IX – Merry Christmas!
It was early in a cold winter morning in London when the annoying "ring" of an alarm clock began to sound, gently first to then grow more demanding. A slender pale hand made its way through sheets and pillows tentatively until it pressed firmly the "off" button on such a noisy device. The owner of said hand did not move or made an attempt to get off the warm and comfortable bed. A small yawn and the sound of something moving against the silky sheets minutes later was all that could be heard. With a slight frown in the female's smooth forehead, glorious amethyst eyes were slowly opened to the world. She stretched herself vigorously still in bed and sat up, turning her face to the large windows of the balcony, watching the snow flakes dancing in the morning breeze as if in slow motion and such graceful movements made her smile. Tomoyo glanced at the clock in her bedside table and realized with relief that she had more than enough time; so she rubbed softly her still sleepy eyes, getting out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
Once there, she started to fill the bathtub with warm water while she washed her face and brushed her teeth energetically. Slender hands unfastened the small buttons of her Chinese-style nightgown and it fell to her feet. She stepped out the silky pool of fabric and then submerged her body in water, leaning her head backwards in a pillow like thing making the long dark tresses of wavy hair float in the crystalline liquid. A relaxed sigh made its way through her throat and out her cherry colored lips.
"December, 24… Christmas' Eve. I promised Nakuru to help her with the cooking today…" she thought while splashing some water over her face, rubbing it gently with some cleaning gel. "Scary thing… I wonder how this day will turn out… my first Christmas surrounded by, dare I say, strangers, for I've grown accustomed to celebrate with the family old maids since mother died." She took extra caution when washing off the gel. "I wonder how Sakura-chan is doing… pretty busy being the Li Clan Leader's wife I presume," her lips drawing a tender smile. "Am I ever going to have a family of my own?" her previously joyous smile turned sour. "Don't worry Tomoyo-chan! everything is going to be alright!" she remembered what a certain light-brown haired girl with sparkling emerald eyes used to say when things seemed as dark as a stormy night. "There's always a ray of light even in the darkest night" she reassured herself… and then began to sign, a long heard song which lyrics seemed to fit her feelings as a body-glove.
I loved that song on the old tape
Little scratches, a faded title…
A blurry dawn.
And so the day repeats itself,
Accompanied by a summer breeze,
In a corner of the familiar day-by-day routine,
I suddenly meet with loneliness.
I'll never forget,
How fast I could kick the wind on my bike,
Going however far I wanted.
Lalalala I'll sing looking up at the sky,
Lalalala it's my life I'll walk on,
Using my own strength to go forward,
Along this endless road.
A single tear came down her flushed cheek… and then another and another… she couldn't help it.
With so many crossroads,
I'm always lost,
But though sometimes
I wander and sometimes,
I fall off the path.
I'm living the present,
Clashing with others,
Accepting others…
Even when I grow up,
I'll never forget.
Liquid amethyst eyes lost in the ceiling… as if she wanted to see what was beyond it.
Lalalala I'll sing looking up at the sky.
Lalalala it's my life I'll walk on.
It's something that's mine alone,
So I guess I can have some confidence in myself.
She smiled in resignation…
In the town we were born in,
We dreamed.
Every time I'm crushed, I remember,
That just like that song,
There's something I can do right now:
Step forward, even if just a little.
And then regained her courage and faith…
Lalalala I'll sing looking up at the sky.
Lalalala it's my life I'll walk on,
Using my own strength
To go forward along
This endless road.
Splashing water in her face to clean off the tears, she woke up to the world again and promised that for her friend's sake she won't let herself to be depressed, not this day.
Half an hour later she came out the bathroom with a robe tied at her waist and a towel wrapped on her hair. She walked across the room and took seat at the Victorian desk, pressing one button to turn on the laptop. Using her silver-plated purplish Nokia cell phone as a wireless modem, via infrared connection she logged in into the net and checked her e-mails. To her surprise, she had lots of them, mostly from her employees and co-workers with their best wishes for the holidays. She answered them all politely, wishing a merry Christmas and a happy new year to bring good fortune to them and their families. Her eyes relaxed and her face enlightened when she found an especial remittent: When they were kids, during the card capturing days, Tomoyo had insisted that the cherry blossom should get an e-mail address and Tomoyo herself had created the account on the server she owned. Sakura still used that address, especially when communicating with her best friend.
