Disclaimer: I don't own Bones
Guest: What can I say? It's a big ole awww day. I love Christmas =D
Nertooold54: Yes he did =D and yes he is. Funny thing is though you'll see it used throughout as a term of endearment lol.
Dolphinb5: Seeeeee I didn't forget about them only hid them until it was appropriate ;-). ROFL while waiting for jury duty, oh how jury duty must suck for you. LOL and sorry but I need to stretch my chapters out as long as possible =( The sequels seem to be flowing but not quick enough. Glad you didn't die of boredom
Angelbach: Couldn't leave the guys out of the festivities and of course guys being guys they don't Christmas shop LOL. Yeah I forgot to post my links. Dangit. Anywho, Gevalia makes those flavors (gift ideas).
Mlbrunell: If you go to my profile there should be a link to my blog. Along the left hand side you'll see the image I based the tattoo off of ;-P plus links to things of interest from the story. I'm not so good at regular updates (bad me) but I do get them up. Foggy bottom is like a district/area in DC like Chinatown=D
Jenheir1: /wiggles eyebrows Just when you think you've got me figured out =D Those ideas came from my dorm room. A guy tried to bake cookies in the dorm kitchen one year and it weren't purty. It was baaaaddddd then some idiot used flower scented spray to try to get rid of the burnt smell. It was December and I had the windows open! Took me forever to find just the right idea for jewelry then another forever to put the image together in my mind. Sheesh the stuff I do for my stories /snicker.
Thank you for your lovely reviews! I had a lot of fun reading them!
Chapter 61 – I Squished My Truffle
"Legates just told Michelle to get to fluffing and she said she wasn't a fluffer," Brown bawled out in laughter.
"I don't get it. Why is that so funny?" Michelle asked, looking at Legates who was gasping for breath as he laughed. Catching his breath, he moved over to where she was sitting, leaned over and put his mouth near her ear.
"Because a fluffer is a woman who gets male porn stars ready for their scenes," he whispered so only she could hear.
"OH. MY. GOD." She screeched in horror at what she'd just said, worse yet at what he'd just said.
She smacked his arm for setting her up and moved around him. Stomping past him, she smacked his butt as she headed for the coffee.
"I can't believe you all," she pouted at the men still laughing. She glared at Johnson and put her hands on her hips.
"If you don't stop laughing you won't get your gift," she growled teasingly, stabbing her finger at Johnson who immediately stopped laughing.
"You got me a gift?" He asked in stunned surprise.
"Yes and it's not a wrapped dog turd," she said with a smirk, "although, next year I'm going to let Josh shop for you all since you like to laugh when he sets me up."
She walked to the kitchen area and pulled down a coffee cup. She poured herself a cup and opened the refrigerator and pulled out some milk. Making her coffee, she ignored the men behind her.
"Aww, come on, Michelle. You already gave them their gifts," Johnson whined. Michelle smirked as she turned around and clasped her cup in her hands.
"I may just make you wait until last. I did get all the guys one," she said thoughtfully, as she looked up at the ceiling.
"I hope she got you guys all the same thing she got me. Because then you'll have to give them to me because you don't play WoW," Brown smirked.
Michelle snorted, shook her head and walked around to the other side of the bookcases. She picked up the bag, Legates had shoved the cards back into and started digging. Finding Johnson's card, she pulled it out. She handed it to Legates and took a sip of her coffee. She set her coffee on the nightstand and sat down on the edge of the bed. Pulling her shoes off, she scooted up on the bed. She started fluffing in the covers and nesting. Legates shot her a leer then walked around the corner.
"Here, douche," Legates said, chucking the card towards Johnson.
Legates walked back around the corner and found Michelle nested with the down comforter and all three pillows. She was clutching the remote and grinning. He sat down and reached for the remote. She pulled it away from him and she cut him a look.
"You have a phone call to make," she said primly. He sighed and looked at the ceiling then nodded.
"That was the deal," he agreed. He picked up his cell phone and dialed his home number then waited while the phone rang.
