Dear Readers,
Hi! Happy Holidays! Chapter a day till this story is finished. This chapter went through several drafts and was a bit of a stumbling block. But this end result was when I stopped getting too much into my own head. Just wrote what I would have liked to have seen happen the most. I hope you like it too. Happy reading!
The Furahata Christmas House Party! WHOOOO! So excited! Let's get this party started!
Dedicated to anyone this crazy about Christmas Parties! This one's for you!
"A Memorable Christmas"
Chapter 11 - Mistletoe Mayhem and Prank-tastic Mischief
Preparing to Leave the Shitennou Manor…
Heading For Furahata House Party...
(Darien's Perspective)
While the girls were all getting ready together, layering up for the cold ride to this party. We guys had already gotten prepared so we ran out and started to warm up the mobiles. They needed to warm up a bit before they could travel any distance. They ran a good thirty or forty minutes before all of the girls started coming out. All of them were bundled up in heavy coats, hats, and scarves. We looked like a community of Eskimos hoping to rediscover their igloo village. When everyone was wearing their helmets, and gloves were on… we were officially ready to hit the road. Or sled along the snow that has and hasn't been plowed.
I have to admit these guys had it all figured out. Every little thing was planned to a tee and had at least one backup plan. All five of us guys were driving out (or that was how Zane had planned), and each of us would have one of the girls on the back. Kirk would take Mina, Nate would be toting Lita, Zane would carry Amy, and I would of course be taking Serena [twist my arm]. Jaden was our only solo act moving forward so he was in charge of chartering all kinds of food and goodies made for this party. That had all been arranged professionally and stabilized with bungee cords on a flatbed that dragged behind him.
When I climbed on my mobile and revved the engine a little as Serena was climbing onto the back. Nate teased, "Careful now Darien. We do want Serena back eventually. Don't drive it like you stole it or like we'll never see you guys again."
So says the guy who is so completely owned by his new girlfriend. He let Lita drive his mobile, and held on to her instead of the other way around. Not that Lita didn't drive well, she hung right with us guys easily. But just as Zoisite had predicted. This long ride to Furahata House turned into a mad race.
All five mobiles raced on and it was a blast. On the first real sharp turn we took, Serena's grip on me tightened. I could hear her laughing, it made me laugh too. And wonder why haven't I ever done this before now? This was fun and way convenient for this time of year.
I was gonna have to take her for a ride on my motorcycle sometime. Why hadn't we done that before?
When we reached the familiar outskirts of our targeted neighborhood. I had an edge over everyone else, who was probably driving here the first time. I had been here countless times in cars, bikes, and on foot. I knew the quickest route in any weather. So in this race, I beat everyone easily with several minutes to spare.
I parked in front of the house and left the motor running even if it was sitting still (like I was supposed to, so it wouldn't stall). I took off my helmet, helped Serena out of hers, and then started walking up the concrete walkway that led to the Furahata's front door. It had been shoveled well, but since the skies were darkening and temperatures were dropping. They'd iced back over, so Serena and I were both slipping and sliding everywhere. Luckily we had three feet of snow on each side of us to catch ourselves on or act as a sort of natural railing. Even though that too had a fine sheen of hardened ice now.
As Serena expressed she was "a little nervous about this party."
I asked her "Why?" Explaining that this was one of the few places in the world I wasn't so uncomfortable. I even asked, "What could she possibly have to fear?" Hiding the fact that my nerves were pretty much shot too. Before she'd put her little gloved hand in mine and gave me a second wind.
"I think, I'm just ne-nervous because I- I've never do-done anything li-Ahh-like this be-before." As she just got these words out we grabbed onto each other and held on tightly to each other trying to regain our balance. Every breath, every move was so unstable, we were hanging on to each other like lifelines. Because we kind of were each other's lifelines honestly.
She told me laughingly, "Look buddy… if you th-think I'm gonna be -EEP!- any help at all. I fa-fall all the time! When there isn't all this ice to make it worse."
"I know. WHOA!" I worked so hard to keep us upright that I was breaking out into a sweat. "I know-I know-I know. It's just- AH!"
When we managed to remain standing, against all odds. We looked at each other in surprise, and hope. She reached up and threw her arms around me, pulling my body against hers. I know she was just trying to keep us both standing. But there was a heat happening there that had nothing to do with balance. Which triggered this moment where the entire world surrounding us, faded away. All of it, nothing else mattered but her, and those little puffs of breath she breathed. It was the same magic that had pulled me across this blizzard, to her house. The same power that had bewitched me from the start.
Serena recovered quicker than I did when all of our friends pulled up behind us. Claiming I'd cheated. I told them to "Dream on."
When I turned back to face Serena her expression had turned worried again. So I comforted, "We're almost there."
"That's what I'm afraid of." Serena went to chew on her nails and ended up nibbling at the seam of her new gloves. Then she reasoned as we slid some more. "The other party wa-wa-was kinda real, -ahh- and kinda playing aro-around. When we go in here tonight, it's gon- gonna be serious and real… are you… okay with that? Really, okay with that?"
"Only if it's with you," I told her truthfully and kissed her cold forehead. I felt her relax against me and let out another haze of breath against my chest. "Besides, they're gonna love you. Probably already do."
"Really?" She asked.
I assured her, "Yeah, really."
Then as we both tried to move again, our feet flew out from under us both. We both crashed down hard on the ground and as I panicked. It didn't hurt me but I was still frantic when I asked her if she was okay. Serena burst out laughing as she laid flat on the icy path and claimed. "I'm afraid God took that golden opportunity to let you know what you're in for."
I had to laugh too as I helped her up and said. "I'm so sorry."
Serena still laughing hard, "No Darien, let's face it... It wouldn't be me… if we didn't taste pavement, along here, somewhere."
I gave her a quick peck on the lips when we were standing again and said, "Forget the pavement, hang on to that taste instead." Then I called back to our friends as they were just starting towards the house. "Watch it on this ice, you guys! It's very slippery."
Serena added, "Like 'While You Were Sleeping' slick."
