A/N: Welcome to Christmas Day (in story time obviously). I left you with some warnings for the previous chapter that tissues may be required. That was just Christmas Eve. Now we're onto the 'Big Show' (Christmas Day). So the warning still applies. In fact, grab the whole tissue box, just in case. This story is NSFW (but not in an adult context). It may be difficult to explain to your co-workers that you are suffering from 'allergies' this late in the season… just sayin'.
I find Christmas to be a magical time, full of love and warmth. I try to weave that into this story, and I hope that you find joy in it.
Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck. I don't own Christmas either, but I put in a bid. Fingers crossed.
Chapter 18
The house awoke to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and cinnamon rolls in the oven. Sarah rolled over to an empty bed, realizing that Chuck must have gotten up early. She gave a contented sigh, stretching out to take over the whole bed. Reluctantly, she slid out of bed, putting on a robe and slippers. She padded her way to the bathroom, trying to hold back a yawn. Once she had run a comb through her hair and brushed her teeth, she made her way into the hallway, almost running into Gerty and Casey as they crept out of her room. The meeting was less awkward now that this had become a pretty common occurrence since Thanksgiving. The three headed toward the stairs, following the beckoning call of morning coffee.
As Molly had been given strict instructions not to go downstairs before Sarah, she sat rather impatiently at the top of the stairs in her new pajamas and fuzzy slippers. Sarah sat down beside her, giving the little girl a side hug.
"Merry Christmas Peanut." Sarah gave her a side hug and a kiss on her head.
"Merry Christmas! Mommy, can we go open presents now?" She asked, practically vibrating with excitement. Sarah, along with Gerty and Casey, chuckled.
"We can go downstairs, but we're going to open presents in an orderly fashion. One person will pass out the gifts and you'll have to wait your turn. That way we can see what everyone gets and who it's from. OK?" Sarah raised an eyebrow at Molly, waiting for her acquiescence.
For a moment, it looked like Mollie was trying to think of a way to circumvent that rule, but eventually gave out a long and dramatic sigh. "Oookaaayyy," she relented. Sarah took her hand and they walked downstairs together. When they reached the bottom, they were greeted by Chuck carrying a tray full of coffee mugs.
"Morning guys! Merry Christmas!" Chuck was grinning from ear to ear, a red Santa hat perched on his head. Everyone returned the sentiment and took a cup of coffee as they passed. Chuck had even prepared a cup of hot chocolate, not too hot, extra marshmallows, for Molly. They all made their way to the living room to find the Christmas tree all lit up, surrounded by colorfully wrapped presents. Everyone was in shock, including Sarah. She and Chuck had been up late snuggling on the couch and there were now nearly three times as many presents as before. She turned to look at Chuck, her mouth still agape. He only gave a sheepish smile and a shrug.
"Looks like Santa must have come." His smile blossomed into a full blown smirk. "I tell ya what, how about I pass out presents, that way Molly and Sarah can sit together over on this couch and Gerty and Casey, you can sit on the loveseat." Everyone seemed to be in agreement, so they took their seats and he started to pass out presents.
Naturally, there were more presents for Molly than anyone else, so Chuck would hand Molly a present in between each adult getting one. Most of the gifts were labeled as coming from 'Santa', including those for the adults. It seemed quite miraculous that each gift seemed to be perfectly tailored for the recipient. Things they loved but wouldn't think to ask for. Molly saw her entire Christmas list materialize with each gift she opened, a perpetual grin threatening to crack her face. Chuck had gotten a few gifts from Sarah. Graphic tees, nerdy paraphernalia and a framed picture of him and Molly as they skipped down the street on one of their outings. His smile brightened more with each gift, finding each one more thoughtful and loving than the last.
Sarah had the presence of mind to get out her camera and take pictures, immortalizing the best Christmas she could ever remember. Looking at Chuck through the LED screen, she could see the pure joy on his face as he watched others open their gifts. He truly embodied the spirit of Christmas.
Molly opened the present from Sarah and she screamed in excitement. The brand new laptop she had so badly wanted, held aloft in triumph. After carefully setting it down, she dove into Sarah, practically in tears, thanking her for the gift. Sarah was nearly in tears herself, Chuck thankfully capturing the entire moment on his cellphone.
Aside from the presents set aside for Ellie and Devon, who were coming over for dinner, Chuck had held back two gifts. He pulled the gifts out and brought them to the couch where Sarah and Molly were snuggling, taking a break from the marathon of opening presents. Chuck kneeled down in front of them and took on a very serious expression. Sarah sat up a little straighter when she noticed the change in him.
"Sarah, I've said that there were some things that I was keeping from you. Well, I want to reveal those to you guys today. Molly, this one's for you." He handed her the package and she opened it quickly, revealing the box of a computer game. She held it in front of her with wide-eyed fascination. Sarah was equally as curious, trying to crane her neck to see the title. Molly began to read it aloud.
"Earth and Beyond. The Adventures of Peanut and Sam." Molly gasped in realization. "Mommy! This is like the book, but it's a game!" She held the box in front of Sarah, who shared in her surprise.
"Chuck. How… how did you do this? Had you planned this even before you gave us the book?" Sarah asked, looking perplexed.