"To: Tomoyo-chan
From: Sakura
Subject: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Ohayo Tomoyo-chan! wide smile How's everything going on there? How's Annette-chan? concerned look I hope that she's fine now, poor child. Please send my greetings to Eriol-kun and a tight bear-hug (you can give it to him yourself and tell him it's from me! ) innocent smile Also say 'Hi' from me to Spinel and Nakuru-san please! I'm writing this using Syao-kun's laptop in the jet 'cause I'm afraid I won't have any spare time once I land a foot in Yelan-kaasan's home btw, we're all doing fine; Syao-kun says 'Hi' and wants me to tell you he has a present for you and so do I! Nadeshiko-chan also says 'Hi' to her favorite aunty and blows kisses! When are you coming? MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! gives a tight bear-hug I wish you the BEST!!! wide smile Ja ne!"
The lavender girl read the lines three times and smiled happily. She took off the towel from her hair and combed the silky strands with her pale fingers to then begin to write.
"To: Sakura-chan
From: Tomoyo
Subject: Re: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
"Ohayo Sakura-chan! wide smile I'm doing fine, thanks! Chibi-Ann (as Nakuru sometimes calls her) is now healthy but has to follow some indications from her pediatrician for a month. I was so worried! But now everything's alright relieved look and how are you? What have you and that husband of yours been doing since I've been absent? smirk and how's my dear little niece? gives a tight hug and kisses of course I'll give your greetings to Spinel and Nakuru, but what's that 'hug Eriol-kun' thing about? Eh Sakura-chan? suspicious look you're becoming tricky over the years! gives an 'I see' smile maybe I'll just give him your greetings and good wishes… smirks btw, I'm at his house right now. Three days ago we decorated the whole manor and believe me, it was tiresome! looks exhausted I also have presents for all you guys! I hope to be there soon to see Nadeshiko-chan's face when she opens her present… so kawaii!!! all starry-eyed, dreamy state when are you returning home? So I can plan my trip over there! What about the first week of January? looks for schedule and opens the British Airway's web site to book a ticket I'll wait for your answer okay? closes the web site I got to go now, I promised Nakuru to help her with the cooking looks slightly scared this is for sure an interesting day! happy smile MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! hugs you all the best of luck and good fortune for you and your family!!! blows kisses Ja ne!"
She gave a last look at what she wrote before pressing the "send" button. An animated gif portraying a letter that folds, gets into the envelope, flies all over the screen an then a "Your e-mail has been sent successfully" message appears. The raven girl logs off, exits the program, shuts off the laptop and then stands up heading to the closet to get dressed.
Wearing low-cut, tight-fitting, blanched blue jeans with a long sleeved, turtle-neck red sweater that showed a bit of her mid-section, white socks and a pair of fluffy slippers; Tomoyo walked all the way through the hallway and the stairways, arranging her long hair in a high ponytail to make sure that no strand of hair gets in the way when cooking.
"Tomoyo-chan! You're up early today!" greeted the brown-reddish haired woman seeing her coming in.
"Morning!" smiling brightly. "Of course! If we want to get everything on time, we must begin early" she said, taking a toast and spreading it with low-fat butter. "What are we supposed to cook?" giving it a small bite once she finished her question.
"Hmmm, lot's of things…" her index finger against her chin in a thoughtful position. "Turkey, apple and potatoes salad, plum cake, almond cake, punch…" using her fingers to count.
"WOW… we better get started!" taking a cup of coffee and drinking it with quiet sips.
In a certain room, upstairs, a man tossed and turned in his bed trying to sleep a little longer. Giving up, he opened his deep azure eyes, blinking and narrowing them until his sea-blue depths were accustomed to the daylight. Stretching his numb body, he got up from bed and walked towards the bathroom to make himself decent.
"Good morning ladies!" he greeted humorously after a good forty minutes.
"Morning Eriol!" answered both girls at the same time, turning their attention to what they were doing to face him, and then resumed working.
The British sorcerer took off the jar of the coffee maker and served himself a cup of coffee, adding a spoon of sugar and cream milk. "What are you doing cooking so early?" he asked with an amused smile, watching how Tomoyo chopped the vegetables quickly. She had obviously mastered the technique.
