God's in 7th Heaven, All's Right with the World
By Cypher
Chapter Twenty-Two: Kimi ne Merry Christmas
"What do you mean you can't make it?"
"I'm sorry, but you know Japanese schools run on a different time schedule. By the time I got over, I'd only have about a day to spend with you before I had to fly back. Besides, as an incoming graduate, I need to be early for orientation."
Terry leaned back on the couch, draping an arm over his forehead. "Aniki, please? We've always spent Christmas together. Even your two years in Japan you flew out."
"The younger school systems get a little more time off. I'm sorry, I really can't."
"Fine. I'll ship your present tomorrow. And say hi to Amber for me."
"Hai hai. Happy holidays, little bro."
"Kimi ni Merry Christmas." Terry turned off his phone and tossed it onto the table. "Damn it. I was so looking forward to having him visit." Closing his eyes, Terry leaned his head back. "Now what'll I do for Christmas?"
~*()*~
"Matt! Sarah!" Simon waved his arm. "Over here."
"Hey there." Matt hugged his little brother. "You been waiting long? Where's everyone else?"
Sarah looked around as well. "Yeah, I mean, where are my parents?"
Simon raised an eyebrow. "What? I'm not good enough for you?"
"No, you're not." Matt rubbed Simon's head. "Seriously, where's everyone?"
"They're dealing with holiday stuff or watching the younger kids. Mom thought I'd like to pick up my favorite older brother." Simon shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "Of course, if you'd rather I leave and get dad-"
Matt pulled Simon over and hugged him again. "Fine, fine. You made your point." He smirked and noogied Simon.
"Hey!" Simon pulled away and fixed his hair. "After I cleaned my room for you two, too."
Sarah and Matt exchanged glances.
"You mean that tiny bed for the two of us?"
Sarah rubbed her head. "Maybe we should book a hotel."
"At this time? They'll all be booked, even in Glen Oak." Matt shook his head.
Simon crossed his arms. "So are we going to get your bags or what?"
"Alright. Let's go." Sarah took off.
Simon grabbed Matt's arm and pulled him back a bit. He spoke in a whisper. "Hey Matt?"
"Yeah?" Matt lowered his voice as well.
"Does she know about...you know?"
Matt sighed and put an arm around his brother's shoulders and followed his wife, Simon at his side. "It's the holidays, Simon. Does it really matter who knows what?"
"You haven't told her?" Simon stepped away and stared at his brother. "Why not?"
Matt stumbled in his walking and pulled his arm away. "Yeah, well," he coughed, "you see, it just never came up." Matt shrugged sheepishly. "Besides, I want to explain it to her, like Terry did."
Simon grumbled and scowled. "Some brother."
"Hey now, give me a break. Tell you what, why don't you we both tell her with Terry while we're here. Maybe he can smooth things out."
"That'd be great except Terry said he'd be with his brother all season." Simon nodded to Sarah. "We'd better catch up." He looked towards the wall a moment. "We'll talk later, alright?"
"Alright. Oh, out of curiosity, where's Robbie?"
"He came back for the holiday and currently helping mom by making a fancy 'welcome home' dinner for you. Sarah's parents are coming to the dinner too."
"Oh boy."
~*()*~
Lucy looked up from the game of Candyland she was playing with the twins as the doorbell rang. "Could somebody get that?"
Robbie had his elbows buried in some sort of cookie dough. "Would you mind..."
Lucy glanced at the twins before going to the front door and opening it. "Terry, what're you doing here?"
Terry offered a strained grin at Lucy and nodded. "I come bearing gifts." Nudging the door open a bit more with his foot, he picked up a cooler from beside the door and carried it in.
Lucy frowned and followed Terry into the kitchen. "You didn't have to bake for us."
Robbie, still working on the dough, just watched as Terry set the cooler down and began unloading its contents onto the table. "What's with the food?"
"I figured with the extra holiday cooking, you could use a few extra groceries. Besides, the food shelter wouldn't take these as donations. I guess I already stuffed their fridge."
Lucy helped unpack the cooler. "So why're you giving us all this food? I thought you wanted leftovers for your brother to take home."
Terry sat in a kitchen chair as he finished and looked at the ceiling. "Well, as wonderful as that would be, unfortunately, he can't come. So I had to unload all the food I bought or else it would go bad."
"I'm sorry." Lucy sat next to Terry and patted his arm. "You going to be okay? What're you going to do?"
Terry shrugged. "I made reservations at a nice restaurant. I'll have dinner out and go home." He leaned his head from side to side, stretching his neck.
"You'll do nothing of the sort."
Terry paused and eyed Lucy. "Excuse me?"
Lucy nodded. "Alone over the Christmas holiday? You're practically family. You can eat here."
"Luce-"
"And we won't take no for an answer. We can make room for one more person, and Simon would love to have his boyfriend here."
Terry glanced at Robbie for a moment before letting out a breath through his nose. "Alright. If you insist."
Lucy nodded.
Robbie pulled his hands out of the dough and started washing them. "Alright, I'm ready for the twins to come and help."
"Twins...twins!" Lucy shot out of her chair and hurried for the living room.
Terry shook his head. "I'd best get going. I still have winter homework." He headed for the door. "Luce, when's dinner?"
