Chapter Two, the Thought That Counts
Finally, it was a few days before Christmas, and the day of the ARC holiday party. Every department was in the holiday swing. Lester had even suggested getting candy canes to give to the creatures he was sure would come out of anomalies and ruin everyone's good time.
So far dinosaur-sized candy canes were not needed.
Jess was incredibly busy and incredibly happy. She buzzed about making sure everything was ready and festive for the holiday party.
She had been in constant contact with the caterers, party supply, and even the liquor store. She coordinated the deliveries and the set up by ARC employees. The decorations in the canteen were by Jess Parker Productions, and they were fabulous.
The canteen was a holiday delight. Tiny white fairy lights were strung everywhere. Jess had hooked up mist and smoke machines. It looked and felt like a gentle snowstorm. The floor was padded with a soft, white carpet, so it felt like snow. Real potted pines were strategically placed, invoking a winter forest.
The tables had miniature trees accentuated with red and gold. The food tables were lined with boughs of holly. There was a bar set up, self serve, complete with bottles dressed in Christmas character covers.
Jess herself organized the candy bar with varieties of Christmas favorites and of course, lots of chocolate. The dessert table was delicious-looking with Yule log cakes, peppermint tortes, Christmas pudding, cupcakes, tarts, and other yummy concoctions.
Tasteful, traditional holiday music, was mixed with jazz, novelty holiday ditties, classical music, and of course popular favorites all dejayed by ARC employees, except Connor who had been banned when he suggested a playlist including Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, the canteen song from Star Wars, and several songs by the Chipmunks.
"Wow!" said Abby.
Connor's arm hung around his fiancé's shoulder. He whistled. "Brilliant job," he said.
"Oh, God, no," said Becker slowly. "An anomaly HAS opened up after all," he said, winking at Jess, "At least it looks peaceful and gorgeous."
"Thank you Captain," said Jess, giggling. She walked out from behind a table. "What do you think of my outfit?" she asked, posing for him.
Becker looked her over, unable to keep from smiling.
Jess stood on high heeled black boots. She wore a red skirt, longer than usual, but with a slit above one knee. A thick, black belt separated the skirt from a crisp, tailored red jacket, over a snow white shirt, whose collar was adorned with a cameo pin.
To complete the look, Jess wore bright red lipstick, black lace gloves, and a simple red bow in her hair.
"Well?" asked Jess, as Becker kept silently smiling.
"I approve, definitely, but I wonder, Mrs. Claus, if you need a Santa?"
Jess blushed but laughed. "It's cliché I know, but I couldn't resist."
"You look beautiful," he said, and then leaning close he whispered, "Santa's a lucky man."
"Thank you, again," she said, blushing. "Try not to disappear on me. I'd like at least one dance."
"At least," he said with a light touch to her cheek. "I don't suppose there's any mistletoe above either of us?"
"No such luck," she said lightly, but seeing the intensity in his eyes as he looked at her, she added boldly, "but we could pretend."
Becker smiled. "We could."
They stepped closer. She laid her hand on his arm. He caressed her hair as he leaned down. Their lips were dangerously close to touching when a voice blew in.
"Alright, Parker, let's get this shindig under way," Lester blustered. "I expect to get royally smashed." He grabbed a bottle, without looking to see what was in it, and began twisting it open.
Jess ran over in her heels, "No, no, no. You are NOT spending this party drunk." She took the bottle away.
"Once again, Miss Parker, you are fired."
"You need me too much," she said, seeing Matt and Emily come in. "First, we'll do the gift exchange."
Everyone moaned, but to her surprise, Becker did not. He simply grinned at her. "Come on; get your gifts," she said.
The team had assembled before anyone else. It was a full-ARC party, but obviously they couldn't shut the whole ARC down at once. Someone had to be watching the ADD, taking care of the animals, etc. So, it was decided the party would follow along shift lines. Being the main team, the director, and chief field coordinator, they went first.
