Chapter 28: Matchmakers

"So who does the King of Salem High plan on asking to one of the biggest dances of the year?"

Philip looked at Shawn as he poured a drink behind the bar. They were at the Brady Pub. Shawn was working and Philip was keeping him company, sitting on a stool.

Shawn handed Philip a coke and poured one for himself, waiting for an answer.

Philip answered a little evasively. "Actually, I haven't even really thought of it." He took a sip of his coke and avoided his friend's face.

"Oh come on Phil, you're unattached now, you have been for a while and every available girl at school is just dying for you to ask her out." Shawn smirked at Philip and took a sip of his coke.

"Ah, knock it off Brady!"

"Oh will wonders ever cease, are you actually being humble Phil?" Shawn laughed.

Philip laughed a little too, but continued. "Would you just give it a rest?"

"Okay, okay. Seriously though Philip. Is there any girl you were thinking of taking? Come on, come clean."

"No, not really." Philip went on. "I mean, why should I have to choose. I think I'll just go stag and share a dance with one girl here.with another there.la da dee dah.."

"You're not serious. You're bluffing." Shawn's face showed skepticism.

Philip smiled roguishly. "I guess you'll just have to wait and see, huh?"

"But none you want to take? Because of Chloe?" Shawn wasn't sure he should have asked his friend that question, but he already opened his mouth. Nothing he could do about it now.

Philip just smiled a little. Yes, he definitely was moving on. And though it had been terribly hard and painful at first it was getting easier and easier every day. Of course, a certain friend had helped too.

He thought about when they went horseback riding.how she smelled so good.her hair flying in back of her as Poseidon ran.

"Whoa. Earth to Philip."

Shawn waved his hands in front of his friend's face, trying to get his attention. Well, the question definitely hadn't made Philip upset, that was for sure. But what was that smile about?

Why did he have the feeling it had nothing to do with Chloe? Hmmm.

Philip landed back to Earth, from his thoughts, seeing Shawn desperately trying to get his attention. What was it lately about her that just made his mind drift off.into happy thoughts.

"Sorry, I was just, uh, thinking of something."

"Something? Or someone?" Shawn said with emphasis.

"Oh, come on now Brady. Chloe's in the past. I'm moving on."

"I wasn't talking about Chloe. I've noticed that you're not as hooked on her and that you don't react every time someone mentions her name anymore. So if it's not her you're thinking about lately, who is it? Who brought that smile to your face?" Shawn smiled mischievously, finishing off his soda.

Philip shook his head and smiled again. "Boy, you just never give up do you Shawn?"

"Hey, who gave me such a hard time about 'tell Belle you like her, just tell her, ask her out, come on Brady!' Who was that, huh Phil?"

"All right, all right I gave you a hard time about it! But, you're not seriously complaining are you? I mean look who's the hottest couple at Salem High now? I mean you guys are really good together."

Shawn smiled, thinking about his girlfriend. Being with her was.bliss. "Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way. But come on Philip, you still haven't answered my question and don't think I didn't realize your lame attempt to change the subject. Now who was it that brought that smile to your face?"

"My life. That's what, okay. I'm happy to be alive, getting good grades, spending time with my friends and getting back to what matters to me.focusing on myself."

Hopefully that would satisfy him, even if it weren't completely true.

But Shawn didn't need to know that.

"What a round-about way of answering Philip. You should become a lawyer, or maybe a used car salesman."

Hmmm, now what did he say, oh yeah, spending time with friends. Any friends in particular? Boy, Belle would be proud of him! He was learning.the art of the set-up.

Oh no, maybe he was spending too much time around her!

"So, Phil, I noticed in you're very VAGUE answer there that you said something about spending time with friends. Now, we hang out sometimes, but I spend most of my time with Belle, happily. It ain't Chloe and it sure ain't Brady. Wow, there's one friend that comes to mind that Belle and I ALSO don't see that much of lately.MIMI!"

Philip nearly choked on his soda.

"BRADY." He said in a warning voice.

"Yeah. So if we don't see that much of Mimi and we don't see that much of you, you two must be spending some time together, yeah, that's got to be it.you two are spending time together, a lot of time."

Philip shook his head again and downed the rest of his soda, then looked at Shawn. "Look. We just hang out together sometimes, all right? And I walk her home sometimes."

Well, well, well. This was interesting.

"You walk her home sometimes?"

"Yeah. A couple of nights a week. And you can wipe that smirk off your face. She gets out late sometimes from cleaning the locker rooms and I didn't want her to have to walk alone. I don't like the idea of her walking by herself at night."

"Oh, so that's it? You're just concerned about her safety. There's nothing else going on." Shawn said pointedly.

"Yeah, that's it. It's just a friend helping out a friend, nothing more."

Shawn was very nonchalant, even though his friend had answered just a bit defensively. "Sure, just friends. That's cool Philip. Glad, we got that all cleared up."

Philip looked at Shawn skeptically. He was giving up on it that easily?

"Yeah well, I got to go. 'I'll catch you later."

"Yeah, catch you later Phil." Shawn waited until the front door of the Pub closed, Philip walking out of it.

Sure Phil, whatever you say. You are in denial.

Step one completed.

****

"Thanks Belle for helping me shop today."

Mimi took a sip of her mocha and smiled at her friend who was also drinking a mocha. They had just finished a long Christmas shopping spree and were now relaxing in Dot Com.

"Oh, come on Meems, you know I never pass up an excuse to go shopping. And we found some great deals. So are you all done with your Christmas shopping now?"

"Almost. Just a couple more people I have to buy for. Including you, so don't be sneaky." Mimi teased.

Belle took a sip of her mocha and laughed. "I promise. I won't. So, I barely ever see you anymore. Come on. Catch me up on your life."

"What's there to say Belle? Everything's going okay."

Mimi smiled and took another warm sip of her mocha. Actually, everything had been better than okay lately, but she'd just keep that to herself.

Well, she'd definitely have to dig deeper. Oh well, she had always been really good at that.

"How's the center?" Belle looked at Mimi with a friendly smile.

Hmmm, what was Belle up to? Oh well, she'd just play along.

"Great. I mostly help out on weekends and it's a lot of fun. And Leroy's just a laugh a minute. He raises everyone's spirits. I mean, it's not easy to be homeless Belle. And he makes people smile. That place wouldn't be what it is without him."

"He really sounds great Mimi. And I know it was so hard for you when you lost your house. I wish I could have been there for you sooner."

"Oh Belle, I have my house because of you. You did so much for me. I could never ask for a better friend."

"Me either." Belle smiled again. "So how's you're photography class going? And hey, wasn't that cute guy you were dancing with at Hunter's party from your photography class?" Belle asked with enthusiasm.

Mimi smiled. Belle the matchmaker again.

"His name's Mike and he's a really nice guy. We're friends."

"Just friends, Mimi? Or could there be something more? He seemed to really like you."

Mimi laughed a little. "Just friends Belle. I mean I like Mike. He's a nice guy and everything, but there's just nothing really there, other than friendship."

Mimi thought of Philip and how he seemed just a bit jealous of Mike.

"So there's no possibility for anything more?"

"No, not really. Besides, I have too much going on in my life right now Belle. I'm working at the center, doing stuff for my photography class and doing my best to keep my grades up, not to mention babysitting. Oh and of course I can't forget cleaning out the locker rooms. There's just no time for anything else."