"Wh- No. Well, sort of... In truth… that's part of the thing I was keeping from you. The book I gave you…" He took a deep breath, his nervousness beginning to show. "The book had a small audio recorder embedded in the spine. Whenever you opened the book and began to read, it would record your voices. I downloaded those recordings and used them as the voices for the characters in the game." He winced fearing the worst. "I know it was a really crappy thing to do, invading your privacy like that. I just didn't know how else to make this a surprise for you guys." Sarah sat in shock, trying to wrap her head around all this information. Molly however, seemed to have a pretty firm grasp.
"You mean that the Peanut in the game has my voice and Sam has Mommy's voice?" Her face was beaming with excitement.
"That's right. That was the plan, to make you guys part of the game. But there's more, if you'll let me explain." He was addressing Sarah, hoping he could pull her attention from her thoughts. She snapped her head to look at him, the expression on her face unreadable. Chuck swallowed hard before continuing. "If you'll look at the back of the box, there is a special section at the bottom. Sarah, would you read it?" After a moment, she took the box and examined the back, finding the section he was referring to.
"Intersect Games prides itself on supporting education and the pursuit of knowledge. We believe that our children are the key to a bright future and we want to give them every advantage to reach their full potential. In support of that goal, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this game will go toward scholarships and programs to further childhood education. We believe that children are the key to the future of this Earth ... and beyond." Sarah slowly met his gaze, a look of disbelief overtaking her face.
"There's a special provision that I added to this from the beginning. I wanted to make sure that Molly was taken care of, even if I couldn't be around to help. One percent of the sales will go into a trust for Molly. Money that she will be able to use for college." Sarah was speechless, opening and closing her mouth, but no words escaping. Finally, she was able to recover a bit to express herself.
"You… you set this all up even … even before we ... W-why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want this to color your opinion. Like I was trying to… to buy my way into your lives. That's not what this was about. In fact... I downloaded the final audio the night I came over to read to Molly... when you were on your … 'date' with Ian. Even though I thought that… you know… I wanted this for her. To guarantee a future for her. You both deserved that." He averted his eyes to the floor for a moment before mustering the courage to meet her gaze again.
"Can you forgive me for going behind your back and doing this without your permission?" He looked into her eyes, a sorrowful expression on his face.
"I forgive you, Chuck," Molly interrupted, moving in and giving him a hug. Chuck embraced the little girl, pulling her close to him and giving her a quiet 'Thank you' into her ear. A sob was barked out, drawing everyone's attention to Gerty who had been quietly watching from the love seat. One hand was covering her mouth while the other was furiously fanning her eyes. When she realized all eyes were on here she waved them off.
"I'm sorry. I'm OK. You just… continue." Casey, as if on cue, handed her a tissue, rubbing her back with his free hand. She gave him an appreciative nod before attending to her tears and runny nose.
Chuck turned back to look at Sarah, still holding tight to Molly. As they looked deeply into one another's eyes, Sarah's expression began to soften, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"You heard her," Sarah replied, nodding toward Molly, the smile growing across her face.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I promise, no more secrets. Well … maybe um… maybe you should open your present now, Sarah." Chuck nodded to the gift still sitting in her lap. Molly released Chuck and joined her 'mother' on the couch, excited to see what she'd gotten. Sarah looked down and slowly began to open the present. With the wrapping removed, she gave it a curious look. It was a large format, paperback book. She turned it around to show everyone.
"Sam and Peanut: An Earth and Beyond Story" She looked at Chuck with some confusion. "It's a paperback version of the book you gave us."
"Right. O-open it to the first page and read it," he said, gesturing to the book. She turned to the page as instructed and began to read.
"In Dedication: This book is written as a dedication to an amazing woman who was not only adored by her family, but was loved and admired as a pillar in her community. Her life, like the lives of so many, was cut short despite her heroic battle against cancer." Sarah took in a quick breath and, despite the shakiness in her voice, continued to read.
"In her memory, all profits… all profits from the sale of this book, along with many other generous donations, are being used to create the Emm-" She couldn't help but choke out a sob, covering her mouth, " the Emma … O'Connell ..." Sarah was fighting through her sobs and blurred vision to continue reading. "Cancer Research and Prevention Fund... Providing funding for those doctors and researchers... fighting the battle against cancer, and to help the families struggling with the disease." She took in a ragged breath and large sniffle before she could continue. "This is only possible through the love of her family and friends of Grady, North Carolina, along with your purchase." She dropped the book in her lap, covering her face with her hands as she broke down. Her whole body shook, racked with deep sobs. Chuck rushed to her, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her to his chest. He held her as she cried. After a moment, Molly snuggled into them, with tears of her own.
After a minute, Sarah had composed herself enough that she could speak again. She pulled away just enough to be able to look into Chuck's eyes. He had an arm cradling Molly beside him and the other on Sarah's shoulder.
"Thank you Chuck. This is... so incredibly wonderful." She took in a ragged breath as she retrieved the book, returning to the page she had been reading. The bottom of the page, along with the next several pages, were covered with the signatures of hundreds of people. She looked back at Chuck in disbelief. "These signatures. They're people from Grady. How… how did you get all of these signatures?"