"We are doing your Christmas' Eve dinner, you silly!" replied the brunette. "Tomoyo-chan's so nice, she offered to help!" hugging quickly the girl in excitement.
"Very well then, I'll leave you at peace so if something turns out bad don't blame me later" a smirk playing on his seductive lips. "Oh, and don't cut your fingers or break a fingernail!" his voice turned girlish.
The raven princess putted down her "chopper & slicer all" knife on the wooden work table to then place her hands on the hips. "Very funny Eriol-kun! Now please leave if you don't want to end up doing the whole dinner yourself and no magic is allowed" her eyes were serious and her voice sounded menacing.
"I'm sorry… I'm leaving" setting the empty cup on the kitchen table and placing his hands in front of his chest in a sign of defeat. Both girls eyed him with narrowed eyes and he left. Once in the foot of the staircase he heard laugh coming out from the kitchen and he smiled fondly. The man returned to his room to get some things and go out for he still needed to buy some presents. He wore black slacks, cotton, long-sleeved, black, v-neck sweater over a white t-shirt with the white collar viewable a pair of black moccasin. Just when he was fetching the Italian black leather wallet a knock was heard on his door.
"You may come in!" he said, knowing who it was by the aura surrounding the person. A clear-blue innocent aura.
"Are you going out dad?" closing the door behind her carefully with her small hands.
"Yes… is there something you want?" he asked, motioning her to sit by his side.
"Well, actually I want to go with you…" she made a pause, fidgeting with the red and green tartan fabric of her skirt. "There's something I want to buy…" locking her gray-blue eyes with her father's deep azure gaze and he nodded, understanding.
"How lucky I'm today! Now you'll help me picking up a certain present for a certain someone" a light smirk was displayed on his lips while his hand stroked tenderly his daughter's perfectly combed hair.
"We're going out ladies!" Eriol announced entering the kitchen where the aforementioned seemed to be deep in work, talking to each other from time to time, asking for advices and things of that sort.
"Morning Tomoyo, Nakuru!" greeted Annette, nicely dressed in a red and green jumper, which had a rich skirt, a white blouse with lace at the collar and cuffs, white panty-hose and shiny-black shoes.
"Good morning Annette-chan!" said Tomoyo turning her attention from the boiling water to the little girl. "You look lovely today!" She said, smiling at her lovingly.
"Yeah! Chibi-Ann is so kawaii!" squealed the brunette woman with a spoon in her right hand. "Are you going to have breakfast?" drying her hands with the red apron that had a reindeer in the middle.
"No, thanks Nakuru… dad will take me out for breakfast today!" smiling brightly and looking at her father, with rosy cheeks in excitement.
"That's right" spoke Eriol taking a chocolate-chip cookie from a plate "Will be back at noon, so the house is all yours!" eating the sweet food calmly, enjoining each single bite. "And please Nakuru, let Spinel be… or else I won't let you open your presents" he menaced.
"No, please Eriol… don't be so cruel!" the Moon Guardian cried with a scared expression in her ruby eyes.
"It's up to you whether I'll be cruel or not" he said with a smirk. "Let's go sweetheart!" he called and exited the kitchen leaving poor Nakuru almost sobbing.
"See you later!" the girl kissed them good-bye and followed her father.
"Take care!" Eriol heard once in the front door, putting on a black scarf around his neck, black-leather gloves and also black overcoat. "Let me…" he said to his little girl, helping her with her forest-green, velvet overcoat and red scarf while she putted on her black-leather gloves by herself. "Now I let you do the honors, pick a key-ring" a smile playing on his lips. His eyes saw how her small hands wandered through the many keys and stopped to hold one in a particular with the BMW symbol on it. "I thought you were going to choose the Z4 darling, that's your favorite" he said amused, taking the car keys Annette was handing to him.
"It certainly is my favorite, but, it's snowing pretty hard… what's the fun of taking the convertible when you can't use its full features?" her eyes watching how the snowflakes were dancing from the heavens to then lay on the ground. "That's why I picked up the 7Series… the sedan" looking again at Eriol with a "you see" smile.