"Hmmm. Well I'm glad that you're keeping so busy this year Meems. And I can't wait for the Winter Ball. It's going to be so great, the gym all decorated like a Winter Wonderland and dancing wi-"

Belle quickly cut herself off. How could she be so dumb and careless?

"Oh Meems, I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."

Mimi felt a little sad, but put on a brave smile.

"It's alright Belle. I'll find some way to keep myself occupied that night. I want you to go and have a great time with Shawn. You guys are just so wonderful together."

"Oh Mimi, you are so strong. I don't know if I could take it, not being able to go to any of the dances or games and such. I'd probably go crazy!"

"Well, it beats going to jail." Mimi deadpanned.

"Oh Meems, let's just change the subject. We can get together with the rest of the gang after school's out for the break. We can go do something fun to make up for you not being able to go to the dance." Belle smiled encouragingly.

Mimi smiled too, thinking of all the fun she had been having with Philip lately. Their latest adventure had been horseback riding. Mimi thought of how wonderful it had been to ride on Poseidon with Philip holding onto her.oh how free she had felt!

Belle laughed a little. "Mimi, you still there?"

Mimi shook away her thoughts. "Yeah, I'm here Belle. I think that's a great idea."

She barely even knew what she was talking about. Exactly what had Belle suggested?

Yep, Mimi's mind was definitely elsewhere. Now let's see if she was right about WHO she was thinking about.

"So, I haven't heard that much from Philip lately Meems. Do you have any idea what's going on with him?"

Mimi coughed and worked hard to clear her throat. Oh brother.

"Uh, no not really."

"But, haven't you two been spending a lot of time together lately? I mean I see you guys talking to each other a lot. And he doesn't really seem all that upset anymore. In fact he looks really happy.when he's with you." Belle said suggestively.

"I don't know what you're getting at Belle. I mean, we hang out together sometimes and everything, probably because neither one of us is with anybody. But that's it. It's just friendship."

"That's it?"

"Yep, that's it." Mimi said certainly, though her feelings didn't agree with her mind.

"Okay."

Mimi Lockhart, who do you think you are fooling? Well don't worry; soon you're going to get to prove your answer.

Ah, what one had to do for the matters of the heart.

**The Afternoon Before The Winter Ball**

"Hey Dad, you've got a minute?"

"Actually, I was going to ask you the same thing Son."

"You were?" Philip looked at his father with interest. He was sitting on a chair in the middle of The Kiriakis living room and he had just gestured for Philip to sit down across from him in another chair.

Philip sat down, wondering what this would end up being about.

"Yes I was. I wanted to talk about your grades." Victor looked at Philip pointedly.

Philip felt some apprehension. What had he done wrong now? He started out nervously and excitedly.

"Look Dad, if it's about the B- I got in Government, it's just, well it's a hard class and I'm working as hard as I can in it. I study all the time. I'll try to get an A but I just don't know.I mean the only person I know who gets straight A's in that class is a guy that gets straight A's in everything-"

Victor started laughing.

Philip looked at him in shock. "I don't get it. You think this is funny Dad?"

"No, no Son. I understand that must be a very hard class, considering how well you are doing in your others. And you don't have to get straight A's to make me happy. I know I've been hard on you in the past, but Philip, all I've ever wanted is for you to do your best. And I'm happy to see you finally doing that. I wanted to talk to you because I wanted to tell you how proud I am of you." Victor stood up and Philip stood up too. Victor hugged him, ever so grateful that his son was alive and well. It absolutely terrified him to think of how still and gravely injured Philip had been when they found him on that deserted island.

Philip pulled back from his father, smiling at him. "Thanks Dad. That means a lot. I really am trying harder this year. But not just because I want to make you happy. I'm doing it for myself too." Philip spoke seriously.

Victor smiled in reaction and they both sat down again.

"I know Son. And that's why I am so proud of you. How focused you are on your studies this year and I've noticed it hasn't kept you from playing badly either. I'm looking forward to seeing your next game."

Philip smiled. "Thanks Dad. It's great having you at my games. I missed that when, you know, you were sick."

Victor's face was gentle. Yes, his son was growing up, but he still remembered holding him when he was a baby, strong even then as he grasped his father's finger.

"I know you did. I did too." He sighed, and then went on. "Now, I just wanted to let you know that I noticed your efforts this year. And believe me they will not go un-rewarded."

Philip smiled mischievously. "What do you mean by that Dad? What are you up to?"

He liked talking to his father like this, on the same page as each other, not fighting.

"That is all I have to say Philip. Now I believe you wanted to talk to me about something." Victor spoke firmly, but inside he felt a little amused.

Well, it was obvious he wasn't going to get anything out of him. "Uh, I wanted to know if, uh."

Philip cleared his throat and spoke more clearly. "I'd like to start working at Titan after the break."

There, he said it.

Victor looked at Philip with surprise. "You want to work at Titan?"

"Yeah. I mean, it's in my future, right? I want to start learning about it. I want to know more about what you do."

Victor smiled. "Philip that is very admirable. But I don't know. You're grades have just gone up and I don't want anything to interfere with that. You need to think about college."

Philip went on. "I know Dad. And I've already started looking at colleges. And I promise you I won't let my grades fall again. I just would really like to start.I mean, I've been lucky. I've always been rich. I've never had to worry about money. But you grew up poor and I know people, I have friends who don't have a choice, they have to work. I just don't want to take things for granted anymore."

Victor smiled at Philip with pride and some sadness. He was becoming a man.

"You do understand that you will have to start at the bottom? I don't believe in handing out special favors."

"I wouldn't want any Dad."

"And your hours will be very limited. Your schoolwork must always come first."

"It will. You have my word."

"Then, I think I should be able to arrange a starting out position for you after the break."

Victor smiled, filled with pleasure at his son's changed attitude of late.

Philip smiled back. He was getting a chance to prove himself and he wasn't going to take it for granted.

"Thank you."

****

Philip was in his room, taking some time out to study. Wow, look who was becoming a bookworm! He turned the page of his textbook as the phone rang. He moved over on his bed to pick it up.

"Hello."

"I need your help again."

Philip laughed. "What do you need this time, a goose?"

"Ha ha. Very funny. No, I need a Santa."

"Excuse me, just changing the channel on my phone, thinking there might be some static. I thought you just said that you needed a Santa."

"I did."

"And how exactly do you plan on getting one? What, you want to Santa-nap one from the mall or something? 'A Christmas Mystery: Who Kidnapped Santa Clause?'" Philip chuckled.

"Oh boy. Would you please get serious? And of course I wasn't planning on kidnapping Santa! I was thinking.uh..that.well."

"Spit it out Meems."

"That YOU could dress up as Santa."

"WHAT?!"

Chapter 29 September-December

"WHAT?! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

Mimi held the phone away from her ear so she wouldn't damage her hearing from Philip's yelling. This wasn't going to be easy. She waited until she heard no more hysterics and then brought the phone back up to her ear and spoke calmly.

"Are you done?"

Philip sighed. He really SHOULD invite her over for one of the infamous Kiriakis gatherings. She would DEFINITELY fit right in.

"You've got to be crazy. I can't dress up as Santa. Weren't you guys prepared? I mean this must be for the center, right?"

Mimi spoke quietly. "Yes."

Philip continued. "And it's going to happen in what..hmmm, let's say about two hours or something?"

"Less than an hour."

Philip's voice was incredulous, yet sarcastic. "Less than an hour? Oh, this just gets better and better! You want me to transform into Santa in less than an hour? Uh, didn't you use common sense and HIRE someone?"