I wanted to ask her what that meant, but before I could ask her anything else. The front door to the house flew open, and I knew I wouldn't be getting a word in edgeways for a while. There stood Andrew's Mom, in the entryway. She was wearing a ruffled red and green checkered Christmas apron. Clasping a wooden spoon in hand as she peered outside. Shielding her eyes with her hand. She called out, "Darien? Is that you that I see heading my way?"
"Yeah! Hi Annette." I called out, "We're coming."
"Take your time," she warned. "It's impossibly slick. I just knew one of the children I actually claim outside my own brute was heading this way. We moms always have a sixth sense about these things."
As we finally reached the stairs, Annette started yelling, "KIDS! DARIEN'S-HERE! GET-THOSE-COATS-BOOTS-AND-GLOVES-ON! NOW! DON'T-ANY-OF-YOU-EVEN-THINK-OF-LEAVING-WITHOUT-A-SKARF!"
Voices answered her off in the distance, "Okay!"
Then she turned back to us and lit up, "This must be the lovely Serena I've heard so much about."
Serena nodded, "Yes, ma'am," taking hold of Annette's offered hand and shaking it. With an uneasy face, she said, "Though I'm afraid to know what you've heard."
"Don't you fret, I didn't hear one thing I didn't like." She shook her head and pulled Serena inside the house while not letting me follow. Telling me, "Aren't you heading right back out with the boys to help usher our other guests here?"
"I am," I answered honestly. I was just really struggling with letting go of Serena's hand.
Knowing she sensed my inner battle. Andrew's Mom told me, "Darien, it's okay. We don't bite, we've had all our shots, hid all the weapons and you're just gonna be gone a few minutes. Miss Serena is gonna warm up, while you help out. That's all."
Before anything else could be said, Andrew came running and hugged Serena. Greeting her loudly and excitedly, while Garrett (Andrew's older brother) was slyly giving my date the once over as he headed for the door. If you're wondering what he looks like, picture a more rugged and beefier version of Andrew. Trying to get under my skin right off of the bat.
He shot me a thumbs up and mouthed the word "Wow!" Shooting me a few looks of solid approval. If he'd taken his eyes off her and stopped right there. I would have been fine… I know I would have been…
But then Andrew introduced Serena to Garrett, and he took her hand. He kissed it like she was a princess or something. The moment his mouth made contact with Serena's skin, his eyes shot to me and he winked at me too. Oh yeah, he was getting a pounding of snowballs the first chance we got.
I knew he was trying to get a rise outta me, and any other time, I wouldn't have cared. But it was Serena's hand, it was a hand I had just let go of and I already regretted it. I missed her even though I hadn't technically left yet. The other girls and guys caught up with us and introductions finished up. All of us guys hurried back out the door to carry out the rest of our plans.
Starting with a trip back to the manor first. To get more mobiles, so everyone had their own. So that the work went by that much quicker and we were all back inside warming up before anyone got too cold. It was multipurpose too because a bunch of people attending this party tonight were riding back with us to the estate tonight. Andrew was carrying overnight bags on his back for himself and Rita. He wasn't the only one thinking ahead like that either. They'd planned to sleep over at the manor so that they can help out tomorrow till the event time arrives in the evening.
Andrew had gotten a bunch of drivers together, to help with this task. We all packed together on the mobiles and rode. I think altogether there were fourteen or fifteen of us driving in total once we'd gotten back on the road again. All going in different directions and instructed to pick up different partygoers. It was chaotic, but it was a controlled chaos in that everyone had their assigned destinations and orders. We got it all done and hurried back to a house that was packed full.
For me, it couldn't be over soon enough. I worried about Serena in that house surrounded by Andrew's people. While I had been the one telling her there was nothing to worry about earlier. I was horrified that she could feel trapped, cornered, or even duped. They all see her as the first girl I've ever brought around. Even though I love them, I know them too. They could be very hard on anyone their kids brought home as a boyfriend or girlfriend. I was pretty much their adopted kid minus the tax-write-off, paperwork, and legal struggle. So I didn't know how she was fairing, which was making me nuts.
So when I had my last guest on the back of my mobile. I may have gunned it, a little more than I should have, I may have even left marks on the actual road in front of the Furahata House. I apologized to my passenger who was an elderly lady from two blocks away.
She giggled and shocked me as she hopped off the back and said, "Damn! This little beauty is FAST! That made my night young man. Think nothing of it. It's not often an old girl like me, gets a thrill like that."
I escorted her in, carefully up the slick concrete path out front. Once inside a flock of girls volunteered to care for my elderly charge. Helping her with her coat, boots, gloves, and hat. As the lady chit-chatted merrily with all of her helpers. The annual snowball fight was happening in the front and back yards of the house. A tradition only kept up on white Christmases like this one. I should be taking this opportunity to exact some revenge on Andrew and Garrett both. But I could get back at them any old time. Tonight I was needed elsewhere so I slipped inside and outta my elemental wear. Before claiming a pair of slippers waiting for me. I've been to so many of the parties here over the years. My slippers literally had my name sown on top.
I didn't waste any time after that, I started searching for my date. Hoping that wherever I found her she was still smiling…
Meanwhile… Back At The Party…
(Serena's Perspective)
After the door was closed on all of the guy's backs as they left. There was a frenzy of movement where all of us girls were taking off our heavy coats and extra layers. There were toasty Christmas slippers aligning the wall for us. I picked a pair that were white because they best matched my snowy-looking Christmas sweater that featured Santa's sleigh taking flight. With all nine reindeer in attendance, I'd counted and Rudolph's nose really lit up too. Amy's sweater featured the dance scene in the Peanuts Christmas special. Lita's was covered in cookies, candies, and gingerbread houses or people. While Mina was wearing a Christmas sweater that was off one shoulder a little and made her look like a wrapped gift with a big gold bow on her other shoulder.
Then all of us newcomers huddled around the lit fireplace. To warm our bones, Andrew's mom called to Rita (sweater was white with red and green snowflakes) and Lizzie (sweater featured Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington dressed as Santa in a sled pulled by Zero) who were walking around with trays of hot mugs. Rita had apple cider with cinnamon sticks and Lizzie had Cocoa with peppermint sticks. There was a tray of coffee and tea too. But come on, who is gonna drink that when there's cocoa?