"Hello?" John answered the phone, Legates glared at the phone and hung up. Flicking through his contacts, he groaned.
"I called but dad answered the phone. I'm not speaking to him so it'll have to wait," Legates grumbled, a scowl on his face. He'd forgotten to get his mom's cell phone number.
Michelle rolled her eyes, rolled over and dug in her purse. Finding her phone, she pulled it out and rolled back up onto the bed. Lying back in her nest, she flicked through her contacts. She scrolled through until she found Sadie's number. Hitting the contact, she waited while it started ringing. Handing him the phone, she smirked at him. He put the phone up to his ear as his mother answered it.
"Hello?" Sadie answered her phone.
"Mama?" Legates said, jerking his gaze to a smirking Michelle.
"Hi, Honey. Merry Christmas," Sadie said warmly.
"Merry Christmas, Mama," Legates said with a soft smile on his face.
"Did you have a good Christmas, Michael?" Sadie asked with a smile on her face.
"Yes, I had a very good Christmas," he said, his eyes drifting to Michelle who was lying on her stomach digging in the bag next to the bed.
"Did you?" He asked, hoping that she and his dad weren't still fighting.
"Yes, we had a very lovely Christmas. The pageant at the church was beautiful as usual," Sadie said with a grin.
"That's great, Mama," Legates said quietly. His eyes misted over as he realized he probably would have gone home for Christmas if it weren't for the argument with his father.
"Honey, did you just call the house phone?" Sadie asked, knowing it had been him.
"Yeah, that was me. I didn't have your cell phone number. But apparently Michelle has it," he said in a slightly chiding tone.
"Yes, I gave it to her after you were ill while we were there in October," Sadie told him with no apology.
"Hmmm," he said, quirking an eyebrow at Michelle who was sipping her coffee and flipping through the cable channels.
"Are you still seeing that young lady?" Sadie asked with a smirk in her tone.
"Yes, Mama, I'm still dating Michelle," Legates said, shooting Michelle a happy grin.
"Merry Christmas, Sadie," Michelle called.
"Merry Christmas, Michelle," Sadie replied, her voice full of laughter.
"She says Merry Christmas, Baby," Legates said, squeezing Michelle's thigh.
Michelle took another sip of her coffee and Legates shot her a pleading look. Grunting, she rolled from the bed and ambled to the kitchen area. She looked around and saw Martinez had joined them. Pulling down a cup, she made Legates a cup of coffee. Carrying it around the corner, she handed it to him. He mouthed 'thank you' and she picked up the bag with the cards.
Rooting through the cards, she pulled out Martinez's card. She walked back around the corner and dropped the card in his lap. She ambled back to the bed and crawled in next to Legates. Curling up next to his leg, she put her head on his thigh and watched the parade on the TV. Legates ran his hand through Michelle's hair as he talked to his mom. Being very careful because he knew she'd kill him if he damaged her hair.
"Are you going to talk to your father?" Sadie asked with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Is he going to apologize?" Legates asked his voice firm.
"Honey, he misses you," Sadie said quietly.
"Not enough, apparently. Michelle is important to me. She's an important part of my life, Mama. If he can't apologize for saying those hurtful words then he doesn't care enough," Legates said, trying not to get choked up.
Michelle bit her lip and choked back her tears. She sat up and turned her face away from him as she took a gulp of her coffee.
"Who drinks Raspberry Chocolate coffee?" Martinez said loudly, making Michelle roll her eyes.
Sighing, she dug into the bottom of her bag and pulled out a bunch of the travel sized coffee bags. Scooping them up, she carried them around the bookcases and dropped them in the floor.
"Switch it out then," Michelle said before walking to the bathroom.
She locked the doors and closed the lid on the toilet then sat down. She dropped her face into her hands and sighed as her fingers massaged her temples. She sat staring at her feet and rubbing her temples, trying to figure out what she should do. She cared about Josh more than any other guy she'd ever dated. She'd do anything for him including stay with him if he got shipped off to some foreign country for months or years on end. But, could she stay with him if that meant that he and his father wouldn't talk? Could she keep him from his family? She knew without a doubt how important family was.