Mimi didn't care for his attitude, but wait until she told him what actually happened to Santa.

"Yes, we hired a Santa, but he uhhh, well, uh, something happened to him."

"What, he fell down the chimney? Oh I know, he got run over by a reindeer! SANTA got run over by a reindeer."

Philip began to sing, changing the part of grandma to Santa.

Mimi was getting furious. "OOOOHHHH Philip Robert Kiriakis, do you ever stop?! This is not funny! Poor Santa took some medication and mixed it with something he's allergic to and now he's, he's."

Philip could hear in the background.

Wait! Was that someone singing? Yes, it was!

'Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas dooby dooby dooo, WOO HOO'

"OH MY GOSH, Santa's plastered!!!"

Philip nearly fell off his bed in laughter. He couldn't control himself.

What a riot this was!

Mimi spoke indignantly. "HE IS NOT PLASTERED! He doesn't even drink! I told you, he mixed his medication accidentally with something else and now he's, well, he's."

"Feeling Gooood!!" Philip was struggling to catch his breath.

Only Mimi could have something like this happen to her!

"Ha, ha, ha. I'm laughing hysterically." Mimi said dryly.

Philip finally got his laughter under control. "All right. All right. So why me?"

"Because you fit the suit."

"Wasn't that on an episode of The Brady Bunch?"

"Philip-"

"Yeah, yeah, it was. The Johnny Bravo one with that matador vest-"

"PHILIP! Santa's six feet tall, just like you. Only thing is he's a little chubbier, but we could use a pillow for that."

He was insulted.

" A LITTLE chubbier?.hey, I'm not fat! I'm an athlete! I'm in shape with the."

Mimi held the phone away from her ear again, waiting for him to finish his long speech on his physique.Oh! She didn't have the time for this!

"Okay, okay, we've established that you're not fat, you're super super skinny okay! Now, will you help me out or not? Please Philip, I really need to find a Santa! The kids here, they have so little, it would mean so much to them to have Santa come see them! Will you do it?"

Philip could tell she was desperate and he also felt bad for the children, having to spend their Christmas in a homeless shelter. At least he could do this much.

"Should I bring my pillow or you have one there?"

Mimi started jumping up and down for joy.

"Thank you Philip! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

****

Mimi took Philip from one room through another.

There he was, the hired Santa, dancing around the room in his red and white suit, beard and hat, singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, shaking his jolly old self.

"We called his doctor and he checked him out, saying he's going to be fine. He'll just need to rest a little bit."

Philip nodded, only half hearing what Mimi was saying, paying more attention to the sight of Santa shaking his caboose, then throwing his hat up in the air.

The doctor came into the room. He walked over to Santa, treating him like a child. "Okay Santa, let's help you change into something more comfortable." Then they went into the bathroom.

Philip laughed. "I still think he looks plastered!"

"HE IS NOT-"

"Couldn't agree with you more Phil!" Leroy came into the room laughing also.

Philip turned around, smiling instantly, "Hey Leroy, how's it going?"

They started talking, joking about how "plastered" Santa was.

"HE IS NOT-"

Mimi finally gave up. Now with the two of them laughing and joking, it was hopeless.

When the hired Santa finally left with his doctor, Leroy showing them out, Mimi turned to Philip. "Okay now, let's get you dressed."

Philip smiled one of his famous dimpled grins.

"LET'S? Oh Mimi, you want to help me?"

"OOOOHHHHH! You know what I mean! Here!"

Mimi took the Santa outfit and slammed it right into Philip's chest. Then she pointed at him, making him back up against the wall.

Ooohhh, she could be feisty! And boy did she look cute in her little elf outfit! (Mimi's outfit was a short red and green skirt with a red and green top, both fringed on the ends. On her head was a little green and red cap.)

"Man, I love it when you take charge!!" Philip joked, moving away from the wall, now making her back up.

But Mimi was not in the mood for joking. She pointed at him again in a no- nonsense way. "Just get changed."

Philip saluted her.

"Yes Ma'am."

****

"Don't you dare laugh!!"

"I won't. I won't. I promise."

Philip came out.

Mimi laughed, nearly falling over in hysterics.

"You said you wouldn't laugh! Now you're going to get it!"

Philip started chasing Mimi around the room, having a hard time catching up to her with his new cumbersome costume on. Finally, he managed though, tickling her mercilessly on her sides.

"Phi-lp st-o-p...pl-e-ase!!"

Mimi could barely get the words out as Philip continued his torture.

"You won't laugh anymore?" He questioned warningly.

"N--ooo I w-o-n't!!"

"Promise?"

"Y-e-s I pr-o-mise!" Mimi managed to get out as his fingers continued to find her weak spots.

Philip stopped, letting go of her, but when he saw the beginning of a chuckle, her face bright red, he started to grab her again.

Mimi spoke out desperately.

"I won't laugh! I won't laugh!"

Good, he wasn't trying anything anymore. Now, to assess his believability.

Oh my gosh, he looked so funny.

Oh, it was hard to keep from laughing.

However, she was on a time schedule and the time for joking was over. She moved over towards him, straightening out his hat.

"It was crooked." She said in response to his questioning glance.

Yep there was Santa.

Uh Philip dressed up as Santa and what a sight he was in a red and white fuzzy suit, topped off with his hat, all ready to meet the children. Oh, how silly he looked in that beard.

Hee.hee.hee.

The white hair.

Oh boy!.and that round pillow stomach.oh gosh!

She couldn't laugh! She couldn't!

"Are you done staring at me now? I know I look ridiculous, but this was your idea, not mine."

Philip looked at her with complete indignation, his pom pom on the end of his hat swishing with the movement of his head.

Mimi reached up for him, grabbing him by the suit.

"I know and I just want you to know that I am eternally grateful to you for it! Now, let's go cheer up some kids!" She kissed his cheek soundly and walked out of the room.

Philip just stood there, watching her leave.

She kissed him.

Mmmhhhhmmm, she looked damn good in that little elf outfit.

From the back too!

****

"So let's see what Santa has in his bag for you! Ho! Ho! Ho! Well will you look here, it's a doll, just for you! Merry Christmas!"

"Thank you Santa!"

Mimi watched as the little girl jumped off Santa's lap and excitedly ran over to her mother, showing her the doll. Mimi looked over at Philip and smiled and he smiled right back at her. He was doing a wonderful job as Santa, joking with all the kids and being kind to the ones who were a little wary of a man in a beard.

And their faces.

Oh, how their faces were lighting up!

Philip smiled at the little boy who was now on his lap. He looked to only be about three years old, but at least he wasn't scared. Those ones were the hardest. He handed him a wind up car, making the boy smile wide as he ran off to play with it.

It made Philip feel warm inside, seeing these children smile with just one simple gift. It was so different from his own childhood. He hoped these kids would get more when it actually was Christmas, but he wasn't sure if that would be possible. Some of these families were so poor, unable to buy presents. When he was a child, he got so many presents that he barely knew what to do with them all. He would play with one toy one day and then barely look at it again as he moved onto something new. But these kids.

They were showing him how spoiled he was.

They were teaching him a very important lesson.

Mimi smiled at another little boy, handing him a candy cane, then she looked over at Philip. He looked really touched by what was happening. She could tell he was learning that not having a lot of money wasn't the end of the world. It just taught you to be VERY grateful for what you did have. Mimi thought of how at this time last year she was scheming with Jan, being very foolish. How could she of wasted her time with such nonsense.with such cruelty! She was learning her own very important lesson.