"Well, you can thank Gerty and Alex for that. They helped to 'covertly' get the signatures of practically everyone in town." Chuck looked over his shoulder at Gerty, who was smiling, her eyes red from crying, fresh tears adding to the mix. "Many of them gave donations, offered kind words of support or shared their favorite stories. All in all, with the projected book sales from this holiday season and the donations of the town's people, and a few other 'benefactors', we're hoping to reach in excess of twenty-one million dollars. I hope that will be a good start." Chuck gave her a warm smile, wiping a tear from her cheek.
"I… I can't believe you did all this. No. No, I… I take that back. I… I do believe it. This is exactly the type of thing you would do. It still amazes me though. Thank you. Thank you so much, all of you, for helping to honor my mom's memory. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me… to us." Sarah wrapped Molly in a strong hug, kissing her on the top of her head.
"Can you guys give me a hand?" Chuck motioned for Gerty and Casey to following him out of the room, leaving the two sisters, now mother and daughter, to hold each other. As their sniffling slowed, Sarah showed Molly all the names in the book, pointing out those she would recognize. After about five minutes, Chuck and the others brought in plates of fresh baked cinnamon rolls and refills on coffee. The extended family ate and talked, just enjoying the company around the sparkling tree.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Once all of the wrapping paper and discarded packaging was disposed of and people had gotten dressed, Chuck brought down a few more wrapped presents. Setting them on the coffee table in the living room, he gathered everyone around.
"Hey guys. I have some presents to deliver to a house in the neighborhood. I think it would really mean a lot if you guys could all join me. The house just feels… rather empty this time of year and I think if you all came with me, it might help." Sarah and Casey agreed rather quickly, with Molly going along with the group. Casey and Sarah urged Gerty to join them. It didn't take much convincing for Gerty to agree.
"Sure. Why not? It's Christmas, right? Everyone could use some company on Christmas."
They all got their jackets and piled into Sarah's car, Gerty and Molly helping to hold the presents in their laps. Sarah drove the few blocks to the house in question, one that was all too familiar to her by now. The ride was relatively quiet aside from the Christmas songs playing on the radio. When they pulled up to their destination, Molly, Gerty and even Sarah gasped at the sight. The house was beautifully decorated with white lights, evergreen garlands and red ribbons. It looked like the cover of a Christmas catalog. They all piled out of the car and stood on the sidewalk, taking in the scene. There was a small decorated Christmas tree on the wrap-around porch that matched the much larger tree visible in the front picture window. Lights that looked like candles were in every window, adding an old world charm to the craftsman style home. It really was a sight to behold.
Molly started to make her way up the walkway when Sarah placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her. Gerty was starting to follow but looked over at Sarah, and then Chuck, curious as to the reason for waiting.
"Gerty, there was one of your presents I forgot to put under the tree. Before we go in, I'd like you to open it. It's the larger one that Molly is holding. Would you mind?" Chuck gestured to the package and Molly held it up for Gerty. The older woman was surprised and even blushed a bit at having a surprise gift. Casey took the presents that Gerty was currently holding, allowing her to take the offered gift from Molly.
"Wow. This is a surprise. You really didn't have to do this. The stuff you already got me was more than enough." Gerty opened the shirt box sized package, moving aside the tissue paper to reveal a leather portfolio. Gerty's brow furrowed, confused as to why she would really need such an item, but didn't want to seem ungrateful.
"Thank you, Chuck. It's very nice. Um… what… what do you think I could use it for?" She looked at Chuck and the others, almost searching for everyone else's take on the gift. Chuck gave a small chuckle.
"Perhaps you should open it and look inside," he suggested with a smile. She nodded, looking a little sheepish at not having thought of that herself. She handed the box to Molly, taking the leather portfolio and carefully opened it. Inside the large sleeve was a document. At the top in large bold print were the words 'Title Deed'. With a furrowed brow, she glanced over the document, thoroughly confused. When she came across her name, her head shot up. She looked up at the house and then snapped her head to look at Chuck.
"I don't… I don't understand. What… but… I-I don't understand." She stood completely dumbfounded, looking between Chuck and Sarah. Sarah stepped forward and put a hand in the center of her back. With her free hand she gestured toward the house.
"Gerty… it's yours. The whole thing. This is your fresh start." Sarah took one of the keys from a small sleeve in the portfolio. She closed the portfolio and gently took it from Gerty, placing the key in her now empty hand. "Go. Go see your new home."
Gerty looked at the key in her hand and back up to the house. The look of shock and disbelief still present on her face, she looked at all the others in turn. Stopping her gaze on Casey, he took her other hand and lead her up the walkway toward the house. She looked over the details of the house with wide-eyed fascination. Once she reached the door, she ran her fingers over the smooth, dark hardwood, taking in the feel of it. After a moment, she unlocked the door and slowly pushed it open. The house was fully furnished and decorated for Christmas. It was like it fell out of the pages of a magazine. She slowly walked into the living room, standing in the center trying to take it all in. The rest of the gang had followed them in, standing just inside the door.
"I don't understand… Why?... Who?!" She was trying to hold in all the emotions swirling through her, tears welling in her eyes. Again, it was Casey that stepped up and tried to comfort her.
