Theo enlists the guys help to plan a surprise for Daphne. Can he get it everything ready before she gets home?
Music: The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) by Nat King Cole
Theo: Mate, I need your help
Ron: What do you need?
Harry: What are you up to?
Neville: She said not to let him do anything.
Theo: I just need a ride to the grocers
Ron: Why?
Harry: What do you need from the grocers?
Neville: What are you planning?
Theo: I want to have dinner ready for her when she gets home
Ron: So you need to get food
Harry: And dessert
Neville: And flowers
Theo: And I can't find the keys to my car or my bike
Harry: And you won't find them after yesterday
Ron: You are not allowed to drive while you are taking those pain meds
Neville: She found you on your bike
Theo: I was just going to go down to the corner and get some snacks
Harry: She gave me your bike keys
Ron: I know where your car keys are
Neville: But until you are cleared to go back to work
Theo: I am trapped in my own home
Harry: I'll drop by Anna's and pick up her favorite pasta
Ron: I'll get you a tart from the bakery
Neville: I'll bring flowers
Theo: I am capable of doing all of those things
Harry: Not right now. Let us help out.
Ron: What time is she getting home?
Theo: She has a meeting after classes, so not before 4:30
Neville: We will be there by 3
Theo thought about throwing his mobile across the room. In the five days since he had broken his arm. Daphne had done everything and let him do nothing. He was not an invalid, just a little injured. Now, thanks to that stupid rule, he was going to miss Chess Club. No work, no play, no fair.
He had not minded being stuck on the sofa for a couple of days, but now he was restless. His shoulder only hurt occasionally and the throbbing had stopped under the cast. The doctor had called earlier and cleared him to return to work on Monday. He was not taking pain meds during the day now and he was hoping to switch to non-prescription pain meds before he went back to work. All he had to do was convince Daphne that his was fine. "Oh boy," Theo muttered as he looked around the sitting room. "I have work to do."
Daphne: I'm not coming to Chess Club tonight
Luna; Why not? You went to work today
Hermione: But Theo didn't
Ginny: So you are keeping him company?
Daphne: I'm going to set up a chess board in the sitting room and see if he wants to play
Hermione: How has he been doing?
Ginny: Has he been cleared to go back?
Luna: Setting up the board for Strip Chess?
Daphne: OMG
Ginny: Luna?
Hermione: If he talks her into playing that he has been
Daphne: Strip Chess?
Ginny: Luna … don't
Hermione: She found the rules online when she was writing a smut fest piece
Luna: What? She is the only one of us that really plays chess
Daphne: Really? Strip chess is a real thing?
Ginny: Yup
Hermione: I read that story. OMG
Luna: Maybe I could get Nev to teach me to play …
Daphne: LUNA!
Hermione: On that note, I'm headed home
Ginny: I am going to take my boy to his Gran and meet my husband at the house
Luna: I'm going to pack an overnight bag
Daphne: I don't want to know any more
Luna: We will miss you tonight … Do NOT touch your mobile …
Daphne was met by candlelight and soft music when she entered the cottage. Whatever Theo was up to smelled delicious. "Theo, What's going on?"
"Dinner is on the table in front of the fire." Theo's voice carried into the room from the kitchen. "Get comfortable and I'll be out in a minute. Tonight, it is my turn to take care of you."
Daphne put her coat and bag in the closet and put her shoes in the basket by the front door. "You did not have to do this. I was going to heat up the chili from last night."
"I wanted to do this. I am feeling better and I have not needed the pain meds today." Theo walked into the room carrying a cast iron skillet. "Dinner from Anna's, thanks to Harry, and a quiet evening to tell you how much I appreciate everything you have done this week. I know I have not been the easiest person to get along with."
"Like I would do anything else." Daphne patted the spot beside her on the blanket he had spread out in front of the fireplace. "This looks delicious. Come sit with me and eat."
"I will as soon as I get one last thing." Theo headed back to the kitchen. "We can enjoy dinner and a movie from the comfort of the blanket in front of the fire. I even have chestnuts to roast."
Daphne watch Theo arrange the last dish on the coffee table and settle beside her one the floor. "How did you do all this? Please tell me you did not drive? I thought I found all your keys."
"Don't worry, Brown Eyes." Theo leaned into Daphne and rested his forehead on hers. "I asked the guys to help me get everything together. I didn't mean to scare you yesterday when I tried to ride the bike."
"Please don't do that again." Daphne tangled her fingers with the fingers on his uninjured hand. "I had nightmares about you tipping over and doing more damage. Sunday was bad enough."
"I've had worse injuries when I was playing hockey." Theo lifted her fingers to his lips, kissing each fingertip. "But, I have never had anyone take care of me as well as you have this week. Thank you for everything."
"I love you, Theo. I can't imagine doing anything other than what I have done." Daphne kissed him, softy. "Let's eat before the food gets cold. You can show me your appreciation after dinner,"
"Sounds like a plan to me," Theo nipped Daphne's lower lip. "I am hungry after all."
Theo: I need another favor
Neville: Do you realize what time it is?
Theo: I'm sorry, mate
Neville: I was up anyway
Theo: I need someone to pick up a package at the jewelers
Neville: Last minute gift
Theo: You could call it that? I was supposed to pick it up Wednesday but things happened
Neville: Are they going to let me pick it up?
Theo: I made the arrangements earlier today
Neville: When do you want me to bring it to you?
Theo; Just bring it to the White Elephant Sunday
Neville: I need to finish wrapping my gift for that
Theo: Is that why you are still up?
Neville: I hate wrapping packages
Theo: Me too
Neville: Same
Theo: Bags are perfect
Neville: Grocer's bags
Theo:Thanks, mate.
Neville: For what?
Theo: This
Neville: Are you two going to be ready for the party Sunday?
Theo: She tells me she has everything ready to put together after church
Neville: Do you need us to bring anything?
Theo: Other than the box from the jewelers, no
Neville: Night Theo. Good Luck
Theo: What do you mean Nev?
Neville: You asked for flowers today and I am picking up something from the jewelers for you tomorrow. She's going to say yes
Theo: Night Nev
Neville: Night Theo