December 14, 2013

Jack doesn't like waking up.

He likes being up. He likes doing things. There's fun in the daytime, not the sleep time. There's Christmas and toys and books and games and other kids. And there's been Emily. Jack likes Emily. A lot. He's missed her. She moved so far and it's not always fun. But she's here and it's so fun now.

It's the sun that makes him up though. The sun doesn't usually wake him up. He's warm and cuddled close and while it's not Daddy's smell it's a good smell. He likes the smell. So he does what any little kid is going to do and turns into it. He cuddles closer, burying his nose in soft flannel and the scratchy wool blanket Granny made him. Jack doesn't mind the scratch.

"Morning, Buddy."

Her voice is scratchy and while he's awake, he doesn't want to be, so it takes him a bit to remember that it's Emily.

Emily is here.

His head comes up, a smile already on his sleepy face. She looks like she just woke up too. "Hi."

Her fingers start scratching at his back over his shirt and he cuddles closer. He does not want to get up yet. He wants to stay here.

"No more nightmares?"

He shakes his head into her shirt, his arms wrapping tighter around her. She laughs a little, but it doesn't sound mean, so he just keeps cuddling.

"So I had an idea," Emily says eventually. Jack isn't sure he wants to move yet, but he is also curious enough that he wants to know what she's talking about.

"Your present today is a little Santa."

How does she know his presents?!

"So, I was thinking maybe we could go and see Santa, maybe at the mall."

He lifts his head. Her face is nice, happy and it makes Jack smile too. "Santa?"

"Mmhmm. Do you remember going to see Santa at the mall? You sit on his lap?"

"That's not Santa," Jack says with a giggle. "Santa doesn't have time!"

She tickles him, just a little, but since she's grinning he finds that he can't be mad at her. He doesn't like being tickled.

"Santa sends messengers that dress up like him so the little kids learn to believe that Santa's real," she says. "So, should we go visit the Santa messenger?"

He chews his lip for a moment. He didn't write Santa this year. He's too old, he thinks. But, he's also been really busy with Emily and so he hasn't really thought about it much. She's brought it up though and he wonders if maybe Santa can give him the one thing he's discovering he really wants. And he knows that Daddy can't get it for him and it really isn't something that fits under the tree.

So he agrees, and they make breakfast together first. Emily's fun in the kitchen, and fun when they clean up the blankets. He doesn't miss Daddy so much with Emily here. She's fun and she's happy and she hugs him all the time. He's even patient when they're waiting in line for the not-real Santa because Emily's there with him. She answers all his questions, plays all his games and swings his hand in hers.

And then it's his turn. She stands back, which he's happy about. He doesn't want her to hear his Christmas wish.

"Hello Jack!"

He's smart enough to know that the elf asked his name and told Santa, but it doesn't matter. "Hi Mister."

"What would you like for Christmas?"

Jack's glad 'Santa' doesn't ask too many questions. He's here for one thing and one thing only and that's to ask for his Christmas wish.

"I want Emily to move home," he says it in a low voice, doesn't want Emily overhearing.

'Santa' looks confused. "Your mom?"

"No, my mom lives with the angels. That's Emily. And I want her to move home."

"Where is she now?"

"A long way away. She moved away because of a bad man. But George was a bad man and Daddy didn't move away after that because I'm here. And I want Emily to come home because the bad guy isn't here anymore."

'Santa' blinks at him, definitely confused. But Jack has his serious face on and he knows that people get that this is a big deal. It's important.

"You need to tell Santa that Emily needs to move home."

The man opens and closes his mouth a couple of times, but Jack is stubborn and adamant. He sits there, staring him down.

"I'm not sure what Santa can do," the man says finally and his face says that the man doesn't quite understand what he's asking. "I will pass on the message though."

"Do you promise? Pinky promise?"

Aunt Penelope says you can't break a pinky promise ever. But 'Santa' links pinkies with Jack and nods solemnly.

"I'll see what we can do."

Then Jack flashes the man a smile and sits happily for the camera before he takes Emily's hand again. There are a lot of people in the mall today and it makes Jack a little nervous.

"What did you ask Santa for?" she asks when they're a few steps away.

"I can't tell you, 'cause it's a wish, and if I tell you it won't come true," he explains, but then he grins. "The best Christmas present ever."

So, back from the road trip! Should be able to update better. I'm going to go have a nap, then hopefully bang out Chapter 15 at the very least by the end of the day. Really, I'm hoping for 15 and 16. Cuts me down to like 4 or 5 chapters.

Thanks for your patience!