Ah, what kids can teach you!

Philip smiled wide as Selena approached him. His friend!

"Ho, Ho, Ho! Hello there little girl! What can Santa get you?"

Selena smiled shyly. "I just wish my Daddy would come back."

Philip sighed, holding her on his lap. "I know you do. And if you continue to hope, maybe he will."

Philip tried to lighten the mood. Oh, how this little girl got to him! "Now, how about a furry kitty?"

Selena smiled at the sight of the stuffed cat and hugged Philip, whispering in his ear. "I know you're really my friend, but I'm happy that you're here and I won't tell anyone else who you really are.thank you special friend!"

Philip smiled and pulled back from Selena, whispering gently in her ear.

"Thank you for keeping my secret. The real Santa was too busy at the North Pole."

Selena smiled in response to Philip's answer, hugged him again and ran off happily with her cat.

Philip watched her leave, wishing he could grant her her wish. Mimi looked over at him, her eyes near tears. He looked back over at her and they just stayed like that for a while, looking at each other.

Their friendship bonding them.

****

The last of the children had come and gone and were now playing with their presents, their faces ones of pure joy. Mimi looked over at Philip who was still sitting on his throne (a high backed chair) looking quite amusing. Oh, what a Kodak moment this was, but Philip had warned her that if she took one single solitary picture of him he would make her pay for it for the rest of her life.

Ooohhh, she was scared-not!

Still, she agreed to his demands realizing it was the least she could do in return for him rescuing her (once again) at the last moment.

"So that wasn't that bad. The kids were really cute and it was nice to see Selena smiling. Is her father getting any better or is he still the same?" Philip asked Mimi as in the background another Christmas carol played.

They were all alone now since everyone had moved to the other room where the music was playing.

Mimi smiled sadly at Philip. "No. He's still the same." She moved over closer to him, picking up some candy canes that had fallen onto the floor.

"That's too bad." Philip sighed.

Mimi looked at him again. "Philip, thanks for doing this. It meant so much to the children and I really appreciate it."

Philip laughed softly through his beard. It was starting to itch, but there was one more thing he wanted to do.as Santa.

"You know, I just realized something. A certain little elf never told Santa what she wanted for Christmas."

Mimi raised her eyebrows. "Oh really?"

"Yeah, so come on.little girl.tell Santa what you want for Christmas." He smiled at her slyly.

This was going to be fun!

"Well, actually-"

Philip stopped her immediately. "No, no, no. That won't do. Come HERE, and tell Santa."

Mimi looked at him, pretending to be bashful. "You want me to come over THERE?" She pointed to where he was sitting, perfectly imitating a timid little girl

Good. She was willing to play along.

"Yeah, don't be scared. Santa doesn't bite."

He smiled roguishly.

"Well, not most of the time anyway. Now have you been naughty or nice?"

Mimi started moving closer. She was going to have fun with this one.a lot of fun.

"I'm afraid I may have been naughty Santa."

(In the background, Santa Baby started playing)

{Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me

I've been an awful good girl}

"Come here and tell Santa all about it."

"I'm afraid I might get in trouble."

"Now, now, now it's not nice to disobey Santa." Philip swung his finger back and forth condescendingly.

{Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.}

"Okay." Mimi walked over and shyly sat down on Philip's lap, enjoying herself immensely.

Philip smiled at Mimi, now feeling some of his own shyness. He could see a whole lot more leg.

Two red nylon legs that were now swinging back and forth. She was up to something.

{I'll wait up for you dear.}

Mimi looked down into Philip's bearded face.

Burying her face in his red and white fluffy chest.

Philip gasped and was forced to put his hand out on her skirt.

Ah! Her legs.

Let's just move those hands up a little more.

He nearly hit Code Red back there. He finally found a much safer place, holding her by the waist.

"Uh Meems, is something wrong?"

{Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.}

Mimi moved her head up just an inch, spoke, and then went back to her original position. "My name's Candy, Santa."

Philip laughed unsteadily. "Candy, of course! Uh Candy, why don't you sit up so Santa can see your face?"

Mimi bashfully sat up and looked at Santa, uh Philip. She was having the time of her life and it looked like Santa was just a bit nervous.

"It's just there's something I want more than anything and I'm not sure if I should ask for it. I'm afraid it might make me a very naughty little girl."

{Think of all the fun I've missed.}

Philip felt some of his bravado coming back. "Oh come now, you can tell Santa. You can tell him anything."

Philip looked up at Mimi, and tapped the top of her hat, making it jingle.

"Are you sure Santa? You really want to know?" Mimi moved dangerously closer to Philip again, touching his red suit.

{Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed.}

CODE RED! CODE RED!

What was she trying to do to him?!

{Next year I could be oh so good

If you'd check off my Christmas list

Boo doo bee doo}

Mimi moved her hand up to his beard, touching it finger by finger. "You're absolutely sure Santa?"

"Uh yeah."

What happened to that bravado?

{Santa honey.

I've been an angel all year.}

Mimi smiled at him coquettishly, letting her finger trail up and down his red suited arm.

"What I want more than anything."

Philip looked up at her, feeling weak. Somebody send in the emergency unit!

"Yes."

{Santa cutie.}

Mimi moved ever so much closer, her hands on his furry shoulders.

"Is."

"uh-huh."

He was going to melt, just like Frosty, melt into a puddle of water.

Those green eyes staring right into his.

{I really do believe in you}

"Is."

"yeah.."

Hey, you already said that, just TELL me!

Mimi moved in more, her face inches from his.

And kissed him right on his.

NOSE.

(His shiny red nose thanks to some rouge she had him put on it earlier)

{Let's see if you believe in me

Boo doo bee doo}

Philip's eyes and mouth were open wide, staring at her in total astonishment as she reached for his hat and threw it up in the air.

Then she got down from his lap quickly and turned around to face him right at the door.

Ohhhh, she got him good.

Those astonished eyes!

"REMEMBER Santa, I'm just a little GIRL!"

She gave him one last grin and ran out of the room.

Philip just sat there watching the spot where she had just been standing in total disbelief.

Oh, she was right.

She was one naughty little elf!

{Hurry.tonight!}

****

Mimi sat next to Philip, now back in his red long sleeved t-shirt and blue jeans he had been wearing before he had been transformed into Santa Clause. She was still wearing her elf outfit. They were talking to Leroy, thankfully, since it kept Philip from possibly doing anything to get back at her for her little game had she played with him earlier. It had been a lot of fun though, that was for sure! And he deserved it, after the way he had made her heart beat race nearly out of control that day on the swings.

Philip sat on a sofa in the main room, listening to Leroy talk about the center. The only other people in the room were some of the people that worked there. Music was playing softly in the background. "So Leroy, do you mind me asking how you started working here?"

Leroy smiled a little over at Philip and Mimi from the chair he was sitting on, almost directly across from them. "Actually, I was homeless myself for awhile."

"Really?" Mimi asked. "You never told me that."

"Yeah. I got into some trouble awhile back. I started gambling."

"Gambling?" Philip asked.

"Yep. I gambled away all my money and my life. My wife took the kids and left me.you know that old sob story." Leroy smiled a little sadly.

"You were married?" Mimi asked.

"Yeah."

"So you came here and then what happened?" Philip asked.

"I stayed here for awhile. Then I went back out to the streets.lived on them for awhile."

"Man." Philip responded, shaking his head.

