"Hey! Look at this one!"
Connor turned towards the sound of Ellie's voice, walking down the long line of trees. It was four days before Christmas Eve and Connor had been more than happy to get out of the house for Christmas tree shopping with Ellie.
Connor grinned. He was allowed to leave the house when he wanted to now, not just when Altair let him. Haytham and the FBI successfully prosecuted Birch and the main threat from the gang left with the guilty sentence. Connor almost whooped with joy when he found out. He finally could enjoy his Christmas break.
Desmond promised to be back soon. He claimed that Connor was his new closest friend because of the whole incident. Connor didn't complain either. Despite how much Desmond cursed, he was a cool guy.
Ahead of him, Ellie was inspecting a tree. He felt his grin growing. It was hard to believe that Ellie was back in his life when he had been so sure that he would never be close to her again. Then again, he never expected her to be his girlfriend either.
His girlfriend.
He almost couldn't believe it. They were together. It had put him on a sort of high the past few days, which was probably why he let her order him around more than he used to. He finally reached her side, looking at the tree and seeing no issues with it. "Okay, I'll get the guy," he said, turning to walk back to the main building at the tree farm.
"Wait! Can't use this one. It has a huge empty spot on the other side," she said, tugging on his sleeve to stop him.
Connor rolled his eyes. "You're worse than my mom when I did this with her."
"A good Christmas tree is hard to find, sir," she said, thumping his arm lightly before moving on.
Connor shook his head in amusement. His thoughts wandered as he followed her along, nodding when she would comment on the other trees. It almost was like his screw up never happened. He and Ellie had discussed it again and they both almost cried from laughing at the absurdity of it all.
The pair browsed the trees some more. Connor was just about to give up when Ellie halted and pulled on his coat hood to stop him.
"This one wins," she said, crossing her arms and nodding in satisfaction as she walked around it.
Connor almost rolled his eyes again. It looked just like the other one.
"Go get the guy! We're taking this one," she said, shooing him away.
"Yes, ma'am," he said sarcastically.
"Thank you!"
Connor peeked out the window, gulping nervously. Haytham sighed in exasperation from his chair, giving him an unamused look over the top of his paper. "Good Lord, boy, sit down."
Connor sat down on the couch, twiddling his thumbs and looking toward the window again. It was Christmas Eve- not only were his grandparents and Jenny coming over, but Ellie was too. He tried to mentally prepare himself for the teasing he was going to get from Tessa and Ellie…and possibly Edward. Connor had almost burst into flames when Peter and Eliza had made jokes about him and Ellie at the Johnston's celebration the day before.
The doorbell rang and Connor leaped up to get it, ignoring Haytham's sigh of exasperation.
He opened the door, seeing Ellie wiping some snow off her shoulder. "Hey!" she said breathlessly, quickly stepping in. Connor helped her with her coat, feeling his heart flop around as she smiled at him.
He quickly hung up the coat, following her into the living room.
"Hey Mr. Kenway! How's your arm?" Ellie asked, walking over to the tree.
"It's been better," Haytham said, reading his paper again.
Ellie gave Connor an amused look before setting a small, wrapped present beneath the tree. "Didn't I tell you not to get anything?" Connor asked, peeking over her shoulder.
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, so?"
Connor gave her an exasperated look. For once, just once, he'd wish she'd listen to him about something like that.
"She's never going to do what you want her to do. Get used to it," Haytham commented, not looking away from his paper.
Connor made a face at him.
"I saw that."
Ellie covered her mouth, trying to cover up the snickers that were escaping.
Connor frowned at her.
She started to full out laugh. "You can't win, can you?"
Connor grunted and wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms down. "I can win at this."
"Let me go!"
"No."
"Do I have to say my dangerous words again?"
"They won't work."
"Connor seriously-eeek!"
She laughed as he picked her up and headed toward the kitchen. When he reached the kitchen, he set her down by the table. Ellie pouted, looking up at him. "Why did you do that?" she asked, cocking her head.
Connor jabbed a thumb toward the living room. "I didn't want my dad giving us the stink eye."
Ellie rolled her eyes, walking toward the fridge. "Or do you just not want to be embarrassed?"