"Oh, be here around five."
"Thanks. Ja ne." Terry left the house.
~*()*~
"You're coming over for dinner tonight?"
"Yeah. Is it casual or formal? I don't want to show up in jeans when everyone else is dressed nicely."
Simon looked at his door. "You do know the Glass' don't know about us, right?"
"I thought Matt said he'd tell Sarah, who'd tell her parents."
"Matt said. What he did, though..."
"Oh no." Terry rubbed his forehead. "Well, we'll just have to be discreet, that's all. And since when do Jews celebrate Christmas?"
Simon switched the phone over to his right ear, leaning back on his bed. "It's just tonight. They're not taking part in the Christmas services or anything. And Sarah's coming-"
"Because of Matt." Terry pulled out a shirt from his closet and examined it. "By the by, where are Matt and Sarah staying? Sarah's house? It's certainly big enough."
"Actually, at our house because of the Christmas stuff. But Matt's worried the bed won't be big enough for both of them, so they're looking for a room at a hotel." Simon looked at his watch. "They should be back soon, actually."
"Why not have them stay here?"
Simon blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Heaven knows I've got the room. And if they're truly worried my brother's bed won't be big enough, I have two rooms."
It was Simon's turn to rub his forehead. "Terry, didn't you hear me? Sarah doesn't know-"
"We're gay, yeah, I heard you. But until you told your family, they didn't suspect a thing. Besides, I live close enough that staying late won't be an inconvenience, and it is awfully lonely all alone."
Simon sighed. "Terry, are you sure?"
"Just offer it to them. It's free room and board, what every college student dreams of."
"Alright, alright. But don't push them into it if they say no, alright?"
"I won't." Terry went silent a moment. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"Is it formal or casual?"
Simon hung his head. "Oh yeah. Uh, I don't know. I guess anything you come in will be fine. The real formal dinner is Christmas Eve."
"Alright. So how do the presents go at your house?"
"Well, we each choose someone out of a hat, and just give a gift to that one person. Oh, and because of the church, we open them Christmas Eve."
"So I should bring my gifts Christmas Eve?" Terry looked through his closet, pulling out another shirt.
"You didn't buy something for everyone, did you?"
Terry paused. "Yes, why?"
"Well, we're not too much on giving a gift to each person. I mean, in a family as large as ours..."
"I get it Simon. Don't worry, it's not as bad as you think." Terry looked between the two shirts. "But I think you'll want Sarah out of the room for your gift. Either that, or we tell her before then."
"Gotcha." Simon tilted his head as he heard voices coming up the stairs. Matt and Sarah are back. "I gotta go."
"See you at five." Terry hung up. "Ara ara, the Camdens certainly have made my life interesting.
Simon hung up as well as Matt entered the room. "Any luck?"
"Not a single place has a room." Matt eyed Simon's bed. "Now I see why mom and dad resented staying in my room whenever the Colonel and Ruth visited."
Simon tapped the phone against his chin. "What if I told you I knew of a place you could stay that, even if the bed's too small, there's two of them?"
Matt crossed his arms. "I'd ask what you drank to induce such an illusion. We've checked everywhere. There's not a place available."
Simon crossed his arms as well. "What I drank?" Ever since his little incident earlier in the year, he had been a bit touchy with alcohol jokes.
"Sorry. So where's this miracle place?"
"Terry's house."
Matt blinked, then blinked again. "Is this a joke?"
Simon shook his head. "I was just talking to him. He said if you want to stay in Jordon's room, or both Jordon's and the guest room, that's fine. He's got the space, and it's free."
"Are you nuts Simon? Sarah doesn't know that he's-"
"That he's what?" Sarah leaned against the doorway and looked at her husband. "I don't know that he's...?"
"A...um...a model. He's a male model."
Sarah smiled and raised an eyebrow. "Matt, just because he's a model doesn't mean I'll be attracted to him. I am married to you, after all."
"Still, he's very attractive. I just don't think it's a good idea for us to stay at his house." Matt glanced at Simon. That and Terry might let out his true feelings about Simon.
"Where does he live, Simon?" She looked at the blond Camden.
Simon looked at Matt a moment. "Well, he lives about five minutes away from here. I think his brother's car is still here too, so you could borrow it, I'm sure."
Matt shook his head at Simon.
Simon faced Sarah. Sorry bro, but maybe if you're at Terry's house it'll be easier for all of us to tell her. "He's got a really nice house. I'm sure you'd be comfortable."
"Why don't we check it out, Matt? It's better than staying at my parents' house."
Matt winced. Damn. She's right about that. He sighed. "Fine." He pointed at Simon. "You're coming too, though."
Simon pulled back. "Me? Why?"
"To make introductions, of course." Matt stood in the doorway as Sarah headed for the stairs.
Simon grabbed a jacket and got up. "Fine." I'll get to talk to Terry, at least. Maybe we can make a plan on how to tell her.
~*()*~
"Hora mune ni Ding Dong, hibiku yo shiawase no kane ga, anata ni mo kikoeru deshou, Yorokobi no Carol." Terry finished washing his dishes in time to hear the doorbell. "Coming!" Setting a towel down, he continued to hum the tune he had been singing to himself. Man I miss aniki. He always sang with me. The only time he ever did other than when he was drunk. He opened the door and smiled. "Happy holidays." He stepped aside. "Come on in. I've been expecting you."