"Yeah, I messed up good. Anyway, I ended up coming back here and this time I was set on turning my life around. I stopped all the gambling and I got a job, in a store, stocking shelves. I started going back to school. I had been in college earlier, but I ended up dropping out after I got into gambling. Now I had the chance to go back and finally finish. It took a long time, but I did it. I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to work here and help people out.give to them the chance that had been given to me by some very special people. Now, that's what I do and I love it."

"But what about your family?" Mimi asked. "Do you ever get to see them anymore?"

"I haven't seen them in a long time, since my wife left. She didn't want anything more to do with me and for so long my life was in shambles. I caused her so much pain. She's all right now, doing fine, happily remarried. I think it's just best if I stay away."

"That's got to be hard though, not seeing your kids and everything." Philip responded.

"Yeah, but I'm happy here.helping others. We've got a nice little family here. And they've got new lives.my kids.they're pretty much all grown up. It would be selfish of me to interfere with their lives now."

"I used to gamble."

Philip looked sideways at Mimi and spoke about his own past problem.

Leroy sounded surprised. "Really, you? But don't you have a lot of money? You come from a wealthy family, right? What would make you want to gamble?"

Philip looked at Mimi, then back at Leroy. "I guess.I really don't know, except I had been at boarding school and my father was sick. And I screwed up, losing money left and right, borrowing it from everyone I had the nerve to ask."

Leroy looked at Philip knowingly. "You were lonely."

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know. It just all ended up hitting the fan one night.I owned this guy, a guy in "the business" you know?"

Philip looked right at Leroy, guessing he would know what he meant.

"Yeah, I know all too well." Leroy spoke ruefully.

"I couldn't pay up and.well, they left me with a nice little mark on my forehead."

Mimi looked at Philip, astonished. She knew Philip had gambled some, but she never knew it had been a problem.

"Philip, you never told me! Wait, wasn't that when you were in the hospital, right after Christmas?"

"Yeah. I never told anyone Meems. My dad swore me to secrecy, but I know I can trust you guys. My dad was furious and he made me pay back all the money by doing chores around the house. At the time, I thought he was being too hard on me. Now I realize, I had it easy. Leroy, I'm sorry that you have to be separated from your family, but I'm glad I've gotten to meet you and get to know you. This place has taught me a lot."

"Me too." Mimi said.

"Me too." Leroy said back, smiling at two of his newest friends. "Okay, enough of this. You two must have somewhere you want to go to, tonight."

Philip spoke up. "Actually there's a school dance. I probably better start heading out pretty soon so I can get ready."

"And what about you Mimi? You must be going to this dance too?" Leroy asked.

Mimi smiled a little sadly, noticing Philip look over at her with a not so happy expression.

"I can't go. Remember I told you that over the summer I had to go to court?"

Leroy nodded his head in affirmation.

"Well, part of my punishment is not going."

Philip finished for her. "Mimi can't go to ANY school functions, nothing, unless it's academic."

"Yeah." Mimi said quietly.

Leroy shook his head. That had to be hard for a teenager in their senior year of high school.

He got up and turned on some music, then returned to Mimi and Philip. "Well, if you can't go to the dance at least you can enjoy some music. REAL MUSIC. None of that nonsense they play now."

Philip looked up at him, amused. "And this is REAL music?"

"Oh yeah. Earth Wind and Fire. One of their best songs: September. Come on you two. Let Leroy show you how it's done."

Philip and Mimi watched as Leroy started moving expertly to the music. They had to admit, it had a good groove! Some of the other workers started dancing too, one of the younger women moving side by side with Leroy.

Philip and Mimi sat on the sofa, moving back and forth to the music. Then Mimi got up. This music was infectious. She started moving, line dancing a little with some of the other workers, including Leroy. Philip just sat and watched her. She was pretty good!

Then finally, he got up too, dancing side by side with Mimi, both of them following Leroy's steps, getting more and more confident with each step.

{Do you remember the 21st night of September?

Love was chasing the minds of pretenders

While chasing the clouds away.}

Leroy laughed, watching Philip and Mimi moving side by side, snapping their fingers, moving their feet.

{Now December found the love that we shared in

September,

Only blue talk and love,

Remember the true love we share today.}

Mimi and Philip smiled at each other, laughing and having oh so much fun.moving together to the beat.

{Ba de ya- never was a cloudy day.}

****

"Well, have fun tonight Philip."

"Uh yeah. Meems, did you hear the words of that song?"

"What, September?" Mimi asked him, now walking with him over to where he had parked his Dad's car, near the front of the center. The night was chilly, having just snowed earlier, leaving a beautiful white blanket on the ground.

"Yeah. Wasn't that weird how it's about people, well a couple, finding each other in September, then seeing each other again in December?"

"Why would that be weird?"

"Well, it's just.we started waking home together in September and now.now it's December."

Mimi smiled suddenly, a little shakily. "Yeah, but we're not a couple. We're just friends."

Philip responded quickly, hastily. "Yeah, I know that. Of course we're just friends. Well, I better go."

She grabbed his hand, stopping him.

He looked down at her questioningly.

"What?"

"Thank you for helping me. You really are a true friend Philip."

He smiled down at her. "Hey, I enjoyed it."

Mimi nodded, then let go of his hand and watched him get into his Dad's car.

He waved at her.

She waved back.

Then she went back inside.

****

She washed another dish, her mind somewhere else, wishing she could stop thinking.

Thinking about.

What she was missing.

He must be at the dance by now.

Having a great time.

With some pretty girl.

Who was shamelessly flirting with him.

And here she was.

What the?!

"Okay, who turned out the lights?!"

Oh, her eyes needed to adjust to the darkness of the kitchen. It wasn't pitch black, but definitely kind of dark.

{Hearts of fire creates love desire

Take you high and higher to the world you belong}

Okay, now who turned on the music? She was starting to feel annoyed. She called out to one of the workers.

"Rosa, is that you? Can we just turn off the music and turn back on the li- "

She stopped suddenly, feeling a hand touch her shoulder.

Then a voice.

"May I have this dance?"

{Hearts of fire creates love desire

Higher and higher to your place on the throne}

She turned around in shock. That voice! She knew that voice.

And yes it was dark, but that.

That face!

"What are you doing here?"

{We've come together on this special day

To sing our message loud and clear}

"Now, is that the way you answer when a guy asks you to dance?" He mocked her.

She looked at him, in the darkened room. Outside, in the other room she could hear the Earth Wind and Fire song playing, a slow song.

"But, you're supposed to be at the dance!"

{Looking back we've touched on sorrowful days

Future pass, they disappear}

"Ah, school dances are over-rated.Now, are you just going to make me stand here like a fool with my hands out waiting for you to answer or are you going to dance with me?"

Mimi smiled at him standing there in the dark with his hands out, waiting for her to answer. He did look kind of silly like that.

She moved closer, giving Philip one of her hands, feeling him place his other on her back. She put her other hand on his shoulder and they started to move together.

{You will find peace of mind

If you look way down in your heart and soul}

Philip held her close to him, letting their hands that were linked swing to the beat of the music. He had gotten home, started to get ready and before he knew it he was back in his dad's car.

Heading back to the center.

Not knowing why, but not questioning it either.

{Don't hesitate 'cause the world seems cold

Stay young at heart 'cause you're never

Old at heart}

Mimi rested her head against his chest, feeling him release her hand, holding her close, letting his head fall near hers.

