Chapter 8

It had been some time before either of us had spoken. Rita was sitting beside me on the floor. She was shivering, obviously she was cold. I took off my jacket and placed it on her shoulders. "Izzy?" She spoke as she turned around to face me. "Yeah?" I replied. "Why are you giving me your jacket?" She asked. "Well you're shivering so you're obviously cold and I," she cut me off. "But what about you aren't you cold?" "It's okay, I'm the guy I have to protect you…" It had just occurred to me what I said. She just smiled, and then stood up. She walked over to me and grabbed my hand, then pulled me down to sit beside her. She then took off my jacket as well as hers and wrapped it around the both of us. She laid her head on my shoulder and held my hand. My heart was racing so fast, I couldn't believe what was happening. "Izzy… here," She pulled out a box from her purse and handed over to me. Before I could ask her what she was doing she said, "Merry Christmas Izzy." She looked over at me and smiled as I took the box. I looked down at it and its pretty wrapping as I then turned to look up at her. She nodded; I then looked back at the gift and opened it. Inside was a little stuffed bear. "I know it's not much, but I worked for days on it, and well, I hope you like it." Rita spoke. "You made this," I asked, she nodded. I felt so happy, I looked over at her, and she was still smiling. I then decided that now was the time, I'm going to give it to her and I am going to tell her. I reached in my pocket, trying to hide the blush on my face; I took out the little box and gave it to her. "For me?" She asked. I then nodded. She took the gift and I watched as her face lit up. She opened the package and pulled it out. My blush deepened as she looked over at me, she must have figured it out. After all I bought her a heart pendant with wings on it. "It's beautiful Izzy, can you help me?" She spoke as she turned around, handing me the necklace to put on her. I nodded then brushed her hair to the side looking down at her back, as I opened the clasp and put the two together. After it was on she went back to her place where she put her head on my shoulder. She held my hand again as she cuddled up towards me. I looked down and her eyes were closed. She looked so peaceful. "Rita?" I spoke quietly. I heard no response; I smiled and whispered to her. "I'll tell you next time…"

I opened my eyes to see light shinning in through the windows of the cabin. Had I been here all night? I thought to myself. I looked beside me to see Rita sound asleep against my chest, I felt myself turn bright red. I… I spent the night… With Rita… Oh my GOD what are the others going to think. I thought carefully. It's not like anything happened right? I just had to tell everyone truth… they would believe me… wouldn't they?

"Morning," I looked down to see Rita smiling at me. I was blushing more then ever before. "Go…good morning… are you feeling okay?" I asked. "Yeah, I think the storm has finally settled." Rita replied. "Yeah, it has…." I commented. "Do you think we should head back?" Rita asked. "Yeah I'm sure Mimi and the others are really worried about you." I replied. "Yeah you're probably right." She replied. We both stood up and put our jackets back on as we walked out the door. "Oh… It's Christmas today," I commented, being I completely forgot. "… So it is…." Rita replied with a sad tone to her voice. "Something wrong…?" I asked her… a bit curious I mean Mimi did mention that she didn't like Christmas… which is a holiday most people like right? "It's nothing…" She replied walking away. "Wait up at least let me walk you home," I spoke while running to catch up to her. It was quiet for a while… quite the awkward silence until she broke it. "My parents…." "Huh?" I replied. "They got divorced on Christmas…" She spoke with a sad tone in her voice. "… I see…. Why are you telling me this though?" I asked, "when you asked if I was okay… I was sure Mimi told you that I don't like Christmas much. Truthfully I used to love it until that day… It was like having everything you love, everything that made you happy taken away in an instant and all you are is left alone." Rita spoke as tears fell down her face. "… Rita…" I spoke… she stopped in her tracks… "Yeah?" she replied. "There… is… something I wanted … to… tell you… I…. I …" I stuttered out… "RITA, IZZY!" I turned around to see Mimi running towards us. "Mimi," Rita spoke. "Are you two okay?" Mimi asked as she ran up and hugged Rita. "Why what's wrong?" Rita asked. "Well last night there was a huge snow storm and it kicked in while you were walking home. I ended up staying the night at Tai's but I was worried about you two, are you okay?" Mimi asked, "Yeah we found shelter in a cabin on the way so don't worry…" Rita said while coughing. She then collapsed to the ground. "RITA," both Mimi and I yelled. "I'm okay… just a little under the weather…" Rita replied, "you sure?" I asked. "Yeah," she commented back. "HEY RITA," we turned around to see Davis running towards us. "What's up?" Mimi asked. "You guys need to come over to my house everyone's there, we got a present for you guys," Davis told us. We then headed over to his house. Once we arrived the whole team was there. I had a feeling what our presents were, being they were in the bag and well they were moving. "Alright come on out," Davis told them. All the Digimon came out and ran to their partner's arms. "Tentomon," I cried out "IZZY," Tentomon yelled back as he ran to hug me. Everyone was so happy. Then the last bag opened and a white bunny with leaves for ears and tails with a star pattern on its forehead came out. "RITA," It yelled out as it ran to her open arms. Tears fell down her face. "Oh Mikumon… Is been so long," Rita spoke as she held Mikumon close to her. "So that's your Digimon," Tai commented. "Yep, everyone this is Mikumon. Mikumon I want you to meet my friends. Tai, Sora, Matt, Izzy, Joe, T.K, