Chapter 20: Christmas Swim Part 1
Christmas was approaching quickly and Thomas couldn't help but feeling a little out of place. He was not very used to having summer weather during a time of the year that was supposed to be wintery. Not that Christmas conjugated with beach was unfamiliar to him, as he used to live in California, but celebrating the holiday with a warm temperature instead of a cold one was a little strange. At that year, they would celebrate Christmas at uncle Stripe's, by his pool. At Christmas Eve, Thomas and his family were going there, in Bandit's car, with him driving and Chilli by his side, while Thomas was at back, between his sisters, texting on his phone.
"Thomas, are you excited for spending Christmas at uncle Stripe's, mate?" Bandit asked, while driving. "Yeah, I guess…" Thomas replied, while texting. "You guess? This is going to be our first Christmas ever since the divorce, I thought you would be more than excited," Bandit commented. "Dad, I am excited, but… it's still a little odd for me to celebrate Christmas during summer, I miss the snow, you know?" Thomas said, while finishing texting. "Wait, you had snow for Christmas?" Bluey asked. "Oh, I never seen snow before, you're so lucky Thomas" Bingo said. "But why did you have snow for Christmas and we don't?" Bluey asked. "Well, sweetie, Thomas lived in America where it's winter during Christmas," Chilli replied. "But how can be winter there, when it's summer here?" Bluey asked. "You'll learn that when you get to school, little sis," Thomas replied.
"But, Thomas, it's funny that you say you miss snow, I thought it didn't snow at the part of California where you used to live," Chilli said to her stepson. "And it doesn't, but my mom would take us to Oregon to spend the holidays, my grandparents have a cabin there and we used to have a lot of snow," Thomas told. "Really? That does sounds like a lot of fun," Chilli commented. "And it was, I would do snowdogs, snow angels, snowball fights… There was even a lake nearby that would freeze and I would ice skate there," Thomas told. "Oh, I would love to celebrate Christmas like that!" Bluey exclaimed. "Maybe one day you will, one never knows," Thomas said, addressing to both his sisters. "I would love that you two would have as much fun as we used to, right, dad?" Thomas asked.
"Sure thing, son…" Bandit replied, with a tone on his voice that Chilli recognized quite well. "Sounds like you were not a big fan of those Christmas with Emily's parents'" Chilli commented to her husband with a smile. "Let's just say I wished I could just forget some of those Christmas," Bandit replied. "Come on, dad, I know you loved our Christmas, you and I would engage in snowball fights for hours… and the fact we learned to ice skate together was so much fun," Thomas said. "Yeah… but that's not what I would rather forget," Bandit replied. "So, does this means this is going to be your first Christmas Swim?" Bingo asked to her brother. "Yeah, I think so…" he answered. That caused his two sisters to release one of their exciting squeaks that caused Thomas to block his ears.
"Oh, you'll love it so much!" Bingo exclaimed. "Yeah, we get to play with the sprinklers, relax on the relaxer chair, bon bons…" Bluey told. "Bon bons?" Thomas asked, confused. "They're crackers, mate" Bandit clarified. "Oh…" Thomas said. "When we celebrate Christmas at home, we spend Christmas day on the beach, but at uncle Stripe's we make a barbie by the pool," Bingo added. "Barbie is BBQ, right?" Thomas asked, causing her sisters to share a laugh, something they normally did when Thomas expressed his ignorance to some of Australian slangs, despite now he did that just for fun, sometimes. "I just hope your uncle Stripe does the crackling right this year," Bandit commented. "Bandit, come on, you and Rad always mess with your brother because of that," Chilli commented. "Hey, that's what big brothers do to younger brothers, they give a little of tough love," said Bandit replied.
When Thomas found himself surrounded by laughs and happiness at that moment, he could feel, despite everything, that Christmas was set to be best he ever had ever since the last one he passed with his parents when they were married.