Connor frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ellie peeked at him around the refrigerator door. "Yes, you do."
Connor sighed, standing behind her, trying to see what she was looking for. She pulled out the milk, walking over to the counter.
"I really think he doesn't like seeing couples in general," Connor said, leaning against the counter as she pulled a glass out of the cabinet.
Ellie shook her head. "Nope. You just don't want to be teased."
Connor pouted and looked away. She was right, but he really thought that about his dad.
She poured him a glass too. "So, when are your grandparents supposed to be here?"
"In a couple hours."
Ellie looked around, walking toward the pantry.
Connor watched her with an arched brow. "What are you looking for now?"
"I have a couple hours! I'm baking!"
Connor shook his head in amusement. Of course she would.
Ellie glanced between Connor and Mr. Kenway. Even after baking a full batch of sugar cookies, Mr. Kenway hadn't moved an inch. He was immersed in his paper, blatantly ignoring them.
She glanced at Connor. Was he upset with her? What he upset with Connor? She shifted, clearing her throat a little. Connor gave her an apologetic look, tugging on her sleeve. "Wanna see some of the weapons?"
"Yeah."
They got up, walking into the weapon room. Ellie tugged on his collar, bringing him down to her level. "Is he mad at you or me? I can't tell," she whispered.
Connor shrugged. "He's been like that for a couple days now."
"Why?"
"It beats me. I don't know how my mom could stand him sometimes."
Ellie looked up at an old rifle, cocking her head in thought. "Maybe he was more cheerful then."
"Maybe."
Connor pointed at a civil war rifle. "I got to shoot with that one once."
"Oh yeah, I remember you telling me about that."
They stood in silence for a moment.
"How did your parents meet?" Ellie asked, leaning forward to inspect a huge axe.
Connor chuckled. "My mom left her wallet at a coffee shop and my dad chased her three blocks to give it back. The rest is history."
Ellie smiled at the tale. "Did you ever figure out why they split up?"
Connor leaned against the wall near the tomahawk, sighing a little. "My dad was representing a man who wanted to buy some land. At the same time, my people were trying to buy the land to create the Reservation. My dad didn't know it was my mom's family and couldn't back out so she left."
Ellie frowned. "So what happened?"
Connor shrugged. "The guy ended up not wanting to buy it shortly after she left. Dad didn't go after her."
Ellie cocked her head, leaning on the wall beside him. "Why? Didn't he care about her?" she asked in a hushed tone.
Connor nodded. "He still does. I figured that out when I got in trouble for punching Hickey," he said quietly. His face went blank as he went into deep thought.
Ellie looked at the trophy case, pondering his words.
"I guess that's why I tried to fix our relationship. I almost did what he did."
Ellie looked at him in surprise. "What?"
Connor picked at his collar, clearing his throat roughly. "He told me not to make the same mistake he did. I decided to listen to him."
Ellie stood in front of him. "Good thing you listened, huh?"
"Yeah, I'm glad I did," he said with a bashful smile.
Ellie grinned. He was adorable when he was shy. She pinched the apple of his cheek. "You're so adorable."
"Don't call me that," he growled, furrowing his brow.
Ellie crossed her arms, arching a brow. "And why not?"
"It makes me feel girly. Just don't."
"Well, what else am I going to call you when you're shy?"
Connor frowned. "Seriously?"
"What?! You're adorable when you're shy!"
"I'm leaving."
"Aw, that blush is cute."
"Ellie!"
Ellie couldn't stop giggling as they walked back into the living room. After she sat down again, the doorbell rang.
Haytham sighed, setting his paper aside. "Connor, go get that."
Connor quickly got up and headed toward the door, leaving Ellie alone with Haytham. She twiddled her thumbs, studying the Christmas tree she helped Connor decorate.
"I'm not irritated or angry with either of you."
Ellie looked at him in surprise. Crap, he heard us!
Haytham smirked. "Tell your oaf of a boyfriend to talk more quietly, Miss Johnston. Or should I just call you Ellie now?"
Ellie grinned, pulling her hair over one shoulder. "Whatever you want, Mr. Kenway."
"Bloody hell, girl, just call me Haytham."
