With Christmas only twelve days away, and the birth of their baby drawing closer; the atmosphere in the walls of both the Curtis and Jameson's residence, was becoming increasingly excitable.
"Can't believe it's only a few weeks away!" Pony exclaimed excitedly as a mixture of thoughts of the baby and Christmas whizzed around his head. The Christmas tree lights reflected off his greased hair making it glisten in the gloomy yet warm room.
Darry was acting like a captain on a ship, directing the tree trimming- commanding Two-Bit, Johnny and Ponyboy what he wanted on and where. While Lucy, Tori, Kirsten, Steve and Soda sat around the sitting room admiring the decorations and Tori's now highly visible bump.
Although the Curtis house was small, it sure was homely. Darry had gone all out this year. Mistletoe was hung in every doorway; tempting a Christmas kiss. The large alpine spruce tree stood tall and proud as it shadowed the room. Decorated in gold and red; the tree glistened. Underneath, were a small number of gifts wrapped in different coloured paper, tied with bows and ribbons, each wrapped carefully and looked as if they came from the North Pole itself.
Tulsa was sporting icy cold winds and welcoming pelting rain and ice.
"Geez, it's bloody freezing out there!" Dally exclaimed as he burst through the door dripping wet, his leather jacket soaked through.
"Where've you been Dal?" Johnny asked, his dark eyes gleaming with sorrow; this house was a sanctuary to Johnny – when he returned home there would be no tree, no decorations, and certainly no presents – just the stale smell of alcohol and the echoing memories which haunted Johnny's sleep. It felt like a nightmare from which he couldn't wake up – but the reality that he faced was much worse than any dream, it was a sickening brutality, which made Johnny Cade the way he was – frightened and insecure.
Dally looked at his friend – his one weakness. "Shoot Johnny, I've been to Shepard's – he got hauled in last night; the fuzz think he stole some presents and shit from the Robinson's; you know those stuck up bastards down Meadow Lane – the ones with the Mustang? What greaser owns a Mustang? Geez! Non-that I know. He says he didn't do it, so they'll probably haul me in next – but I was busy last night; with some broad." Dally didn't look in the least bit worried, in fact his face wasn't fazed at all. Dally had been hauled into the station more times than he could remember. So for him this was a regular occurrence.
"That Shepard's trouble." Darry stated looking disapprovingly at Dally.
"Yeah so. It's not as if the sun shines out of your ass Darry!" Dally retorted, clearly not in a good mood.
"Watch your tone Dal!" Darry was stern and serious – Lucy stood up, and wrapped her slender arms around Darry's waist in attempt to calm him down. He was tense; slowly Lucy could feel him take a deep breath as he released the tension.
The room was silent.
"So what you gonna call the baby again?" Two-Bit asked trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Jack or Elli." Soda said promptly- smiling at Two-Bit as the intensity in the atmosphere lightened slightly.
Soda stood up and hobbled to the kitchen, unstable yet determined. He had been out of his wheelchair for a short while now. It was still painful for him to breathe; however his ribs were healing. His arm was still in a cast, although his leg wasn't. He had nearly regained the full potential of his famous movie star grin as the cuts and bruises on his face had faded with the autumn. Still on medication, Soda had to be careful as the scar tissue where his spleen had been removed, was still at risk from infection, which gave Darry something else to over worry about, much to Soda's distaste. Soda had suffered big time from the accident, but there was light at the end of the tunnel, he was awaiting a rather large lump sum in compensation, this was the exact reason why Soda and Darry had spent a lot more money on Christmas this year…even though presents were scarce Soda knew they would all enjoy the holiday… after all the deserved a break after all they had been through.
"I can't wait till Christmas. You better be cooking Darry! My dad's out all day…told me to make my own arrangements, he's probably gonna get smashed. Which is what we should do really!" Steve exclaimed, full of festivities.
"Steve. Don't you worry; food will be served for all who wont be attending family events. And of course there will be alcoholic beverages available." Darry laughed in a posh London accent.
"Ha! Good man Dar." Steve yelled.
"I'll be here." Dally commented as he brushed his hand through his mop of hair.
"Me too." Johnny added timidly, thinking about the empty house he would wake up to on Christmas morning, even if it weren't totally empty it may as well be.
Darry looked towards Lucy who was twiddling a strand of her red curls with her fingers. "Lucy, I know you've got a family thing, but are you gonna come down after?"
"Of course," Lucy giggled. "How else will I give you your…present?" She winked at Darry sending a shiver down his spine.
"Oh, and what present would that be…?" Darry flirtily wrapped his arms around Lucy breathing in the smell of her shampoo, a warm feeling spread through him and for a moment it felt as if no one else was in the room, he leaned in and passionately kissed Lucy. Ponyboy was disgusted.