Standing up, she started pacing and rubbing her knuckles on her palm. Should she...could she leave him? Legates had been speaking with his mother in a quiet voice for about ten minutes before he realized Michelle had been gone for some time. Standing up, he listened to his mother talk about his friend Scott as he walked around the book case. His eyes scanned and not seeing Michelle, he looked over to Techie who was sitting on his bed. Techie pointed to the bathroom and Legates scowled at him. Turning back around, he paused then interrupted his mom.
"Mama, I hate to cut this short but I need to go," he said quietly.
"Okay, Honey. Merry Christmas," she said.
"Merry Christmas, Mama. I'll talk to you soon okay," he said.
"Alright, dear. I love you," she said.
"Love you too," he said. He waited and heard his mother disconnect the call.
Michelle hadn't realized how long she'd been pacing and jumped when a knock sounded on the door.
"I'll be right out," she called.
"You okay in there?" Legates called through the door, worried that something had happened.
"Yeah, I'll be right out," she called back.
Sighing, she gave up and unlocked both doors. She jumped when she opened the door to find him standing there. His eyes traced over her face in a questioning way.
"You sure you're okay?" He asked, leaning down and catching her eye. She smiled up at him and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said.
He pursed his lips but nodded then turned and headed back to the bed to watch the parade. Michelle curled up next to Legates and wiggled to get as close as she could. Smiling, he dropped a kiss on her forehead then turned back to watch TV. Michelle rolled her eyes when she heard the guys fighting over the coffee that she had dropped in the floor to trade off. Groaning, she rolled over so she was on her stomach and her head was hanging over the edge.
Patting around, she found her bag then sat up, pulling it with her. Legates watched as she methodically pulled out her folded clothes and stacked them neatly. Next came her toiletry bag, her other pairs of shoes, and an assortment of accoutrements from the bag. Reaching the bottom of the bag, she put both her hands in and came out clutching more coffee.
She repeated this action several more times until the bag was empty. Carefully, she packed everything else back into the bag. Standing up, she scooped up the coffee in her arms and carried them out to where the guys were arguing. Opening her arms, she let the trial sized bags of coffee fall to the floor with a clatter.
"Ya'll are like kids fighting over who got the best toy," Michelle mumbled then walked around the bookcase again. The men sitting in the floor started sorting the coffee into piles by flavor. They were almost done when Addison threw the door open.
"AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!" He sang very loud and off key.
The men sitting on the floor looked up and him and snorted. Michelle crawled to the end of the bed and stuck her head around the bookcase. She snorted then crawled back to where she had been laying earlier.
"C'mere, dork," Legates called out, not wanting Michelle to get up again.
Addison stuck his head around the corner. Michelle crooked her finger, making him step closer. Pulling the bag next to the bed up, she dumped it on Legates' legs.
"Find your card. If you want a different flavor of coffee fight with them," she said, flicking her finger towards the other side of the bookcases. Addison's mouth fell open in surprise.
"Thanks," he said with a toothy grin. He walked back around the corner and sat in the floor with the other guys.
"Screw this," Michelle mumbled, getting up. Legates face was scrunched in confusion until she bent over and dug out her clothes.
"I'm not going anywhere might as well be comfortable," she mumbled, still digging in the bag.
She pulled out the purple leopard print pants and matching shirt. She picked them up and went to the bathroom to change. When she came back out, Legates eyed the pajamas on her and mentally nodded. They looked good on her and looked comfortable. Walking back to the nightstand, she picked up her empty coffee cup then walked to the kitchen area and poured herself a second cup of coffee.
Maggs stood up and walked up behind her, reached over her head and pulled down the Styrofoam cups. She ducked under his arm and walked back to where Legates was sitting watching the parade. The envelopes still lay in his lap from where she had dumped them for Addison.
"So what's in these?" Legates asked, gesturing towards the card.
"Gift Certificates to Ebeneezer's or in Brown's case one month of WoW," Michelle murmured.
