go let's go!"

"Whoa someone's in a hurry!" Steve said as his younger siblings pulled him by his arms towards the door. "Hold it!"

They stopped at once.

"Aren't ya forgetting something", Steve asked and smiled.

"Our luggage!" the twins exclaimed and ran off while Steve went after them chuckling.


"Aw my darlings", Aunt Tia exclaimed and hugged all three of them. "Come in come in don't stand there in the cold!" It was snowing heavily in Tulsa this Christmas.

"Look what the cat dragged in", Tim said from his place leaning in the doorway.

"Timpy", Miley called and ran over to hug him. Tim hugged her back.

"Miley!" A voice shrieked and Angela came down the stairs.

"Angela!" Miley shrieked in the same way.

"Remind me to get earplugs next time we put those two together", Sean said.

"Hey there buddy", Curly said and picked his little cousin up from behind and gave him a hug.

"Hi Curly!"

The Christmases at the Sheppard's house always went the same way. They ate dinner, they talked, they sang songs and played games and later they opened their presents before sending children to bed. The older ones then stayed up a little longer to watch TV and talk.


It was six pm and the family had just started to sing songs and it was Steve's turn… but he, as always, was very rejecting about it. Steve had always thought he was a bad singer. He needed a lot of encouragement before taking a single note so people could hear it. Miley was pulling in his arms while the rest called encouraging words to him. There were about twenty people around.

"Come on Steve", Sean said and started to push his brother from behind. "At least hum something!"

"No… glory Sean; haven't ya realized by now that I'll always pull up a fight when it comes to this?"

"What are ya so afraid of", Miley asked. "It's just family here!"

"Exactly and family is the meanest judges, 'cause they are always honest!"

"Please sweetie", Aunt Tia said, one of the only three women now alive allowed to call him that. His mom had been one and Mrs. Curtis. Now it was his aunt, Mrs. Goodman from time to time and rarely Mrs. Matthews. "Can't you sing that lullaby your mother wrote?"

"Yeah", Miley said and made puppy eyes. "I haven't heard it for so long. Please Stevie pretty please?"

"Okay fine", Steve sighed and rose.

"Yay", Miley cheered, kissed Steve's cheek and sat down in Tim's lap as Steve sat down at the piano and started to play and sing.

"Verse 1
Good night my angel time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Where ever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Verse 2
Good night my angel now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

(Musical Bridge)
Do do do do...

Verse 3
Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die that's how you and I will be
"

Everyone applauded and Steve suddenly had his younger siblings in his arms. They were hugging him hard and had tears in their eyes. He kissed their heads.

"They surely love him", Tia thought and felt tears in her eyes. "And he'll always love them no matter what. He is so much like his mom… My sweet little babies…"

Suddenly she heard the doorbell ring and went to open. Outside stood a man looking like a storm cloud and his eyes were burning in anger.

"Marcus honey", Tia said and smiled warmly. Marcus had met her and Uncle Howard some weeks ago. "Why are you so late?"

"Good evening Aunt Tia… Is Steve there I would like to talk to him."

"Well sure come in!"

"No thank you I think we better take it out here."

"Oh… Eh okay I'll get him."

Tia went inside and Miley and Sean saw her go over to Steve and whisper something in his ear. They peaked out through the window and saw Marcus. They saw that he was jumping mad and his hands were clenched into fists.

"Uh oh", Miley breathed as she saw how angry he was.

"What have we done?" Sean whispered and they notice Steve put his jacket on and go outside. The twins sneaked out through the backdoor and went around so they could listen to their brothers.


"Marcus what's up", Steve asked.

"What's up", Marcus asked angrily. "Is that all you have to say?"

"Huh? What are ya talking about man?"

"Do you have any idea how worried I was at the airport and the twins weren't there?!"

"The airport", Steve asked confused. "Why did ya go there?"

"To pick up the munchkins of course you stupid ass!"

"To pick up… but I…"

"Ya thought I wouldn't figure it out?!"


