It was the middle of December, and everyone's already getting festive this year. Especially people down in warmer climates with little to no snow. (A/N: btw I live in Florida so this crap always happens to me ;-;) Those people made up for it by spending quality time with their families, friends, and loved ones like the Brooks and Tang residences.
(A/N: Yeah I made them Marlin and Dory's last names. Marlin's is Brooks because it's the same last name as his voice actor. I would do the same for Dory but Dory Degeneres sounds too obvious so I went with Dory Tang like the species of her original fish counterpart)
"Dad, can I put up the star?" Nemo pleaded, excitedly. Marlin looked down at his son, chuckling at Nemo's enthusiasm. "Alright, come here." Marlin said, hoisting Nemo on his shoulders so he could reach the top of the Christmas tree. "Dory, you got the star?" Marlin asked, scanning the room for her. "What star?" Dory was holding the star in her hand, barely noticing it there.
"The one in your hand." Dory looked down to her left hand and noticed the star. "Oh there it is, how did that get there?" Marlin grinned, rolling his eyes. "Hand it to Nemo." Dory nodded, reached over to Nemo and handed him the star. Nemo took the star and carefully placed it on top of the Christmas tree. Marlin set him back down after and took out the outlet for the Christmas lights. "Perfect, let's just hope this works."
Marlin plugged the two outlets together and the tree glowed with flashing colorful lights dancing all around the tree, on top, the star shining brighter than ever. "Wow, it looks so beautiful!" Dory chimed, staring at the glowing lights. Marlin stopped for a moment, his grin faded. He remembered someone else saying those exact words after putting up the Christmas tree.
️️️️️️️
"Oh, Marlin! It looks so beautiful!" Coral, Marlin's wife said, staring at the Christmas lights in awe. Marlin grinned and brought Coral closer to him. He rubbed Coral's 5 month pregnant belly and smiled. "Wait till next year. The kids will love it." Coral chuckled, kissing Marlin's cheek.
"Dad?" Nemo asked, snapping Marlin back to reality. "Are you feeling okay?" Marlin ruffled his son's hair and gave him a sad smile. "Yeah, I just need a moment. Okay? Just stay with Dory." "Um, okay." Marlin nodded, walking upstairs to his room. Once he closed the door, tears started to fall.
Meanwhile downstairs, Dory and Nemo just stared up stairs, wondering what was bothering Marlin so much. "What's wrong with dad?" Nemo asked, a bit worried. "Something's wrong with dad? I wonder what happened." Dory said, her memory loss kicking in. "After we finished decorating the tree, dad went upstairs after you said how beautiful it was."
Nemo explained, the moment playing back in Dory's mind. "Oh goodness, did I do anything to make him upset?" "I doubt it, he's always frustrated about your memory loss but he wouldn't be upset with you." Dory sighed, feeling like it was her fault. "I wish there was a way we could cheer him up." Nemo suddenly got an idea.
"Why don't we get him a present?" Nemo suggested, Dory glanced down at Nemo confused. "Get who a present?" She asked, making Nemo giggle. "Dad. Why not get my dad a Christmas present to cheer him up?" Dory's eyes lit up. "You're on to something Chico!" "Nemo." He corrected her. "Right, right." "So what do we get him?" Nemo and Dory stood there thinking for a second.
Dory then snapped her fingers, an idea popped into her head. "You remember your mom, Carol?" Dory finally asked. "Coral I believe, and why?" "I think I know what we can give Marty." "Marlin." Nemo corrected again. "Whatever, anyways-" Dory whispered the idea into Nemo's ear, he nodded and smiled, liking the gift idea. "You know what, that might work!" "What might work?" Dory asked, Nemo rolling his eyes, grinning.
Dory, Nemo, Jenny and Charlie arrived home with a small box neatly wrapped in Orange wrapping paper with a white ribbon tied on top. "I know for sure Marlin will love it." Charlie chimed. "I know he will, thank you for helping us wrap it." Nemo thanked Jenny and Charlie. "No problem sweetie." Jenny ruffled Nemo's already messy hair.
"Now to put it under the tree and-" Dory said before stopping once the four of them saw Marlin glaring at her and Nemo. "There you two are! Where have you been!?" Marlin angrily demanded. He turned to Jenny and Charlie and calmly thanked them for bringing the two home, they nodded and left. Marlin turned back to Dory and Nemo, still glaring at them.
"You two know better than to leave the house with out telling me! Where did you even go!?" Dory and Nemo glanced at each other, Nemo nodded at Dory, telling her to speak. Dory sighed and finally spoke up. "Well, after you went upstairs all upset, we knew how sad you were so we thought we'd get you something to cheer you up." Dory explained, taking out the gift, Jenny and Charlie helped wrapped and handed it to Marlin. His anger softened when he saw the gift.
Marlin carefully untied the white ribbon and tested the orange wrapping paper, it was a small box. He opened it and inside was a watch pendant. Marlin opened the pendant and it was a small clock with a picture of him and Coral on their wedding day on it. Marlin rubbed his finger along the photo behind the tiny clock hands and held in tears.
"I-If you don't like it I-"Dory was about to say before being cut off again. "I love it." Marlin said under his breath. "You do?" Nemo asked hopefully. Marlin looked up at the two, his eyes glossy and full of happiness. He nodded and pulled Dory and Nemo into a hug. "Thank you two so much." Marlin chocked between tears. It was silent till Dory broke it by asking, "Thank us for what?"
Marlin and Nemo laughed, Dory soon laughing with them even without knowing why. "Merry Christmas you two." Marlin final said as their laughter died down. "Merry Christmas to you too Mar Mar." Dory took the watch pendant and put it around Marlin's neck. Marlin smiled, kissing Dory's cheek, making them both blush.
A/N: Oh god my writing is awful! I mean I was actually hesitant to publish this! I don't think I put in much effort into this one. I just wanted to make a cute and simple Christmas chapter and well I hope it's at least decent. Thanks again guys for reading! Love you guys!
~Rxin3️