"I smell ham," Goodman said, opening the door and walking in. Michelle snorted and shook her head.
"Go see Ms. Claus around the corner," Maggs said, pointing towards the bookcases. Goodman stuck his head around and snickered.
"I've never thought I'd see a Ms. Claus wearing Victoria's Secrets," Goodman snorted. Michelle felt around and lifted cards until she found Goodman's card. Holding it up, she held it out to him.
"Thank you, Ms. Claus," Goodman said with a wide grin. Michelle smiled, nodded, and snuggled in closer to Legates.
"Oohhh Crème Brûlée coffee," he said, grinning. Legates choked on the sip of coffee in his mouth.
"Don't worry, Baby, I have a whooooollleeee box of the trial size for you. And a large box for here," she smirked.
"Evil, you are just plain evil, Woman," he muttered, his eyes going one shade lighter. She leaned over and kissed him.
"You love it," she smirked.
"Yeah, just not when aimed at me," he sassed.
She laughed and tucked her head onto his shoulder. They heard Maggs laughing on the other side of the room.
"What's so funny, Maggs?" Legates called out, hiding his laughter. They heard some shuffling then they heard the door open.
"I got a gift, I got a gift," drifted softly from the hallway.
Goodman was running up and down the hall singing out the words. Michelle turned her face into Legates' side and burst into laughter.
"Your friends are weird," she said in a voice muffled by his side.
"Here they come," he muttered against the top of her head. The sound of feet thundered down the hallway.
"Who is giving Goodman gifts and not me?" Davis asked in whiny tone that made Michelle laugh harder. Davis stuck his head around the bookcases and raised an eyebrow.
"Are you laughing at me?" He asked with a pout.
"Whiny children don't get gifts," Michelle said, her face still in Legates' side.
"You got me something?" Davis asked, climbing into the bed with Legates and Michelle.
"Why is it when we're here we end up with a bunch of guys in the bed with us?" Michelle mumbled against Legates' side.
"We like to do group activities?" Legates said, laughing.
"If we can't do group activities with my friends then we can't do them with yours," Michelle mumbled, snickering and making Davis' shoot wide in surprise.
"She offered and you turned her down. Guys, I think Legates does have don't ask tendencies," Davis yelled.
"Why are we discussing this again? I thought the constant sex he's getting put that to rest," Oaks said, walking into the room.
"Yeah, but there's no proof he's having it with Michelle. We don't know what happens behind this door when it's closed. It's not like she screams," Perkins said, walking in behind Oaks.
Michelle let out an indignant squeal. Legates held her down so she wouldn't go after the two who just walked in the room. The men sitting on the floor started laughing their asses off. The two men that walked in frowned at the other guys' laughter.
"What's so funny?" Perkins asked.
"Wellll," Maggs started, "Michelle got us these really nice gifts and I think she might have gotten one for you. But since you called her boyfriend gay and pointed out her sexual vocal tendencies, she may not give them to you."
Perkins and Oaks came around the corner and crawled up on the bed with Legates, Michelle, and Davis. Michelle burrowed in closer to Legates and grumbled under her breath.
"Okay, Baby, I understand they don't get their gifts," Legates said, agreeing with her mumbled comment that he'd heard.
"Awww, Michelle, you know we didn't mean anything by it," Oaks whined. Michelle grumbled into Legates' side and he laughed at her comment.
"Okay, got it," he said, grinning widely at Perkins.
"No gifts for you two," Legates said, grinning at them. Groaning, they tried to snuggle up to Michelle. Legates pushed them away with his free hand.
"Back off," Legates growled, still trying not to laugh at the pair. He leaned down when he heard Michelle trying to say something.
"Okay," he rumbled, "get off the bed. She wants to watch the parade and ya'll are in the way."
The guys got off the bed mumbling about presents. Michelle moved her head so that she could see the TV. Legates scooched over to the edge of the bed and used his foot to open the cabinet below the bookcase. Michelle's eyebrows rose at his actions.
"I've been hiding something," he whispered.