Ellie chuckled, looking up at Connor walked in, carrying a mountain of presents. An elderly woman using a walker followed him in. "Set those underneath the tree, dear," Tessa Kenway said, patting Connor on the shoulder.
Ellie wished she could take a picture at that moment. Connor was a giant compared to his grandma. It was adorable.
"All right, let's meet the girlfriend. I knew the boy liked her," Edward laughed, slowly walking in.
Ellie blushed. She still wasn't used to being called somebody's girlfriend, nonetheless Connor's. She was just glad that it was her best friend she was stepping into this new experience with.
Edward held on to a woman's, whom she assumed as Jenny, arm. Jenny helped Edward shuffle over to the couch and Edward took a seat next to Ellie.
"So, how did you get through his skull? We Kenways have thick heads when it comes to that," Edward chortled.
Ellie held back a laugh as Haytham spluttered and Connor made his embarrassed choking noise.
"Uh, I didn't really do anything," Ellie replied, giving him a smile. She remembered helping Edward and Tessa carry something in a couple years ago. She always enjoyed seeing the adorable elderly couple visit Haytham's home ever since.
"That's what Megan said when we picked on Haytham," Tessa laughed, patting Connor on the shoulder again.
Ellie looked at Connor in confusion. Who was Megan?
Connor mouthed, 'My mom'.
"Megan used to fluster Haytham so much, too. Remember that time she kissed you on the cheek and-"
"All right mother, I think it's time for dinner," Haytham cut in, making his way to the kitchen.
Ellie gave Connor an amused look and Connor looked like he was trying not to crack up.
This was going to be one interesting Christmas Eve dinner.
Connor had never been more embarrassed in his life. During the course of dinner, he had almost spat out his food multiple times. Jenny came to his rescue frequently. Ellie seemed to not mind his grandparents' teasing and, to his dismay, went along with it.
Now, Connor was trying to hook up the VHS player because his grandmother wanted to watch an old movie. Tessa was able to bully both his grandfather and father into doing anything, and it didn't look like Connor was going to break that tradition.
"Is it ready, dear?" Tessa asked, digging through her purse.
Connor plugged in another cord, nodding in satisfaction when the familiar blue screen showed up. "Yes."
"Ellie, girl, these are bloomin' amazing!" Edward said, taking a bite out of another sugar cookie.
"Thanks," Ellie chirped, grinning triumphantly.
Connor rolled his eyes at her, taking the tape from Tessa. He tilted his head a little, looking at the title. "It's a Wonderful Life," he read aloud.
"Oooh! I love this one," Ellie said, looking at Tessa.
Tessa beamed at her. "I knew I liked you for a reason! It's our tradition to watch this every Christmas."
"And by that she means every. Single. Christmas," Haytham gritched, getting up and walking towards the kitchen.
"Glad to know I'm not the only one tired of it," Jenny grumbled, not looking up from her book.
"Connor, come here," Haytham ordered from the kitchen.
Connor rolled his eyes at Ellie again, sticking the video in before making his way to the kitchen.
Haytham had a bag of popcorn running in the microwave. He glanced at Connor over his shoulder before sighing.
"What do you need help with?" Connor asked, looking around. Everything was cleaned up, aside from the bowl sitting on the counter.
"I wanted to explain my behavior earlier," Haytham said quietly, looking toward the microwave again.
"Okay…"
Haytham looked up at the ceiling. "I was mentally preparing myself. Mother acts like what happened between your mother and I was nothing. It's infuriating sometimes."
Connor replayed all of the comments Tessa had made concerning his mother from the whole evening. There were a lot. "I see."
Haytham looked at him again, taking a deep breath. "Christmas was your mother's favorite holiday. I miss making those popcorn strands with her," Haytham mused, pulling the finished bag out.
Connor's heart ached a little as he recalled all of the times he helped his mother make those popcorn strings. "Me too."
Haytham chuckled sadly, dumping the popcorn into the bowl. "Perhaps we should do a better job at keeping up the tradition next year, hm?"
Connor nodded. "Yeah, we should."
He gestured to the cabinet. "Do something so it doesn't look like I pulled you in here for no reason."
He walked out, leaving Connor in the kitchen.