Two hours earlier

Marcus went inside the airport; more like ran 'because he was late. The clock was 16:20 and the twins were certainly waiting for him. He went over to the gate he knew they would come in through. But he didn't see anyone coming through. That puzzled him and he started to take a look around but didn't see the twins. He looked for ten minutes and then went to the information counter.

"Excuse me ma'am", he said to the receptionist. "At witch gate does the 16:00 plane from D.C. come in?"

"There is no plane coming in at that time sir. The latest plane came in at 15:00."

"But that can't be right… Can you please check if a Miley Randle and a Sean Randle has been on that plane?"

"Yes sir." She looked through some papers. "Why yes sir they have. They got here 15:00."

Marcus' eyes darkened and his hands clenched into fists.

"Steve", he muttered darkly. "Just wait until I get my hands on you…"


Present time

"So you were so mad at me for taking over guardianship that you talked them into trick me so you could celebrate Christmas together?" Marcus growled.

"What? Have ya lost your mind? Miley called me earlier and told me you'd told her to call me to go and get them!"

"Blaming the twins when you get caught", Marcus said and shook his head. "What a good guardian you turned out to be. Did ya blame them when you got hauled in too?"

Steve's eyes flashed in anger. "Careful with what ya say Marcus. I knew ya wanted to celebrate with me and the munchkins alone but I guess Miley and Sean talked ya into change your mind. I guessed ya weren't used to it and gave in. First rule pal, never give in to pleading. You're the bad guardian who want to take away one of the few stable things your younger siblings has ever had."

Miley and Sean looked guiltily at each other and Miley took a shuddering breath. Suddenly they heard how flesh connected and how someone collided with the trashcans. They peeked around the corner and saw Steve lean towards a trashcan that had fallen over, he was covering his nose and Marcus stood above him with his fists clenched. Marcus raised his hand to hit again and Miley ran out from their hidingplace.

"No", she yelled and flung her arms around Marcus' torso. "It was me Marcus, I lied to you I came up with the whole idea! Steve had nothing to do with it!"

"Miley", Steve said shocked and Sean helped him rise.

"I'm sorry I'm so sorry", Miley sobbed. "I just wanted things to be normal at Christmas. Please Marcus don't be mad."

"Miley", Marcus tried and separated her from him. He put his hand beneath her chin and tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes. "Let's go home okay?"

"O-okay", she said and went over and gave Steve a hug. "Bye Stevie I'll see ya around."

"Yeah sure", Steve said and walked over to his car and pulled the twins' bags out. Sean helped him and Steve whispered to him:

"My window is unlocked buddy."

Sean started but then nodded and hugged his brother before wordlessly climb into the back of Marcus' car. Steve waved after them and went inside again.


Around one in the morning Steve woke when something in his room bumped. He turned on the light and saw his younger brother on the floor on all four. Steve was the only one home because Mr. and Mrs. Goodman had went to family in San Francisco over the holidays. Steve threw his quilt aside and went over to his brother. Sean had brought one suitcase with him.

"Golly kid are ya trying to kill yourself", Steve said as he hauled Sean to his feet.

"No I just slipped…" Sean mumbled and closed the window.

"Did ya tell Marcus you left?"

"No… Not Miley either… I couldn't find her and I'm still mad at her. This could have been a great day if she hadn't started ploting."

"Come here", Steve said as he saw that his younger brother was close to tears. Sean flew into his brother's embrace.

"I just wanted her to be happy so I didn't tell you", Sean said between sobs. "I'm so sorry Marcus hit you. It was our entire fault!"

"Sh little bro", Steve sank down on the bed, still holding his brother. "Sh it's okay, it's okay."

"No it's not… Your and Marcus' relationship is even worse now!"

"Sh mini me", Steve soothed and lied down and pulled Sean with him. He held his arms protectively around him. "Sh mini me."

"I'm not like ya Steve… I'm not smart enough."

"What ya talking about man? You're smarter than me!"

"No… I know that ya just pretend to be stupider than ya are. You're really smart Steve."

