"A Christmas Story" Chapter 13
Disclaimer: I
don't own the song "The Gift" by Collin Raye.
--------------------------------------------
Relena rest the
new framed picture back on the table in the entryway, glad they were
the only things that had been broken. Nothing had been stolen and
only a few rooms were touched. Glancing in the living room she smiled
at all the presents under their perfect tree. She had heard Duo's
promise, and then days later learned the vandals were caught in
another home.
Walking into
the kitchen she saw the new window glow in the late sunlight. Their
guests would be arriving very soon. She pulled the cookies out of the
warm oven and places them on a plate to be put in the living room.
Stopping at the stairs she called up to her little brother.
"Heero they are going to be here soon."
As she paused
by the radio she turned it one, filling their home with gentle
Christmas music. Just as she reentered the kitchen the doorbell rang.
"It is open," she shouted down the hall.
Moments later
she heard voices in the entryway. Placing the hot baking sheet in
cool water she went out to greet her guests. Duo was hanging their
coats when she appeared in the hall. "Hello and welcome to our
home, my name is Relena, please come in and make yourselves comfortable."
"Hey,
these are my friends. Where is Heero?" Duo said only wanting to
do introductions once.
"Probably
still upstairs," Relena guessed. "Heero please come down
our guests are here, so is Duo."
A young man
appeared at the top of the steps, his messy hair hidden under a Santa
hat. Duo let out a soft laugh at the sight. Heero quickly reached up
and grabbed the hat as if he just remembered he was wearing it.
"No leave
it on, it looked adorable," Duo said with a smile.
Heero kept the
hat in his hand as he eyed the four people standing quietly behind
Duo holding wrapped packages. Duo's eye lit up with understanding,
"Come down here Heero, I want to introduce my friends."
The messy
haired youth slowly descended the stairs stopping at the bottom. Duo
took his hand squeezing it gently.
"You
remember Trowa and Quatre, and that is Wufei and Milliardo," Duo
said pointing to each of them in turn. "Guys this is Relena and Heero."
"Well now
that the introductions are over how about we sit in the living room
until dinner beeps?" Relena suggested with a smile.
Everyone
followed her, save Heero who held back, causing Duo to hold back as
well. "Heero what's wrong?"
"I
don't... want to see it," Heero whispered eyeing the doorway.
"I promise
it looks great," Duo assured him.
Heero allows
himself to be drawn into the living room where the tree shines
proudly with presents waiting underneath. Relena smile as Heero
slowly sat down beside her.
"I'm
really glad you all could come," she said to the group.
"Thank you
for inviting us," Milliardo said breaking the ice.
"This is a
lovely home," Quatre complimented.
"Oh well
thank you," Relena replied graciously.
Heero picked up
one of the few Christmas cookies left, breaking it in half. He
offered the other half to his sister who accepted it with a smile. A
beautiful Christmas song came over the radio causing Duo to jump from
his seat beside Heero.
"Heero
would you dance with me?" He asked the quiet young man. Heero
adamantly shook his head no so Relena took Duo's hand in his place.
They began to slowly sway together as Heero watched on.
As they moved
in a small circle Relena could see the disappointment on Heero's
face. Trowa turned to Quatre before pulling the blonde from the sofa
and beginning to dance. Wufei nudged Milliardo who nodded his head
before being pulled from the floor into a slow lazy dance.
Relena stopped
dancing and turned to her younger brother, "Heero take over for
me I have to check on dinner."
Heero watcher
her leave and the other couples before standing up, Duo pulled him
close like before. He enjoyed being in Duo's arms even if he would
never admit it out loud. Duo slipped the Santa hat back in place on
Heero's head with a warm smile.
As the song
ended Relena popped her head back in the room, "Dinner is ready."
Everyone
convened into the dining room taking a seat at the large table. Food
was set out, the last a plate of warm sliced ham. They enjoyed a
quiet delicious meal, learning just how good Relena's cooking was
first hand. After dinner they all helped to clear up the dishes and
table, getting the job done that much faster.
"How about
we open presents?" Duo suggested as everyone stood in the dining
room. "Then we can just sit by the warm fire and get to know
each other better?"
"Sounds
like the perfect idea to me," Relena agreed leading the way back
into the other room.
Everyone else
followed retaking their previous seats before dinner. Relena passed
out all the gifts under the tree, including those their guests had
brought. As gifts were opened and thank yous spoken she turned to Duo
who sat on the other side of Heero.
"Duo your
present was too large to wrap," she said as everyone stopped and
turned to look. "But I wanted to give you my little brother."
Heero's head
whipped around to stare at his sister. Had she really said that? He
felt Duo's arm encircled his shoulders. He looked at Duo when the man
began to speak.
"Thank you
and I will always cherish this gift," Duo said as snowflakes
began to fall outside the window.
Heero couldn't
believe what he was hearing. Was Lena just giving him away? Did she
hate him now? He moved to stand up when he noticed the smiling faces
of the other guests. Had he misunderstood what she meant?
"Give him
the honor and love he deserves," her voice said breaking into
his thoughts.
"Nothing
less and a whole lot more," Duo said as Heero finally understood
what she had meant.
~The winter
snow is falling down
Children
laughing all around
Light is
turning on
Like a
fairytale come true~
Heero curled
closer to Duo's side laying his head against Duo's shoulder. Everyone
in the room cheered as they cuddled. A gently smile touched Heero's
lips, the first one in a long time.
~Sitting by the
fire we made
You're the
answer when I prayed
I would find someone
And baby I
found you~
Duo held Heero
close as everyone finished opening their gifts. He had all he ever
wanted right there beside him. Finally he had found his true love and destiny.
~All I want is
to hold you forever
All I need is
you more everyday
You saved my heart
From being
broken apart
You gave your
love away
And I'm
thankful everyday
For the gift~
Wufei wrapped
his arms around Milliardo who sat in front of him on the floor.
Resting his chin on the blonde's head he smiled happily, glad to now
have this man to share his life with. He had never believed love
would find him, but this was the time to believe in miracles.
~Watching as
you softly sleep
What I'd give
if I could keep
Just this moment
If only time
stood still~
Milliardo
leaned back in Wufei's embrace looking at the necklace the young man
had given him. He honestly had a hard time believing someone wanted
to watch over him, but he was also thankful for this chance at love.
~But the colors
fade away
And the years
will make us grey
But baby in my eyes
You'll still be beautiful~
Trowa took
Quatre's hand in his own, their connection growing slowly. He
realized the first time he had seen the blonde had been the beginning
and now was his chance to make it right. He found the idea of sharing
his life with Quatre an appealing one.
~All I want is
to hold you forever
All I need is
you more everyday
You saved my heart
From being
broken apart
You gave your
love away
And I'm
thankful everyday
For the gift~
Quatre squeezed
Trowa's hand a smile on his face. This was the one chance to decide
something for himself. His father would have no say in this. He
enjoyed Trowa's company, just being with the man warmed him completely.
~All I want is
to hold you forever
All I need is
you more everyday
You saved my heart
From being
broken apart
You gave your
love away
And I'm
thankful everyday
For the gift~
Duo gently
lifted Heero's chin, violet eyes meeting sky blue. Leaning forward he
placed his lips gently over Heero's in a soft loving kiss, that was
returned eagerly.
~Owari~