"It was Chuck, Gert. He made it all possible. Sarah and I, we helped too, with the furniture and decorating, but it was his idea." Casey nodded his head toward Chuck, who was looking rather sheepish. Gerty walked toward Chuck, looking at him quizzically.
"Why? Why would you do this? Why me?" She stopped just a few steps from him, her lip quivering slightly.
"Why? Because you're family, that's why. You've been through so much, you deserve to have a clean start, a new beginning. A place you can call your own. Somewhere you can call … home." Chuck gave her a broad smile. "Welcome home, Ms. Gertrude Verbanski. Welcome Home." A sob escaped Gerty as she failed to hold it back anymore. She wrapped Chuck in a hug, releasing the deluge of tears. She quietly offered her sincere thanks to him before switching to embrace Sarah in a crushing hug. The two cried together then laughed at one another together. Lastly, she whirled on Casey, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him soundly in front of the Christmas tree. Once she pulled away, she let out a deep sigh.
"I have no idea how to begin to repay you for this, Chuck. This is… it's too much. It's absolutely perfect but… this … I can't accept this." Gerty argued, feeling so overwhelmed.
"You can, and you will. We're family, right? I'm fortunate enough to be able to help out my family. No repayment necessary. Besides, it's already in your name, like it or not… But I do hope you like it," Chuck smirked.
"Like it? Oh my God you guys. This place is so amazing... Thank you all so much. I'm just… I don't know what to say. Thank you!" Gerty was tearing up again, so overcome with the love these people have shown her again and again.
"How about you open the rest of your house warming presents? Then we can make some lunch." Chuck gestured to the sofa for her to sit. Casey and Molly brought her the presents they had been carrying and they all sat around watching her opening her gifts.
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It was late afternoon and Chuck was in Sarah's kitchen, working on Christmas dinner, the place a symphony of aromas and sounds. Sarah knew her way around a kitchen well enough to lend a helping hand, which was greatly appreciated. He was expecting eight people for dinner, perhaps more if Ian and Brian decided to come. From the looks of it, they had enough food for about twice that many, but they were erring on the side of caution. Chuck wanted to pull out all the stops. The only dishes that were not made from scratch were the pies from the local bakery, a gift for being a valued client. As Chuck was stirring and tasting from various pots on the stove, the doorbell rang. Sarah took pity on him and offered to get the door, squeezing his butt on the way by with a smirk. The next thing he heard nearly made him drop his spoon.
"Ahhhh! Merry Christmas!" The unmistakable scream of Ellie Bartowski carrying throughout the house. Sarah joined in with her own excited scream, meeting Ellie in one of her famous bear hugs.
"God I missed you, Sarah. It's so good to see you. You look amazing." Ellie held her by the shoulders looking her up and down appraisingly.
"Me? Look at you. You're gorgeous," Sarah retorted.
"See Babe? I told ya so, but you never listen to me," Devon remarked as he came through the door, carrying bags of gifts. "Hey Sarah. Merry Christmas. Where can I set these packages down?"
"Hi Devon. You can set them beside the tree, just through there," gesturing into the living room. "Ellie, come on into the kitchen. We can chat while we finish getting dinner ready." Ellie followed Sarah to the kitchen, but before they made it, they could hear the sound of small feet tearing down the stairs, followed by a loud thump. A moment later, an excited Molly charged around the corner.
"Miss Ellie! You're here!" The little girl exclaimed as she plowed into Ellie, giving her a strong hug around the waist. The older woman let out an 'ooph' at the impact, but quickly returned the hug.
"It's so great to see you Molly. How's your Christmas so far?" Ellie asked, the little girl's excitement fueling her own.
"It's awesome! Mommy bought me a laptop and Chuck made me a video game that has our voices in it! It's so cool!" she exclaimed, barely able to contain herself. Ellie's eyes grew wide, lifting her gaze to meet Sarah's. She mouthed the word 'Mommy', looking a bit confused and apprehensive. Sarah gave her a shrug with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling. Ellie gave her a tight smile in return, clearly trying to hold back the emotions threatening break loose.
"That does sound awesome, Molly. Maybe later you can show me all the stuff you got." Molly nodded emphatically, then raced toward the living room, giving the same greeting to Devon. Ellie stood and took Sarah's hands, her eyes glistening. "So when did this come about?"
"A couple of weeks ago. I'll fill you in later. If I do it now, I'll cry and make a mess of myself. Come on. I hear some wine calling our name. We can drink and watch Chuck cook." Sarah chuckled, walking to the small wine rack on the kitchen counter.
"There's my little brother. Merry Christmas!" Ellie came up and gave him a side hug as he was in the middle of whisking gravy.
"Hey El. Love ya. Merry Christmas. How were things at Devon's?" Chuck asked, returning the hug. Ellie let out a disgusted groan.
"Don't ask. I mean, the woman's name is Honey for God sake. You'd think there'd be some kind of ... sweetness or something there, you know? But no. When she's not being super passive-aggressive, she's being snarky and petty. I feel so sorry for Ian. He's trying so hard to gain their acceptance but they don't make it easy." Ellie shook her head in frustration. Sarah handed her a glass of wine and her expression quickly turned to one of elation.