He used his toes to push boxes around until a box the size of a shoebox came into view. Hooking his big toe under the lid, he pulled it to the edge. Using both feet he picked up the box and moved it onto the bed. Michelle laughed until tears rolled from her eyes, she still couldn't believe he could use his feet almost like hands. She laughed even harder when he closed the cabinet door. Using his foot, he pushed the box towards himself. When it was close enough, he picked it up with one hand and placed it on his stomach. She looked at the box and pursed her lips.
"What is it?" She asked, looking up at him.
"Well, I'd open it but someone is using my shoulder as a pillow," he said, grinning at her.
She moved to sit up and he wrapped his arm around her, stopping her. She reached up and opened the box. He reached in with his left hand and felt around. She watched him move his hand around in the box curiously.
He pulled his hand out and in his fingers he held a rose covered champagne truffle. Her eyes went wide in surprise. He held the truffle in front of her mouth. She took a bite, chewed, swallowed then smiled up at him.
"You're spoiling me," she said softly.
"And having so much fun doing it too," he said, kissing her.
He popped the other half of the truffle in his mouth and chewed while wearing a smile. Maggs stuck his head around the corner of the bookcase.
"I knew it, I knew it. I heard the paper," he said, climbing towards them on the bed.
"Family," Michelle sighed, "you can't live with them, you can't shoot them."
She reached her hand into the box and plucked a truffle from it without looking. Maggs reached out and tried to take the box from Legates.
"Nuh, uh, these are for me," Legates said with a cheesy grin. Maggs reached out for the box again and Michelle hand shot out and smacked Maggs'.
"Ouch," he said, glaring at her.
"His," she said.
Legates shot Maggs a smirk then stuck his tongue out. Michelle's hand reached into the box and pulled a truffle out.
"Hey, they're supposed to be his," Maggs whined in a fake petulant tone.
"If you give him regular sex and blow jobs then you can have some of his chocolate," Michelle said, grinning at Maggs.
Legates smirked then Maggs started chuckling and the guys on the other side of the bookcase roared in laughter.
"God, I hope you do it for more than chocolate truffles," Legates muttered.
Michelle fluttered her eyelashes at him but said nothing. He saw the golden glint in her eyes and dropped a kiss on her forehead. Maggs took advantage of the situation and snatched a truffle from the box then scrambled away from the bed.
He cackled as he ran around the corner. Martinez stuck his foot out and tripped Maggs as he ran past. The guys started bawling in laughter at Maggs who was lying on the floor.
"I squished my truffle," he grumbled as he ate it from his hand.
Michelle giggled and rolled over. She looked out the window then gestured for Legates to look. He set the box of truffles to the side then rolled over and curled up behind her.
"It's snowing," she said softly.
"Hmm, Christmas snow," he whispered near her ear.
For a moment it was just the two of them staring out at the snow falling. Michelle shifted then grunted when an envelope stuck her in the butt.
"Oaks, Perkins, come get your cards," Michelle called out.
Oaks and Perkins came around the corner. Michelle reached between herself and Legates to pull out the cards. She held them out and smiled when they took them from her hand.
"Thank you," they called as they disappeared back around the corner.
Michelle snuggled back up against Legates and he wrapped his arms around her. Michelle's mind drifted as she watched the flakes float to the ground. Christmas was always a happy time for her but since her father died there was just a touch of sadness.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Legates murmured behind her ear, dropping a kiss where his lips were.
"Hmm, my dad," she replied to his question.
"Interesting thing to think about," he murmured.
"Christmas is the one day where he didn't leave in the middle of something to go to the hospital, take a call or take care of a patient. Christmas was my day," she said, shrugging.
"Ahh and Christmas is when you feel his loss the most," he whispered, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
"Yes, but at the same time I take the time to remember all the good things," she said, shrugging.
"Then go back to it and I'll be quiet," he said, squeezing her lightly.
He lay watching the snowfall his mind turning to his own parents. They lay in silence and the TV continued to show the parade and then A Christmas Story. Neither paid any attention to the time passing, the shows on TV, the snow falling. Both lost in their own little world yet connected by his arms wrapped around her. Michelle jumped slightly when the timer on the counter in the kitchenette dinged.
