by Sailing
(a/n: part between *asterisks* written by YellowRoseOfTexas)
*Mary Anne immediately starting dialing Logan's number after hanging up with Dawn. We watched her, smiling a little. Mary Anne and Logan are the cutest couple.
"Oh, hi, Kerry," she said, speaking to Logan's ten-year-old sister. "Is Logan there? Oh... he is? Oh, yeah, that's right... No, I don't guess I need the number. Thanks, Kerry. 'Bye."
She hung up, looking mildly disappointed. "Logan's not home. I forgot that he and the other guys are spending the night at Alan Gray's house tonight."
We all made horrible faces at the thought of staying at Alan's house. Alan Gray is the most disgusting boy we know. (I don't know him as well as the others since I go to SDS.) He's a close second to Cokie for the title of The BSC's Main Enemy. Alan isn't mean, though. Just immature.
"A slumber party at Alan Gray's." Kristy looked sick. "I can just see him now, walking around with yellow M&M's in his eyes, pretending to be Little Orphan Annie."
"Logan would kill you if he heard you call it a slumber party, Kristy." Jessi giggled.
"Alan just got a new game system as an early Christmas present," Mary Anne explained. "And that's why all the guys are staying at his house tonight."
"I bet Logan would just love us if we called over to ask him for his..." Abby got a silly, dreamy look in her eyes. She batted her eyelashes and clasped her hands. "...very most special Christmas memory."
"Yeah," Claudia grinned mischieviously. "Wanna do it?" She pretended to try to take the phone from Mary Anne.
"No!" Mary Anne shrieked, holding the phone away from Claudia.
"Okay, okay," Kristy broke the two of them up. "Let's just skip Logan. Since Shannon joined the BSC after Logan, she should be next. How about it, Shannon?"*
"Hmm, this is a tough one," I said, absently twisting a lock of blonde hair around my index finger. I sat there for awhile, trying to think. "I know, I have the perfect one."
"Drawing it out for dramatic effect, eh, Shannon?" Kristy commented sagely. "Once a thespian, always a thespian."
"It's from when I was really little, so some parts of it are kind of fuzzy in my mind." I smiled. "You'd like it, though, Kristy. It's about the same thing that brought the two of us together."
"What is it?" Mallory asked interestedly, pushing her glasses further up on the bridge of her nose. She was probably remembering the stories about how Kristy and I hated each other and fought when we first met.
"Yeah, tell us," Jessi agreed eagerly.
"Okay, here goes. It was the year that I was five and in kindergarten at SDS. Tiffany was only three, and Mom was just pregnant with Maria at the time…"
"How far away is Y – your – your-up?" Tiffany inquired.
"But Daddy, you can't go away! What about Christmas?" I protested.
"Oh, Ted," Mom sighed. "You're going to miss Shannon's play at school. And your parents are coming in for the holidays. What about them?"
Dad looked at us sadly. "I'm sorry. You know how much I hate to be away from my girls, and especially at Christmastime."
It was the year when I was five and Tiffany was three. Mom was pregnant with Maria and was about seven and a half months along. I was looking forward to having a new brother or sister, but Tiffany wasn't nearly as happy about this prospect as I was and already showing signs of defiance – well, as much signs of defiance as a three year old can show. Nowadays I wonder if Maria's being born was the catalyst of her turning into the stereotypical bitter middle child, because Tiffany used to be a sweet little girl who was one of my best playmates before that happened. But anyways, I'm getting ahead of myself here.
I was a happy kindergartner at SDS and – not to sound stuck-up or anything, but I was already showing signs of being advanced. I once overheard my kindergarten teacher comment to my parents that "For a five year old, Shannon certainly reminds me of a precocious, mature little adult." Well, now that I know the meaning of "precocious", I realize that she might have been exaggerating on the little adult part, she was pretty on target about the other one. While my classmates were pondering the ramifications of "cat-rat-bat-fat" my favorite books were simple chapter books and I enjoyed adding up long columns of numbers, particularly the register tape from the local supermarket. And, of course, which is very similar to now, I was well on my way to becoming the teacher's pet. Much to Mom and Dad's chagrin, I volunteered to take the class hamster, Pokey, on more than one occasion, and Mom often found me staying after school to help my teacher, Mrs. McIntosh, organize her bookshelves. And to top it all off, my class was having its Christmas pageant the next week. Even though I love drama now, I had awful stage fright when I was little and couldn't remember lines to save my soul. So, noting this, Mrs. McIntosh had given me the part of the family's Bernese Mountain puppy who saved the day by bringing back the main character of the play, who ran away because he felt lost in the Christmas shuffle. Dad had been going over my lines with me every single night in preparation, and I think he was looking forward to the performance as much as I was. I think he was hoping I'd catch the acting bug. All in all, I'd say I was a pretty happy kid.