The handsome young man listened carefully her explanation and found himself amazed and proud of such an elaborated and clever answer, she got a point and knew exactly how to point it out. "Very well then, let's go if we want to have breakfast instead of dinner" he gave her a smile "Besides, I guess the mall is very much crowed today and they might take away all the perfect presents" opening the door that leads to the garage, he let Annette to step outside, pressed the alarm button in the remote and then closed the door behind him. Both of them got into the car and drove away minutes after.
Several hours had passed since the chest-nut and the black-purplish haired woman began they work when they finally were done. Sighing in relief, they placed everything on the large dinning-table in the formal dinning-room and the magical guardian cast a spell to prevent the food from cooling down. They hardly saw Spinel during those hours of intensive work and the other family members hadn't returned from their little trip to the mall.
"Thank god we're done! This is the first time I cook such a big quantity and variety of food" exclaimed Tomoyo letting herself to fall in a chair. "I thought we were not going to end" and she stretched her tired arms over the head.
"You're right… one can classify this as a marathon! A very tiring marathon if you ask me," following her co-worker's actions. "But the smiles of Eriol, Spinel and my dear chibi-Ann are worth it!" her ruby eyes were shinning in happiness.
"I totally agree… it's like when I used to wake up early on Mother's Day as a child to make mom her breakfast and bring it to her so she could eat in bed" suddenly her expression became sad with memories "She always smiled at me, kissed my cheeks and stroke gently my hair with an 'thank you so much Tomoyo-chan! You shouldn't have bothered… what do you want to do today? I promise I'll be home early in the afternoon'" her amethyst eyes were all misty.
"I'm so sorry Tomoyo, it must have been very hard to you… even now" said Nakuru comforting the girl in front of her.
"It's okay…" breathing deeply to soothe herself. "I better take a shower… I smell like vegetables, meat, sausages, wine and fruits all put together" she managed herself to giggle and stood up.
"Yeah… I'll do the same" she said smelling her hands. "I think that if we go out like this all the street dogs out there will come and eat us, alive!" Nakuru made a scared face at which the dark haired lady laughed, and both girls headed upstairs.
"Hello?!… We're home!" said Annette loudly to the apparently empty house.
Spinel heard the voice of his young mistress and, since Nakuru and the lady were fixing themselves, he decided to greet them. "Good night young mistress, Eriol-sama" he said respectfully.
"Owww Spinel! I missed your tiny figure so much today! This is the first time I see you, I guess…" said Annette cradling the creature in her arms affectionately.
"Where's everyone Spinel?" asked the master of the Hiiragizawa manor taking off his gloves, scarf and overcoat; slightly surprised by the unusual quietness of the house.
"They finished their work in the kitchen and decided to take a bath… at least that's what I heard" he answered, his tiny head popping up from Annette's arms. "I must say they did a wonderful job… the food smells delicious" he commented watching Eriol's approving smile.
"Hello Eriol!!!" greeted Nakuru with a lot of enthusiasm, hugging the poor man tightly, catching him out of guard. Truth was that both, Spinel and Annette had seen her, but Eriol, who was thinking about god knows what, wasn't even aware of her running footsteps on the carpeted hallway. "What took you so long?" asked the brunette loosing her deadly grip, but not letting him go. Annette set Spinel free and motioned the shopping bags to her. "Oh! You were picking up presents! How nice!" squealed the woman with a delightful look over her face.
"Where's Tomoyo?" was Annette's chance to ask the over-excited guardian.
"She's in her room… I checked on her before I heard your voices and she said she'll be down in a minute" the ruby eyed woman answered, letting Eriol go finally. "I missed you so much chibi-Ann!" and in instants, the child was swept away from the floor, locked in the woman's embrace that barely allowed her to breathe.
"Nakuru… I… can't… breathe…" were the whispered words of the little girl.
"Ooops!" the woman dressed in a tight-fitting, deep red dress with a prominent neck-line, placed her quickly in the wooden floor again.
"Geeez" the girl sighed in relief. "I guess I'm going to put these under the tree then…" she said and walked towards her declared destination.
Tomoyo, in her room, heard someone knocking on the door when she was exiting the bathroom only covered with a white dressing gown. She focused her senses and noticed a clear aura at the other side of the wooden object used to keep privacy. "You may come in… Annette-chan" she said, sitting on the edge of the bed, combing her hair carefully.