"Well, this is a judgement free zone here, so they're more than welcome. In fact, I invited them but they said they might have other plans. I can't imagine they're staying at his parent's any longer than necessary." Sarah poured a glass of wine for herself, pulling herself up into one of the tall chairs on the back side of the kitchen island. Ellie joined her, taking another sip of wine.
"No. They said they were going back to their hotel room and have some alone time, open their presents to each other, that sort of thing," Ellie stated as she wiggled into her seat. "Say, he looks pretty good there in front of the stove. A man's place is in the kitchen, right?" Ellie chuckled, bumping shoulders with Sarah.
'You'll get no arguments from me. He's a great cook and he looks really sexy in that apron," Sarah retorted with a smirk. Ellie shivered, shaking her head.
'Ewwww. No. That's my brother. I just… No…" she trailed off, shivering again.
"You know…. I'm standing right here. I don't appreciate you objectifying me behind my back," Chuck interjected, sounding mock offended.
"Then turn around and let me objectify the front of you," Sarah challenged, the tone in her voice sounding salacious. Ellie nearly did a spit-take with her wine, just catching herself in time.
"Damn, girl! Do I need to give you two a few minutes?" She asked looking between the two with a smirk of her own.
"We'd need more than a few minutes and you'd have to clear off that island you're sitting at," Chuck replied without missing a beat.
"Oh, God. Chuck…" Ellie grimaced, shaking her head.
"That's what she said…" he retorted, a devilish grin on his face. Sarah was now in a full on laugh. The playful banter between she and Chuck, coupled with the good natured ribbing between the siblings, made her happiness bubble over.
"Ugh! TMI. TMI. I think I'll go talk with Molly for a while. Gauhh!" Ellie made a hasty retreat, smacking her brother on the shoulder on her way out. She looked back over her shoulder at Sarah with a wry smile, giving her a wink as she left.
"I love your sister, Chuck," Sarah sighed as she calmed down, getting her laughter under control.
"Yeah. We're pretty lovable people." He tried to say it with a straight face, but the corners of his lips turned up, unable to fully hide his smile. She sauntered up behind him, wrapping her arms around his stomach, kissing him on his shoulder.
"That you are, mister. That you are." She laid her cheek on his back, enjoying the feel of her body pressed against him. The low hum vibrated in his chest as he leaned into her embrace, reaching behind him to gently squeeze her thigh.
"Love you," he confessed, the words filled with so much warmth. She hummed into his back, a smile spreading across her face.
"I love you. Thank you for all this. Not just the cooking or the wonderful gifts. Thank you for coming into my life, our lives. You make me ridiculously happy. You know that?" She squeezed him a little tighter, thoroughly enjoying the closeness.
He was quiet for a moment, reveling in the feeling of her pressed against him. "I'm glad. I never made it a secret, well… at least not a well kept one, that you make me happier than I've ever been. Not just you, but Molly too. There's no place on this Earth I'd rather be than here with you." He slowly turned around in her arms to face her, wrapping her in a tight hug. They pulled back slightly, pressing their lips together in a soft kiss.
"They're kissing!" came a shout from the doorway. Molly giggled, looking conspiratorially back toward the living room. "Miss Ellie said that Mr. Devon wants to know when food will be ready." She put her hand beside her mouth as if to obscure her words. "Mr. Devon didn't say that. She's just trying to get him into trouble." The loud whisper could easily be heard in the living room, as was evidenced by the loud laughter that erupted. Chuck and Sarah, lips still pressed together, began to laugh as well. They slowly pulled away, turning to face Molly.
"Well, you tell 'Mr. Devon' that dinner will be ready when it's ready. Besides, we have to wait for Gerty and Casey," Chuck answered loud enough that his sister could clearly hear.
"Ooo. That reminds me…." Ellie called out, the sound of her walking quickly toward them, the old, creaking floorboards giving her away. When she reached the doorway to the kitchen she continued. "Devon drove us by the house. Chuck, that place is so beautiful. That's truly amazing what you guys did for her. Was she excited?" Ellie beamed at her brother, her sense of pride clear.
"She was shocked of course," Sarah replied. "Gerty didn't want to accept it, but we, or rather Chuck, finally convinced her. She and Casey are there now, enjoying some alone time in her new place. They should be here any minute."
"Knock, knock," came a familiar voice from the front door. Gerty and Casey walked in, as if on cue. Sarah and Ellie moved to greet them, though it seems odd since she still technically lived there. Gerty carried a bottle of wine and Casey a brown paper bag, disguising a bottle of some sort.
"Come in. Come in. This is still your house too, ya know?" Sarah waved at them, giving the older woman a side hug and a smile. Ellie stepped up and gave Gerty a 'Bartowski Hug', which was gratefully accepted and heartily returned.
"It's good to see you, Ellie. We've missed you. Is Devon…" Gerty began but cut herself off when she saw the tall blond man stepping up to the group, waving with a smile.
"John. Good to see ya." He shook Casey's hand firmly, patting him on the opposite shoulder. "Gerty, great to see you too," accepting a quick hug from her. "We drove by the new place. It looks awesome." Gerty chuckled, in part because of the running joke that she, Sarah and Chuck had regarding his frequent use of the word 'awesome'.