"Get a room Darry! I'm too young to see that sort of thing…my eyes, they're too fragile…!" Ponyboy joked dramatically as he slapped his hand across his eyes.
Darry and Lucy pulled away; Lucy had a smile across her face, however, Darry's face looked shocked and appalled.
"Ponyboy, just you wait till you have a girlfriend and you want to show a bit affection; how about I embarrass you by going on like an immature kid?" Darry came down on Pony like a tonne of bricks.
Pony was shocked, but the shock quickly subsided. He rolled his eyes, and sighed. "Geez, Darry! Why do you always pick on me! I was joking! Shoot! I can't be assed with this!" Pony yelled.
"Watch your mouth Ponyboy! I don't want to get mouthy with you! It's nearly Christmas, but shoot, Pony you just…you go on like a child!" Darry sighed and sat down. "Sorry Pony."
"It's okay." Pony smiled, knowing he had successfully won an argument.
"Well sorry to disappoint. But I'm unavailable until about four o'clock. Family stuff. I can't get out of." Kirsten sighed, thinking about the day she would have to spend with a whole load of people who were supposed to be family, but who she only ever saw at Christmas. A day spent with a bunch of strangers who always ended up getting immorally drunk by lunch, then spent the rest of the day arguing! What a waste of time!
"Really? That's a shame, you know Kirst. I thought maybe we could…enjoy a Christmas kiss…just for old times sake." Steve whispered into Kirsten's ear, inconspicuously. Kirsten's eyes darted to meet Steve's; their relationship had fizzled out somewhat, so why was Steve saying this?
Kirsten squinted wondering if she had heard right. His smile said she had, it was different from his usual smile, although it was still cheeky and mysterious- there was some new element about it, something she hadn't seen before. She shrugged her shoulders as if she didn't care. But some thing inside, call it instinct, told her she should care.
As the days passed, the icy winds grew stronger and Christmas was only round the corner.
"Come on Darry! Hurry up and pick something, I feel like a pervert standing in the lingerie department!" Soda exclaimed as he leaned on one of his crutches. He and Darry were Christmas shopping for Tori and Lucy. They had been standing in the underwear department for nearly half an hour while Darry decided what to get Lucy.
"Geez, Soda, I forgot what size she is. Name some sizes I'll remember." Darry thought out loud dumbstruck, holding a pair of red lacy suspenders.
"You guys need any help there?" an older looking woman asked.
Darry blushed and put down the suspenders. "No were absolutely fine thanks. Just got…lost that's all. Come on Soda." Darry started to walk away from the assistant but Soda stopped him.
"Actually we need help a lot of help. Well he does. See my brother, here, has forgotten what size his girlfriend is. So maybe you could just tell him a few sizes to get his memory back… I don't know, we've been in here half an hour, I need to get out, my legs hurting!" Soda explained, ignoring Darry's grunts of discomfort.
"Of course. If you wish to sit down there's a seat over there by the fitting rooms. And I'll help your brother." She kindly pointed Soda in the right direction and turned to Darry, "No need to be bashful. Many men can't remember sizes, and many men shop in women's underwear departments!" She laughed at Darry's naivety.
About twenty minutes later Darry had finally picked and purchased Lucy's present. He and Soda left the store and carried on walking down a street packed with shops.
Suddenly Soda stopped, and stared eagerly in a window, like a child on Christmas morning.
"What's up little buddy?" Darry asked concerned, clutching his gift bag tightly.
"I want that one." Soda said pointing to a small white gold ring, laced with pink and white stones.
"Soda its $100. You sure you want it?" Darry asked concerned.
"Yeah. It's perfect. Tori will love it." Soda smiled. "I just want her to feel special."
"I'm pretty sure she does, you don't need to propose!" Darry's voice was alarmingly shrill.
"Propose? Ha you crack me up. I'm not going to. It's a promise ring. Like a forever ring. But I suppose we will get married one day." Soda said thoughtfully. "Come on then Darry. I hope they've got her size!"
They walked into the shop, it smelt clean and it was warm. A woman was stood at the counter, she was a strange woman, and by the looks of things she was muttering to herself. Soda hobbled up to the desk.
"Hello, how may I help you today?" The strange lady asked.
"There's a ring in the window, I want to buy it. It's the white gold ring with pink and white gems in it. I'd like a 'O' please." Soda said proudly.
"This one?" The woman said bringing it to the counter.
"Yeah that one. It's real pretty huh." Soda grinned. He couldn't wait to see Tori's face when he produced this ring.
"Yes it is indeed. I'll just check to see what sizes we have. Two minutes." The woman disappeared from view, within minutes she reappeared clutching a small black box. "Is this one okay for you?" She asked presenting the ring to Soda.
