oneshot for a challenge. enjoy. review please :)
It had been a long day. A long week, a long month, a long year. It was July and it was hard on her, so many memories; Lulu, Johnny, Logan and Spinelli. She paused in hall, key in door, when she heard music coming from inside. She reached in her bag looking for something that might help. She flipped open her phone and dialed his number. She heard a phone ring from inside. She flung the door open screaming, "Spinelli what are you doing here?" She flipped on the light to revel him setting on her fireplace, by a tree dressed like Santa.
"Merry Christmas."
"It's July," she laughed.
"Has The Maximista never heard of Christmas in July?"
"I've heard of Christmas in July, but the extent of me celebrating it consists of shopping the amazing sales."
"We're celebrating, presents, carols, dinner, the whole shebang."
"Spinelli, why?"
"I thought it would be fun, good for you, that it would."
"That it would get my mind off of."
"I just thought it would be nice to do something different."
"Thank you," she said making her way over to him. She set down on his knee, much to his surprise, "Aren't you going to ask me?"
"Ask you what," he stammered.
"Your Santa silly, you're supposed to ask me what I want for Christmas."
"Oh right. Well, Ms. Maxie, have you been naughty or nice?"
She looked at him puzzled.
"Is that not what Santa asks first?"
She nodded, "well to tell you the truth Sir."
"Honesty is the best policy."
"Well you know already. "You see me when I'm sleeping you know when I'm awake," she sang.
"I know if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake," he continued.
"So you tell me have I been bad or good?"
"Mostly good I think."
"Spinelli," she squeaked, popping his faux beard.
"I think that puts you back on the naughty list," he said rubbing his chin.
"Sorry," she shrugged sarcastically.
"Well aren't you going to ask me?"
"Ask you what?"
"What I want for Christmas?"
"Right, well Ms. Maxie," he said scooting her off his lap, "you have a very bony back side."
"Spinelli," she said shocked.
"Santa."
"Right."
"Well are you going to answer? I can't get you anything if you don't answer."
"Hmm, I'm thinking."
"You shouldn't have to think, I'm sure there are plenty of things that pretty blonde head of yours wants."
"There are, there are, that's why I'm thinking." A light bulb went off in her head. "Christmas cards."
"You want Christmas cards?"
"Yep."
"Okay I'll buy you Christmas cards. Can they wait until Christmas or do you want them now?"
"Now please. You're the one who said we're celebrating Christmas in July."
"Well I'm sure I can find some online."
"Santa," she whispered softly laying her head on his shoulder.
What is she up to, he thought to himself. "Yes, Ms. Maxie."
"First of all stop calling me that."
"Alright what is it maximistas?"
"Much better. Take a picture with me."
"Picture, why?
"Because I want a picture of us."
That sounded reasonable, he guessed, most people had pictures of them with their best friends.
"Your camera or mine?"
"Doesn't matter, mines right here in my bag."
"Well lets us yours then."
She smiled snapping a sweet photo of the two of them. "One more," she said climbing back into his lap, pulling his Santa cap atop her blonde curls. She held out the camera and snapped the shot, "perfect," she said upon review. "K, now I want 50 of these and 50 of these."
"What," he questioned, still in shock that she was again in his lap.
"50 for the Christmas in July cards and 50 for our Christmas cards." She waited for him to realize what she just said.
"Did you just say our Christmas cards?"
"Yep," she said snapping a picture of his surprised face. "Can I tell you a secret Santa?"
"Anything."
She leaned him into a kiss, and snapped another picture." All I want for Christmas is you," she whispered in his ear. "Now hop to it, you've got cards to make."
He set there in shock, was she for real? Was this for real?
"Come on santa, come back to me," she snapped.
The next winter she was setting at their table in Kelly's, when he walked in, yet again dressed up like Santa.
"What are you doing," she giggled.
"Giving you an early Christmas present," he said holding out a box.
She opened it to revel the Christmas cards she had asked for back in July; the one with the picture of him as Santa, her on his lap with his red cap on. She gushed, "they're perfect."
"I was waiting to give you this, but here you go," she said handing him an unwrapped box.
"It's not Christmas yet, I'll wait."
"I don't want you to wait. Open it now, for me, please," she begged.
"Your wish is my desire."
"Just open the box."
He did. Inside he found a tri-fold frame with all three pictures she snapped that afternoon already inside. The one with them snuggled together. The one of her on his lap. And the one of her kissing him.
"Thanks." He knew his next gift couldn't wait any longer. "I have something else for you."
"Spinelli, you can't give me all my presents early. I'm not going to have anything under the tree."
"Well, this one can't wait, and I promise you will have plenty of presents under the tree."
"Hmm," she said, "as long as you promise."
"Scouts honor."
She rolled her eyes.
"Father of mister sir?"
"Yeah Spinelli, what is it?"
"Can I have that gift I've been hiding here?"
"Now?"
He nodded.
"Okay, let me get it out of the kitchen."
"You hid my present here?"
"I have presents hidden for you everywhere."
Mike returned with a very large box.
"Interesting!"
"Open it."
"You don't have to tell me twice," she whispered, ripping off the paper. "Seriously," she asked when she saw another box, "how many of these are there?"
"I don't know," he shrugged.
She kept opening the boxes, when she got to the end and found nothing she turned to rip him a new one, she stopped when she saw him on one knee. Without giving him a chance to ask she was in his arms screaming, "yes."
To their surprise Mike flashed a quick photo of the moment.
She giggled showering him with kisses, "Santa baby."
"Yes Ms. Maxie."
"Looks like we've got work to do?"
"Huh?"
"We need to write one of those newsletter thingys, print that picture Mike just took of us, stuff and address envelopes, we've got Christmas cards to send out."