Hello everyone! Thanks to Mizu Hoseki and TearyBlueMoon for reviewing! As always, read, enjoy and review!
Chapter Twenty-One: Wreath
Even as the winter started to settle down, no more white fluff coming from the sky, the air was still cold, chilling the windows and leaving a deep fog upon them. But regardless, the small home that sat outside of the city was alive and well.
With the flakes upon the windows beginning to melt, a tiny face stared at them intently. He was determined to watch them disappear into water if it was the last thing he did. His father had told the child that when snow melted, it turned into water but the young boy didn't believe that in the slightest. When snow melted it disappeared into the air. There was no mystical water changing.
"Lloyd, are you really going to watch the snow all day?"
"Yes." He didn't even look at his father as the man addressed the question to him. As the rust colored eyes focused on the snow, he didn't hear the man sneak up behind him. It was sudden, strong arms around the child's tiny body, lifting him into the air.
With a squeak, the boy was raised above his father's head, small body soaring through the air. Releasing a loud giggle, Lloyd was flown through the air, spreading his arms out like a bird. It was an adventure for him as his father swooped him around the house, taking tight turns and making the boy very dizzy.
The adventure ended when a loud crash came from outside. Kratos' feet halted, eyes glued to the doorway. Placing his son down, he stepped quickly to the door, pulling it open. There, standing with a disappointed face, was Anna. She was glaring at a green circle which was made of pine needles. Upon the needles were several silver strings, each now facing down in the snow. She let out a huff as she looked at her husband and son, "What?"
Kratos tilted his head to the side, inquiry in his voice, "What were you trying to do exactly?"
Giving a small smile, Anna pointed towards the downed thing, "I wanted to hang a wreath on our front door. I crafted one but it proved to be too heavy and the hook it was hanging on broke."
The father gave an all knowing sound before kneeling down to touch the bristles. Lloyd shoved his way forward, poking the wreath with his shoe, "Is it dead?" The two parents looked at him but said nothing, Kratos taking it in both hands and lifting it up.
It was indeed heavy, the entire thing weighing far more than any metal hook could support. She'd need reinforced steel and a good thing of duct tape to make it hang. Looking it over, he gave a slight grin to his wife, "Do you really think this thing will hang anywhere?"
"Well," she pondered what to say next, "That's what you get to figure out."
The husband nearly dropped the wreath, "You want me to find a place to hang this?" There was a clear distress in his voice but Anna ignored it, walking past him and patting Lloyd's little head.
"Come one, Lloyd. Let's let daddy figure out where to put the pretty wreath."
The two walked inside, leaving Kratos to solve out the mess himself. Giving a huff as his wife shut the door, he glared at the source of his displeasure. The wreath, giving a glare back, seemed equally displeased. Both agreed this was less than great circumstances but both also agreed they'd just have to make do. Lugging the wreath onto his shoulder, he went to work looking for a place to hang it.
On the inside of the warm house, Lloyd continued to stare at the snow. He explained the lies his father was weaving and his mother gave a chuckle. Although the boy frowned at that, he was happy to hear his mother agreed with his stance. She busied herself with preparing dinner as Lloyd busied himself with the window.
It wasn't long before the chili was finished, Anna dishing out three bowls and setting them on the table. Placing a basket of rolls in the center, she also pulled out a block of cheese and cut it up. When everything was set, she picked up her son and placed him in his chair. He grinned at the food, smelling its spicy aroma.
"Can we eat?" He asked, eyes filled with excitement. His mother was the only person who could create chili without the use of tomatoes. He wasn't sure how she did it but she did, making the two men very happy.
She shook her head, "We have to wait for daddy."
As if on cue, the shuffling of snow and a noisy plop filled the air. Anna's eyes shot out the window, seeing the remnants of snow drift lazily to the ground. Scooting out of her chair, she headed outside and looked.
Brown eyes landed on the grounded figure of Kratos Aurion. Lying in the snow, several white flakes placed on top of him, he was groaning softly to himself as he sat up.
"Kratos?" She hurried towards him, Lloyd following close behind. They reached him, Anna placing her arms around her husband before speaking, "Are you ok? What happened?"
Lloyd poked his father with his shoe, "Are you dead?"
With an annoyed glance, Kratos sighed at his son, "No, I'm not dead and yes, dear, I'm fine." He glared upwards, bringing their eyes up as well. When they realized what he was looking at, Anna gave a thunderous laugh. Up on the chimney, attatched with duct tape and thick metal nails, was her wreath. The silver strings glowed brightly against the well light smoke stack.
"You found it a home?" She kissed her husband's cheek, giggling in delight. "You're such a wonderful man."
Lloyd was watching it before his eyes caught on something else. Drifting slowly to the ground were several frosted flakes, as each on approached the ground, it evaporated out of sight. His rust colored orbs grew wide, his jaw dropping, "Daddy! Look!"
The family watched as the snowflakes disappeared, each dissolving before it could land.
"You see! I told you they disappeared!" He started running around as Anna helped Kratos to his feet. All the while, 'I told you' was ringing through the air. Both parents laughed as they observed their son. As the moon rose higher, they finally went inside to eat their chili, their chimney now complete thanks to the Christmas wreath.