Simon stepped in. "Hey, sorry for just showing up without calling."
Terry waved his hand. "No prob." He hugged Matt. "Good to see you again."
Matt tensed, unsure of how to react. Before he could, though, Terry released him and went about shaking Sarah's hand.
"Pleasure to meet you again. As you're Matt's wife, you can call me Terry."
"It's good to meet you, Terry." She gave Matt and curious look. "What's wrong with staying here? He seems perfectly nice. And he's not as handsome as you."
Good way to defend your position to stay. Terry sat on his couch, motioning that the other three should do the same. "So, if you two want, you're welcome to stay in my brother's room or in the guest room, or both if you feel the bed's too small in either case."
"Cut right to the chase, don't you?" Matt sat and put an arm around Sarah's shoulders.
Terry shrugged. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up during and after dinner. We only have an hour until the meal, so I figure we should get things finished now."
"Where are the rooms?" Sarah looked around.
Simon stood up. "I'll show you." He left with Sarah in tow.
Matt shifted forward to and looked at the hall door, then to Terry. "She doesn't-"
"Simon told me. I can keep a secret." The smile on Terry's face vanished. "But it hurt him you didn't tell. I could sense it in his voice."
"You could sense it in his voice?" Matt crossed his arms.
Terry nodded. "I'm very good about reading the ones I love. It's the same with aniki. I can tell how he feels just by how he breathes. " Terry leaned forward as well and looked Matt in the eye. "If you don't tell her, I will. But you and I both know Simon would rather you tell her."
"Why? As long as she finds out-"
"And you call yourself an older brother." Terry rested his arms on his knees. "By not telling her yourself, he thinks you're ashamed of him and of who he is."
"That's ridiculous."
Terry leaned back. "Imagine yourself in Simon's shoes for a moment, and reevaluate that opinion."
"So that's them. What do you think?" Simon came back into the living room.
Terry pasted a smile on his face and looked at the hallway door. "Is it satisfactory?"
"It looks fine. Why don't we stay here, Matt? It's close enough to both houses that we can go to either quickly."
Matt stared at Terry, deciding something in his mind. Finally, he looked over at his wife. "Yeah, that'll be fine. I'll go get our bags." He stood and headed for the door, glancing at Simon's face as he turned.
Sarah walked over to Terry, frowning. "Is something going on between you and Matt?"
"Just some verbal sparing. He really shouldn't with me. My brother's been training me for years." He looked at Simon, who sat on the other couch. "So, give me your opinion." He waved over his body. "Too casual?"
Simon blinked and took in Terry's clothes. He was wearing black jeans and a black shirt, though the shirt had a bold blue stripe going around his upper torso and arms. Simon swallowed. He really can make anything look good. "Y-yeah, that looks fine."
"Great. I modeled it for a while, among other clothes, to see which got the strongest public reaction. Guess this one's still got it."
Only on you. Simon shook his head and stood. "I'll...go help Matt." He hurried out the door.
Sarah looked at Terry, then where Simon sat. Hmm...
~*()*~
"You look great."
"You said that at my house already." Terry crossed his arms. "This is just a casual dinner, though. Nothing fancy, right? I mean, we don't have to deal with any Jewish customs, do we? I haven't studied those so I wouldn't know how to act."
Simon blinked. He leaned back on his bed, thinking. That hour passed in no time. I was hoping for at least a quick kiss or something before we really had to act like we're just friends. "Well, we never actually studied Jewish customs in detail. We just went along with whatever Sarah and her family told us to do."
"You didn't?" Terry pulled out the chair from Simon's desk and sat on it. "My sensei wouldn't have let me meet with a family with customs until I read about them and memorized every custom to make sure I didn't make a cultural taboo."
"He sounds like a harsh teacher." Simon shook his head. "I don't know if I could've handled an at-home teacher."
"It wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds. He was actually more like a father than my own dad." Terry stared off to the side. "We even spent the holidays together. He was like family..."
"Kaji-sensei! Kaji-sensei!" A young Terry Dax ran to a man hidden in shadows. "Kaji-senei, what are you doing out here? We're about to have Christmas dinner?"
"I was just thinking, Dax-san." The shadowed man looked into a fireplace. Next to it, a window showed that it was snowing outside. "I was just thinking of my wife."
"Your wife, sensei? Is she coming for Christmas?" The young boy looked out the window, watching the snow fall.
"Iie. She passed away before I came to tutor you. But I was thinking how she loved snowing days, especially around Christmas."
Terry looked at the man. "Sensei...are you lonely?"
The shadow smiled. "Not any more, no. Thanks to you and your family, I have new people to be happy with." He stood. "Now then, what was that about dinner?"
"Oh, we're about to have it." Terry walked away from the window and headed for the doorway. Resting a hand on the wall, he glanced back. "Sensei? I'm sure she's watching you. Aniki says that after people die, on special occasions, like Halloween or Christmas or Easter, they return to Earth to watch over the ones they love. So even if you can't see her, she's here to keep you company."
The man walked over and patted Terry's shoulder. "Your brother is wise, for one raised the American way." He looked down at Terry. "Remember, Dax-san."