I ended up somehow curled up in a blanket, with Amy, Lita, and Mina. Till I could feel my face, ears fingers, and toes again. When I had warmed enough to move around again. I was encouraged to walk around the house because every room seemed to be decorated to a tee. Each room features a different Christmas theme. It really was a wonderful idea and they really seemed to know what they were doing.
There were a few trees throughout the house, the biggest one is wrapped in a staircase just off-center of the house. The tree sat on the ground level but its topper star brushed the ceiling of the second floor. They had a Snow village set up, that moved and had a train surrounding it. The kitchen and dining room were loaded with food. The laundry room had been cleared as the music room, with a disco ball lit spinning the colors red and green everywhere. A huge old-fashioned jukebox that only played only Christmas tunes sat off to the side there. A beautiful piano sat in another room where we would be caroling later. But the room that had everyone's attention and amazement the most… was lovingly called the "mistletoe room." Placed in the absolute center of the house. It connected nearly every room to each other and it was nearly impossible to navigate the home at all without using that passage. The only place I'd seen more mistletoe was the Arcade. Even throughout the rest of the house. Every doorway was adorned, every light fixture, every high shelf. All covered in greenery, and kiss-inducing plant life. And the ceiling in the mistletoe room. This ceiling was even greener than the Arcade's… I really think so. The lighting was dimmer in there too. The chandleries in the ceiling were dimmed to candlelight consistencies and actual candles were also lit all throughout that room in particular.
These people seriously don't take this mistletoe thing lightly.
But before I could freak out accordingly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and ran right into MOLLY! I had no idea I would be seeing her. She'd come with Melvin and his family… who attend this party every year… who knew? Molly and Melvin of course were wearing matching Christmas Sweaters of Santa and Mrs. Clause. Complete with a snowy beard for Melvin and a Santa hat. While Molly wore an old-timey ruffled cap, very Mrs. Clause-ish. They really do make the most adorable pair.
As I finished talking to them, I started to walk around and look at all of the decorations. When Andrew's mom passed me again, I had to tell her, "Your home and Christmas decorations are just beautiful Mrs. Furahata."
"Oh please call me Annette, dear. " She said patting me on the back. "As I said earlier, I've never heard a thing about you that I didn't like. We're so glad you could join us this year."
"I am too," I nodded. "This house is more like the Christmases I'm used to."
"You're family does it up big like us?" Annette asked.
"Yes, we do." I could feel myself beaming, "My whole family is usually here and the house is usually so packed with everyone by Christmas Day. It's a wonder we can move."
Annette laughed and said, "That's the way to do it! Some will swear we've overdone it in here. Rearranging our entire house like this every year just for Christmas. But I love it, I enjoy it, so do my children, and if it weren't for Christmas. I wouldn't have my family."
I nodded, "Darien told me you and your husband's first kiss happened underneath the mistletoe. Is that right?" I asked her.
She confirmed, "Yes it did, but did he tell you that I'd broken up with Andrew's father the week before this fabled mistletoe moment?"
"No," I admitted and her face lit up. As she went into the story.
"I was the teenager working at the Crown back then and Gary {Andrew's father}, was too. Only I was always certain I was gonna get fired and Gary didn't worry at all. Because back then his parent's owned the place, so he didn't have a worry at all. It wasn't an arcade in those days, it was a soda shop, and did you see that classic-looking jukebox in the other room? It's the real deal, it used to sit in the Crown Soda Shop. It was famous for always having the hottest music in town. We'd all dance there all night on the weekends." She recalled.
I had to ask, "Did you guys still put up all of that mistletoe back then?"
"Oh yes! That was where Gary got into trouble. While he was innocently hanging greenery in the ceiling. My rival in school a cheerleader named Sue tricked him into a kiss. A kiss that I saw and I was furious because we'd been seeing each other for a while. Like five or six dates and guess what?"
Lizzie popped in on the conversation, to help out. "Dad hadn't kissed you and here he was puckered up to some pom-pom thrusting floozy."
"Elizabeth, don't steal my thunder," Annette warned playfully swatting at her.
As Lizzie ran away calling over her shoulder. "Sorry, not sorry!"
Annette recapped, "So! Setting the scene here. He's hanging mistletoe, that homewrecking heifer takes her shot." She had to pause because everyone was laughing, including me. "It nearly ruined our Christmas that year. Because I thought he was sweet on her. Much sweeter than he was on me. So I figured I'd make it easy on him by taking myself out of the equation entirely. I ended things with him even though it mutilated my heart to do so and I still had to see him every day. At school and at work."
"Oh my goodness," I reacted. "That must have been brutal."
She went on, "This all happened a week out from the Crown Christmas Party that year. I was miserable, he was pathetic and all of our friends, co-workers, and his family co-conspired to get us under that kiss-inspiring vegetation. There were like eight different plots set for trapping us and we botched every single one. Not even realizing we'd done it but when the music started and everyone was headed for the open area to dance… The last plan worked. Well, the last plan besides locking us in the back storage room. Am I right?"
Annette teased her surrounding friends, family and neighbors, "I could point out a few of you who have had that happen to you once or twice. The whole back room fiasco." Everyone laughed and several people raised their hands or pointed at people next to them.
"So the music starts, I'll never forget it was Brenda Lee's "Another Lonely Day," from her Christmas album." Annette set the scene.
I had to say, "I love Brenda Lee at Christmas." Several other people around me concurred. "She's the greatest." "She's the best." Or "It's not Christmas without Brenda Lee." While others were claiming "Chipmunks, NSYNC, Mariah Carey, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Elvis, and Andy Williams"… One man said way too loud and booming, "Michael Buble!"
"We're following the crowd and wham! We're trapped." Annette got back on track, I can't be the only one on the edge of my seat. Andrew's mom had the whole room in the palm of her hand. She went on, "He looked at me and I looked at him. He looked like a lost puppy dog that had been picked up by the pound. So I told him, 'There was no need to be so horrified' that 'it would be cold day in hell before I ever kissed someone else's man. Christmas or not!'"