We were seated around the dining room table having dinner on a Thursday night, about a week before Christmas. I had been picking at my lasagna, waiting for dessert to come so we could try some of the extra-special Christmas cookies Mom had baked earlier that day. And then Dad had made an announcement which had left all of us in a bit of a shock. He was going to Europe on a business trip in three days – that Monday – and was probably going to be stuck there until at least the 27th—two days after Christmas. Dad had never been away that long before.
"I'm really sorry, girls. It's just that we're meeting with some clients at their headquarters in Sweden for a big international lawsuit case, and we really need to get together before the new year. You understand, don't you, girls? Kathy?" He gave Mom a helpless look.
"You work too much, Ted," Mom said finally.
"Will Santa come to give you your presents in Your-up?" Tiffany asked.
Well, I said before that I was quick for a five year old, and my quick counting skills let me figure out that Dad would be leaving on the same day of the Christmas play. "What about the play?" I questioned.
"Oh, Shannon, I'm so sorry, but I won't be able to go to your play because my flight leaves that morning. I wish I could." Dad looked at me with sad eyes.
"But what about my lines and how we practiced?"
Dad paused, trying to figure out a way to soften the blow. "Well, Mommy can practice with you too, after I leave. And Mommy and Tiffany and Grandma and Grandpa will still be there at the play, too."
I nodded, not really feeling comforted. "Okay," I agreed. But I certainly didn't feel okay about it.
As promised, that Monday, Dad left on his flight for Sweden. Despite Dad's protests that she shouldn't be driving in her condition, Mom drove him, Tiffany, and me to the airport. We stood with her at the gate. I was silent for most of the car ride, and I think Dad sensed how upset I was.
At the boarding call for his flight, Dad knelt beside me. "I'm sorry I have to go, Shannie. You know how much I want to be with you guys at Christmas. I'll miss you, sweetheart," Dad said, hugging me tightly. He kissed me on the top of my head. "I'll be thinking of you today. You go out there and you be the best darn Bernese mountain puppy you can be, alright, honey?"
"I love you, Daddy," I said, hugging him back as tightly as possible, and hoping it would make him stay. Please don't go, I silently added.
That afternoon was the Christmas pageant at SDS. I managed to push thoughts of Dad out of my mind as I changed into my puppy costume. The body of the costume was a fluffy beige outfit, complete with paws. For the rest, I wore a headband with floppy black ears and my nose was a black smudge of stage makeup, which itched horribly. I even wore a mask that was supposed to look like the rings around the dog's eyes. I loved that costume and prancing around in it was one of the best things in the world to me.
The play – my very first foray into the world of acting – went as smoothly as a kindergarten play can go, and yes, I even remembered my lines of "woof, woof, woof!" At the end, when the rest of my class and the kids in the play went out on the stage to receive our applause, I saw Mom and Grandma and Grandpa sitting in one of the first rows. Mom was holding a wildly-clapping Tiffany up in her lap. I was happy to see all of my family there, but I still felt a tug in my heart when I didn't see my Dad in the audience with them.
Sensing my lack of enthusiasm after the play, Mom let me call Dad in the evening after we got home from SDS and had dinner.
"Hi, Shannie," I heard Dad's voice come through the line. "How did the play go?"
"It was good, Daddy. I remembered my lines and everything. And Grandma and Grandpa came, too," I answered. "I miss you."
"I miss you too, sweetheart." Dad sighed. "But I'll be back in a few days, don't worry. You won't even notice I'm gone!" he joked, trying to lighten the mood.
My spirits suddenly lifted. "Soon? Before Christmas? Tomorrow?" I eagerly asked.
Dad chuckled again. "I wish I could, honey, but no, I can't come home tomorrow. I just got here, after all."
"Oh."
"But I'll be back on the 27th, I promise. And then you can show me all of the toys that Santa brought you and tell me all about the play. Won't that be fun?"
"Yeah," I said quietly, even though the thought of that didn't make me much happier.
"So how are your Mom and your sister doing?"
"They're fine," I answered. Speaking of my sister, she was panting at my elbow for the chance to talk to Dad. "Tiffany wants to talk to you."
"Okay, Shannie, put her on the phone. I love you sweetie, and I'll see you in a few days, okay?"
"Okay. Here's Tiffany," I said dully, handing the phone to a hyper Tiffany.
On Christmas Eve, we sat down to have dinner with my grandparents. I was keeping quiet like usual, and Tiffany was doing a good job of filling the silence, like usual.
"…and a hair color change Barbie, the Barbie corvette, the Little Artist's easel and paint set, the Magic Makeup vanity and makeup starter set, a new doll – "
Grandpa chuckled politely, cutting Tiffany's long list off. "And have you been a good girl so that Santa will bring you all of those toys?"