"It is awesome, Devon. We've been uh… enjoying it, all afternoon." The slight blush that colored her cheeks, which quickly spread to Casey's as well, more than hinted at what sorts of 'enjoyment' she was referring to. A few chuckles spread at their expense, but no further comments were made. Thankfully, the awkwardness was interrupted.
"Hey Gerty! Casey! Sarah, dinner is almost ready. Could you lend me a hand setting the table?" Chuck asked, leaning through the kitchen doorway. Sarah happily agreed, Gerty and Ellie volunteering to help as well. Molly offered her assistance and Sarah gave her the task of putting out napkins and aiding her in placing the silverware.
"OK. We're gonna need uh… seven plates and glasses," Sarah declared, pointing Ellie toward her mother's china cabinet, to the dishes that were rarely ever used.
"Um, actually. We're gonna need eight place settings, El," Chuck called out, looking down at his watch. Sarah gave him a quizzical look. Before she could correct him, the doorbell rang.
"Huh. Ian and Brian must have changed their minds," she stated as she walked to answer the door. Swinging the door open she began to greet them. "Hey guys-... Dad…." She barely whispered his name, her mouth agape in astonishment. After Chuck had revealed the arrangement for the money he had invested for her father, he had left soon after, stating he had some things to take care of. She had not heard from him since and had resigned herself to the fact that he may never come back. To see him standing at her doorstep was certainly a surprise.
"Merry uh… Merry Christmas, Darlin." He stammered out, looking a little more apprehensive than she was used to. At least for the 'old Jack Burton'. The man she grew up knowing, the man that had dragged her into his world of stealing and lies, he was always confident, even a bit arrogant. Since his return a few weeks ago, showing up unexpectedly at her diner, he had been different. He had changed, was softer even. Maybe it was the impact of his last con, and subsequent jail time, that had offered him some perspective. Whatever the reason, he was here.
"Dad. I … I didn't expect you to be back. When you left, I guess I just…" Her voice trailed off, not really wanting to admit what it was she 'really' thought.
"You mind if I come in?" He gestured into the foyer with a hopeful look on his face. He knew that his terrible history as a person, let alone a father, didn't warrant a warm reception. When last he was here, he'd lied to her and tried to con her boyfriend. Sure, he'd come clean about some things, but that was hardly enough to make up for a lifetime of wrongs. After a brief moment, she stepped aside, inviting him in. "Thank you. I uh… I brought you some wine." He handed over the large wrapped package.
"What um… what are you doing here?" Sarah winced at her own words as soon as they came out, realizing how it sounded. "I mean.."
"No. It's OK. I get it. Um.. the schnoo- err Chuck. He called me and invited me to dinner. I… I didn't figure I'd be welcome but he seemed pretty insistent." He gave her a small grin. She looked over her shoulder to see Chuck duck back into the kitchen out of view.
"Yeah. He's tough to say 'No' to, isn't he?" She twisted her lips, trying her best not to smile, knowing full well that Chuck was still trying so hard to do all of this for her. To give her a chance with her father.
"Look. I… I know what he did. Well, at least I think I figured it out." Sarah's eyes grew wide, swallowing thickly. "I'm not without some skills of my own, remember. Anyway… I know about 'Mr. Carmichael' in there. Now, before you go gettin' yourself worked up into a tizzy, relax. After I thought about it, I realized he was too good of a kid to actually steal that money. When I did some digging and found out who he really was, it didn't take a genius to figure out that he put up the money himself." Jack began to fidget with his gloves, looking more and more uncomfortable. "I wracked my brain, trying to figure out what his angle was. He's gotta be worth more money than he knows what to do with. The kid practically lives like a hermit, for God's sake. What could he possibly want? Then it finally hit me." Sarah dropped her gaze to the floor, folding her arms across her body. She was preparing for his typical lecture and she frankly wasn't in the mood for it today.
"It's the one thing he can't buy…. You. Everything I witnessed from him, every possible motive I could come up with, all pointed back to you. The kid's got it bad for you. So bad, he was willing to stick his neck out for me. Not many people in my life have gone to bat for me. For that, I'm grateful. I'm also grateful that you found someone good. A man that'll … that'll put you first. Someone that'll have your back, no matter what. I had that once … and I wasted it. I've come to see some things more clearly in recent years. My life has been full of regrets. Aside from your mother, not having you in my life is the biggest. If… if you'd be willing to give me a chance, I'd like to be a part of your life again. I'm not expecting forgiveness for all my sins, but I'd like a chance to try and make things right between us. What d'you say Darlin?"
Sarah lifted her head to meet her father's gaze. She could see remorse there, a sincerity that she'd never seen from him before. She played his words over in her head and kept coming back to the fact that he knew who Chuck really was. Was he here just to try to somehow get his claws into Chuck's pockets? She recalled how Chuck had actually managed to con her father and that made her feel a little better about the situation. Chuck was kind-hearted, but he wasn't a fool. He'd gone out of his way to help her father so that she could have a relationship with him. Now, here was her father, asking for that very thing. She wasn't ready to forgive him for all of his past misdeeds just yet, but she was willing to extend an olive branch. After all, it is Christmas.