She went on, "He told me that he wasn't dating anyone anymore since I broke his heart. Maturely, I told him that he was the one who broke my heart. To quit lying! When he realized that I had no date and he had no date he grabbed me up into a kiss that was so good. I never wanted to let him go again, and I haven't. Ever since that night at our Crown before it was an Arcade. We've been together and that was nearly 30 years ago believe it or not. Three children we had together along with a few strays we've picked up along the way. I wouldn't trade any of it. Not for the world."
I smiled and clapped along with the surrounding audience. Then Andrew said, "Mom every time you tell that story. You've been on a few more dates where Dad hasn't kissed you yet."
"Andrew." His mother warned, "I brought you in this world, don't make me take you out of it too." As threatening as these words probably sound on paper. The way she said it somehow made it clear that they were teasing. Feeding off of the crowd now, Annette set him up. "Why don't you share your own mistletoe experience, son? For those of you who don't know, Andrew is my middle child and he gained the lovely Rita [whose holding his hand] under some mistletoe as well. Proving the millionth time in his life that history can repeat itself."
Andrew turned on his own brand of inherited charm and took over the storytelling. "My second year of middle school, I fell for this lovely lady the first time I set eyes on her. I wished I had been lucky enough to have gotten teamed up with her in our science class. However, my best friend Darien was the one who drew her name out of a hat and read it out loud. I had to hassle him until he traded partners with me. Which took months of convincing and blackmailing. I think it annoyed him to no end because he's so very smart and so is my Rita. The partner he was getting in place of her was a very simple girl, who harbored a huge crush on him. With no grasp of scientific knowledge, and I've never been more glad to bug him."
Rita grinned and took over for a moment. "Christmas that year, was very hard for me. I was in a new place, I didn't have many friends. I was the new girl at school too, Andy and Darien were always telling me to come to the Arcade with them after school. That was difficult for me back then, I had my studies and cram school too. My first time ever walking into the Crown was the Christmas Party that year… So can you imagine my first impression of that place being a ceiling full of mistletoe that your two possible guy friends just didn't mention?"
Andrew reasoned, "If I'd told you then would you have come?"
"No!" Rita clarified, sounding like this was a play-fight they'd had many times since. "I'm a good girl. My intent that day wasn't to make out with someone's face. It was to see if these two sorta partial guy friends can be my real friends."
Andrew again, cool as a cucumber, "What did you learn? That Darien was your friend and I was a little more than that, wasn't I?" Rita smiled too brightly to deny it. Andrew explained to everyone who hadn't seen it for themselves. "I kissed her under that mistletoe trellis in front of everyone that day. Because Howie "the Hulk" Hauke, the biggest bully in our school who'd flunked out five years in a row and should have been graduating by that time. Was trying to force Rita to kiss him. I almost got my ass whooped by his crewnies, Darien almost did too. Neither of us were quite so tall back in those days, so it was a close one. He was only in trouble because he had my back. But I kissed Rita under the trellis and said she was with me. Then we had to keep kissing every time we stepped underneath any more greenery. Because those are the rules and I've never been a bigger stickler for rules in my life than I was that day." Andrew said as everyone around us laughed.
Rita added, "Since then I can't imagine ever kissing anyone else."
As the room thundered with applause again they kissed so cutely. I just knew they would be together forever. Even if nothing was written in stone or anything yet. They were just that kind of love, all on their own. They were gonna make it.
Just then Darien bolted through so quickly, not saying a word to anyone. I tried to get his attention. But he didn't see me, Andrew did however and he came to sit next to me. He was wearing a "Christmas Vacation" sweater I had to compliment (we were just watching that at lunch today).
Still talking to the gathered populace he claimed, "If my mom and dad's kiss is the number one spot, for the best moment under the mistletoe. Rita and myself are in the number two spot. Allow me to introduce the lady who currently holds the number three spot on my personal best list and has for two consecutive years with two entirely different occurrences. This is Serena, who is in the Arcade every day."
The moment he revealed my name, a bunch of excited whispers started to happen around me. "Yep," I gulped feeling the burn of the spotlight.
"How many years have you been doing that? Coming in every day, like that?" He asked like he doesn't already know.
"A little over three years... I think," I said honestly.
"Yep, that's about what I would have guessed too," Andrew accepted. Before explaining, "Those whispers of excitement you're hearing are all people who have heard about you for years. Now they're finally able to put a face to the name. Even if they especially heard about you last year more than any other time."
"Why is that, exactly?" I asked my friend who'd been the most prominent big brother energy in my world till this last year.
"Because Darien wouldn't shut up about you all night last year." Andrew eluded, and I just knew he had to be making that up, but too many people were all agreeing with him and pitching perfect examples.
Andrew's older brother Garrett (who I'd heard about for years but never met till tonight). Even added in there, "It was so bad that he kept getting reamed by all of my best pranks. He was pathetic! It's so nice to know that he was that lame for a perfectly good reason."
Andrew changed the subject on me before I could freak out accordingly, by asking. "Do you happen to remember how exactly you met Darien the first time?"
"Sure, but why?" I asked him again.
"Because that was one of the big things we had been debating at last year's party." Andrew chose to tell me. "Darien kept swearing that he'd met you in the hospital after his motorcycle accident. You had been a candy striper who had been making rounds visiting with everyone who was alone on his floor. While I seemed to remember you two meeting up way before that and you'd thrown a test paper at his head. Who is right?"
"Well, honestly you both are," I answered him with the truth. And because this felt like any old time, talking to Andrew. I felt my shoulders relax a little bit. "I realize that some of Darien's memories have been messed around with. He can't help that of course, and I can even see how he would think that was the first time he'd met me. But for me, the very first time was in front of my best friend Molly's mother's jewelry store. When I hit him in the head with a test paper by accident when it missed a trash bin."
Rita took the seat next to her boyfriend and asked me, "Serena? How far off were you on hitting this target when Darien's head isn't an easily achieved height to mistake?" Which set off another reaction laugh through the huddled mass.
