It had been three days since that horrible night at the river and Christina had become quieter than ever before. Shaggy didn't blame her of course, he knew as with any accident it took time to heal. Christina's near-drowning had ripped her heart to pieces as she was forced to accept the loss of her parents all over again.
"They were there." she had sobbed on the way back to the manor, "And they were happy"
He was beginning to detest the rainy season. He wanted to cheer her up, to see her smile again but at the same time, he wasn't going to force her.
He just had to wait.
…...
I know I shouldn't act this way. I know I shouldn't be a crying mess. It wasn't acceptable then and it isn't okay now.
But what I saw. What I felt. Every moment seemed real. They were alive. They were happy.
They were there.
Christina let the diary fall from her fingers, crying overtaking her once more. She fell to the floor not long after, curling into a fetal position with another crying jag. She just didn't care anymore. Didn't care who saw, who heard.
That's what brought Chase to her door and into her room when she didn't respond. Jade and Snowball following suit.
Chase patted her arm while Jade licked her tears.
But she couldn't stop crying.
…...
"Chase?"
He startled, hiding behind his wings.
"Sorry," Shaggy apologized, "I have a question"
Chase peeked out curiously.
"Do you know how to cheer up your sister?"
He nodded, grabbing some paper. It always did good to have writing supplies on him, for those who couldn't understand his silent way of speaking.
Shaggy watched over Chase's shoulder as he scribbled away.
"Shaggy?"
Now, it was Shaggy's turn to jump while Clawdeen laughed.
"What is it, Clawdeen?"
"I just want to know how Christina's doing"
"She's sleeping now"
"Wrong," Draculaura said, running past.
That's when he heard her screams. He spun on his heel and flew past Draculaura in a rush. Was Christina in trouble? Had she sleep-walked into another near-death situation. When he got to her room he looked around wildly for the danger only to see Christina screaming in her sleep, eyes clamped shut and tears pouring down her cheeks. He ran to her bedside and grabbed her by the shoulders to keep her from hurting herself.
"Christina, Christina, it's okay, you're safe, you're okay," he soothed, trying to wake her.
It took a few minutes, but she eventually woke. Her eyes were fearful and wild.
"I-I-I'm s-s-s-sorry-"
"Shhh, it's alright, you're alright," Shaggy hugged her, briefly forgetting Christina wasn't that comfortable yet, not that she was protesting.
With Christina's back to him, Chase slipped Shaggy the letter.
…...
I need to stop crying Christina thought bitterly to herself a few days later It's been years now.
"Christy," Draculaura opened the door, "How are you feeling today?"
"Like an actual child. I shouldn't be-"
"Christina," Draculaura wrapped an arm around her cousin, "It's okay to cry, it's okay to show emotion you don't always have to be strong"
"No, no"
"Why? What's the matter?"
"Chase, I-I have to be strong for him, I have to keep it together for him, I have to-"
"No, Christina, no you don't," Draculaura interrupted, "You don't have to be strong for anyone, it's okay to cry, it's okay to let down your walls"
"I don't feel okay doing that"
"You have to at some point"
Christina sighed heavily, "I know"
"Promise me, promise me you'll try"
"I promise, Laura"
"Good," Draculaura squeezed her tightly," I'll go check on Chase, you get some sleep"
Christina watched her cousin leave, waiting until she shut the door, standing, slowly to the window. The rain continued to pelt the glass, a steady unending rain. She could see her reflection in the glass, her hair was left out of its braid, covering the right half of her face now. Her eyes empty, skin paler than usual. Dressed all in black, sullen and sad.
A knock on the door caught her attention.
"Yes?" she quickly pushed her hair back and squared her shoulders
"Christina, may I come in?"
"Yes"
Shaggy walked in slowly, nervously.
"I like, want to show you something, please?"
"Alright," she followed him wondering what was going on, tensing at the lightning that flashed outside.
Up another flight of stairs and down short hall Shaggy stopped suddenly before a set of doors. They opened with a loud creak, an indication that they hadn't been opened in a long time. Christina followed him inside only to stifle a gasp.
"My sister and I don't read nearly enough for this to be considered our library," Shaggy said easily, "It's like, yours now"
"Mine?"
"Yeah, if-if you like, want it-"
"Thank you," Christina interrupted with a small smile.
Even the smallest smile gave hope, "You're welcome, Christina"
…...
