R is for Reindeer

"Mommy…what…"

Callie's eyes were very wide, her mouth open slightly as she looked between the two women she had wandered into the living room and caught sight of. There was something like awe in her expression…but also something approaching shock and horror.

"Yes, honey?" Buffy asked sweetly, barely holding back her grin. "You wanted to ask me something?"

Callie's eyes were glued to Faith now, and they scanned her form rapidly several times before she spoke again, her voice hushed slightly.

"What's wrong with Mama?"

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked innocently, and now Faith was hiding a grin as well. "Nothing's wrong with her. Why would you think something's wrong?"

"Why does she look like that?" Callie insisted, her features starting to draw together anxiously, her voice going up a little higher in pitch. "And she's SMILING…"

"Well why wouldn't she be smiling?" Buffy said in the same innocent tone, looking at her daughter in seeming puzzlement. "And what do you mean, why does she look like this? Mama always looks like this, don't you, Faith? It's Christmas time, after all…"

"Yep," Faith nodded, still barely holding back her grin. "Gotta get in the spirit, Cal."

"But you NEVER get in the spirit!" Callie cried, her eyes growing wider and more anxious than ever. "You say it's stupid and silly! You HATE Christmas spirit! And you hate people that dress like that-"

"No, of course I don't," Faith replied in seeming astonishment, her eyes widening. "Where would you get that idea, Cal? And why would I hate people that dress like this for Christmas? It's so CUTE!"

At those words Callie's eyes widened even further, and her face grew stricken, almost blanching. She backed out of the room quickly, almost running by the time she had turned around, without saying anything in response. She had barely disappeared down the hall before Faith burst out laughing, dimples popping broadly as she could no longer contain herself. Buffy was smiling too even as she attempted to give Faith a reproving look.

"You're so mean…you scared her to death, Faith."

"Yeah, wasn't it fun?" Faith snickered, still grinning. "Did you see how big her eyes got?"

"She probably thinks you're possessed or something," Buffy giggled.

"What? Just because I'm wearing a Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer sweater with a matching antler headband, red flashing nose, and a necklace make of Christmas tree lights?" FAith askead in mock disbelief. "Why in the world would she think that?"

Buffy grinned at her, her hazel eyes glowing as she took in Faith's outfit, made all the more ridiculous simply because she was Faith.

"You DO look cute, baby…"

Faith socked her hard in the shoulder; apparently there was a fine line between a prank and any indication of serious thought.