She heard Techie move around, kicking men's feet as he walked to the kitchenette. Opening the oven, he grunted as he pulled the ham out and set it on the back of the stove. Picking up the piece of paper Andrea had left him, he skimmed the instructions and moved to the refrigerator.
A few moments later, Michelle heard the oven door open again and containers slide in. Closing the oven door with a thunk, Techie went to the floor and sat down. Pulling out a pack of cards, he grinned at the guys.
"Coffee anyone?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows. A couple of the guys scooted close and cards were dealt.
"Are they playing poker on Christmas Day?" Michelle murmured in a half giggle.
"Sounds like it," Legates said, laughing.
"Hey, Legates, you got all the Crème Brûlée, get your ass over here and play," Addison grunted.
Michelle smirked at Legates and waved her fingers. He sprang from the bed and almost raced around the corner. Michelle giggled and wiggled to the end of the bed. Sitting up, she stretched, making her back crack. Standing up, she bent over and began to stretch. They had been pretty much laying down all day. Walking over to where the guys were sitting in a circle, she dropped down and sat between Techie and Legates to watch the game.
"We dealing you in, Coffee Woman?" Wilson asked with a smirk.
"Nope, don't know how to play," Michelle said. The guy's faces spread in wide smiles of delight.
"We'll teach you," Goodman said, smirking.
"You'll rip me off," Michelle mumbled jokingly. The guys started laughing at her comment.
"They will but I'll teach you," Legates said, scooting around so he was behind her.
He held his cards so she could see them. When his turn came, he whispered instructions and explanations in her ear.
"Dang they're playing cards with a bunch of other people and still make it look sexual," Perkins muttered, mock glaring at the pair.
Michelle looked up at him and pursed her lips. When the next set of cards were dealt, Michelle stayed between Legates legs and he watched as she played whispering instructions in her ear. She chewed on her lip looking down at four kings in her hand.
The guys in the circle eyed the look of uncertainty on her face and smirked. Legates threw two bags of coffee into the middle from the pile he had. He whispered in her ear again and she shook her head in a silent answer to his question. When it reached Techie, he looked around the circle.
"I'm calling," he said, laying his pair down with a small smile. Michelle laid her four kings down and the guys in the circle groaned. Addison, Wilson, Perkins and Goodman threw their cards in face down.
"You suck," Perkins grumbled.
"Sometimes," Michelle shot back with a grin that made them groan.
Legates laughed and dropped a kiss on her temple. Three hands later, Michelle looked at the large pile of coffee they had built up. She chewed her lip and shook her head.
"I'm done but you can have your original coffee back if you don't have at least one. I'm not taking your Christmas gifts," Michelle said, standing up and tossing Perkins and Addison a bag. Techie looked up with a scowl when the timer went off for the oven.
"Stay put I'll get it," Michelle said.
Walking over, she picked up the sheet Andrea had left and read the instructions left that didn't have a line crossed through it. Opening the oven, she used the two washcloths on the counter to take the stuffing out of the oven.
After the stuffing came the green bean casserole followed by the mashed potatoes. Digging in the cabinet, she pulled down the marshmallows and put them on top of the sweet potatoes that were still in the oven.
"She spoils you, Techie," Michelle grunted as she closed the oven door.
She went in the cabinet and pulled down a jar of gravy and took the lid off. Putting it in the microwave, she started it and watched the jar spin.
"Yeah, sure, she spoils me," Techie snorted, looking over at Legates.
"No, if Michelle spoiled me she'd learn how to make biscuits and gravy," Legates murmured, staring at his cards. Michelle put her hands on her hips and scowled at him.
"Are you seriously talking about that nasty shit they served at Benning in the chow hall?" Goodman asked with a disgusted look on his face. Legates scowled at him then looked back down at his cards.
"Hell No! That was foul and was not-"
"Your mama's biscuits and gravy?" Michelle offered with a smirk.