Tiffany nodded wildly. "Yup!"
"And what do you ask Santa for Christmas, sweetheart?" Grandma asked, turning to me, hoping to get me to join the conversation.
I stayed silent for a moment. "IwantDaddytocomehome," I finally whispered, as tears rolled down my cheeks.
"Daddy? Where?" Tiffany asked.
"What?" Grandpa asked, furrowing his brow.
"Oh, Shannon," Mom sighed. "You know Daddy didn't want to leave for Christmas, but he had to because of his job. And he'll be home soon."
"ImissDaddy," I cried into Mom's shoulder, feeling very much like a baby instead of the grown up five year old I was supposed to be.
"Shannon! Wake up, Shannon! It's Christmas!" Tiffany urged me the next morning at 7.
I opened my eyes and stretched. I smiled at my sister and even got a little excited myself. "Merry Christmas, Tiffany."
"Merry Christmas! Let's see what Santa brought!"
The two of us ran downstairs and tore into our presents. Mom came downstairs right away, and a bleary-eyed Grandma and Grandpa wandered out of the guest bedroom too.
Several tons of wrapping paper later, Tiffany and I each had a small mountain of gifts from Santa and our parents. The presents satisfied Tiffany's requests for Barbies aplenty, and Artist Easels and who knows what else. And, the biggest present of all was – believe it or not – a Barbie corvette, for the two of us to "share". Ha, right.
"I guess I'll go start breakfast," Mom said, getting up from the couch with her hand on her stomach.
"I'll help you too, dear!" Grandma volunteered, jumping up as well.
At that moment, I heard a car sounding like it was pulling up the driveway.
"Now, who could that be?" Grandpa wondered aloud.
I jumped up from the floor and ran to the front door to see who was coming, but just as I got there, it flew open on its own, and a snow covered figure holding a bundle stepped inside. The figure removed his hood.
"Daddy!" I cried.
Tiffany, in her footie pajamas, skidded to a stop next to me. "Daddy!"
"Merry Christmas, Shannie!" Dad greeted me, scooping me up into his arms for a big hug. "Merry Christmas, Tiffy!"
"But Ted, how…?" Mom trailed off, looking bewildered.
Dad smiled, looking proud of himself. "Well, those crazy partners of mine decided that nobody wants to be discussing cases on Christmas Eve, so they decided to go back home for the holidays. They'll be back here after the first of the year."
"But I thought…"
"Well, I have to admit that I had a little part in convincing 'em. I told them how much my beautiful girls were missing me at Christmas, and how much I was missing them." He laughed. "And what can I say – here I am!"
"Daddy, what's in the blanket?" Tiffany asked, reaching up to see the green plaid bundle Dad still held in his arms.
"Well, that's the other surprise." He knelt down beside us. "One of my partners in Europe asked if anyone could find a good home for one of these guys. And I said I had two little girls who would love to take care of one." He lifted up the edge of the blanket and I saw a little tiny puppy, sleeping soundly. To my amazement, the puppy looked just like I had in the play – it had the same black bands around its eyes, the same floppy brown ears, and a coat that was thick and soft as silk.
"It's a Bernese mountain dog! And it looks just like I did for the play!" I said excitedly.
"What's its name?" Tiffany asked, reaching up to pet its head.
"Astrid, and it's a she," Dad replied. "Rich named her after the town she was born in."
At Tiffany's touch, the puppy opened its eyes and almost yawned. It looked up at us, its golden brown eyes sparkling. It cautiously licked Tiffany's hand, and she giggled. "She likes me!" Tiffany exclaimed.
"She's so pretty, Daddy. I love her," I said. "Thank you." I threw my arms around my Dad again, happy to have him home again with me.
"She's for you, Shannon," Dad said proudly. "My Shannie, my little Bernese mountain puppy."
"…and that was how we got Astrid," I finished. I smiled at the memory, thinking about how happy I had been that Christmas morning to see my Dad and surprised to see the puppy in his arms.
"Aww, Shannon, that's so adorable!" Mary Anne cooed.
"Finally! A memory that didn't start the Spier waterworks!" Abby joked. Mary Anne pretended to be insulted and tossed a pillow at her.
"You were right that I would especially like the memory. After all, Astrid and her puppies brought the two of us together," Kristy said thoughtfully.
"And brought Shannon to the BSC," Mallory added.
"Speaking of joining the BSC, Mal was the next member to join, after Shannon," Claud said, remembering. "So it's only fair that she should go next."
"Hey!" Jessi protested. "What about me?"
"And Jessi too," Stacey said reassuringly. "But you guys can't tell your stories at the same time, so one of you has to go first."
"I'll go," Mal volunteered.
Sailing is a player in the babysit RPG.