Authors notes: Just realised I haven't been doing this. I have been concentrating so much on just getting the chapters posted for this and The Guardian story before Christmas that I haven't given author's note any thought.
Thank you for those who have reviewed, followed and favourite'd the story they have been like early Christmas presents. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist - As Kyle would say 'I should be so lucky...'
Holly and Lisbon enter the room at the front. Jane is busy pulling a table towards the centre of the makeshift stage and doesn't see them but he hears the collective gasp and then the applause. He smiles to himself having realized the cause and he knows that Lisbon will be feeling very uncomfortable . He turns around and Lisbon is helping a girl, he presumes is Holly. to her seat, looking stoical down at the ground. Jane steps forward and announces
"My assistant everyone Her Royal Highness Princess Teresa"
The clapping becomes furious and Lisbon stands up straight and feels at a loss of what to do. clumsily accepting the applause with an embarrassed smile she looks to Jane to rescue her. The sight of Lisbon in her costume had momentarily stunned Jane. It is not often he has seen Lisbon in a dress and this one made her look like a real princess. Then he motioned for her to come up. As Lisbon walks towards the stage she can't believe her eyes. In an outfit of a sparkling yellow jacket over a yellow shirt and purple waistcoat, teamed with yellow shorts and tights that would make any other man look ridiculous, Jane manages to look dignified and regal and handsome. Jane offers his hand as she walks up the steps and winks
"Welcome your Royal Highness we are glad you could make it and your friend Holly."
Holly opens wide at the knowledge that the magician knows her name. Lisbon takes Jane's hand and whispers
"Loving the shorts and tights Jane, I wonder what you will be willing to pay to keep them a secret from the team."
"mmm I will have to give that some thought, mr dear"
Jane picks up a deck of cards from off the table
"I need two people from the audience to assist me with this next trick..."
The show has been a success and Lisbon was very pleased with herself as she hadn't messed up too badly, just dropping some rings once and Jane had made it seem that it was part of the act. Lisbon had enjoyed watching Jane doing his tricks and his interaction with the children. He has such good instincts with them, perhaps because he can be so childlike himself. Jane was kind and funny and willing to make a fool of himself for their entertainment. He had a sparkle in his eyes that Lisbon has not seen for a long time. Not for the first time Lisbon thought what he wonderful father he must have been.
It was now time for the Christmas lunch. Jane and Lisbon are placed on either side of Holly who Lisbon had noticed had laughed along with the other children at Jane's antics. As they waited for the food to be served Jane was showing them how to make a Christmas tree out of the napkins. When the tree was complete he said
Kids I am having a wonderful time today and it looks like Her Royal Highness is enjoying herself as well. This is her first time and I am sure she is would love to know who you are so I will introduce you, tell me if I get anything wrong."
He turns to a boy on his right
"Princess Teresa this is Jody he is 21yrs old and washes elephants for a living"
The children laugh and Jane looks puzzled
"Are you saying I got it wrong?"
"The little boy composes himself and says
"I am five and I don't wash elephants"
Jane studies him closely
"I guess you are a little small for washing elephants"
Jane puts his hands together as if he is looking through a camera lens
"Ah Yes you,re the one who feeds the snakes"
The boy shudders
"I don't like snakes"
"You don't like snakes why ever not? Some of my best friends are snakes"
The boy looks at him with wide eyes
"I know a snake that you will love, he is big but will do anything I ask him and I can promise you he wouldn't hurt a you, he only hurts bad guys. I call him Rigsby."
Lisbon almost chokes on her drink.
Jane reaches across and pats Lisbon on the back
"Perhaps Princess Teresa doesn't like snakes either."
Jane winks at Jody.
"Ah dinner is served"
Lisbon turns to Holly
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing okay, thank you so much for talking me into leaving my room - he's funny!"
"I believe it was your idea."
Holly smiles. Just then Jane stands up rubbing his belly
"Well that was delicious. I think our cooks deserve a round of applause"
The place erupts into cheering and clapping. Jane holds up one hand while the other is cupping his ear
"I think I heard something. Did anyone else hear a noise... it sounded like bells"
Suddenly everyone can hear bells and the doors open and in walks Santa carrying a sack.
"HO HO HO everybody Merry Christmas!"
The children cheer once more
"Me first" shouts Jaen
Lisbon grabs a hold of him
"Sit down Jane you're a little too old for Santa"
Jane sits down and pouts and the children laugh.
Santa calls out the children's names one by one and they excitedly accept a present.
"Patrick Jane?"
"See Your Highness"
Jane sticks his tongue out at her as he raises from his chair to go to Santa. Lisbon rolls her eyes at him.
Jane makes a big production out of not being able to open his present until Lisbon snatches it off him. As she triumphantly gets the wrapping off and opens the box there is a small puff of smoke and Lisbon is covered in glitter. Lisbon tries to glower at Jane but fails and dissolves into laughter with everyone else.
Lisbon emerges from the bathroom having cleaned as much of the glitter off her face and hair as possible but knows she will probably be finding it for weeks and changed back into her normal clothes. Jane is on his phone and she can tell that whatever he is hearing it is not good. Jane closes the phone and notices her and frowns
"Aw I miss Her Royal Highness"
"Don't expect her back anytime soon. I'm certainly going to miss those shorts"
Lisbon raises her eyebrows teasingly
"Now woman those shorts are not for public knowledge"
"Then you better be a good boy"
"Blackmail really Lisbon that is so tawdry"
"I have learned from the best"
"I just may have to put these up on the noticeboard then"
Jane whips out some photos and Lisbon tries to snatch them off him. He holds them so she can see them and they show her covered in the glitter and being kissed on the cheek by Santa.
"Don't you dare Jane"
Jane laughs and returns the photos to his pocket. He turns to Jenny who was laughing with them
"Thank you Jenny for another wonderful Christmas"
"Are you leaving already"
"Yes I just had a phone call Ivy isn't doing very well"
"Oh I'm sorry you had better go. I hope everything is works out okay"
Kisses on cheeks are exchanged and as they exit the door Lisbon asks
"Whose Ivy?"