Connor shook his head in amusement, pulling some glasses out.
He was just glad he wasn't the only one missing his mother right now.
Ellie glanced down at Connor toward the end of the movie. He was sitting on the floor next to her legs, resting his shoulder against her knee. Positioning the bowl of popcorn, she let him reach back and grab some.
Playing with his hair, she grinned. Not being able to do this with him had been painful. She tugged on a lock, causing him to turn his head a little. He arched a brow up at her and she shrugged, smirking down at him.
He turned back to the movie again. She tugged on his ponytail, hoping to get a reaction from him. He just shifted, watching as the end of the movie closed out to the credits.
"Now it's time for presents! I miss doing this with you two," Tessa said, looking excited.
Haytham and Jenny gave each other exasperated looks.
"Connor, would you mind passing them out?" Edward asked, winking.
Ellie couldn't stop the grin from coming to her face. Connor passed the presents out, taking his spot next to Ellie's legs again after he was done. Ellie was surprised to find a present from the Kenways and one from Connor on her lap.
"Ellie, dear, you get to go first," Tessa ordered, smacking Edward's hand when he started to pick at the edge of some wrapping paper.
Ellie looked around. Jenny looked bored and Haytham looked impatient. Connor shrugged.
"Okay," Ellie said, picking up the Kenways' gift first.
She tore off the wrapping paper, smiling and pulling out a soft beanie. It was a beautiful emerald green and it looked warm. "I've been trying to find one of these! Thank you," Ellie said, holding up the beanie and inspecting it.
"Jenny made it. She's fantastic at knitting," Tessa said, looking proud.
Ellie almost laughed as Connor and Haytham seemed to choke. Looks like neither of them were expecting that.
"Hmph," Jenny said, looking at her book again.
Ellie looked down at Connor's present, arching a brow at him. It looked like a shoe box, but she doubted Connor bought her shoes.
She ripped off the wrapping paper, pulling the lid. Another small box was inside it. She pouted. "How cute," she teased, poking him with her foot.
"Thank Desmond. He told me to do it."
She laughed as she opened that box to reveal another wrapped box, which she picked up and grinned at. It wasn't a box. She ripped off the wrapping paper and the cover of The Game of Thrones greeted her. "I told you about this months ago!" she said, looking at the back of the book.
"I know. I remembered."
"What's that book about?" Edward said, peering at it.
Ellie shared a panicked look with Connor. "Uh…it's a fantasy. Lots of swords and stuff are in it too," Ellie quickly said.
"Isn't there a show about that?" Jenny asked, looking up from her own book. Ellie almost laughed. Jenny was reading the second book in the series. Jenny gave her a knowing smirk before reading again.
Ellie didn't blame her for burying her face in the book now.
"All right, Connor. Your turn," Tessa said, holding onto Edward's hand.
Ellie couldn't stop the goofy grin from coming to her face. She loved old, adorable couples.
Connor got a red knitted beanie, as well as a pocket knife from Edward. He reached for another box. "Open that later, Connor," Haytham ordered, leaning back in his chair.
Connor shrugged and reached for Ellie's present. Ellie bit her lip as he tore the paper off of it. His eyes widened and he grinned as he held up the leather bracelet, nearly making Ellie sigh in relief. She was at wit's end when she went shopping with Claudia a couple days ago. Claudia was the one who suggested getting something like this.
The leather bracelet had wolves, bears, and eagles worked into the leather, giving it the rustic, Native American feel.
Connor grinned and put it on, tying the ends together tightly. "Nia:wen," he said, smiling up at her.
Ellie felt a warm, bubbly feeling go through her. She would have to thank Claudia later.
Connor waved as his grandparents drove away, peeking at Ellie. She was waving and standing beside him. They started to make their way to her house, walking slowly through the snow. "Your grandparents are adorable," she said, tucking the book under her arm. She was wearing her new beanie.
"Yeah, I guess they are," Connor said, admiring her in the hat, but looking away in embarrassment. He couldn't believe that he just thought that. She is your girlfriend now. You can think that, the voice in his head said, sounding oddly like his father's.
Ellie looked up at the stars, grinning. "That's my goal someday. To be one of those cute old couples with someone," she mused, her expression turning shy.