I even laughed myself as I agreed, "Right! I threw it over my shoulder not looking. It had been a terrible grade I wish I could say it was one of the worst I've ever gotten and I didn't want to show it to my mom. So I tossed it backward and heard, 'Hey! Watch it, Meatball Head!'" I imitated Darien's cranky tone perfectly to the delight of our story circle.
Leaning against the door frame an amazed sounding Darien supplied, "It was a huge red inked thirty percent at the top of the page."
"Did you have to remember that part, really?" I asked him, comically as he smirked at me. "Andrew was kind enough to leave that part out. Why couldn't you remember any of the OTHER details of that day?"
"I just remembered it when I heard you saying that." Darien said as he realized, "What other things do you know that I don't remember?"
"Weeeeeeeell," I drew out. "That wasn't just the first moment we met. It was also the birthplace of that nickname I loth and you still call me." I said with a little too much sass. I could see him perking up to the challenge he heard in my voice. It was a comfortable thing we were still so used to, it felt more fun than it used to though.
He stepped away from the doorway he'd been leaning on to step right up to me. I was seated on the high back of a couch, and still needed to stand up. I still had to crane my neck and look straight up to meet his eyes. I could hear Annette gushing to Rita and Lizzie, "They're height difference… so cuuuuute. I just wanna dip her in my coffee."
Andrew interrupted our playful stare down with another question, "Were any of the kisses we witnessed, under the mistletoe at the Crown, the first to happen between you two?".
We both answered together honestly in perfect unison, "No."
I didn't look away from Darien to see for myself, but I could feel Andrew's eyes popping out of his head. At our honest answer, he'd gotten in stereo. Andrew pressed on, "When or where did that take place?"
Darien broke off our eye contact this time to glare at Andrew as he complained, "God! You're nosy!"
"Come on!" Andrew encouraged me while Darien's eyes locked with mine too. Darien raised one eyebrow at me.
I smiled back at him, "That's between him and me."
Darien's answering smile told me that he liked that answer way too much. Especially when Andrew made an annoyed sound, saying. "That's no fun."
So Andrew fired off into a more entertaining story of last Christmas [AN: or we know it as chapter one, readers, where he was was cupid aiming his arrows at us. Darien kept trying to tell him that he was confusing Christmas with Valentine's day again. But Andrew would not be deterred. He revealed, "I had been determined to get these two under the mistletoe then. I'd come so close, with little success. But if you had told me then that they would be making out through this year's Extravaganza. I would have never believed you."
Annette pinned Darien in place with her intimating Mom-tone. Saying, "Darien Shields did you really say all of those terrible things to this lovely young lady?" The maternal boss of this household gripped my shoulders protectively and told me. "You're so kind, pretty as a doll and you're not tripping over yourself trying to please him either. You can straighten him out better than anyone I've ever seen."
Darien shook his head at himself and said, "I would love to tell you that Andy's exaggerating. But with Serena sitting right here to beg the differ, along with too many of the other faces I see at the Arcade every day. I'm afraid I haven't got a leg to stand on here."
"Smart move," I complimented Darien. Before turning to Mrs. Furahata and saying, "Actually while I have you here for a moment. I would like to say thank you to you for not only inviting me and several of my friends new this year. Opening up your home to us, making us all feel so welcome, and having so much fun. Thank you so much for being a family for Darien all of these years. We've spent a lot of time together this season and I know that he didn't just lose his family when he was young, he also lost all memory of them. Whenever he speaks of family at all. It's all you guys, and since he's become someone very important to me. I just wanted to say thank you for always being there for him like you have been."
Annette was so touched she pulled me into a mama bear hug. When she was walking away to collect herself I did hear her say something softly to Darien as she passed him. I hadn't caught it, so I asked him, "What did she say?"
He smirked at me way too happy and said, "Just what I was thinking myself." Then he leaned down and whispered in my ear sending a chill down my back. "She said that I'd better not let you get away. And I don't intend to... just so you know."
That was when he put the palm of my hand up to his cheek and kissed the center of that palm. I nearly jumped outta my skin. "COLD! Cold! Your face is ice! Have you stepped in front of the fire at all?"
"No, not yet, I came to find my girlfriend, first." He said this like it made perfect sense. His first stop had to be me and not the fire pit out back, one of the lit fireplaces, or a HEATER-DUCT-FOR-CRYING-OUT-LOUD.
That was when his words hit me like a ton of bricks. "Yo-Your-ur girlfriend? Is that me?"
He'd closed his eyes claiming, "You're nice and warm…" Then his eyes opened, and all innocently like a little boy he asked me, "Is it okay if you're my girlfriend?" Still holding my hand to his face.
I smiled so hard it hurt a little as I told him, "Yes! It's okay. But it's not okay that you're this cold." I stepped away but took his hand and towed him back towards the lit fireplace as I said, "Come on. We've gotta get you warmed up fast."
We didn't have to take the mistletoe room route. We could have easily bypassed it, but Darien tugged me in that direction and insisted. When I turned back to him with question marks going off all around my head. Darien picked me up like he did at the Crown, saying. "There's more than one way to warm up, you know?"
Then as he still held me up slightly higher than him, he kissed me. To the further entertainment of the gathered partygoers. His lips were ice cold and hungrier than normal. But as we crossed the room I could feel a heat slowly making it way into his face. He kissed me for every single bought we walked under. When we parted and my feet hit the ground on the other side. I looked up into his smiling face and it really did seem like a moment I will always look back on as one of the happiest of the whole season (possibly my life). But then I was back to my initial objective, "Park it next to that fireplace Jack Frost."
"Only if you sit with me." He compromised, and how could I turn that down? He chose a seat right by the fire, I wrapped a blanket around him and tried to take the seat beside him. But he kept tugging on me till I was draped across his lap.
Remember how I said there were heated trays going around with hot mugs of hot drinks? Leave it to Darien to pick plain old coffee. When I scrunched my nose and told him, "Really? Plain old coffee? When there are so many better things to drink? Like chocolate… and Chocolate? Who am I kidding?"
He laughed and said, "I love coffee." Then he took a sip and got a surprise. "It's Mocha! My favorite. Thanks Ruby." He said to Andrew's cousin who looked a lot like Lizzie.