"Yeah it's perfect." Soda smiled as the ring stared him in the eye, glistening as the light fell on to the perfect band.
Meanwhile Ponyboy was out walking, it was snowing lightly and he needed to think.
Everything was changing. Even cold-hearted Darry had found someone, Darry the pain in the ass, he was happy. But that's not what bothered Pony, he and Darry didn't talk, he and Darry weren't friends, and Darry didn't understand him. It was Soda that Ponyboy was disheartened about. Soda was having a baby, and when he was better he would be moving into Tori's flat forever. He and Soda were good friends, they understood each other, and Pony missed him. Even though he was still there, it was as if they had drifted apart. Sure Pony was looking forward to getting a niece or nephew, but the more he thought about it the more jealous and resentful he became. Even Darry and Soda had became closer, they went shopping together and they discussed the future together…did they ever ask Pony how he felt? No, no one did anymore.
As his feet began to feel numb the snow began to fall heavier, but Ponyboy didn't want to go home. He knew he was lucky… Darry hadn't put him or Soda in a boy's home; he had given up his life to look after them. He had a good life compared to some of the guys; Dally- well he classed his family as dead, and Johnny- well his family weren't any better, but the more Pony thought about it the more selfish he became: why should he feel bad that Johnny's family were awful and Dally hated his…at least they had parents. Pony's were dead, and now his brothers were moving on with their lives, soon they would forget Pony even existed. He was beginning to feel sorry for himself.
The snow continued to fall, and the winds blew stronger. Ponyboy knew he had to go home. As he turned to face the cruel winds, he realised home was too far away. He hadn't realised how far he had walked. He spun around on his heels and decided to head for Tori's flat, it was closer, and he wasn't really in the mood to see Darry or Soda.
The wind whistled around his numb ears and his greasy hair felt frozen solid. Pony was sure that if he walked around any longer he would have got hypothermia. He approached the steps to the flat. Newly laid snow covered the steps, untouched.
Minutes later a heavily pregnant Tori answered the door. "Geez, Pony! You'll catch your death, get inside!" Tori exclaimed as she ushered him inside.
Pony smiled with a shiver as he stepped inside the warm house and took his sodden wet boots and jacket off.
Tori disappeared from sight, but returned seconds later, holding a pair of socks and a jumper, both belonging to Sodapop. "Here put these on, and go sit by the fire."
Pony didn't speak; he just did as he was told. He was too cold to argue.
Minutes later and the two were sat in front of the fire in the living room. Pony still sat in silence.
"You okay Pony? Just you haven't said a word since you got here." Tori quizzed concerned by Pony's unusual behaviour.
"Yeah I'm okay. Sorry. I didn't want to go home so I thought I'd come here." Pony smiled warmly; for some reason he didn't see Tori as a threat.
"That's fine. Your lucky, Nathan's been over I was going to go over his but decided against it when the snow set in. Why didn't you want to go home? Is everything okay?" Tori took a sip from her hot chocolate.
"Well yeah. No. I don't know. Darry and Soda think everything's just fine."
"What do you mean? Pony, you know if you want to talk, I'll listen." Tori offered, Ponyboy's eyes were fixed to the ground.
"I don't know. It's, well basically: Darry's got Lucy, not that I'm bothered about him. He doesn't care anyway. And Soda, well Soda's got you and the baby and he's moving out and he doesn't care about me anymore, it's not the same as it used to be. It's gone all weird. Life just isn't the same. Nothings the same." Pony looked sad, Tori felt bad…was it all her fault?
"Ah Pony it's not like that at all. Darry does care, he really does. And as for Soda, he really cares about you; I think you should tell him how you feel. Just because were having a baby, doesn't mean Soda doesn't have time for you. He does, and if he moves in here, you're welcome to come here anytime. I don't want to come between you two." Tori reached over to Ponyboy and put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry Pony, you, Owww!" Tori screamed with pain as she swiped her hand from Pony's shoulder and clasped her stomach.
She slumped on to the floor in agony, tears of anxiety running down her face.
Pony stood up, "What's wrong? What do I do?" He asked quickly panicking.
"Just…. phone…owwwwwwwwwww! ambul…oww!" Tori cried.
"An ambulance? What's the number?" Pony was dumbstruck as he picked up the phone.
"911 Pony. Get Owwwwwwwwwwwww Soda. Please…. OWW"
"Ok…." Pony dialled the number.
Author's Note…"Hey all, again really sorry for the delay… I've had a case of writers block. Think it's curing itself! Just to let you know; Zaperking, that wasn't the end of my story, but thanks for your reviews! Anyway please read & review. Thanks! FiZzYwOrMs!"