{That's the way of the world

Plant your flower and you grow a pearl}

He could feel her hands against his chest.her head there.as he held her.

He closed his eyes.

Feeling totally at peace.

{A child is born with a heart of gold

The way of the world makes his heart grow cold}

She closed her eyes, feeling him holding her, making her feel absolutely.

Wonderful.

{Hearts of fire

Love Desire

Higher and higher}

Though both were still afraid and unsure of admitting what they were feeling.

One thing was for sure.

Right at that moment.

He was where he wanted to be.

She was where she wanted to be.

{Hearts of fire}

"Santa Baby" written by J. Javits and P. Springer

"September" and "That's The Way of The World" written by Maurice White, Charles Stepney and Verdine White

I just had to give Mimi a chance to get back at Philip for the swings!

Chapter 30: Winter Wonderland

"Oh it's absolutely beautiful, all the lights, all the different colors.you can even see some people's decorations in front of their houses! You're right, it is an unbelievable sight!"

"Must See?"

"Definitely Must see!"

Mimi looked out at the view in front of her, the view of Salem at night, just hours before Christmas Day. Philip had visited earlier, asking her to go for a nighttime ride. She asked him why and he told her she just had to see how the Christmas lights looked from the top of his favorite spot. So he saddled up Poseidon, they both hopped on, and now they were up at the top, taking in the gorgeous scenery.

"I told you. Didn't I tell you Meems?"

Philip came up behind Mimi, the snow crunching under his feet as he walked behind her, placing his hands over her shoulders.

Mimi felt his touch, felt his breath coming from behind her and felt a little unsteady as she looked back, up into his blue eyes that looked so dark right now.

"Yeah." She said a little shakily, moving away some. She smiled at him then looked down.

Philip smiled too, and then walked back over to Poseidon, once again taking out a pack. "Meems, can you get the lantern?"

He started walking through the trees ahead of her.

Mimi picked up the lantern and walked over with it towards his destination, the small bridge. She looked around, noticing that the tall evergreen trees were now capped with snow on the high peaks and streaming from the branches, resembling icicles of white frosting.

Philip could see the moon shining through a crack in the trees, the dark night only lit by the view off in the distance and the lantern Mimi was now carrying over towards the bridge. He watched her come over dressed in jeans, a thick sweater and a thick winter coat, topped off with a baby blue snowcap and matching gloves. He smiled, thinking she looked like an adorable little Eskimo.

Mimi watched as Philip shoveled some snow off the bridge (a shovel that just happened to be sitting right next to the bridge), noticing that the small creek was now completely frozen, the ice shining in the night. She continued to quietly study him as he laid the blanket down on the bridge, wearing his blue jeans, a thick sweater, a thick winter coat, with black gloves and a black hat. He smiled, gesturing for her to sit next to him, his dimpled grin making him look ever so attractive.

Philip smiled as Mimi sat down next to him on the blanket. He reached into the pack, handing her a thermos of simmering hot cocoa and took one out for himself. He watched as she took a sip of hers, sighing with contentment at the heat of the warm chocolaty drink. He could appreciate it too, for it was a cold chilly night, but thankfully, it was comfortable enough to go outside, as long as you were prepared, as they were. He took out a small cd player and turned it on, Christmas tunes coming out of it.

Mimi laughed. "Boy you thought of everything, huh?"

"You know me, can't do things just halfway! I mean, why hold back, right?" Philip laughed, smiling at Mimi.

"That's right." She smiled back.

Philip sighed happily and leaned back against the bridge railing, resting his head against yet another blanket he had brought.

Well prepared, indeed!

Mimi smiled a little shyly, and then leaned her head back too, letting out a small complaint of discomfort.

"Here Meems, a nice comfortable shoulder." Philip gestured.

Mimi looked down a little unsurely, but slowly rested her head on Philip's shoulder, noticing it created a cushion for her head, not to mention being close to him also made her feel warmer.

"Philip?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you start gambling?"

A nice peaceful Christmas carol was now playing on the cd player as Philip pondered the question, feeling the added, yet not at all uncomfortable weight of Mimi's head on his shoulder. She was warming him up too.

"I really don't know for sure, except I guess it's kind of like Leroy said."

Mimi looked down at the ground, able to see Philip's gloved hands. "You were lonely?"

Philip could feel her soft auburn hair against his neck. "Yeah, kind of. I mean, I had friends. But nothing like here in Salem. Nothing like Shawn and Belle or."

"Or Chloe?" She finished quietly.

"Yeah, or Chloe, or.you."

"Me?" Mimi asked with a tiny bit of a smile.

Philip chuckled a little. "Yeah, you. Anyway, I missed that and my mom. I missed her a whole lot."

"Then why did you go to boarding school?"

"Well, it wasn't really me who made the decision. It was my mom and I agreed. Actually, at first it was kind of a relief to get away, with my dad sick and everything.but I ended up getting homesick pretty fast."

He thought of how he used to wake up in the middle of the night sometimes as a little boy and hear his mom crying.rarely in front of him, then she was always strong.only just after he had gone to bed and she was alone.

"So how come you didn't just tell her you wanted to come back?"

"I did, eventually, but at first I.I wanted to do what I could to make things better for her. She had so much to worry about. She didn't need to have to deal with me on top of it all." He turned to look down at her with a smile.

"Surprising huh, Philip Kiriakis actually thinking of someone other than himself?"

Mimi looked up at him, at his slightly joking face. "No. I don't think of you as someone who doesn't think about others. I know you look out for the people you care about. I just like teasing you sometimes. That's all. Though you can be kind of vain."

She winked at him and then rested her head against his shoulder again.

He chuckled. "Thanks for your honesty."

"Any time Phil." She got serious again. "Weren't you afraid when you started owning money to people? Wasn't that scary?"

"Yeah. I got desperate. I didn't know who to go to. And when my dad got better.I mean before.when he was sick, I could even go to my Aunt Vivian, but after he was getting well, it wasn't so easy. He watched everything around him like a hawk. And I had no where to go to. I was too scared.and too ashamed to tell him or my mom. And I was too arrogant and dumb to think that nothing would happen to me. Before I knew it, I was lying in the snow.somehow I got home.and then I was in the hospital."

"You said that it was a mark on your forehead, but it didn't leave a scar."

"Well actually, it left a tiny one, but it's not visible at all. My dad informed me that it was a symbol of warning.that next time I wouldn't be so lucky.a symbol of the mob." Philip finished ominously.

Mimi shivered a little, thinking of the danger he had been in, remembering the danger she had faced herself, roaming the streets for money while she was homeless. "But what happened? You still owed them the money, right?"

"Yeah. My dad took care of it, but like I said, he made sure that I paid him back every cent of it by doing chores around the house.helping Henderson and cleaning out the stables and everything. I remember I saw the guy one more time.the guy I owed the money too. He called me on my cell phone to meet him."

Philip shivered himself.

Mimi looked up at him worried. "Are you okay Philip?"

Philip saw the concern in her expression and smiled down at her, wrapping his arm lightly around her to keep her warm. "Yeah I am. It's just, that night was a big wake up call for me.when I met him in the alley."

Alarm rang through Mimi. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Philip rubbed her arm a little in reassurance. "No. Just the opposite, actually. He was really apologetic, saying he wouldn't have done anything if he knew I was Victor Kiriakis's son. It was the way he looked and acted that got to me. He looked like someone had beaten him up and he sounded so completely defeated. It was scary, 'cause I think I know who had a hand in making him like that."