"You hungry?" she asked, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly. Jack gave her a broad smile, nodding.
"Yeah. Yeah, I could eat." Sarah guided him through to the dining room, making introductions. When it came time to introduce him to Molly, he crouched down to be on her level, looking her over appraisingly.
"This beautiful young lady must be Molly. You look so much like you mother. My name's Jack. I'm Sarah's daddy." He extended his hand to the little girl, who happily accepted it, giving him a bright smile.
"Mommy, this is your daddy?" she asked, looking up at Sarah. Jack did a double-take, snapping his head to look up at Sarah as well.
"That's right, Sweetie. This is my dad." Sarah caught her father's gaze and gave him a knowing smile. To her surprise, he gave her an approving smile, nodding his understanding.
"So, 'Mommy' huh?" Jack asked, pulling Molly's attention back to him. He leaned in a little closer and continued in a faux whisper. "You picked a good one." He gave her a wink and a smile, followed by a very light pinch on her chin. The little girl giggled but then quickly sobered.
"Does … does that make you my grandpa?" For once in his life, Jack was at a loss for words. Molly looked to Sarah for an answer. Sarah was also caught off guard. She looked between her father and Molly, an expectant look on the little girl's face. Slowly Sarah began to nod, a soft smile spreading across her face.
"Yeah, Peanut. That would make him your grandpa. Grandpa Jack." Jack gave Sarah a tight smile and she could swear that his eyes began to glisten. The older man was surprised when the little girl took him by the hand, pulling him across the dining room.
"You can sit between Mommy and me." Jack stood to follow his new 'granddaughter'.
"It would be my pleasure. Say, Darlin. How's about you open that box there. I'd say today calls for some celebratin'." Sarah removed the wrapping from the package to reveal a wooden box, almost like a crate, with a stylized soaring eagle burned into the lid. Along the side of the box were the words 'Screaming Eagle'. Chuck let out a low whistle, drawing everyone's attention.
"That's some bottle of wine there Jack," Chuck praised, his eyes wide with surprise. Sarah slid the lid off, revealing the magnum of 2008 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon.
"Dad, this looks awfully expensive. Are you sure you want to open this?" Sarah hesitantly slipped the bottle from the box, holding it gingerly.
"When that wine was crafted, it's makers intended people to drink it, not stare at it on a shelf or horde it away in some musty cellar." Jack looked around the table, his gaze landing back on his daughter. "Besides, it's Christmas and I can't think of more deserving people to share it with."
"Alright. Thank you Dad. Let me go open this and I'll be right back." She went into the kitchen, Chuck following closely on her heels. Once they were safely in the kitchen and she began to open the bottle, Chuck stepped up behind her to whisper in her ear.
"That bottle of wine is worth close to seventy-five hundred dollars." Sarah gasped, fumbling the bottle opener. She snapped her gaze to him, mouthing 'Are you serious?'. He nodded in the affirmative. "He's got some pretty good taste in wine I have to say." Sarah braced herself on the counter, taking a moment to recover. She was beginning to feel a little apprehensive about opening the bottle, but she supposed her dad was right. Wine was meant to be enjoyed. She carefully opened the bottle and took it to the table. Chuck followed close behind with a platter of standing rib roast, the final item to be delivered to the table. Chuck and Sarah sat down and everyone began passing the food around.
Prime rib with au jus or horse radish, mashed potatoes and gravy, parmesan roasted Brussel sprouts, honey glazed carrots, rolls and a tossed salad. Many of the items were not exactly on Molly's 'favorite foods' list, but she was required to at least try everything. She enjoyed the beef more than she expected, being much more tender than she assumed it would be. She even found the Brussel sprouts tolerable enough to finish the three on her plate. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal, the wine and the company, as the ate and talked the evening away. The apple, cherry and pumpkin pies, complete with whipped cream, were all a hit. Once everyone was sufficiently stuffed, they cleared the table and left the dirty dishes for later, instead heading to the living room to open presents.
The remaining gifts under the tree, including those from Ellie and Devon, were passed around the room. Sarah took charge this time, ensuring that each gift found its rightful owner. When she got to a gift addressed to 'Jack' from 'Santa', she was surprised to say the least. She could only assume this was Chuck's doing. She handed the gift to her father, who was equally surprised, looking between the gift and his daughter. She shrugged and his attention immediately shifted to Chuck. The younger man just gave a small nod toward the gift and sat quietly. Jack unwrapped the box, opening it to find a framed 5" x 7" photo of a much younger Jack, walking hand in hand with a young blonde haired girl. They were both eating ice cream cones on a what looked like a bright, sunny day. The two looked so happy, smiling at one another, it was a true 'Kodak moment'. Sarah gasped at the picture, covering her mouth as she fought to keep her emotions in check. Jack just stared in shock and wonder at the picture. He ran his fingers along the edge of the frame, studying the picture. Almost at the same time, father and daughter both looked at Chuck, a questioning expression colored their faces.