"Okay," I allowed, "Chocolate coffee is much better."
"Want a sip," He asked offering me the mug. But I stole a kiss instead, tasting the warm sweetness on his lips.
If I had to taste coffee, I would have to enjoy it a little more than just the dash of cocoa powder. Especially knowing Darien hated to sweeten his coffee. Needless to say, it was my best coffee experience and I had to agree, "That's good."
After that, I will admit to focusing a little more heavily on warming my new boyfriend. He was mere inches from being a snowman.
Camped In The Mistletoe Room…
(Ann's Point of View)
I had been sitting in the dimmer lighting of the mistletoe room. In the sole chair that existed in the room. It was wooden hard backed extra for the dining room table and morbidly uncomfortable. But I stayed, I sat there waiting for the first moment Darien walked through. I was determined to wedge myself between him and Serena. Even if Serena wasn't here, I was taking no chances.
I didn't want to socialize, I didn't want to eat an obscene amount of junk. I saw no point in exchanging emails, or phone numbers with the waistoids Andrew claimed as family. I was waiting and ready to pounce on Darien the moment he came through. I did grab a few more mugs of that cider stuff though to keep warm. This part of the house was surprisingly drafty and chilled.
I had no inkling that when that moment had arrived, my golden opportunity to get Darien to notice me… that he would already be attached at the mouth with Serena. That he would walk through so enraptured with her that I thought he didn't notice me. So I stuck my leg out to trip them.
But he saw me enough to step over my extended appendage. Never even falter as he passed me and left me in the dark. I glanced in the room he'd just left, where everyone was still geeking out over the fact that Darien had just called Serena his girlfriend…
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
So not only did he ignore me, sidestep me and leave me in the dark. But now he's dating that dunderhead. What is with this crazy snowstorm? Has everyone lost their minds? This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year? It's more like this is where good times come to die! Seriously!
The hell if I was gonna stick around for this shit show starring that idiot and her insanely possessed new boyfriend. No! I was out of here! To flag down Alan, the only one I can count on in this waste of dirt planet. To point him in the direction of this hellhole as the perfect next target and I was gonna burn this place to the ground. Then spit on the ashes, Merry Christmas to me.
That would show them, that would prove I'm better. Hadn't I promised if Darien lost his mind and claimed that helium hysterical hyena of a girlfriend that Serena would bleed? That didn't seem good enough now, that it's officially happened. I wanted to kill her, I wanted her to hurt the way I was sick right now.
When Serena's dead I can totally steal Darien with NO INTER-RUP-TIONS!
Why hasn't that been my plan all along… it kinda was but, anyway!
I grabbed my coat, ditched the corny slippers, and slipped back into my boots. Booked it out the door and flew up in the air after kicking off hard from the icy ground. I soared upwards and there was no sign of Alan anywhere. I thought to myself, "He couldn't have gone home. He'd never give up so easily… Not with our very lives at stake."
But when I stepped through a porthole and checked our apartment we were squatting in. There he was planted on the couch, sipping cocoa and watching a Christmas special. So much is wrong with this picture. Even if the two most glaringly wrong things I saw were Alan was watching the Hallmark channel and wearing the dumbest looking hat I'd ever seen.
Why is it that this man is so obsessed Christmas themed cartoons? And movies, out of the blue? He used to have mostly normal interests and goals. Then he got a crush on Serena and started acting all weird. He's only gotten stranger sense then, is there something I'm missing here?
But I wasn't worried about any of that, like I would be if this were a normal night. I was SEETHING. I was so livid I was shaking and I told Alan to, "GET UP!"
"What?" He asked all doe-eyed and innocent.
I told him, "I don't wanna watch tv, eat candy or play any more of your pointless games. I want blood, revenge, HELLFIRE! I want you to put your stupid coat on and help me attack a stupid Christmas Party happening right now. A gathering of tons of people with even more energy. I'm sure of it."
"I don't know Ann," Alan hesitated. I don't know why, he knows I always get what I want. ALWAYS! So why waste time-fighting it? He went on explaining, "I don't know, I offered up our combined efforts from earlier and the tree wasn't the least bit interested. It just bounced off of its bark and went back to who it had been taken from. I'm beginning to think we're not on the right track here."
"Will you listen to yourself?" I pleaded. "Harvesting energy for the Doom Tree is all we know.
It probably didn't want to mess around with such a small pitilly offering. The place I'm talking about has more people in one room than we've seen in two days. And you know their house has a bunch of rooms just like that. We gotta go!"
He asked me, "Can I at least stay to see if they got together before Christmas?"
I drag him through a porthole, slippers, dumb hat, and all. Just to prove to him what I mean. Instead of appearing in the cold though. We were inside one of the bedrooms above the party. The same one that Rita and Lizzie had dragged me to earlier. Pulling this horrendous Christmas Sweater over my head, and swore it was mandatory dress code.
Not only did Alan dance around in joy at wearing an ugly sweater. (Seriously, he's watched too many Hallmark movies)
Once dressed properly he walked right out into the Furahata House Christmas Party. Then the traitor wouldn't fight, wouldn't attack, wouldn't do a single thing I needed him to. No! What did he do? He made a freaking PLATE! Loaded it up with everything he could fit, sat on his happy ass and ate every speck.
He went around and started eating all of the Christmas goodies that were scattered all throughout the house after that. Asked people for recipes and got four different girls' phone numbers after crossing the mistletoe room with them. He played his flute during the caroling, danced the whole time during the dancing, and won a prize in a few of the games.
It's like he has nothing between his ears but MEAT! Stupid male meat and I even caught him laughing with Serena at one point. Congratulating her on winning some insipid game she'd beat him out in. It had to have been a simple game, like one intended for kids… little kids.
I was so disgusted that I went outside to the backyard where some people surrounded a fire pit. It wasn't nearly as toasty as the indoors of course. The snow was melting everywhere, so the ground was quite slushy. But I couldn't have taken another moment of looking at everyone's happy faces. Especially Serena and Darien's smiling faces. I still wanted revenge, I wanted redemption. I still needed to figure out how I was gonna convince Darien that Serena was all wrong for him. That he's supposed to want me. Love me… Not her…ME!