The little girl outside was surprised, but came in nonetheless, closing the door noiselessly behind her. Annette had a bag in one of her small hands, when she saw the figure of Tomoyo seated so casually on the bed, a bright smile appeared on her cherry-pink lips and almost dropped the bag, running to her and embracing her. "I'm so happy you're with us today!" she buried her head in the lady's chest, feeling warm arms enveloping her in a motherly hug.
"So I am!" said the elder girl moved by the child's spontaneity. "You thought I was going to leave you?" she said adding a soft questioning tone at the end of her sentence, feeling Annette's head nod against the fabric of her gown. "Of course not darling! I told you I will never leave you and I mean it" caressing gently the girl's slightly curled hair, to calm down her sobs. They continued like that for a while, Tomoyo rocking her gently, until Annette stopped sobbing and faced the black-purplish haired woman. She cleaned the girl's tears and motioned for her to sit beside her on the spacious and luxurious bed.
"I'm sorry I broke down like that Tomoyo" said the girl, placing the bag on her lap. "I came here to give you this" handing her a nicely wrapped box.
"Wow, thank you so much! You shouldn't have bothered" all the years of training about well-manners, etiquette, politeness and things of that sort had a very deep effect on her.
"I would like you to use it tonight…" said Annette, with pleading eyes. "I picked it up for you myself… Nakuru told me days ago that when she called to inform you about my condition, you almost jumped in the first plane you saw… so I guessed that you had no time enough to put something to wear in such an occasion… so I decided to…" her small hands were playing nervously with the fabric of her skirt.
"But, aren't we supposed to open our gifts on Christmas?" asked Tomoyo looking at the box with interest.
"Those are the rules but… what are rules for? To break them all!" thinking what Nakuru once told her. "Besides I guess we can make an exception… right?" her eyes shining with eagerness.
"I guess so… oh kami-sama, I'm going to be a bad girl tonight, please forgive me!" and to the girl's surprise, she opened her gift. "Sugoi ne Annette-chan! This is wonderful" she eyed the label and it was her size. "But, how do you know my size?" she asked amazed, only to get a smirk in response.
"Are you going to try it on?" wondered the girl transforming her smirk into a happy smile.
"There's no doubt about it… just wait a sec!" and Tomoyo rushed to the bathroom in a childish demeanor.
Five minutes later she came out and the girl could do nothing but gasp at the sight of the raven lady. "Dad will faint when he sees her!" a mischievous smile on her lips.
"So, how do I look?" asked Tomoyo watching her reflection in the large mirror, twirling around to see the dress in every angle.
"Want the truth?" Tomoyo nodded. "You look awesome! Absolutely perfect!" jumping down from bed, approaching her with her hands clasped in delight.
"Thanks! Are you going to wait for me so we can meet your father together?" kneeling down in front of the girl, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"No, I must be going now… Nakuru wanted me to help her with something" she half lied. "By the way, how did you find out it was me without even asking?" the past curiosity came back to her mind.
"I just knew…" was Tomoyo's answer, a knowing smile on her lips.
The girl just stared at her, narrowing her eyes a little bit. She knew there was something more but Tomoyo did not give her a chance to find out. "Sometimes she's very much like my dad… they have that same gaze…and smile…" the girl smiled inwardly."I better go now."
"No problem, I'll be there shortly" said Tomoyo, standing up. With an "okay" she saw the petite figure disappear behind the door.
"Did you give her your 'present'?" asked Nakuru in the kitchen, looking everywhere to assure themselves they were not being spied on.
"Yes! Dad will just drop dead," soft giggles were heard from the girl's mouth.
"Great! Now let's get started with part two!" announced the chest-nut haired woman and both prankster girls exited the place.
"Good night Eriol-kun!" greeted cheerfully a pretty lady at the foot of the staircase. She made her way across the hallway with graceful but firm footsteps and stopped like a meter away from the midnight-blue haired man. The winged guardian flew to her bare shoulder and the girl giggled at the ticklish feeling of his fur against her bare skin. Eriol had changed his clothes also, and was wearing a not too-formal but none too-casual outfit neither that consisted of dressy pants, a silk shirt and jacket all in black. The way his blue-black bangs covered his deep cerulean eyes with no glasses whenever he moved his head downwards or aside made him look extremely handsome and that didn't go unnoticed by the amethyst eyed woman.