"Not all of those times were bad. That's something you can build on," Chuck said, giving them a small shrug. Sarah began to lose her battle, tears beginning to spill down her cheeks. She crawled the few feet to him. Placing her hands on his cheeks, she pulled him into a kiss. They exchanged their whispered 'I love you's' before she returned to her spot on the floor. When Chuck caught Jack's gaze, the older man had a knowing smile on his face and nodded.
"Thank you, Chuck." Sarah and Chuck were both taken aback, having never heard Jack refer to Chuck as, well, 'Chuck'. Chuck simply smiled and nodded to the older man, opting to leave it at that.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Molly had been put to bed, Jack being easily persuaded to read her a bedtime story. Soon after he took his leave, but made plans to meet for lunch later in the week. The rest of this extended family sat around the living room talking and drinking coffee. Gerty and Casey were on the loveseat, while Ellie and Devon were sitting close together on the couch. Chuck was seated in an oversized chair, Sarah on his lap, comfortably snuggled in.
"Hey Sarah. I'm sorry, but could you stand up for a second? I forgot one thing." Sarah pouted and looked perplexed but got off Chuck's lap so he could stand. He knelt down in front of the tree, reaching into the branches searching for something. Sarah stepped up beside him, curious as to what present he had hidden in the tree that he'd forgotten. Seeing as he'd given so many gifts today already, it seemed quite possible he'd missed one.
"Chuck bought so many gifts, we'll probably be finding them for days," Sarah chuckled, looking at the rest of the people around the room. When she turned back to look at Chuck, he had pivoted to face her, brandishing a ring box. As he opened the box, the gleam from the reflected Christmas tree lights was spectacular. A kaleidoscope of colors danced on the ceiling and across Sarah's shirt as she stood in awe. The ring was polished white gold with a large, brilliant round cut diamond in a square setting. Three small round cut diamonds were channel set on either side. Sarah gasped his name, covering her mouth with both hands as tears threatening to spill over her lashes.
"This was my Grandma Bartowski's engagement ring. She passed away when I was young, but she wanted me to have this, to give to that special woman she knew that I'd find someday." The quivering in his voice betrayed him, revealing the nervousness he was feeling. He swallowed thickly before continuing. "Well Grandma, I found her… and if she'll have me, I'll spend the rest of my life proving to her that I'm the right man for her. Sarah Walker… will you let me prove that to you? Will you marry me?" Sarah choked out a sob as large tears cascaded down her cheeks. She looked between the ring and Chuck, the lights on the tree dancing in her tear-filled eyes. Slowly, she began to nod, gradually becoming more empathic.
"Yes! Yes, Chuck Bartowski. I'll marry you." She let out a wet laugh as she grabbed Chuck's face and kissed him for all she was worth. Ellie's scream of excitement, cut through the euphoria that both of them were feeling, causing them to slowly pull apart. The couple wiped the tears from each other's cheeks, chuckling as their emotions bubbled over. It was at that moment that Ellie crashed into both of them, crushing them with a massive hug. Everyone expressed their congratulations, giving hugs, or shaking hands in Casey's case. As they continued to talk, Casey slipped away, returning with a tray full of wine glasses.
"This calls for a toast. No champagne unfortunately. All we had was some sparkling wine, so it will have to do." He passed out the glasses and, to everyone's surprise, he was the first to speak up.
"You don't marry someone because you find you can live with them. You marry them when you discover you can't live without them. To Chuck and Sarah." They all raised their glasses in a toast, drinking to the newly engaged couple.
After a short while, the other couples took their leave, allowing Chuck and Sarah to retire to their bedroom. Slipping under the covers, the events of the day having sapped all their energy, they simply snuggled together.
"Not only was this the best Christmas I've ever had, but it's one of the happiest days of my life. And it's all because of you, Chuck." She lay pressed against his side with her head on his chest, tracing patterns in his chest hair.
"I concede that this is both the best Christmas ever and the greatest day of my life. However, it is only because I lack the strength to argue with you that I let you win the latter point." An amused tone in his voice, he ran his fingers through her hair. "OW! What was that for?" Chuck flinched as a few of his chest hairs were pulled out.
"You lack the strength so you 'let' me win? You 'let me'?" She rubbed the spot she had just pulled on, her tone of mock protest.
"Well… perhaps I have the strength after all." In a flash, he rolled over on top of her, burying his face in her neck, attacking the extremely sensitive skin with his lips. Sarah let out a squeal, giggling at his antics, playfully smacking him on his back. As he continued his sensual assault to her jawline, neck and ear, her giggling transformed into soft moans and gasps, her body beginning to writhe beneath him.
"Chuck…" she called his name, practically pleading. He paused his ministrations to look into her eyes, giving her his full attention. She ran her fingers through his hair, holding his gaze. "Enough teasing Chuck. Make love to me." Her tone was soft and loving, but with an edge to it that made it clear that this was not a mere suggestion. The salacious smile that grew across his face let her know he understood.
"As you wish," he whispered, the two joining in a heated kiss, ushering in a consummation of their new engagement.
A/N2: … And to all a good night... A very good night for some it would seem.
I really appreciate all of you that have followed along with this story. Thank you so much for all the kind words. They definitely help to give me the determination to keep going with this story. The story's not over yet, so stay tuned for more to come.
JW