"What's the smile for, Shaggy?" Clawdeen asked when he returned to the main room and lazily dropped in front of the fire.
"I gave Christina the library"
Draculaura looked up from her embroidery, "How did you know she likes to read?"
"Oh," Shaggy glanced at Chase who was teaching Snowball to sit, "A little birdie told me"
"She'll come out of her room now," Draculaura giggled.
"Do you have any more surprises planned?" Clawd inquired.
"Yes"
"That's all you're telling us?"
"For now"
,,,,,,,,,
Christina looked better at dinner that night. Her hair pulled away from her face, a deep red dress in place of her black one. A ghost of a smile on her face. Even though she didn't talk Shaggy considered it a small victory. She was there, she hadn't taken dinner in her room. However, she was tense.
He hadn't gotten past her walls just yet.
But he would. Slowly but surely he would.
…...
I miss you. Both of you.
I suppose this is why I'm writing another letter. How many have I written? Five? Six? I have lost count. I feel all I do when I write these that I repeat myself but what else can I do? This is the only way to communicate with you.
Would you be proud of me?
I admit I'm not used to life here. Chase, however, has settled in just fine. He loves spending time with Sugie and she loves spending time with him. They're trying to teach Snowball tricks but the wolf is much more interested in licks.
Jade is with me. She tracked us down, you remember how protective she is don't you? Now, she's pursuing Scooby, Shaggy's dog. Well, Shaggy's best friend really.
And Shaggy?
Shaggy's been really kind to me but he also seems nervous around me. I know, I've written about it before but not to you.
What would you tell me to do?
Can I do anything at all?
I wish you could tell me.
Christina shut her diary and put it away. There were so many comfortable nooks, so many windows in the library. There were plenty of spaces to tuck herself in. Leaning against the window she let her eyes close sleepily, only to remember what happened when she slept and forced herself awake. She was startled to see Chase.
"Chase?" she stifled a yawn.
He sat down and scooted beside her.
"Where's Sugie?"
He tapped the window. Sugie was darting through the rain, headed inside. It was then that she noticed Chase was wet.
"Go put on some dry clothes, please,"
He nodded before scampering away.
Her eyes were drifting shut once more. A nap would be nice-
No, she couldn't nap. Couldn't sleep. When she slept she was back in the river, tangled up and drowning. Sleep was a novelty anyway. She didn't need it. Didn't need it. Then why did she want it so badly?
…...
"Shaggy!"
he jumped a foot in the air, at Daphne's sudden appearance.
"Daphne, what did I like, say about spying-"
"I know how to cure Christina's nightmares"
His ears perked up, "How?"
She presented him with a box just big enough for a necklace. Confused, Shaggy opened it to find a small stone on a simple chain.
"How does this help?"
"It's a dream stone, Twyla gave it to me, she said it would help"
"And? I like, know there's more"
"I thought it would make a nice gift"
Shaggy face-palmed, "Like, I'm not going to take advantage of her nightmares to woo her. That's like, cruel"
"So you aren't going to give it to her?"
"I am, she just won't know it's from me"
"She's bound to find out, cousin"
"Clawdeen! Like, does anyone else want to give me a heart attack?"
"Sorry, I was just saying"
"So, you came here to agree with Daphne?"
"No, I came here to inform you that a large crate has arrived"
Shaggy clapped excitedly.
"Good"
"Another surprise?"
"Surprise?" Daphne echoed.
"He's been trying to cheer Christina up"
"Come see," he urged them both.
/...
Christina was nodding off. She kept trying to fight it but her head had never felt heavier.
Finally, she slept.
,,,,,,,,,
Shaggy froze mid-stride causing the girls to crash into him.
"Shaggy..."
He ran past them both, thundering up the stairs. He went so fast in fact that Scooby was knocked out of the way. Spinning and flailing before tumbling down the steps and crashing at the bottom. The poor dog saw stars.
"Sorry, Scoob!" Shaggy yelled over his shoulder.
He stopped froze in the landing, spinning around and running back for the dream stone from the desk. Once he had it he bolted to the library where he found Christina gasping in her sleep, tears streaming down her face as she writhed.
"She'll hurt herself!" fretted Draculaura behind him.