Connor chuckled. Of course she would. He started to walk up the steps to her porch.
"Crap," she muttered as he reached the second step.
He glanced at her over his shoulder. Her red face gave away her embarrassment. ""What?" he asked, making his way down the steps.
She looked away, hugging the book to her chest. "W-well, I shouldn't say stuff like that because-well-we-I mean, we're together now so…" She stopped talking, looking even more embarrassed.
Connor almost laughed. "I didn't think you were talking about us."
She looked up at him, looking relieved. "Whew! Okay, thank goodness, because I didn't want to hint at that at all and I didn't want to seem like one of those girls that was just weird about that stuff when they got into relationships and I-"
Connor rested his hands on her upper arms. "It's okay. I know you're not like that," he chuckled, noticing the blush dusting her cheekbones getting darker.
She cleared her throat, biting her lip and peeking up at him through her lashes and laughing a little. "Sorry."
Connor shook his head, pulling her in for a hug. "Don't be."
She pulled away a little, cocking her head as she looked up at him.
She was reading his mind again. His neck began to heat up.
She grinned. "You're being adorable again."
He pouted and looked away, feeling the blush reach the tips of his ears. "I'm not adorable," he grumbled.
She tugged on a lock of hair. "Yes you are."
Connor frowned down at her. For once, he wanted to successfully tease her, but he had no clue how to do it in a flirty way.
He grunted a little when she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down a little. He felt his blush intensify as she pulled his face in close.
"If it makes you feel better, you're pretty good looking when you're adorable," she said coyly, cocking her head.
Connor felt light headed. "Y-you think so?"
Ellie chuckled, nodding. "What can I say? You're a hunk."
Connor looked away, heart thundering in his chest. "D-did you always think that?"
Ellie nodded. "Let's just say that I enjoyed the times you came over to swim," she said, blushing a little.
Connor looked at her in surprise, almost choking. "Seriously?"
Ellie rolled her eyes. "Yes!"
Connor gulped, looking away. Now was his chance, he could tease her now. "I-I like that hat on you…it's cute," he mumbled. Smooth Kenway, you strike again, he growled at himself. He sucked at this.
Ellie giggled, cupping his face in her hands. "I'm glad to know that," she said quietly, reaching up on her tiptoes.
Connor's heart went into overdrive as she kissed him. He pulled her closer, closing his eyes and basking in the feeling.
He didn't want the moment to end.
Connor felt dizzy as he walked back into his house. He had intended to leave sooner, but he just couldn't leave Ellie and one kiss melted into another...
He walked into the living room, seeing his father holding the present he asked him not to open earlier.
Haytham looked up as he walked in, holding the box out. "Here."
Connor took it, picking at the edges of the paper.
"Happy Christmas," Haytham said softly, leaning back in his chair again.
Connor ripped the paper off, pulling the lid off the shoe box. About ten VHS tapes were in the box, all scribbled with dates. "What's this?" Connor asked, pulling one out.
Haytham gestured to the VHS player. "See for yourself."
Connor shrugged, sticking the tape in. He set the box down, sitting on the floor in front of the couch again.
His eyes widened in surprise when his mother's face showed up on the screen.
"Is it on?" she asked, smiling at the camera.
"Yes, it's on," Haytham's voice cut in.
Ziio shook her head at his sarcastic tone, walking around the very living room they were sitting in. "Day one in our new house and you're going to be a sour-puss?"
"Yes."
Ziio rolled her eyes, walking into what was now the weapon room.
Connor tore his eyes away from the TV, looking at his father. Haytham looked solemn; a sad smile was on his lips. He sighed, gesturing to the box. "Do whatever you want with them; I think you deserve them more than I do."
He got up, moving to walk up the stairs.
"Dad?"
Haytham paused, glancing at him.
Connor rubbed the back of his neck. "Can you…can you watch these with me? Please?"
Haytham looked conflicted for a moment, but he finally walked back down the stairs, taking a seat on the couch behind Connor. He reached for the box, pulling a different VHS tape out. "If you really want to see your mother embarrassing me, put this one in."
Connor grinned and put it in.
He never thought that he would get to see his mother again on Christmas.