"Maybe… But I think it's better when my little munchkins are smart." Sean snuggled closer to his older brother. "Now go to sleep we'll talk in the morning."

"Okay… 'night Steve."

"'night Sean."


In another part of town Miley sneaked down into the kitchen of Marcus' house and found him in the kitchen. He sat at the table with his elbows on it and hiding his face in his hands.

"Marcus", she asked carefully and his head jerked up.

"Yeah? You okay Miley can't you sleep?"

"No… I feel so bad."

"What do you mean?"

"I told you the truth over there… It was I who lied to you and Steve… It's my fault that ya hit him and that your relationship got a turn for the worse."

"Don't you want to be with me Miley?"

"Yes I do… I love you you're my brother… But it's just Steve… he's been here my whole life. It's kinda hard to replace that."

"I know… but I'm not trying to replace him. I'm trying to do what's right. Steve and I've met and talked a lot these past weeks and when I finally thought we were gonna get along just fine I hit him and now I lost him again." Marcus started sobbing and Miley went over and hugged him. Marcus flung his arms around her and let her head rest on his shoulder. He kissed her forehead and held her close and Miley snuggled into his chest.

"While at school", Marcus said. "I didn't know about you and Sean. All I knew was that I had a little brother here in Tulsa living with our dad. I knew mom had died but I wasn't allowed to go home… It was the same for you I guess?"

"Yeah", Miley choked out.

"When she died I wrote letters to Steve and dad… I never got any answer… Steve told me that after her dead he only focused on your and Sean's wellbeing and school and nothing else. I guess dad throw them away."

"Do ya know what dad did to him?"

"Yeah", Marcus grip tightened. "Steve told me the first day we met… I should've been here to help him… I'm the oldest. I should've been here!"

"Ya didn't know…"

"Steve has suffered enough and it's my fault."

"Stop it Marcus", Miley said and pulled away. "It wasn't your fault that dad did what he did. You were at school; you were kept out of the loop. If mom had wanted Steve to know she would've told him. Steve is the forgiving type."

"Sometimes he seems so hard", Marcus sighed. "He's cold and hard like rock."

"He's not!" Miley protested.

"Yes he is, when he's not with you and Sean or Soda. He's like a rock around the rest of the gang too and me…"

"No he isn't… Wait that's why Soda and Pony was so confused."

"Huh?"


Flashback

It was two days after the tornado as Miley entered the Curtis house and found Pony reading a book and Soda drawing in his sketchpad.

"Hi guys", she said.

"Hey Miley", both spoke up without looking up from what they were doing.

"Are ya always this boring", Miley said and gained no reaction. She just shrugged and walked over to Soda and snatched the pad from him.

"Hey", Soda protested. "I was working on that!"

"These are great Soda", Miley said as she flipped the pages.

"Thanks", Soda said and rose to stand beside her. Her face had a strange frown on. "What?"

He looked over her shoulder and saw what she was looking at. It was a picture of Steve and Two-Bit. Two-Bit was asleep on the couch and Steve sat in the armchair, it looked as if he was talking to someone out of vision. Then she noticed that you could see Soda's and Dallas' reflection in the mirror. He was obviously talking to them.

"It's wrong", she muttered.

"What's wrong?"

"You've captured everyone's personality in all pictures… except Steve's." Pony walked over to look at the picture.

"Nope it's perfect", he said. "That's Steve for ya munchkin."

"It's not and don't ya dare call me that! Steve's the only one allowed to."

"But Miley that's the Steve we know" Pony objected about the painting.

"No it's not! Steve's not that cold."

End of flashback


"Come one", Marcus said and rose. "Let's go watch some TV unless you want to go back to bed."

"No I'm good."

"What about Sean?"

"He's asleep I think… He looked really tired when he went to bed. He can sleep through anything."

"Like me then", Marcus said and sat down on the couch. Miley sat down beside him and snuggled to his side. They didn't even get time to turn the TV on before they fell asleep.


Author's note: the song belongs to Billy Joel and is called Lullaby or Goodnight, my angel not quite sure. Look it up, I love it.