Chapter 28-Christmas Time

It was the time of year when children dreamed about and adults dreaded, but in Jack's mind, she still was a child, so she was ecstatic. A soft wool cap the color of white wine that Kalina had knitted covered her hair and made her almost fall in love with Imam's wife. She twined her arm around Riddick's in a sign of affection and to make sure he didn't turn around and run when they saw the mall.

"If you love me, you'll kill me"

He murmured to Maya who Jack had recruited to come with them. Maya was still beautiful, her normally flat stomach bulged under the red and white checked maternity outfit, she reminded Jack of a pregnant Lucy before she had little Rickie (yes, they still have I Love Lucy).

"Aw don't worry Rich, it'll be over before you know it"

"No it won't, not with you two awing over lambs and baby ducks and kitties and another pair of shoes you claim you can't live without, and cry if you don't get, then I'll feel bad and buy them for you, and then you'll never wear them"

Jack and Maya shared a quick grin and stifled a laugh. Riddick was pretty much right. Jack got on her tiptoes and placed a smacking kiss on his cheek, only leaving a faint smudge of cheery pink lip-gloss, which she smudged away with her finger.

"Probably yeah. But Rozi and Matt will never ever forgive you if you don't let them believe in Santa"

Riddick scowled slightly and glared evilly at the mall that was towering like a monster against the smoke gray sky. Then he switched his attention to Jack and affectionately ran a hand over her silky hair that had grown back into its sweet coffee brown. She gorgeous, and she was his. Faint laugh lines etched out from her mossy green eyes and she raised an eyebrow when she caught Riddick's intense gaze.

"What?"

She asked nervously. It sort of amazed Maya that even though Jack and Riddick were always together, he still had the power to make Jack's toes curl. They were wonderful together. Maya mussed as she picked a little nervously at her berry red nail polish. They were as close to perfect as any couple could get. Jack would soak in the tub for hours with her favorite romance novel until the plot and peach scented bubbles had gone cold. Riddick would wake early in the morning and steam up the bathroom with the steam of his scalding hot showers. And they both yelled when they fought, the whole block knew how they fought.

Giving in, he allowed Maya and Jack to drag him into the mall. It warm almost sticky air smelled like gingerbread and peppermint and everything was draped with bright red and minty greens. Jack looked up at Riddick's expression and realized that he must have never had a real childhood, or at least not like hers. She had a loving family and she always used to ask herself why she had ran away. In the end she was always glad she did.





He followed his wife and sister obediently from store to store and tuned out whenever they cooed and fretted over a caramel colored teddy bear for Rozi and a bright shiny red truck for Matt. 4 Hours and 9 shopping bags later, Riddick finally convinced them that they had bought enough presents. Almost unwillingly, Maya and Jack felt the mall and took a walk along the snow encrusted artic blue lake. However, the worried look on Maya's face had Jack shooing Riddick away.

"What's wrong Maya?"

Jack asked as she causally wrapped an arm around Maya's still Barbie-doll slim waist.

"I'm afraid that Shawn isn't happy with me. I mean he hasn't pressured me for sex or anything, but I'm going to be fat as a house in a few months-Oh sorry"

She said when she caught Jack's pained look and added quickly

"It's not that YOU ever got fat as a house but-"

Jack laughed it off and gently cupped Maya's face in her hands

"Maya, you're beautiful, no matter what they say"

Tears formed in Maya's eyes as she kissed her cheek. Riddick showed up and tugged on Jack's hair playfully. Maya smiled and blinked back her tears.

"Hey Richie. Do we have everything we need for Christmas?"

"Yes. Yes we do now let us leave this horrible place and never return"