"Who?" Mimi asked, and then shook her head. She turned around to look at him. "No! You think it was your father?"

Philip looked right at her. "My dad is very strict, but also very protective. You don't hurt one of his without paying for it. Anyway, it was the first time I saw, I mean really saw just how powerful he can be. And I'm not saying that I think he's horrible because of it or anything..."

Philip went on firmly. "I mean I love my dad and I respect him, but some things that he does.I don't know.it kind of spooked me."

"But Philip, you're not just like him. You have a lot of your mother in you too. And as for what he might have done..I don't know, it sounds like he would do anything to protect you. Sometimes you do what you have to for the people you love and care about, even though it might not be the right thing. No one's perfect. Everyone has flaws."

She gave him an encouraging look, happy to see him lightly smile, then rested her head against his shoulder again, feeling his arm wrap around her once more.

"Mimi, before, when you shivered, what were you thinking of?"

She could feel his chin near the top of her head. "You felt that?"

Philip smiled a little. "Yeah I did. Come on Meems, you know you can talk to me."

"That you were in a lot of danger."

"That's it?" Philip persisted.

"No, not really. I was thinking about being homeless."

"Will you tell me about it?"

"Why?"

"Because we're friends."

"I don't know. I guess I felt like everybody's charity case and I hated that, and Connor being sick just made it worse."

"Meems, I don't mean to sound callous, but I've never completely understood why you didn't tell anyone for so long. I mean by the time we knew, you already lost your house."

Mimi sighed, remembering the night her dad lost his job and then how he had no luck finding a new one.

"It just all happened so fast. My dad lost his job and we thought everything would be okay, but he couldn't find a new one, so eventually he had to leave to go find work. He didn't want to, but it was the only way. And my mom had a hard time finding work and Connor was sick and it just."

"It got worse?" Philip asked softly, wanting to lend her his support.

"Yeah."

Philip flashed back to a time he had seen her at Dot Com.

"Hey, remember that night of Shawn's party and you were trying to get back the money for one of your cd's.and you totally freaked when I ordered us something.with your money.Were you having problems with money then?"

Mimi remembered that night too, remembered having no money for the bus and having to walk home.

"Yeah. That's pretty much when it all started. That's why I freaked, because I didn't have enough money."

"You didn't even have enough money to get a bus ride home." Philip chided himself. "And I was being a spoiled rotten brat, using up your money and not even making sure you got home safely. What a jerk! I'm sorry Meems."

He rubbed her arm, feeling bad for how he acted that night, not to mention others.

"You're right; you were a jerk that night." Mimi said angrily then laughed, lightening the mood.

Philip laughed back, but then spoke seriously again. "I meant it though. I am sorry."

"I know. And I was so embarrassed then, I wouldn't have accepted anyone's help anyway. Of course it didn't get any better."

"You said you had to pawn things and that you saw a drug dealer?" Philip asked her a little incredulously.

"I'm not proud of it, but I needed the money for my family. I would go out at night and try-"

"At night?! By yourself?"

"Yes Philip. That's when those kind of people are out. You know that, after the types you dealt with while you were gambling."

"Yeah, but." Philip shook his head. "It's even more unsafe for a girl. There are a lot of creeps out there. Weren't you scared?"

"Yes, but I was also desperate."

"But, wasn't your mom worried about you?"

"I didn't really tell her where I went. She was so busy trying to take care of Connor anyway. She couldn't spend that much time worrying about me. Someone followed me one night though."

Mimi paused a little, noticing Philip's questioning look.

"Chloe."

Philip was shocked. "Chloe?! She knew that you were doing all that?"

He waited for Mimi to answer, surprised by what she was telling him.

"Yeah. She saw me one night on the streets. I got really upset with her and I.I threatened her. I was just so worried that she would tell Belle and that Belle would hate me forever. You think I'm awful because I threatened her, don't you?"

Philip paused before he answered, still trying to take in all she was telling him. It was a lot to swallow.

"No. I know you must have felt really hopeless, if you did something like that. I also know that there's a line you would never cross. And knowing Chloe, she probably did a pretty good job defending herself. I just can't believe she never told me about any of this. Of course, now that I think about it, that was when I was still giving her a hard time and she pretty much avoided me like the plague."

"She thought I was on drugs."

"I have to confess, I thought by the time of the dance the same thing, but I think Chloe was only trying to help you. She did seem concerned and she was totally into the habitat for humanity thing."

"She hated me living in her house."

"Well, you weren't too happy about it either, were you?" Philip countered.

"No."

"You know, for the longest time, I didn't really understand why you didn't like her, but I think I get it now. It wasn't just jealousy. It was fear too, wasn't it?"

"What are you getting at?" Mimi asked a little suspiciously.

"It's just you're very loyal to the people you care about, your real friends. And when Chloe came, you felt that was being threatened. I mean there she was, a total outcast, but Shawn and Belle were still friends with her. I understand. I felt a little left out too, but then I started secretly liking her. I started seeing more to her. But you don't trust her, do you?"

"No, I don't. I didn't like how she acted.especially after the dance.she knew Belle liked Shawn and she still flirted with him right in front of her.How could she do that? And you guys, you acted like she was the only girl that existed."

"You mean like that day at the pub? I don't know Meems. I honestly don't think she meant to flirt with Shawn or hurt Belle. But I'm also not going to blame myself for it anymore either. We both made mistakes, as you so diligently informed me that night of Hunter's party." Philip said with a tiny smile. "But you didn't have to worry about losing your friends, Mimi. Belle never stopped being your friend and she never will. I know that. You guys have been friends for way too long for that to just end. Shawn's still your friend too."

Philip joked: "And you're stuck with me."

"I was so sure none of you would ever talk to me again after the prank Jan and I pulled, especially you."

"I was upset at first of course, but your bluntness made me realize that I didn't help things by the way I acted. By the way, I'm sorry if Shawn and I that day at the pub made you feel."

"Like chopped liver" Mimi finished for him.

Philip laughed softly, making her head shake a little against his shoulder. "Well, I wasn't going to say it that way, but yeah I guess that's the gist of it. What can I say?"

"You were being the typical male with his mind only on one thing."

Philip laughed again. "What a way to put it Meems." He got serious again. "But I like talking to you."

Mimi smiled. "I like it too Philip."

Both of them had finished their hot chocolates now and for a couple of minutes they just sat there enjoying the silence. Then Philip started to get up slowly; Mimi moved her head and sat up more. He went over to the pack and came back with something, handing it towards her...

"Here. A Christmas present for you." He said with a smile, sitting across from her now on the blanket.

"Oh, I have something for you too. Remember, that bag I asked you to put in the pack?"

"Yeah. But here, you open yours first."

Mimi finally took the present from him. "Okay." Then she started to open it. When she was finished, she just stared, and then started to take it out of the box.

"Philip, isn't this.?"

"My camera, yeah. The one you borrowed that day we went horseback riding. I know, I know, what a cheap gift, huh? I didn't even have to buy it, but before you think I'm a cheapskate, there's a reason I'm giving it to you. I mean, first of all you told me that day it's one of the best, right?"

Mimi just nodded her head in affirmation, still staring at the gift quietly.

"Right, and there are others in the stores, but the ones that I can afford are the cheaper ones.they're not as good as this one. And I don't want to borrow money from my Dad to buy a gift.and I thought this was perfect.

She remained silent.

"You're not saying anything. You hate it."

"No. No. It is one of the best, if not the best, but it's supposed to be so expensive.and it was a gift given to you. I can't take this."