They gathered around one of the tables, Abby, Lester, and Matt all managed to get their hands on alcohol, and were 'making merry.'
As Lester was the director, he went first, tossing his gift to Connor. Connor fumbled, but was able to hold on to it. The wrapping paper was classic, a light blue background with silver snowflakes.
"Thanks, mate."
"Whatever, Connor. I really had no choice," he said swilling bourbon he had snagged when Jess wasn't looking. "Best wishes, Feliz Navidad, Joy on the Earth, etc, etc."
Connor ripped into the wrapping eagerly.
"A copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, thanks, Lester."
"Open to the first page," said Lester.
Connor did as he was told, and read an inked inscription. "Happy Christmas, Connor, Best Wishes from Middle Earth. Signed, Gandalf-Ian McKellen."
Connor's mouth dropped open. "Good grief! Is this real? How did you get it?"
"Known him for years, splendid chap, only too happy to oblige. It's actually, Sir Ian Mckellen, but as I said, he's splendid, very humble. You do like it, don't you?"
Connor was speechless, briefly. He finally found his voice and said, "Are you kidding? It's amazing, Lester! I can't thank you enough!"
Abby smiled. "He's a Tolkien fan, loves Lord of the Rings. Good job," she said to Lester, who guffawed and went back to his bottle.
"I'm thoroughly impressed," said Jess. "Connor, you go next."
Connor smiled his goofy smile and threw a package to Matt.
"I'm guessing you had Matt's name." Becker said.
"Good guess," said Connor.
Matt opened the geometric-shaped wrapping paper. He took out a couple of CD's reading the labels, "Chopin for plants." "Grow happy plants with Gershwin."Twist and Shout Shrubbery," "Music for Your Houseplants." "Swing Happy Plants," and finally, "Go Classical with Your Plants." Matt sat still holding the CDs.
"Um, do you...like them?" asked Connor, nervous at Matt's stoic reaction. "I was a bit worried, as there was no music in prehistoric times. Your prehistoric plants may not like it."
"I love them Connor. I really do. My father," Matt's voice caught, "He used to play classical music for his plants. I never gave it much credit, but he constantly played music for them, including Chopin and Gershwin. He loved plants, you know, we didn't have them...where we're from."
Connor said gently, "You mentioned your dad and music once, remember? I was prattling on how music helping plants grow was unscientific, you agreed, but then mentioned your dad." Matt nodded. "I was a little worried, though that the CDs might be, you know, too personal, too painful."
"Not at all, Connor. I think of him every time I hear classical music, and this, the connection with the plants, well, its' really touching. Really. It's a wonderful present Connor." Matt smiled bitter sweetly, tears forming slightly, but there was an
"Matt, you're next, but," said Jess tentatively, "If you need a moment, of course, we'll come back."
"It's fine Jess." Matt stood saying, "I drew Abby's name."
"Ooh," said Abby taking Matt's gift. "I love presents. Let's see, what we've got here," she said pulling the box open.
Abby pulled out a CD called, "Kickin' Kick Boxing," a new pair of bright purple fingerless gloves, and a huge box of butter biscuits. "Oh sweet! I love these gloves, I can totally use the CD, and as for the biscuits," she spun the box around to show it, "they look like Rex!" Everyone laughed. "Thank you, very much Matt. I love them!" She got up to hug Matt.
"There is one more thing," said Matt, "but I can't really take the credit. It was Emily's suggestion. Em?"
Emily produced a bottle from her bag, wrapped in red and green cellophane. She passed it to Abby, who said, "Booze? Yay!" She peeled the cellophane down to reveal the identity of the alcohol. "No way! I can't believe you found some! Conn, look! My favorite. This stuff's hard to find."
"That's because too many people would die from alcohol poisoning," quipped Connor.
Abby laughed, "True. It's not good, but it really packs a punch. Thank you, Matt and Emily! I'm so happy!"
Emily and Matt smiled. Lester wrinkled his nose at the idea of anything without a pedigree, bathtub booze included.
End of Chapter Two