"…" he was left without words at the heavenly sight in front of his very mortal eyes. "Hello Tomoyo-san…" he managed to say after slapping his brain mentally. "You look wonderful tonight" his senses couldn't tell whether he was dead; already in heaven with angels and all, or not.
Tomoyo's curves were outlined by deep blue-purple velvet. It was a strapless, tight fitting, perfectly designed dress that reached the floor and left exposed the shoulders, neck and back. It was not an opulent garment, but had the beauty of simplicity and the clinging attribute to the woman's curves like if it was a made-to-measure dress. She had on the jewelry set Eriol had given her as a birthday gift some months ago. A thin layer of ivory fond-de-tent covered her flawless skin, blue-purplish eye-shadow and a touch of mascara on the contours of her glorious amethyst eyes and lip-gloss on her pink lips was all she had applied on herself.
Nakuru and Annette glanced at each other with laughing eyes at the dumfounded state in which poor Eriol had been thrown into and the blush in the woman's cheeks. "Wow, what a nice dress! It looks beautiful on you Tomoyo-chan!" exclaimed the female guardian in awe.
"Thank you Nakuru! Annette here picked it up for me, isn't it lovely?" exclaimed the lady in a merry voice and twirled for them to see.
"Sure it is!" replied the brown-reddish haired woman coming closer to touch the smooth fabric. "I must get one for myself!"
"I was pretty worried about you two, you know" putting aside the dress issue. "I thought you were stuck in the snow or something…" her eyes and voice showing concern while she stepped coming closer to Eriol.
The sorcerer somehow managed to get a hold on himself and awakened from his "dreamy" mode. "I guess it took more time than expected to do our shopping… right darling?" smiling to his daughter.
"That's right!… the mall was pretty crowed today which is common since people always leaves everything for the last minute," explained the girl matter-of-factly. "Can I have some punch?" turning to her father.
"Of course darling! Let me get it for you!" said Eriol gladly.
"What about you Spinel?" asked Tomoyo to the tiny, cat-like creature on her shoulder and he gave her an unsure look. "Don't worry, I made it! Right Nakuru?".
"Uh-huh… why don't we all drink some, like an appetizer you know, it's almost eleven" pointed out the woman dressed in red, standing from the couch.
"That's a lovely idea… let's go minna!" Tomoyo agreed and walked to the dinning room with the rest of the family.
They drank their beverage and proceeded to eat the fancy and delicious dinner nicely served on the large table which had an intricate pattern carefully carved on the twin leg set made of pure marble that supported the glass surface, which also had delicate patterns at its edges. The five of them enjoyed the fluid conversation and jokes until it was a quarter to twelve, midnight.
"Okay everybody, fifteen minutes to Christmas!" said merrily the brunette, standing from her chair in the table. "Let's go to the drawing room and sing Christmas' carols until midnight and then… open our presents!" she winked an eye to Annette in the process that the other's not seemed to notice.
They followed the hyper guardian and were soon seated comfortably on the couches, watching the marvelously decorated tree with red ribbons and a golden net-like fabric drawing intricate patterns within its foliage. It also had golden and snow-covered leaves inside its own, some berry-sticks at the very top and red thin-sticks very much alike some kind of ants forming a crown as a whole. Variety of red ornaments and iridescent snow-crystals, little shooting-stars, ice-stalactites and things of that sort were tastefully hanging from the branches of the tree. Like five net-light sets lightened the whole fake pine performing different lightening styles.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" cried out Nakuru, hugging and kissing everyone in the room, even poor Spinel who couldn't escape fast enough.
Tomoyo smiled fondly at the guardian's spontaneity… "like Sakura-chan" and hugged her back. "Merry Christmas Eriol-kun!" she said and embraced him tightly for a couple of seconds, feeling something warm in her chest and her heart increased its beating rhythm. The man enveloped her in his protective arms and smelled the essence of her hair. "That was from Sakura-chan, she asked me to hug you and wish you a Merry Christmas in her name," she said as if to excuse herself.