Across the fire pit, one of Andrew's relatives kept staring at me. Andrew's mother figure had introduced him earlier but I have no idea what his name was or what relation he was to Andrew exactly. At first I thought that he was looking at someone behind me. Then I was thinking I had to have something on my face. I don't know why he was smiling and staring like that. It made me feel stranger than I already felt.
So the third time I caught him looking at me I demanded, "What!? What are you looking at?"
The guy told me, "The most beautiful girl at the party. Even if she looks mad enough to rip off our Christmas tree, Grinch-style, and drag it outta the house hoisted over her head.."
"I know," I told the first person I could agree with at this hellhole. "I am the prettiest one here. Yet my crush showed up with someone else. Is even calling that someone else his new girlfriend too. I couldn't stand to be in there with them for another minute. Or any of those other crazy smiling faces in there."
"Well, whoever this crush of yours is, he's stupid." the guy said handing me a stick with a marshmallow on its end. Keeping another stick for himself that had a hot dog on the end. As he toasted and blackened the synthetic encasing over the open flame he went on. "Why waste your time on somebody who doesn't appreciate you for who you are?"
"That's just the thing," I corrected him as I caught my marshmallow on fire and watched it blacken and crisp up. "He's not dumb or unappreciative. He's just making this mistake, a BIG one. I need to show him he's wrong."
The dude asked me, "What's your name again?"
I told him, "Ann… Ann Granger."
"Pretty name, strong too." The male person who was still staring at me, complimented me. He went on talking, "I don't know a single 'Ann' in this world. Who can't take care of herself, or set things right. I'm Garrett, Andrew's and Lizzie's big brother. I even claim Darien sometimes, when he's not being a butt. My best advice to you Ann, as someone a little more mature who's lived a little longer in this world. Is to find someone better to keep as a crush. Take it from a guy who wasted years of my life on the wrong kinds of girls for me. Find someone who sees and hears you, even when everyone else talking over you. Someone who knows how to listen, and always tells you how lovely you are. Find that and don't let that go. You're far too precious to end up like me. A bitter old sleepless college student, who's likely to get even less shut-eye when I'm a lawyer like I plan to be."
He slapped my blackened marshmallow between two cracker-looking things. With a thick slab of chocolate melting on contact. He handed it back to me telling me to "Enjoy it once it's cooled down a bit. Bite into it now and that marshmallow will burn the roof of your mouth like hot lava." Then he slapped his hotdog into a bun and walked back into the house coolly. Never looking back.
What was that? Was he hitting on me? Just now? Or trying to pull some of that big-brother nonsense Andrew's always talking about?
With him gone it was time for me to make a clean getaway, so I did. It wasn't until I was up in the air forming a base of activity that I realized I was still holding the crackery thing that Garrett dude had done to my marshmallow. It was really hot in my hands it felt nice. Maybe it would taste nice too. So I took a teeny bite and you know something… it was AMAZING! By far the best thing on planet Earth hands down.
I'm still going to attack! I still am! But first… I'm finishing this.
The Rundown as told by Andrew
(Andrew's Perspective)
I couldn't believe it, the party was in full swing. While distant relatives couldn't make it for obvious reasons. All of our local fam, friends, and neighbors were in attendance. In fact, this might be the best turnout we've ever had of local partygoers. In all our years of doing this.
I had my Rita beside me, and I couldn't wait for the dancing to begin. So I could pull her close and spin her on that dance floor. Not to mention I wouldn't have to be quite so well-behaved in that darkened room. When the right Christmas toons blared and I could get away with making her blush. God! I love that woman, and reconnecting with her over the last few days has been miraculous. It's all been nothing short of absolute heaven.
Have there been times that I wish we'd been entrapped in one of our apartments instead of my family's homeplace? YES! It had been very hard getting time alone with her. But those times we had spent syncing up again had been marvelous and magical. I hadn't a complaint in the world… aimed at Rita. I was looking forward to leaving tonight and staying at the guys' manor, even if we were helping out. Simply because the four guys had been gracious enough to give us our own room to share. Just Rita and me they'd planned it out weeks ahead when I had expressed some worry about alone time with my girlfriend.
We would finally be in a place where my mother wasn't looming over our shoulders. Threatening to take my bedroom door off its hinges. Where Garrett wasn't covering his eyes to enter any room Rita and I were found alone in together. And where my little sister wasn't always stealing away my girlfriend for her own twisted torture games.
No! Tonight she would be all mine and I couldn't wait.
Lizzie's new boyfriend hadn't made her cry since he'd arrived. Hadn't broken up with her, or started flirting around with all of the other girls attending this gathering. So far he was doing better than the last several guys she'd invited as her date over the last several years.
Garrett has disappeared, signifying the start of some wonderful jokes and pranks being finalized and placed as we speak. UNLESS! We distract him. In past years I would have a disgruntled Lizzie or nearly hostel with Grinch-i-ness Darien to help me distract him. However this year without their support I was almost afraid of what jokes he would be throwing. Rita had tried to help me plan and plot. But all of those ideas kept getting wiped clean from our minds after another trip through the mistletoe room.
I want to stop my brother, sure I do, but I am not about to give up mistletoe missions. No matter how distracting they turn out to be. Let him have his fun, prank-less parties are so overrated nowadays. As long as Garrett isn't falling for some girl like he always does. We'll be just fine, I'm certain.
Speaking of my best friend, I have never seen him so unrelentingly HAPPY.
I've also never seen him so affectionate or so attached to anyone. He seemed utterly captivated by Serena, it was almost like he was a completely different guy. He was always holding her hand, kissing her, touching her and he never let her wander beyond arm's length. Which had me wondering what in the world had happened at Serena's house? While they had been stuck there together?
I've never heard him voluntarily call any girl his "girlfriend" before either. Not even when he had a gun pointed at his head. It had been a play gun from a shooting game at the crown. Even that heifer was told, "NO!" without hesitation. Not that I blame him on that score, she was certifiable.
But he had been looking for her and said, "He was looking for his girlfriend."