"Hmm?"
"Remember that what your aniki said might be true, but one should not be lonely on Christmas. A person needs those they love around them, in spirit and in body."
Terry tilted his head. "Hai, sensei."
"Terry?"
Terry blinked and smiled at Simon. "Gomen, I was thinking about my sensei." He rested his chin on the back of his hands. "He was right, you know."
"Right about what?"
"That a person needs those they love around them, in spirit and in body, at Christmas." Terry closed his eyes. "Thank you, Simon, for having me over for Christmas. It means a lot, even more than Thanksgiving."
Simon scratched his nose and nodded. "It's no problem. You should thank Lucy, though. She invited you."
"But it's because of you she did. And you're the one who's special to me. So thank you."
Simon blushed slightly. "You're welcome."
Unnoticed by both teens, a person standing by the door pushed themselves off the wall and headed for the stairs. So that's it.
~*()*~
"So now you want me to LIE for him?"
"Look, Sarah and the Glass' don't know, and you don't really want to spoil everyone's Christmas, do you?" Lucy leaned an arm against the kitchen counter.
Kevin crossed his arms. "Maybe I do a little. I can't believe you even invited him."
"Would you rather I let him be alone on Christmas, when he should be with family and loved ones?"
Kevin nodded. "Yes. I'm still not comfortable with someone like...that...around me, much less you or Ben."
Lucy frowned. "He's one of my best friends, Kevin. Not only that, but he's an important part of Simon's life, practically family. Are you saying you can't accept my family?"
"I'm not saying that. I like Simon, and I can deal with the fact that he's...that way. I'm just saying I can't accept his boyfriend. I still don't trust him."
"Well stuff that thought in a box and hide it away for the Christmas season, okay? I'm not going to have you ruin this for everyone!"
"You can't be serious."
"I am dead serious, Kevin." Lucy stared down her future fiancé.
That's when Sarah descended the stairs, her brow furrowed and her arms crossed. When she sensed the tension in the room, however, she snapped out of her thoughtful state and looked between the two people. "Is everything okay?"
"No, it isn't." Kevin shook his head.
"Yes it is." Lucy glared at Kevin.
Sarah blinked. Both of them had responded at the same time. I wonder what this is about. "Anything I can help with?"
"Not really, no." Lucy headed for the stairs. "Go talk to your brother, Kevin. And think it over. Christmas is important to me, and I don't want anything to mess it up." She stormed up the stairs.
Kevin shook his head and left.
Sarah blinked, then decided to search out her own husband.
~*()*~
"Now if you two need anything, just call, kay?"
Matt nodded. He and Sarah were sitting on what used to be Jordon's bed. "We should be fine, though."
"Alright." He bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry if dinner seemed a bit tense. It was probably my fault, since I'm not truly family."
Matt shook his head.
Sarah just shrugged. "It seemed that a lot was going on."
"Yeah, well, thanks. It really means a lot to me." Closing the door behind him, he went to his own room and lay down. It really did, even though I couldn't be affectionate with Simon. He heard his personal phone ring and hit the speaker button. "Hi, moshi moshi?"
"Well, well, ototou. And you call me a night owl."
"Aniki, it's only ten-thirty here."
"Ahh..." Jordon paused. "I forgot about the time change."
"Baka."
"Hai hai."
"So what's up?"
"Well, I got to thinking that since I won't be there, we won't have our yearly chess match. So I thought maybe you'd like to go at it over the phone."
"Which version?"
"I think this year it's the 3-D version's turn."
"That's in the living room. Let me get it and set it up."
"Righto."
Terry went into the living room and looked through a bookcase. Finding the game he was looking for, he glanced at his Christmas tree as he pulled the game out. A glass ornament caught his eye.
"Ne, aniki, can I get this one?"
"That's a bit too much for my budget."
"Please, aniki? We haven't gotten any new ornaments since the divorce, and I really, really like this one. Onegai?"
Jordon sighed and pulled out his wallet. "I hate when you use those doe eyes."
"Wai! Aniki wa sugoi!"
"Hai hai." Jordon took the ornament and headed for the counter.
"That's right," Terry muttered to himself. Shaking his head, he returned to his room. "Alright, aniki. Ready to be killed?"
"Ha! Let's see you try."
~*()*~
"A skating rink!" Lucy grinned and hugged Kevin. "I haven't been skating in a long time. Thanks for taking us!"
Simon, sitting on a nearby bench, unlaced his shoes. I just wish Terry could of joined us. But he left early this morning for some errand. Here's hoping it's not to gather Aunt Julie and Uncle Hank.
Matt nudged his brother. "Hey, you okay?"
"Just wishing I had someone special here, like you and Lucy do."
Matt looked over to Sarah, who was getting some hot chocolate from the snack vender. "You never know. Maybe he's already here."
Simon shook his head and pulled on his ice skates. "What are the odds of that, Matt. Besides, why would he come to a skating rink by himself?"
"Maybe to reminisce when he and his brother skated together." Lucy sat across from Simon, putting on her own skates.
Kevin sat a little ways down, watching the rink rather than participate in the conversation. Spotting a familiar flash of hair, he squinted his eyes. No way, he couldn't be here. He scanned the rink again. No, it must've been my imagination. He's probably doing Christmas shopping.