Legates looked at her and she grinned at him with one eyebrow elevated. He grunted and turned back to his cards.
"Mama's boy," Michelle sing songed as she turned to pull the sweet potatoes from the oven.
Legates snorted and went back to his cards. Michelle pulled the jar from the microwave and stirred it then stuck her finger in it. Finding it not quite warm enough, she put it back in the microwave.
"Techie, you ever notice how women make those smart ass comments then stick their heads in the oven? They just make it too easy for us," Legates murmured with a grin on his face. Techie scooted away from Legates.
"Hey, Techie, you ever notice how guys that don't like having sex say stupid things?" Michelle asked, wearing a smile and reaching for the can of cranberry relish in the cabinet.
Techie burst into laughter and pointed at Legates. The other guys burst into laughter and shook their heads at Legates.
"Think he'll ever learn to use that mush between his ears to control the hole beneath his nose?" Wilson asked, looking over at Techie.
"Given the way Michelle teaches lessons it won't take him long to figure it out," Techie snickered.
With the flick of her wrist, Michelle started opening the can of relish and rolled her eyes. Mumbling under her breath, she dumped it on a plate and cut it into slices.
"Does anyone else think it's weird that an American tradition consists of cranberry jelly in a can?" Michelle asked, uncovering the pans.
"No," the guys answered in unison.
"It's done," Michelle said, backing quickly away from the stove. Cards went flying and the men rushed the stove.
"If you guys had to pick between taking food or a woman with you to the desert which would you take?" Michelle asked, leaning against the wall near the door.
"Food," most of them answered. Michelle shook her head and chuckled.
"What? You can't make food but you can serve yourself in the sex department," Perkins said bluntly.
"So glad we women can be easily replaced," Michelle muttered.
Legates leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"That would not be very nutritious," Michelle said breathily.
"Arrgghhh," Techie wailed, moving away from the stove in a hurry. Michelle snickered as she watched Techie move.
"You really shouldn't say stuff like that, Sweetheart. These guys are big perverts," Legates said, waggling his eyebrows at her. She put the back of her hand over her mouth and laughed.
"Have you ever noticed that we have weird conversations?" Oaks asked, stabbing a piece of ham and putting it into his mouth.
"Nahh this is normal. You want abnormal discussions join the squints for dinner," Legates said, smirking at Michelle. Michelle smacked his stomach and grabbed a plate.
"Look, when you have alternative families you have strange conversations," Michelle said, shrugging.
The guys paused looked at her, shrugged and went back to eating. After dinner, Michelle picked up the remote and the guys groaned. She disappeared around the bookcases and sat down on the bed. Flipping through the channels, she found A Muppet's Christmas Carol and settled in to watch.
"Well, it could be worse," Davis muttered.
"Don't be bitching about the Muppets," Michelle said, grinning at Legates.
He chuckled, leaned against the wall, pulled her between his legs and wrapped his arms around her. Sighing happily, she snuggled back against him and laid her head on his shoulder. He heard the guys shuffling out a few at a time as the movie wore on. He looked at the clock and his eyes got wide. It was almost midnight, Christmas was almost over. Michelle's body slowly relaxed and he heard her breathing even out. Grinning, he took the remote from her hand and tossed it to the floor near the end of the bed.
"Remote is on the floor if you want it," Legates told Techie.
"Thanks," Techie said, quietly.
Legates paused then laughed, he heard Techie putting the food away. Shifting, Legates scooped Michelle up, moved her next to him then pulled the covers up. Reaching out, he turned the alarm on, then the light, and snuggled down next to Michelle. She sighed lightly and wiggled back so her back was pressed against his chest. Her feet found their way between his calves and he smiled as his eyes drifted closed. He couldn't imagine a better way to end Christmas.
A/N: Tomorrow? Well let's just see...party planning, sheets, a keg, king sized bed, ice, a nap, touching, promises, reasons to date a sniper, crayola purple, hunk of man, fire, mighty fine shindig, Daisy, a wallet, resolutions, and dancing.