"But I want you to have it. I told you, I never use it. Remember, it was still in the box when I let you borrow it and I saw. I saw how much you enjoyed it. You deserve it, because you're somebody who could really appreciate it. You're right; it was a gift that somebody gave to me and now I'm giving it to you.please Meems, say you'll take it."

He added jokingly, "And I'm not a total cheapskate. If you look inside the box, you'll see I bought you some new film." He gave her a lopsided smile.

Mimi smiled and laughed a little, then got serious again.

"Are you sure Philip, really sure?"

"Yes."

"I promise you I'll take care of it. I won't take it for granted." She was still reluctant, but he was being so insistent and she didn't want to hurt his feelings by saying no. It was such a wonderful camera. It was just so expensive.

Philip smiled. "I know you won't Meems."

"Oh gosh, what I gave you is going to seem so dumb compared to this. You'll probably-"

He cut her off, reaching out to stop her with the touch of his hand.

"Hey, don't say that. I'm just happy that you want to give me something at all."

She went over to get his present out of the pack, speaking as she did so.

"Of course I want to give you something. You've been a really good friend to me." She handed it to him a little reluctantly, thinking there was no way she could even come close to matching what he had given to her. Still, she sat down across from him and waited.

But Philip smiled warmly and started to open it. When he was finished, it was his turn to sit there silently, staring at what was before him.

"I know. I know. It's not expensive or worth anything.it's just."

He interrupted her unfinished thought. "Did you make this?"

"Yeah. I had somebody else attach the horseshoe, one of your stable hands, but I.I did the stuff with the picture.and it's just a simple.it's just a frame." She finished, somewhat morosely, thinking he probably thought it was a silly gift.

Phillip took the gift out of the box, still looking at it. It was a simple wooden frame; tacked to it was a real horseshoe, one of Poseidon's, Philip knew for sure because it had his mark on the bottom. Around the horseshoe was engraved "Philip and Poseidon" The picture was what really got to him though. Inside the frame, the picture was separated into three diagonal parts: in the top left hand corner was a small image of Philip with his forehead against Poseidon's head, his eyes closed, capturing perfectly the love between horse and rider, in the bottom right hand corner was a small image of Poseidon rearing up on his hind feet gallantly with Philip astride, and in the middle was a large image taken at the exact moment Poseidon jumped the fence, shot in midair, with Philip of course on him.

"It's silly.I should of known-"

But she was cut off, cut off by two strong arms that wrapped around her and held her close in a bear hug.

"Thank you." He whispered softly in her ear.

It was all he could say at the moment. He was touched, touched to the core of his being by the beauty of what she had just given him. He had received many, many gifts over the years, mostly expensive things, but this was new, something so personal, that she made for him, that she cared about what mattered to him, that she was so talented, that she took the time out of her life to make something like this for him. He held her closely, his hands running a little over her hair.

Then finally, he let go.

"You like it?" She asked a little surprised, but happy too.

"Like it?" He asked incredulously, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I love it. I'd say more, but.look, you don't want to see me get all mushy." He smiled at her.

"The pictures, how did you get them to blend like that?" He was referring to the fact that the three diagonal images were actually three separate pictures, but on the computer she blended them together a little. She explained to him about how she manipulated them on the computer.

"And you said one of the stable hands did the horse shoe? How could you have that done without me knowing it?"

"Uh, I came over here one day when you were still at practice, one of the days when I didn't have to stay late to clean the locker rooms. I told Henderson what I wanted to do and he let me in. Then I asked one of the stable hands and he said he would be happy to help me out."

Philip smiled. "Boy, you surprised me. I get so many gifts.sometimes I don't know what to do with half of them, but this.this I'm keeping forever."

He looked at the picture again, shaking his head in wonder. "And see, I was right, you really do deserve that camera."

She smiled. "Thanks Philip."

****

They came down from the hill as it started to snow.

"Look Meems, it's snowing!" Philip exclaimed, stopping Poseidon and changing the song on the cd player that he was now holding.

Philip began to sing along with it.

{Sleigh bells ring

Are you listening} (Philip)

"Come on Meems, your turn." He nudged her.

She started a little reluctantly.

{In the lane

Snow is glistening} (Mimi)

Philip protested. "Come on Meems. Put some more pizzazz into it."

She laughed at that.

{A beautiful sight} (Mimi)

Philip was a little more satisfied with that one.

{We're happy tonight} (Philip)

{Walking in a winter wonderland} (Mimi)

Philip jumped off Poseidon and Mimi laughed as he lifted his face to the sky, to the snow that was falling. She got off Poseidon too and giggled as the snow tickled her nose as a flake fell on it.

{Gone away is the bluebird} (Philip)

{Here to stay is the new bird} (Mimi)

{He sings a love song} (Philip)

{As we go along} (Mimi)

Philip grabbed her hands and they laughed, spinning around like little kids, singing together.

{Walking in a winter wonderland}

Philip let go and picked up some snow, throwing it up in the air, feeling carefree and happy.

{In the meadow we can build a snowman} (Philip)

{Snowman} (Mimi)

Both started doing backup for the other jokingly.

Mimi tried to catch the snow he was throwing up in the air, laughing, but remembering her part.

{Then pretend that he is Parson Brown} (Mimi)

{Brown} (Philip)

{He'll say: Are you married?

We'll say: No man} (Philip)

{No man} (Mimi)

Both nodded their heads in the negative vigorously, using their hands too to make their point.

{But you can do the job

When you're in town} (Mimi)

Philip surprised Mimi by coming behind her, grabbing her by the waist and wrapping his arms around her as he sang, swaying with her.

{Later on

We'll conspire} (Philip)

{As we dream by the fire} (Mimi)

{To face unafraid} (Philip)

{The plans that we've made} (Mimi)

{Walking in a winter wonderland} (together)

He let go of her suddenly and started running around in the snow. Mimi laughed and started running around too. They each went from one tree to another, while singing and playing a silly version of hide and seek. Each would poke their head out from behind the tree as they sang and hide again when it was the other's turn.

{In the meadow we can build a snowman} (Philip)

{Snowman} (Mimi)

{And pretend that he's a circus clown} (Mimi)

{Clown} (Philip)

{We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman} (Mimi)

{Snowman} (Philip)

{Until the other kiddies knock him down} (Mimi)

The whole time they had been moving from one tree to another, they were getting closer to each other, until Philip once again grabbed her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. She marveled at the feel of him holding her, her back against his chest, and she placed her hands on his arms, feeling his face close to hers as he sang.

{When it snows

Ain't it thrilling} (Philip)

{Though your nose gets a chilling} (Mimi)

{We'll frolic and play} (Philip)

He let go of her again and grabbed her hands, dancing with her in the snow.

{The Eskimo way} (Mimi)

{Walking in a winter wonderland} (together)

{Yeah we're waking in a winter} (Philip)

{Yeah we're waking in a winter} (Mimi)

He picked her up, making her laugh, spinning her around by the waist, both of them laughing as they attempted the last lines.

{We're walking in a winter wonderland}

{Wonderland}

He put her down, both of them still laughing, entirely happy and comfortable in the company of the other.

"Merry Christmas Meems."

"Merry Christmas Philly."

Poseidon let out a sound of discontent. How dare they forget him!

Philip and Mimi laughed and called out in unison:

"Ohhhh, Merry Christmas Poseidon!"

Winter Wonderland: Written by (Smith/Bernard)