Sarah came back and sat next to Matt, handing him a cup of hot chocolate as well. "So, when did you last ice skate?"
Matt hunched his shoulders a bit. "Well, actually..."
"He's never skated." Lucy tossed her hair over her shoulder and bent down, lacing up her second skate.
"Yeah. I never could really get my balance."
Lucy stood, looking at Kevin. "You ready to teach me to skate?"
Kevin blinked, looking at his future bride in puzzlement. "I thought you said you skated before."
"And I kept falling down. But I still had fun. I figure you can help me get better."
Patting his knees, Kevin stood up and headed for the entrance to the rink. "Alright, let's get started."
Simon stood as well. He wobbled a bit before he figured how to stand on the rubber mats. I haven't skated in years. Taking a careful step onto the ice, he slowly skated along the wall.
Sarah watched Simon and Lucy skate off a few minutes before looking at her husband. "So Matt, want to give it a shot?"
"No, I think I'll be okay just watching them." Matt pulled his coat around him tighter and sipped his drink.
Sarah shrugged and leaned against Matt, wrapping an arm around his. "I can live with that."
Watching Kevin lead Lucy off to the side, Simon forgot that he needed to stay close to the wall and became swept up as faster skaters began passing around him. "Wha-hey! Watch out!" A couple hit his arms, throwing back apologies as he lost his balance and fell back. "Gah!"
Two arms caught him before he hit the ice and dragged him back towards the wall.
Blinking, Simon looked up. "Terry?"
Terry grinned and helped Simon stand, leaning him against the edge of the rink. "Yo. Didn't expect to see you here."
"I...but when...I didn't..." Simon looked around the rink, then towards the entrance. "Have you been here the entire time?"
"I've been here about an hour. It's easy to lose yourself when you're just skating and thinking."
Simon watched the faster skaters pass by. "Yeah. Um...thanks. For catching me, I mean."
Terry simply smiled. "I'll always be around to catch you. I've told you that before." Pushing off from the wall, Terry reentered the mainstream of skaters and began going around the rink.
Simon stared after him. He's good. Straightening up, he looked at his feet, then pushed off as well, working on skating and keeping balance.
"Alright, now the right foot...good...good..."
Lucy held onto Kevin's wrists, staring down at her feet. "I'm not sure, Kevin. It still feels a bit...unbalanced."
Kevin looked at her feet. He tilted his head and shrugged. "I don't know, Luce. I've been skating since I was little. It was just something I picked up in New York. I never actually taught anyone except Ben, and he pretty much picked it up too."
Lucy let go of Kevin and waved her arms a bit, trying to keep balanced. "Well, isn't there any special tricks you remember?"
"Not really."
Terry suddenly came up behind Lucy and grabbed her wrists. "May I cut in?"
Lucy jumped slightly and looked back at Terry. "I guess."
Kevin straightened himself and stared at the male model. "Actually, I'm trying to teach Lucy to skate."
"Oh, well that's easy." Terry pushed Lucy forward, keeping a small distance between them and holding onto her wrists. "Just do as I say. Right...left...right...left...good."
Lucy looked at her feet. "But it doesn't feel right."
Terry skated around in front of her and looked at her feet. "Line up your feet with your shoulders."
Lucy did so, then looked back at Terry.
"Now, push and glide. Push and glide." Terry skated away a bit, demonstrating, then returned and stood next to her. "Ready? It's just slow and steady."
Lucy nodded and started off, Terry keeping pace at her side. She lost her balance a couple times, but Terry steadied her, and before she knew it, she was skating. "Hey! This is great! How'd you learn that?"
"My brother taught me, and mom taught him." Terry glanced back, where Kevin was tailing them. "Why don't you go skate to your soon-to-be fiancé. He looks a bit jealous."
Lucy nodded and executed a wide curve, angling back towards Kevin.
Terry looked around, then skated up to Simon, who had just figured out how to skate with the mainstream. "Your sister's a fast learner."
Simon looked at him. "Huh?"
Terry smiled. "So are you, it appears." Terry took Simon's hand, only to squeeze it quickly and let it drop. "I'll see you at Christmas dinner, okay? I've got to get going now."
"But we just got here-"
"I've been here too long, Simon. I have other things I need to do." Terry took off, weaving through the crowd until he reached the edge of the rink and walked out.
"That was pretty impressive."
Terry blinked and looked at Matt. Shrugging, he grabbed his shoes and sat across from the Camden couple. "It's not hard if you break it down to the basics. I could teach you."
Matt quickly shook his head. Sarah smiled, but she was also looking Terry over.
Terry slipped on his normal shoes before returning the look Sarah was giving him.
Matt noticed the looks and nudged his wife. "Everything okay?"
Sarah broke the unofficial staring contest and smiled at her husband. "Oh, yeah. Everything's fine."
"Then I bid you adieu." Terry traded in his skates and headed for the exit.
"What was that about, Sarah?"
"Just trying to figure out something, that's all."
"Figure out what?"
"I'll tell you when I figure it out."
Matt blinked at that. A yelp and the sight of blond falling to the ground caught his attention, as Lucy slipped and pulled Kevin down as well. "Oh boy."