They arrived to Stripe's house, being the first ones to get there. "Okay kids we're here," Bandit said, getting out of the car. Chilli got the kids out of the car before sending them in the house. Thomas stayed behind and helped his dad bringing in the gifts. Thomas went inside with some gifts in hand and placed them by Stripe's TV, which was beside the Christmas tree that was surrounded by presents. "Wow, that's a lot of stuff," Stripe commented, seeing his nephew putting down the gifts. "Well, we do have a big family, uncle Stripe," Thomas replied. "That is true…" Stripe agreed. Bandit arrived with some gifts. "Thomas, can you go get the last ones, mate?" Bandit asked. "Sure thing, dad," he replied, going to the car.
"So, how are things with Thomas?" Stripe asked Bandit. "Better… he almost had another attack when he went to Scout's, but Chilli managed to help him through," he replied. Noticing how his older brother looked worried with all that situation, Stripe put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you know you can count on me for everything, right?" he told him. "Yeah, I know, thanks, little bro" Bandit replied. When the two brothers noticed Thomas coming in, they quickly changed their posture so he wouldn't suspect they were talking about him.
After bringing the stuff it was time to relax and enjoy each other's company. Thomas was still texting on his phone nervously putting it away and sitting next to his dad. "Something the matter mate? Do you need your pills?" Bandit asked worried for his son. Thomas smiled and looked to his dad. "No, I think I'm good for once," Thomas replied. "Good," Bandit said, hugging his son. "I'm glad we get to spend Christmas together this year son," Bandit said softly. "Same here dad," Thomas said hugging his dad back. Bluey and Bingo went to play with Muffin and Socks while Thomas stayed in the living room watching Christmas movies with his father and then his uncle, who came to join them. Chilli and Trixie were on the kitchen, cooking the Christmas Eve dinner.
Suddenly there was a ring at the door bell. Stripe went there and opened the door, greeting both of parents. "Hi mum, hi dad," Stripe said as he hugged both of parents. "Hey there, Stripy," Nana greeted. "Merry Christmas, son," Bob said. Noticing it was his grandparents at the door, Thomas got up and went to greet them. "Thomas, sweetie, how you're doing?" Nana asked, while hugging him. "I'm doing fine," he replied. "I'm glad to hear that," Nana said, relieved. "Now can you help your strong grandfather with the gifts in the car," she asked. "Sure thing grandma," Thomas said as he went outside to help Bob with some packages.
"Dad, how are you?" Bandit asked his father, as him and Thomas came to the living room and put down the packages. "I'm good, son," Bob replied, while hugging his son. "Where's your mum?" he asked. "At the kitchen," Bandit replied. "And probably taking over the operation there," Bob said, causing his sons to drop a laugh. "Yeah, that sounds right," Bandit said. "Poor Trixie, she's trying so much to be the best host she can be this year, since it's Thomas' first Christmas with us," Stripe replied.
"You're very lucky, mate, this dinner is going to be one of the best you ever tasted," Bob ensured to his grandson. "I can't wait for that," Thomas said. "I just hope you don't have much expectation for the barby tomorrow, son, we still don't know how the crackling will turn up," Bandit commented, causing Stripe to turn to him. "Really? You couldn't have waited for tomorrow, you had to start talking about the crackling now?" Stripe asked, while Bandit chuckled. "Boys, behave yourselves, don't make me step in," Bob said to his sons.
That caused Thomas to drop a laugh, as it was strange to see his dad and uncle acting like kids arguing, while his grandfather tried to keep them in line. It was then that he heard his phone ringing. "Dad, grandma Willow and grandpa Richard are calling," Thomas said. "Oh, okay… Don't worry, mate, I'll make sure the girls don't disturb you while you talk with them," Bandit said. "Thanks, dad," Thomas replied, while going to a quieter place. "So, nervous about your ex-in-laws be talking with Thomas?" Stripe asked. "Not at all, Willow and Richard are great, not only as grandparents, but as dogs too," Bandit replied. "Even after the divorce and the all custody situation, they never stopped treating me differently," he told. "I agree with Bandit, for what I know of them, we have nothing to worry about," Bob said. "In fact, there's only one member of Emily's family I don't get along with," Bandit told. "Oh, right, I know who you're talking about, you and Rad were always complaining about him," Stripe said. "Now, now, boys, let's not share mean words, it's Christmas, after all," Bob said to his sons, which they agreed.