But, Shaggy was already on it. With a little help from Clawdeen, they managed to still Christina long enough to slip the necklace over her head. The stone glowed warmly for a moment before Christina settled, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
"Like, come on, she needs to sleep," Shaggy whispered guiding them out of the library, "I'll like, show you what's in that crate now"
…...
Christina woke with a yawn, stretching her arms above her head, she sat up before glancing out the window to see the sun was setting.
How long was I asleep? She questioned, standing.
Tiredly she focused on her reflection of the glass while she fiddled with her braid, figuring it was beyond repair she let it down, running her fingers through her hair until it laid flat.
"Christina"
"Hi, Laura," she grinned turning to her cousin, "What's that smile for?"
"Come with me," Draculaura replied, grabbing Christina's wrist and pulling her from the library.
Christina didn't miss the spring in Draculaura's step or the way she couldn't quit smiling.
"What is it?" she laughed, digging her heels into the floor to stop her cousin.
"Come see, come see,"
"Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming," Christina surrendered, "Please lighten up, you're going to rip my arm from my body,"
"Race you then?" Draculaura challenged, dropping Christina's arm.
"I'll win!" Christina said, picking up her dress and racing after Draculaura like they were children again.
Down the stairs, past Clawd who looked on confusedly and Clawdeen who knew what was going on. Straight into the music room.
"Surprise, Christina!"
Her jaw dropped in surprise. There was a piano. Chase sat on the bench clapping excitedly.
"For you," Shaggy smiled, "Do you like it?"
"Yes, but how did you know that I..."
Chase couldn't help but smile.
"Like, a little birdie told me," Shaggy said as Sugie pulled Chase from the room.
"Play something, Christy," Draculaura urged, "Please?"
"Alright," Christina nodded, moving to the piano bench, resting her fingers on the keys.
There was a rush of excitement and for a moment she was taken back to when she was learning. "You have a gift," her mother had said. Slowly she began to play it wasn't long before she was swept away by the music, time becoming irreverent until the song's end when she heard the applause. Clawdeen, Clawd, Chase, and, Sugie had snuck inside while she was playing.
"You're talented, Christina," Sugie applauded.
"Thank you," Christina flushed with embarrassment.
"Sugie's right," Shaggy agreed, "Play another song?"
"Oh no," Christina's gaze hit the floor, "I really couldn't"
"After dinner? Please?"
"I suppose" Christina conceded.
Shaggy seemed excited by her agreement which made Christina turn an even deeper red.
Clawdeen could only smile at this exchange, elbowing Clawd in the ribs.
…...
"What, Clawdeen?" Shaggy demanded his smirking cousin after Christina had turned in for the night.
She waited for Clawd and Draculaura to leave before replying, "I think you've finally cheered her up"
"Like, where's the but? There's like, always a but"
"Did you know she doesn't sleep until just before sunrise?"
"Daphne's been spying," Shaggy rolled his eyes, "Earlier was proof of that"
"Perhaps, you and Christina should go for a walk"
"Now?"
"Yes, now"
"Mother would skin me alive if-"
"Aunt Stacy isn't here is she? This is your house is it not?"
"Actually-"
"Shaggy," Clawdeen growled her interruption, "There is no shame in asking her"
"Clawdeen-"
"Go, Now!"
…...
Christina had just tucked Chase in when there was a knock at the door.
"Coming," she whispered.
She grabbed a worn red shawl out of her trunk and wrapped it around herself before answering the door.
There stood Shaggy looking as nervous as ever.
"I-I know this is like, a strange request when you've already turned in but like, it's not raining right now and I was like, wondering if you wanted to go for a walk?"
"Yes"
Relief flooded his face.
Why do I make him so nervous?
…...
The ground was wet and muddy but the paths in the garden were clear and dry. Shaggy and Christina walked in silence, neither sure what to say or do.
Shaggy knew that by suggesting they go on a walk Clawdeen was hoping he'd confess but he didn't feel ready.
Christina, meanwhile, was reminded of home and her garden there.
"Like, what are you thinking about?"
"Mother's roses"
Shaggy worried she'd cry again, or close up but she only smiled softly, "Sometimes when I couldn't sleep I'd sneak outside and sit in the garden"
"What would your parents do?"
"Join me, tell me stories"
"Does Chase remember your parents?"