"Merry Christmas Tomoyo-san!" he wished when they pulled apart, unwillingly to let go.
"Sugoi, look right there above your heads!" squealed Nakuru in excitement pointing at an evergreen plant with white berries hanging from a chandelier. "You guys have to kiss now!" she announced, smiling openly in delight.
The black-purplish haired woman blushed madly and turned to face the female guardian. "I… I beg your pardon?" she asked, nervousness suddenly taking over her body. Eriol managed an smirk after he had gotten through his shock.
"It's an ancient tradition… the couples underneath a mistletoe must kiss!" explained Annette with a far too-innocent expression while laughing inwardly.
Tomoyo looked at Spinel for support only to hear, "It's a well-known tradition… and traditions are not meant to be broken… nobody has done it before, we can't be the first ones to do it…" So she faced Eriol, embarrassment displayed all over her face, making her look even cuter and enticing in Eriol's, now dark-blue, eyes.
"What are we waiting for?" he heard himself ask, enjoying way too much Tomoyo's uneasiness for he knew it meant he wasn't completely unnoticed by her.
The poor victim looked around just to meet eagerly faces. She gave up. "Very well then, let's get through this…" she finished her sentence and within seconds her lips were covered by Eriol's warm and caressing ones. Her knees weakened and the surprise of it made her lips part slightly in a delicate gasp and Eriol found the perfect opportunity to explore the depths of her mouth. Tomoyo lost her will and kissed him back, as passionately as he, melting in his loving and protective arms.
Neither Annette nor Nakuru, not even Spinel could believe what their own, perplexed eyes, were seeing. At first, the Hiiragizawa girls planned the whole "mistletoe" thing as a practical joke for Eriol and Tomoyo, and to put them closer as a second meaning; but the results were way too much better than they had expected. Nakuru had on a maniac smile while Annette was radiating excitement at the thought of a "legal" mom. Spinel allowed himself to show a content smile at the happiness of his master and surely, his future mistress. Those two really liked each other.
Everything was a blur, she heard somebody squealing, talking, crying out but couldn't picture out the exact words. She felt like in heaven, and so did Eriol who forgot everything about what was going on around them. They softly ended the kiss, tenderly and very unwilling to let go; but as nature would have, they couldn't defy the laws of Physics any longer. Azure and amethyst locked together with their souls exposed for each other to see. Suddenly something sank in the wavy-haired lady making her snap out of heaven and land foot on earth. Her cheeks were again flushed by the piercing gaze Eriol was giving her. "Tomoyo, get a hold on yourself! You must be out of your mind!" her mind screamed at her. "But it felt so right…" a part of her mind retorted back. "Oh please, shut up! How am I supposed to get out of this?!" her psyche was a wreck.
Expectation showed on the faces of the guardians and the little girl, looking from one to the other, not wanting to miss a detail.
"I'm so sorry…" she spoke finally, her index and medium fingers against her faintly moist lips. "I just let myself to be carried on… I guess" her lovely voice was a dulcet whisper to the man's ears.
"I must be the one apologizing… I took advantage of you… shame on me!" he said with so much concern and truth… he really meant it and looked so scared of her suddenly running away or taking it wrong… any sign of her being offended in any way. He prepared himself to be slapped at, thinking that he deserved it… he had taken advantage of her after all.
The amethyst eyes softened and the cherry-pink lips sketched a sweet smile. He looked like a kid waiting for his punishment, so scared yet so vulnerable. It totally disarmed her and her previous confused thoughts vanished. "It's alright Eriol-kun…" her hand caressing softly his right cheek.
Eiol's downcast eyes immediately looked at her, with a spark hard to describe. He took gently her hand and then embraced her tightly. "Thank you so much Tomoyo!"
She was taken aback by his sudden actions but giggled nonetheless, she felt really happy right then wrapped in his arms and surrounded by the ones she loved. For the past months each member of the Hiiragizawa family had owned an important place in her kind heart without even telling her. When she realized it, they were already part of her.
"Let's open our presents!" cried out Nakuru, having seat in the carpeted floor besides the tree, looking for the bags or boxes with her name attached to them. Everybody followed suit and shared their gifts, hugging, kissing, giggling, laughing and wishing… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!