"I just can't fathom why you hate Christmas so much," John Watson said, shaking his head as he and Brandi Preston rode the escalator up to the second floor of the mall.
Brandi sighed and crossed her arms. "Because I grew up in a home where I was used for exploitation," she explained. "I probably had worse Christmases than Sherlock and Mycroft for god's sake! Sorry that was probably inappropriate for the holiday season."
John cringed slightly. "Yeah just a bit," he murmured, but then a warm smile broke out across his face. "But it's almost December, Brandi! Two more days! I'm going to be certain that you have a wonderful and joyous Christmas this year."
Brandi raised an eyebrow. "You do realize the Grinch lives two floors above me, right?" she asked.
John snorted and shook his head. "Well now that he's my boyfriend I think I may be able to persuade him into being a bit more Christmas spirited."
Brandi perked up a bit at the mention of this. "Think you could make him wear a Santa hat for me? Just for a quick picture to send to Larry. I won't really hear from him this year; he's going to Switzerland with his parents for the holidays. Promised each other we'd send photographs of Christmas to one another."
John nodded slowly. "I think I could manage that," he agreed cautiously.
Brandi grinned from ear to ear. "And maybe get him to kiss you under the mistletoe?" she pushed. "That wouldn't be for Larry, just you, me, Sherlock, and Mrs. Hudson."
John sigh softly as they stepped off the escalator and started walking towards one of the many electronics shops. Brandi trailed along after him and he said, "He really isn't into overly sentimental stuff like that, Brandi. You'd know that as well as I do. I dunno, I think even that is pushing our limits."
Brandi frowned slightly and nodded her head in agreement as she started playing with a Microsoft Surface 2. "Yeah probably," she admitted. "Still would make for a good picture though... You know I've always wanted one of these things."
John turned from his fiddling with the newest iPad Air to look at what she was talking about. "What you've never used anything Apple before?" he wondered.
Brandi shrugged. "As a kid I always had to buy things for myself, never was the latest and greatest for me. Guess I still am that way. Besides that iPad is four hundred and eighty pounds; the Surface is only three hundred and sixty pounds. When you live on your own with no help from Mummy and Daddy, the choice seems rather obvious."
John sighed and shook his head. "Guess Sherlock and I will be getting you an iPad for Christmas," he murmured, turning back to the iPad.
Brandi groaned and turned around to stand next to him. "Don't buy me an iPad!" she stressed.
John shrugged. "Sherlock gets money from his parents once a month, a lot of money actually. He never would spend it on himself. Besides the second he finds out you are considering a Surface he'll rush out and get you an iPad."
Brandi groaned again. "I don't have to complain about boyfriends being annoying, I just borrow one of you two as an example!" John smiled and giggled mischievously. Brandi glared down at the short man. "Don't forget I am four inches taller than you, Watson."
John smiled cheekily. "And I was a solider."
Brandi snorted. "Yeah a doctor," she muttered.
John sighed and rolled his eyes. "Whatever, we still need to find something to give to Mycroft," he said.
"I still can't believe you drug me out on the day that half the flipping stores in this mall are doing sales. The entire place is packed full of idiots!" Brandi complained.
John laughed mockingly. "You're like a secondary Sherlock," he chuckled. "It's bloody fantastic."
Brandi glared at John before slapping his arm. "Watch it, Watson," she griped. "I will tackle you."
"Oh I am so sure you will."
Brandi gave John a loathing look. "Shut up."