~*()*~
"You still haven't told her?" Terry looked at the cards in his hand. "Got any threes?"
"Go fish. And no, I haven't. I just haven't found the right time to tell her." Matt leaned back on the couch. "You and Simon haven't told the community yet."
Terry picked up a card and looked at it. "Don't change the subject. Simon's going to be really hurt if he or I has to tell her. And tonight's Christmas Eve. If you don't tell her today, there's going to be quite the confusion during the gift opening."
"You think it's easy for me to tell her? Do you recall how I reacted? And got any queens?"
Terry handed a card over to Matt. "Pretty pissed, but then again, I wasn't exactly in my right mind when I came over."
"Exactly. This is the sort of thing that can ruin a perfectly good marriage. Got any fours?"
"Go fish. It's not you, it's Simon. Now tell her already. When she comes out of the shower, tell her. I won't have Simon's Christmas present ruined."
"I'm sure whatever his gift is doesn't require everyone knowing about you two." Matt picked up a card.
"Actually, no, it doesn't. But it would spare us from the stunned looks." Terry looked over his cards, then up as Sarah entered the living room. "Ohayo."
Sarah blinked. "Um, good morning."
Terry smiled, then set his cards face-down and nodded to Matt. "Well, I have to go fix some breakfast in the kitchen. I'll leave you two to talk." Terry left the room.
Matt leaned forward and put his cards down. He felt his wife sit next to him, and leaned back, stealing a brief kiss.
"Is there something you need to talk to me about?" Sarah crossed her arms.
"Yes, actually, there is. It concerns Simon, and Terry, actually. You see, um...well, sometimes things happen in life and...no, let me start over." Matt turned to face her and rested a leg on the couch. "Sometimes interpretations are wrong and so...no." He rubbed his forehead.
Sarah rested a hand on his arm. "Matt, just tell me."
"That's just it, it's not something I can just say. I mean, I'm afraid it'll upset you, but I don't want to lose you. Though this doesn't really concern me, it sometimes affects marriages, and-"
A bun flew from the hall doorway to Matt's head. "Get to the point!"
Matt picked up the bun and rubbed his head.
Sarah hid a smile behind her hand a moment. "Just tell me, Matt." She took his free hand in both of hers. "I promise that whatever it is, it won't break what we have."
Matt closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Simon's gay."
Sarah blinked. "I know."
Matt opened his eyes and stared at his wife.
In the kitchen, both Camdens could hear a thud, presumably from Terry falling.
Matt opened and shut his mouth a few times. "You KNOW?!"
"And he's dating Terry, right?"
"You know?!"
Terry recovered from his shock as well, exited the kitchen, and leaned against the doorway to the hall. "I thought we were pretty discreet."
Sarah looked over at Terry. "Well, you were pretty good, and I think you fooled my parents, but I figured it out on my own."
"How? Terry and Simon were dating over two months before anyone but Lucy knew! And Lucy found out because she stalked them!"
Terry walked over and rested a hand on Matt's shoulder. "Calm down." He looked at Sarah. "But his question is valid. How did you figure it out?"
"Well, I wasn't sure at first. It started with the looks Simon kept giving you. And how you treated him at the ice rink was a good clue, plus offering us a place to stay."
"But that shouldn't give it away."
Sarah looked at Matt. "That's right. They were all hints. What really gave it away, though, was what you said to Simon in his room that first night before dinner."
Terry furrowed his brow. "We didn't say anything that would give it away."
"You did. That Simon was someone special, and that you should be with friends and loved ones."
Terry nodded. "Ahh...and from the rest of the pieces, you concluded that we're a couple."
"Yep."
"And you're okay with this?"
Sarah nodded at Matt's incredulous look. "It's obvious your family has come to terms with it, and have accepted the responsibility for keeping it a secret. While I may not agree personally, it's not my life. And if your family didn't convince either of them that it was wrong, then anything I say will be ignored. So yeah, I guess I'm okay with it. Simon's a great kid, and Terry's not too bad. As long as they're happy, I think I can handle it."
Terry grinned. "I like her, Matt. No wonder you opted to marry her."
Matt nodded, at a loss for words at the moment.
"Matt, why don't you shower while Sarah helps me with breakfast, ne? I'd like to get to know her better."
"Uh, yeah. Fine." Matt shook his head and headed for the bathroom, still trying to figure everything out.
Sarah watched her husband. "I can understand why he didn't tell me before our marriage."
"I just told the extened family recently, and they're still not comfortable with it. Heck, I told Kevin months ago and he's still wary around me. Since most reactions are pretty negative, we didn't want to alert everyone just yet. Simon and I meant to come out this year, but things went by too fast."
Sarah stood up. "Well, why don't I break it to my family. That'll help ease your burden."
"That'd be great." Terry put an arm around her shoulders. "I think you and I are going to be great friends."
"I think so too."
Both of them headed for the kitchen.
"Out of curiosity, did you ever think of going after Matt?"
"Nope. Not my type. Besides, he was too much like my older brother, worse than him in fact. It would've driven me nuts."
"Just checking."
~*()*~
"Well, now it's time to open gifts."
