By Victory Thru Tears
Charlie's POVWe sit out on the ice together, our breath making clouds in the cold air. He leans against me, wrapping his arms around my waist, and laying his head on my shoulder. Probably trying to 'huddle for warmth'. That's my Banksie.
After exchanging gifts, Adam and I decided to go out for a quick skating excursion on the pond. We only skated for the first fifteen minutes, and then started to wrestle on the ice. Now we're sitting in the middle of the pond, looking at stars. Sure, I'm cold…but it's worth it to have a moment with him.
We're all coupled up. Even Adam's parents have gotten more cuddly since my arrival- I think other wise they felt left out.
Mom and Bombay told me about the engagement this morning. I have a feeling Gordon only did it last night, after I went to sleep.
I've never seen Mom so happy. Maybe it's just me, but she seems even happier about this than she did about Justin. I for one think that Bombay will make a much better Dad.
Dad. I wonder if he'll let me call him that. I haven't called anyone that since, well, never. My mom and I left my real dad a long time ago, when I was two. I don't remember him at all. Mom has a couple pictures, and when I was younger I really wanted to find him. But now I don't. I just want a new life, with Mom and Bombay.
I think she should change her name. She didn't when she married Justin, but it's time now.
She'd also better let me and Adam be in the wedding.
Banksie sighs contentedly. This is only our second Christmas together, and the first time that we've spent the actual holiday together.
I can't wait. My plans for the rest of the night include drinking some hot chocolate while listening to Mrs. Banks tell me about all the embarrassing things Adam did when he was younger, maybe watching a scary movie, and finally falling asleep with my boyfriend around 3 AM.
"I think I'm stuck to the ice." Adam murmurs into my ear. "Frozen, at least."
I laugh, and get up, hauling him to his feet. We grab our skates, and go back into his house. Our parents are sitting in the living room, laughing over something. I'm about to head up to Adam's room so we can do a little more 'cuddling', but Adam stops me. He stares into the living room, a look of horror on his face.
"What?" I ask, concerned.
He ignores me, and quickly walks over to his mother. I curiously follow him.
"Mom!" He yells. "Do you have to show the naked baby pictures every year?"
I laugh, and sit down next to Coach Bombay. This sounds interesting.
- + - + -
"And here I was, thinking you were lying when you said you were a creepy looking baby." Adam hits me in the side as I tease him.
"Shut up, Charles. Watch the movie."
"Are you going to be calling me Charles all night?"
"Maybe, if you don't stop provoking me."
"I'm not provoking you."
"Then shut up."
"Ok, Dancing Queen."
"Shut up!"
"Hehe."
- - - - - - - - - - - -
The smell of the cookies baking is enough to make me let out a trickle of drool onto the counter. I voice this thought, and the kitchen sounds with groans of disgust.
"You're so gross, Charlie." Connie wrinkles her nose from across the room.
"Want some dough?" Goldberg asks, taking a big glob onto his finger and licking it off.
"Back off, it's mine." Adam growls as he puts his arms around the bowl protectively. I've never seen him so defensive of something. He meets my eyes, and grins.
"Of course, Charlie can have some." He holds the bowl out to me, and I gladly take a big handful.
"Why, cause he's your boyfriend?" Averman teases. Banks and I exchange a glance.
"No, cause he's Captain. And also cause his mom is married to an asshole, and he needs cookie dough." Julie sticks up for us. You'd think that she knows about our couple-dom, but she doesn't. She's just sweet by nature.
Adam nods in agreement. He then proceeds to throw a handful of dough at Averman.
Averman wipes it off of himself and throws it back at Adam.
"Eat cake, Cake-eater!"
"Too bad its cookie dough, not cake mix!" Adam laughs, taking another handful and flinging it at him. Les, in true Duck fashion, dodges it. The mess hits Russ on the head.
"Oh hell no!" He yells. He grabs a handful of chips from next to him and throws them in Adam's direction.
"Don't waste the food!" Goldberg yells in despair from the middle of the kitchen.
We're engaged in an all-out food fight when Mrs. Banks walks into the room. She looks at us for a moment, and we stare back at her, completely silent.
She sighs. "Oh, just go ahead."
The noise commences as we continue our war.
- + - + -
We're piled into the Banks' living room, Poltergeist playing on the big screen TV. I'm wrapped in a big blanket with Adam, and Julie is leaning against me on my other side. Six of us are squished onto his couch, so close that no one looks twice at Adam and I. I, of course, don't care if they did think something. I really like Adam, and its hard not to jump on the couch and yell it out. Of course, Banksie would kill me if I did that, and some of the Ducks would probably never look at me the same again.
No. That's not true. They're my Ducks, and they're going to be the same even after they find out about me and Cake-eater. We're friends.
We laugh as Dwayne shrieks at the movie. I didn't know that he got scared so easily. Portman claps a hand around his mouth, trying to get him to shut up. Dwayne does so gladly- he's still scared of Portman, even after going through the entire Goodwill Games with him.
Adam finds my hand under the blanket. I'm surprised. Usually he doesn't take the initiative, especially not in front of the Ducks.
Both he and Julie cower against me as a scary part comes on. I put my free arm around the Cat, laughing. I know Adam's just doing it for show- he just wants to be near me.
I'm not complaining.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
"Stop moving." He commands. I thought he was asleep. Looks like I was wrong.
"I can't help it. I'm not used to such a big bed."
"Get used to it. You're sharing with me for life."
I laugh. "You're feisty tonight. What's your problem?"
"You." He rolls over and slides his arms around me. "You're the biggest problem in the world."
"I'm still your problem."
"I didn't say you weren't."
"Merry Christmas."
"Are you getting mushy on me, Spazway?"
"A little, Dancing Queen."
"How come I get stuck with all of the weird nicknames?"
"It's not my fault. You're the one who was singing it while making me change you into your pajamas."
"You were undressing me- I felt like singing. Plus I was totally drugged out."
"I'm going to sleep."
"No one's stopping you."
"Uh huh. You're stopping me."
"Good night."
"Night Banksie. I love you."
"I love you more."
"No, I love you more."
"I love you more."
"Nu uh. I love you more."