A/N: This story's nearing completion…just…one…more…chapter…
The Lion King belongs to…Disney, I believe. And so does the song I mention.
Chapter 7
Rebecca felt a surge of something like pride as she looked at the glittering Christmas tree. True, the branches were drooping and some of the pine needles appeared to be dying, but it wasn't all that bad. At least, if you looked at it from a certain angle, anyway…she shrugged to herself and glanced at Sherry and Claire. They were both seated on the couch, and seemed happy enough.
When Carlos and Jill entered the room, Becca looked away hurriedly. On the way to the house, she'd thought that Carlos was interested in her, but since he saw Jill, he didn't seem to care much about Rebecca. It hurt, but she'd get over it. She'd never really expected anything to come out of it, to be honest, since she was so young compared to him…and, of course, what guy would choose little Becca over the beautiful, talented, mature Jill? A twinge of envy hit her, and Rebecca quickly joined in conversation with Claire and Sherry.
Out of the corner of her eye, Becca caught Carlos whispering something to Jill before leaving the room. Jill smiled and walked over to the couch as the door shut behind him.
"The tree looks great. Where'd you find all that stuff?" The lump in Rebecca's throat stopped her from replying. Not that she would've anyway.
"The attic," Sherry piped up. "There's a whole lot of stuff in there. Really old stuff."
"Did you happen to see any ice skates? Chris mentioned something about wanting to try. There's a pond that's frozen over, in the woods." Suddenly, Becca couldn't stand being in the same room with Jill any more. She had to get out, out and away. She stood and walked over to the door.
"I don't remember. I'll go check," she said, slamming the door shut behind her. Inside the parlor, Jill frowned and stared after the girl.
"What's wrong with her?"
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Carlos started up the truck, a smile on his face. Sure, Jill had rejected him, but what did that matter? Now that he thought of it, Rebecca really was pretty…not in the same way Jill was, but she certainly had something of her own. A short trip to the jeweler's, to return that necklace he'd gotten for Jill, and then he'd pick up something for Becca and head home. If only everything was this simple…!
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Later that night, as the sun began to set, Carlos decided to make his move. He found Rebecca in her room, reading a book. Actually, she wasn't reading, but Carlos didn't know that. She was staring at the page and thinking angrily about Jill, but at any rate, when she saw Carlos a bright, happy smile spread over her face.
"Carlos? What're you doing here?"
"Oh, I thought…maybe you'd like to go down to the pond? It's not so cold out now…" Becca's heart soared, then she checked herself.
"Is Jill going?" It occurred to her to make her resentment less obvious, and she hastily added, "Or anyone else?" Carlos shook his head.
"Nope. Just you and me. The others said they wanted to go during the day."
"I'd love to! Let me get ready, that's all."
"Alright. See you down in the kitchen, then?"
"Yeah," came the somewhat muffled reply, as Rebecca was already rummaging through her closet.
Ten minutes time had Rebecca happily trudging through the snow with Carlos. From the drawing room window, Jill watched and smiled as they disappeared into the woods.
They didn't talk as they made their way through the silent woods. Already the sun was slipping from its throne, and the moon was gleaming faintly in the sky. It was only when they reached the pond that Carlos worked up the nerve to say something.
"Rebecca, I have to tell you something." She looked up at him, her eyes trusting. "On the way here, I…well, I know I sort of led you on. I'm sorry." He paused. He watched as she took a step back and stared at him. Her eyes looked like melted chocolate, moist and deep and soft. Carlos took another breath. "And once I got here, and I saw Jill and Chris together, I got to thinking – I wanted Jill so Chris couldn't have her. But Rebecca – I want you because you're…you."
For a minute, she didn't say anything and Carlos feared the worst. In the fading light he couldn't see the rapturous expression on her face, and her silence began to worry him.
"Oh, Carlos!" Rebecca threw her arms around him. Carlos, rather surprised, stumbled a little under the sudden weight before managing to steady himself. Of all the things he'd imagined, this was not one of them. He'd never understand women…
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Claire finished wrapping her last present and stretched out her aching muscles before standing and picking up the stack of wrapped gifts on the bed. It had taken her a few hours, but they were done. And Chris couldn't make any rude remarks about the way they looked, either – all the bows were on straight, and they looked nice enough.
As she set them under the tree, Claire heard Sherry's light footsteps outside the door, followed by another, heavier set of footsteps she couldn't identify. Sherry laughed, and the patter-patter of her feet on the floor faded away. Claire shoved the last gift under the brittle branches of the makeshift Christmas tree and stood, pleased with the way they looked.
Still smiling, she turned around and started towards the door. Claire halted mid-step when she saw Leon standing in the doorway, his arms folded over his chest. How long had he been watching her?
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Jill sat down at the piano bench and readied herself to begin playing. She'd barely started the opening tune when Sherry burst into the room, followed by a chuckling Leon who chased her in circles around the room. Jill frowned and watched disapprovingly as he ran the girl around the room.
"Stop it, you two! You're acting like little kids!" They both stopped and looked at her with mischievious smiles lurking at the corners of their mouths.
"Yes, Jill. Sorry, Jill. Won't do it again, Jill." Leon elbowed Sherry lightly, sniggering, and Sherry laughed. Then she turned and ran away, and Leon chased her out the door again. Jill shook her head. They were so immature. Like little kids or something. With a shrug, Jill started to play again – it was one of her favorites, a song from an old Disney movie.
"Akuna matata…"
Leon, meanwhile, continued to race after Sherry, who was more elusive than he'd been led to believe. And fast, too. Once she started school again, he'd have to see about getting her on the track team. Or was she too young for that yet? Sherry was what, twelve, thirteen? She'd be starting high school soon enough.
Finally, Leon stopped, panting, as Sherry giggled and ran off into her room, clutching her prize to her chest – the last cookie in the package. Leon glanced into the parlor nearby, and did a double take when he saw Claire's back as she pushed a present beneath the tree. He folded his arms, intrigued, and watched as Claire stood, her graceful back arching as she stretched it out.
The expression on Claire's face when she turned and faced him made up his mind. He needed to tell her everything. And she needed to tell him some things, too. She swallowed, and her eyes flitted nervously from side to side.
"Didn't see you there, Leon," she said, accompanied by an anxious laugh. Leon unfolded his arms and walked forward, shutting the door quietly.
"Claire – we need to talk."