Simon yawned. He didn't recall Christmas Eve being so exhausting. Then again, he had also gotten up pretty early to help out with dinner and the lights. Plopping on a couch, he offered a small smile as Terry walked to the front door, grabbing a bag that he had come over with. I wonder what he got me. He glanced over to the tree. While he was indeed known as The Bank of Simon, it was difficult to figure out how much to spend on his boyfriend. He has enough money to buy everything he wants already. What can I get him? But it's the thought that counts, right?
The twins, Annie, Eric, and Ruthie took a seat next to the tree, within arms reach of the gifts. Matt offered the chair to his wife, sitting on the arm of it after she had settled in. Kevin chose to sit on the other couch, Lucy sitting next to him and Ben standing behind them. While the skating rink had created a small fight between them, it appeared that they had made up; at the very least, for that evening.
Terry walked in a few minutes later, a glass filled with clear liquid in one hand, the bag in the other. He sat next to Simon, setting the glass on the table. "Did I miss anything?"
"Nope." Eric grinned at Terry.
"You could've offered to get us water." Kevin eyed the glass.
Terry picked it up and took a small sip. "I didn't because it's not water. It's sake."
The room went silent as the entire Camden clan stared at Terry.
Terry blinked. "What? It's not like I ever have more than a few ounces."
"You're under age." Kevin crossed his arms.
"You're drinking?" Simon stared at Terry.
Terry sighed. "It's no big deal. In Japan, kids are allowed to have sake on special occasions, such as funerals, weddings, and holidays." He swished his drink a bit. "Mom disapproved at first, but dad insisted on it for Jordon, and so when I came along, Jordon continued the tradition. Like I said though, I never drink more than a few ounces per occasion. It's just to honor my Japanese heritage." He took another sip. "Be glad my brother isn't here. He'll down a whole bottle."
Annie and Eric exchanged glances.
"Fine, fine." Terry gulped the rest of it down. "Gah! I hate rushing it." He set the glass down. "There, all gone. I'll leave the bottle if any of you want it, otherwise I'll just bring it home and lock it back up." He sat back and looked around the room. "It's Japanese custom. I love your family, but I'm not going to stop a tradition that I've done almost all my life."
Simon swallowed and nodded, slowly looking to the others. "It's custom. I think we can look it over. I mean, it's just a tiny bit."
"Tiny bit or not-ow." Kevin rubbed his side.
Lucy put her arm down and gave Kevin a look. "It's tradition." She looked at her father. "So why don't the twins get theirs first?"
"An excellent idea." Good save. I'll talk to Terry about what he did later. After Christmas.
~*()*~
"Well, that's everyone in the family." Eric looked to Terry. "That just leaves you."
Terry nodded and looked through his bag.
Simon set the CD he had gotten down and looked at his boyfriend. "You didn't really have to get something for everyone."
Terry waved a hand and pulled out some envelopes. "I told you, I didn't get anyone much." He looked at them. "Let's see." Standing up, he handed an envelope to each Camden. "It's not much." He handed one to Kevin, Robbie and Sarah as well before taking his seat and pulling out three more gifts.
Lucy, noticing no one else was opening their gift, tore open her gift and opened the card within. "One hundred dollars?" She lifted the bill and looked at Terry. "Terry..."
Terry paused in examining one of his three gifts and smiled at Lucy. "The only thing is you have to spend it on something completely frivolous for yourself and nothing else."
The other Camdens opened their envelopes as well.
Ruthie raised an eyebrow. "Fifty?"
"Terry, you shouldn't have." Annie shook her head as she looked at her own and her husband's hundreds.
"Thanks man." Matt smiled at Terry.
"Yeah, really. This is great." Sarah rubbed Matt's arm.
Robbie simply grinned.
"What, nothing for me?"
Terry looked at Ben. "I didn't expect you to be here." Terry looked at Kevin. "Everything okay?"
Kevin blinked. "Huh? Oh...yeah. Thanks."
"What about the twins?"
"Just a couple of savings bonds. They're in their cards."
"Cool." Simon opened his card, only to find it was just a card. "Terry-"
"Yours is coming up. Call me selfish, but I want to unwrap my gifts first."
Eric nodded. "True, fair's fair. You had to sit through ours."
Terry grinned and ripped the wrapping off the first one. "From aniki."
Robbie looked the box over. "What is it?"
"DVD box set of Martian Successor Nadesico. I've been meaning to get it for a while, but haven't had the chance." Terry smiled and read the back. "I've only seen clips, but it looks great." He set it back in the bag and picked up the second gift, the first of two envelopes tied with ribbon. "From mom." Tearing it open, he glanced at the card inside. "Gift certificate for a bookstore." He set that one in the bag as well.
"Not very personal for a mother." Annie frowned and helped Sam get one of his toys out of the box.
"No, actually, it is. It's exactly what I asked for on my list." He held up the final envelope to the light. "From Obasan."
"Obasan?" Lucy titled her head.
"My aunt in Africa." He opened it and looked at the card. "Merry Christmas, blah blah blah, doing well, yadda yadda, ah, here we go." Terry read something, then paused and reread it.
Simon leaned over. "Is something wrong?"
"Enclosed are two checks. The first is my annual $5000 one, your Christmas gift."
Various exclamations sprang out from around the room. Terry waited a few minutes until it quieted down.