After finding a quiet place, Thomas accepted his grandparents' call, engaging in a video call with them. They were both Huskies, just like his mother, with Richard possessing the same mismatched eye colors as them. "Hey, grandpa, hey grandma, sorry if I took too long, I had to find a quiet place, uncle Stripe's house is full," Thomas said. "You don't have to excuse yourself, Tommy, we're just glad to see you, dear," Willow told. "How are things down there, in Australia?" Richard asked. "They're good, it took me some time to get used to the move… and everything else, but now I feel… great," Thomas said. "Are you sure, we heard what happened, your dad told us," Richard said. "You don't need to worry, seriously, I have everything under control and I have a great family here to help me," Thomas said. "We just wished we could be there to help you too," Willow sighed, saddened. "I wish you could be here too, grandma, I really do, I miss you," Thomas told.
"Maybe we'll see if your dad would let you fly out here sometime," Willow said with a hopeful smile. "Yeah, I'd like that," Thomas said with a smile. Thomas missed the times of visiting his grandparents on his mom side and since them losing their only daughter was hard on them. "Well Tom we wanted to wish you a very merry Christmas and we hope to see you in the New Year," Richard said with a smile. "Thanks Grandpa I love you both and merry Christmas," Thomas said waving goodbye to his grandparents. With saying goodbye Thomas hung up the phone and gets ready to join the family. Thomas then feels his phone vibrate. Thomas then looks at his phone and noticed it was Prince.
Prince
Merry Christmas Punk :)
Thomas
……
Thomas
Merry Christmas Uncle Prince.
Prince
……
Prince
Hey get your dad to send you to New York to visit me I miss you kid!
Thomas
……
Thomas
Okay, I'll see if he'll let me,
Prince
……
Prince
He better! Or I'll come get you myself ;)
Thomas
…….
Thomas
Lol alright Uncle Prince I'll talk to you later…
Prince
Alright kid talk later….
Thomas then puts his phone away and went out to the living room. "How was your call son?" Bandit asked. "It was good," Thomas replied. "Good," Bandit said as Thomas sat down near the TV and started watching more Christmas movies. "Something on your mind mate?" Bandit asked. Thomas turned and looked at his dad and smiled. "No everything's fine," Thomas said Bandit could tell something else was wrong. "You miss your grandparents don't you?" Bandit asked. Thomas nodded, "but there's lots of things I miss, and then the one thing I missed most I already have here with me," Thomas said sitting closer to his father. "Yeah? And what's that mate?" Bandit asked, already knowing the answer. "Being with you dad," Thomas said Hugging his dad again. "That's my boy," Bandit said hugging his son back again. "Dinner is ready!" Chilli called from the kitchen. "Let's get some food son," Bandit said
While eating at the table Thomas watched as everyone was laughing and having a good time. This reminded Thomas about all the good times he and his parents had while in Oregon spending a snowy Christmas out there.
(Flashback)
Thomas throws a snowball at his dads muzzle making him fall down. "I got you daddy!" Thomas shouted running out of hiding and running to his father. "Nice shot mate," Bandit said, still on the snowy ground. Thomas then Tackles his dad to the ground laughing. Bandit then holds his son up while smiling at him. "You're getting heavy mate, what have you been eating?" Bandit said while holding his son up. "Dad!" Thomas said with a smile. "Roar!" Bandit roared while thowing some son at his son.
"Boys! Dinner is ready!" Emily called from the cabin. "I'll race you mate!" Bandit said getting up quickly. Thomas tried to get up quickly until Bandit pushed him back down in the snow. "No fair!" Thomas shouted getting back up and chasing his father back to the cabin. Emily couldn't help but to laugh as her boys ran back home.
(End of Flashback)
Thomas felt warm on the inside as get started to eat his dinner with his family.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: hey guys I know Christmas is long over but I think this needed to happen so this is a remake of Christmas swim so I hope you enjoyed as much as me and Rakoon1 did making for you!