…
…
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
My mom had pulled me down to her level and asked me, "Where has this girl been? Why haven't we invited her before? If you've known her for three years? How is this possible?"
My dad told me, "It's like she's that missing piece of the puzzle. No one even noticed had been missing." I could tell my father wasn't just speaking of Darien either. But the whole feel of this party, this year, was something very distinct and special. Compared to all parties before it, I know one of the biggest factors was that Serena was here. Even if Rita being here was a bigger plus for me personally. I saw the merits of all the pluses playing out at this party objectively. (Even if still Rita's the best)
I'd told them for years, she lit up the whole Crown. Just walking through the door and to know her was to love her. Also that I KNEW Darien loved her beyond a shadow of a doubt. Now they finally saw what I had been talking about.
They like me knew Darien well enough to see that he was a goner.
I was very confident moving on with the party. We would have several "Reindeer Games." Going on here soon. That was what we called the party games played. The ones where bets were made, won, and lost. Prizes were handed out for several and bragging rights would last for the next year. That is what we call these crazy activities we've cooked up for our esteemed guests.
Usually getting Darien to run one event competition or participate in any tournament for even one round was like pulling teeth. However this year, all we had to do was get Serena to ask him and pitch it as a challenge. He wouldn't just DO it, which would have been a miracle enough. He ran four games and won three different matches. No teeth-pulling, hair-pulling, rough-housing, or ultimatums needed. He just did whatever she asked, and he had fun. I could see he was really enjoying himself. It was such a payoff, such a relief and it did my heart good.
The first prank had been Garrett's classic soap in Mom's beloved cherub fountain in the hall. Little winged cupid-like babies couldn't even be seen from all of the suds. Soapy water was everywhere and some people went down on their way to the bathroom because of it.
Then trick wood in the fireplaces and fire pit out back. A specially made wood that covers anyone too close in pitch black sot and stinks to high heaven. Trick soap was put in all of the soap dispensers, trick towels hung nearby, a bowl of punch was spiked that was labeled safe for all ages. A tray of brownies made of sixty percent dark chocolate and one hundred percent black dye. Turned any eater's full mouth black. The eater's teeth, tongue, and throat, ALL black. A bra was placed inside the piano so a bunch of keys didn't work till it was found. A bra belonging to my mother too so… Clearly he has a death wish.
He'd set out plates of trick food and candies that were all disgusting. Melvin liked every one of them (like every year). He's a sweet guy and he's so good to little Molly, but he is a strange one. He'd set up several tripwires that blasted party poppers, or fart noises. Four different locations had fake vomit, while four other locations had hidden fake poop. The kids that found it and brought it back to him got a prize.
That's right ladies, he's single. The shock of the world! And he wants to be a lawyer! Wouldn't you want this kook in your corner?
Who sits around and thinks up these things? Isn't law school really hard? Too hard to allow him such creative license?
When caroling time was here (and my mother's unmentionables had been reclaimed). I even heard Darien singing along to the ones he knew. Which was like three or four of them. While he marveled that Serena had known every single one played. After that, it was finally time to dance and I can't really say I paid much attention to anything besides Rita during that time. But dancing is usually the last thing we do. Because it tends to take up the rest of the party time once it starts and everyone was bringing their A-game to that floor.
With Rita's head on my shoulder, she said, "I think it's finally safe to say, that this party was an overwhelming success Andy."
"It isn't over yet," I reminded her but I said back into her ear. "Though I'm beginning to agree with you."
"I'm glad it went well." She said with her eyes closed.
I had to tell her, "I'm just still so overwhelmingly happy that you're here."
Her eyes flew open and made contact with mine. "I know, me too." She giggled and let me squeeze her tighter.
"This wouldn't be half as fun or anywhere nearly as meaningful. If you hadn't been here with me this year." I told her from my heart and she pulled me into a kiss that had me standing in the center of the dancefloor. Not dancing, standing and just taking the moment in. I felt my Dad nudge me and tell me to move it along. But I didn't take that as a command, it was just a friendly suggestion.
Not to mention, we should practice! We are all attending a Ball tomorrow night. This was another opportunity to make certain we all wouldn't embarrass those humble hosts on their night. Which would be happening tomorrow night. It was gonna be a big fancy formal event.
Speaking of which, I had to hand it to the four of them, they were excellent dancers. Who were all enjoying themselves too, it looked like. Kirk was waltzing with Mina like a professional. Nate was wooing Lita hardcore with a dance that kept her glued to him. Zane and Amy were dancing more appropriately and not so showy. But the look they were sharing was like there wasn't another living soul on the planet.
I felt bad for Jaden, he'd seemed so downcast all night when Raye hadn't shown. But when I glanced to see if he was a wallflower. He wasn't! He was taking turns with all the elderly ladies and little girls who had attended. If you were between the ages of four and nine, or fifty-plus, he was your man. It was so sweet and comical, it was the perfect answer to his gloominess and I wondered why I hadn't thought of it myself. Taking their cues from Jaden Garrett and Alan did the same.
Our little house party would be wrapping up for another year soon. Then the relocation process could begin. We would be transporting all of our guests we'd gone and gotten earlier. Then after helping all of those people back to their homes. A massive group along with Garrett, Lizzie, Conner, Rita and me would be returning to the Mansion. Where we'd promised to spend the rest of the evening helping out any way we can there. For the big Ball tomorrow, when we did go to sleep. I would get some much-needed alone time with Rita, then tomorrow morning we'd all get up and continue to work and get prepared for tomorrow night.
In this moment, with Rita so close and our party was nearly a full success. I found myself hoping that every Christmas could be as magical as this one, and that tomorrow's dance share in that success. Before we passed a little too close to the doorframe and ended up under some mistletoe. I pointed it out to Rita and sealed my prayers with a kiss.
Truly, may every Christmas feel like this and be spent with her. "Happy Christmas to all and to all a goodnight."
That's it for today's chapter.
Did anyone else think that Andrew's ending here felt like an ending to one of those movies at Christmas? It really felt like it to me. Thank you so much for reading, I hope that you enjoyed it. I will be posting the next chapter tomorrow. God bless anyone reading these words right now and please have a great day.
~SailorLeia