"What's the other check? For your brother?" Matt leaned forward. $5000. No wonder he's always taking Simon to nice places.
"The other check is my final charity donation for this year. As your boyfriend's father is a church minister, please make this donation for me."
Eric blinked. "A check for the church? Really?"
Terry handed the check over to Eric.
"$10,000?!" Eric's jaw dropped. "Are you sure-"
"It's for tax reasons." Terry sighed and leaned back. "She does it every year to some minor church or charity. I guess because of Simon..."
"$10,000...good lord."
Simon, as stunned as the rest of the people in the room, nearly missed the box that tapped against his leg. Taking it, he looked at Terry, who had a small smile on his face. "What's this?"
"Merry Christmas, Simon."
Simon took the box and looked at it. It wasn't too big, in fact about the same size as the gift he had gotten Terry. Grabbing the last wrapped present, he handed it to Terry. "Merry Christmas to you, too."
Terry looked at the package. He examined the wrap a moment before pulling it off, the others in the room having forgotten about the two teens. "Gravity Dreams?"
"I know a book isn't much compared to what you got from the rest of your family, or for what you got everyone else, but-"
"Simon, it's wonderful." Terry set the book in the bag. "My brother told you, didn't he."
Simon nodded. "Yeah. He gave me a list of books."
Terry smiled and moved closer to Simon. "It's wonderful."
"Are you sure? I mean, compared to even your mother's gift-"
"It's the thought that counts, Simon. You got me something you thought I'd love. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Simon looked down. "Thanks."
Terry tapped the box he had handed Simon earlier. "So open it."
"Oh, right." Simon opened the gift. Inside was a photo album. "What's this?"
"Do you know we've been going out for over a year now, Simon?" Terry took the album and opened it. "A year together. A year, despite the turmoil and problems, I wouldn't trade for anything." He set it to the first page, revealing pictures of himself and Simon, both together and apart. "My brother, Amber, and a few other friends," he glanced at Lucy briefly, "have been taking pictures and keeping notes." He scooted next to Simon and wrapped an arm around him, resting the album on their legs. "It's a record of our first year together."
"Terry..." Simon could feel his water gathering in his eyes. "This is...thoughtful...wonderful...I don't know what to say."
"How about nothing." Terry leaned in and kissed Simon.
Simon closed his eyes and returned it, ignoring the room around them and how it seemed to have gone silent.
Sarah tapped Matt's arm and looked up. "Wonder how long they'll keep that up."
Matt shrugged and stood. "Maybe we should give them their privacy." He looked at the rest of the Camden clan.
"Ah man." Ruthie stood and headed out. "Come on, Ben. Let's go get some more pie before bed."
"Done." Ben wrinkled his nose and left. "Don't you find that disgusting?"
Robbie shrugged, following them. "It's their lives. And if you don't like it, don't stare."
"Too true." Lucy dragged Kevin along, who was wearing the same disgusted look as Ben was.
"I can't believe he brought sake." Eric helped walk David out.
"We'll talk with him about it in a couple days." Annie followed with Sam.
Looking around the room, Happy stared at the two kissing teens, then headed for the stairs.
After a few more moments, Terry pulled away a few inches. "Kimi ni Merry Christmas, koibito."
Simon opened his eyes and stared into Terry's golden orbs. "Merry Christmas, Terry. I love you."
Terry smiled and kissed Simon again.
~*()*~
~*()*~
~*()*~
Aniki: older brother
Hai: yes
Kimi ni Merry Christmas: Merry Christmas to you
Ja ne: later, see ya
Ara: my
Sensei: teacher
-san: an honorific attached to names designating status (this one is respectful and quasi-familiar)
Iie: no
Gomen: sorry
Ototou: little brother
Baka: idiot
Ne: hey, right, kay
Onegai: please
Wai: yay
Aniki wa sugoi: my elder brother is great
Ohayo: good morning
Sake: rice wine
Obasan: aunt
Koibito: my love
Author's Prattle: Well, the main fic plot has finally caught up to the Christmas Special spoiler. I've revised it slightly to fit with the timeline. I know Robbie is out of sorts slightly, but I figured he'd return for Christmas, one last celebration with the Camdens. Next chapter is starting to catch up with the main tv plotline. I'd also like to formally announce that after season seven, this fic won't follow the tv plotline (mainly because Simon vanishes). Everything up to and including the end of season seven (maybe a tiny bit of season eight, such as the sex of Matt's children, and Lucy's) will be tied into this fic plot, but after that, it'll cannon into its own major plotline.
As for the next chapter, it should be out in another week or so (have it half-way finished already, with a major plot and a couple sub-plots). If you've been watching season seven, chapter twenty-three will coincide with (and rewrite) the episode that had the famous line: "Run!"
And finally, the disclaimers. I don't own 7th Heaven, its characters, or its setting. They belong to Brenda Hampton and Aaron Spelling. Don't sue, I'm a poor college student, and simply writing for the joy it brings.
The song Terry was singing was a Christmas song from Card Captor Sakura (no, not the idiot American version) called "Yorokobi no Carol." It is performed by Tomoyo and the full lyrics can be found at Animelyrics.com. The anime Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP.
Many have already reviewed this chapter, but for those that didn't read the spoiler, hope you enjoyed!