"He wasn't very big when they passed, he relies on my stories"
"I'm sorry," Shaggy apologized, "I like, shouldn't have asked"
"No, no, it's a perfectly valid question," Christina assured him, "I should be the one who's apologizing, I've been such a mess but I think I'm okay now"
Shaggy was trying to find the courage he needed to tell Christina the truth if only to get Clawdeen off his back when it began to sprinkle.
Christina shuddered, "I'm still not okay with rain," she admitted.
So they hurried back to the manor. Shaggy walked her to her room.
Now isn't the time.
"Goodnight, Christina"
"Goodnight, Shaggy"
he sighed after she shut the door, quietly sneaking back to his room where he found Clawdeen leaning against the wall, arms crossed over her chest waiting.
"I didn't tell her"
"Shaggy-"
"Don't start, Clawdeen," he put his hands up, "I know and I like, swear I'll tell her when I'm ready. you like, don't don't have to hold my hand"
"I know," Clawdeen admitted quietly, "I'm just-"
"Eager for me to tell the truth, I get it, I really do but please, relax we have another week before you like, have to go back to the city. Let's try to enjoy it"
"Okay"
…...
for the next week, Christina spent nearly all of her time with her cousin and brother. Talking laughing, telling stories. Shaggy and the others were never far away, often just behind the trio listening. Christina had finally, finally relaxed and was opening up, smiling easily.
On Wednesday the rains finally stopped.
On Thursday, the ground was dry enough for a picnic.
They were near enough to the river to hear the water but that was as far as Christina wished to go.
"I'll miss you so much!" Draculaura said, an arm around each of her cousins.
"We'll miss you too, but we'll write, won't we Chase?"
Chase looked up from his food, sauce smeared across his face, and nodded.
Sugie giggled at the sight only for Clawdeen to look at her with a smirk, "And why are you laughing? You have applesauce in your fur and on your nose"
"I do?" Sugie licked it from her lips with a grin, "All gone"
"What would Aunt Stacy say?" Clawd chuckled.
"I don't think she'd be concerned with me, have you seen Shaggy? Or Scooby?"
The duo looked up with matching confused expressions, food of all kinds smeared on their faces, and falling from their chins.
For a moment, Shaggy was worried about what Christina thought, only for her and Draculaura to erupt in a fit of giggles.
"Laura, this reminds me of when-"
"You tried to bake that cake but mixed up the measurements?" Draculaura finished.
"What happened?" Shaggy questioned, wiping his face.
"The cake exploded and-and-"
"Batter went everywhere!"
"Remember that glob that landed in your hair?"
"Oh like that was any better than the one that landed on your face?"
"I was grounded for what a month?"
"Three!"
The two dissolved into laughter once more joined by the others.
…...
A few weeks later:
Shaggy and Christina were enjoying tea in the gardens, watching their siblings play. Shaggy was nervous. He still hadn't told Christina but today, today he would! He gulped a few sips from his cup and cleared his throat.
"Christina?"
"Yes, Shaggy?"
"I like, need to tell you...", he began, only to be interrupted by a burst of purple and black flames nearby! He fell over in his chair from surprise! "ZOINKS!"
"Grammy?!", Christina gasped with joy as a familiar figure materialized from the flames.
"Christina, my little Love-Bat", Maleficent replied with a smile and open arms, which were immediately filled by a happy, hugging hybrid! "And where is...? OOF!", she grunted happily as Chase slammed into her, hugging her side. The Dark Fairy Queen laughed. "You always just appear from nowhere, my Shadowy Shooting-Star!"
"We haven't seen you since last winter! I've missed you so much!"
"And I've missed both of you but I'm here now"
Shaggy was just getting to his feet when Maleficent noticed him, "Hello, Shaggy"
"How do you know-"
"The better question is who doesn't know, you've been kind to my grandchildren I hope"
"Grammy!" Christina said, "You're going to scare him if you don't stop"
"All in fun, dear, all in fun"
"So that's why Sugie's shaking like a leaf?" Christina gestured to where the young werewolf stood frozen.
Seeing this, Chase darted back to her, patting her shoulder in hope of calming her.
"You haven't even heard my news"
"What?"
"I'll be staying for a while"
Christina squealed with childish delight.
"For an entire month"
Shaggy shrunk back into his seat.
How would he ever tell Christina now?
…...
annnd, good stopping place! Thirteen pages YES! I'm slowly getting back to normal here.
Please review!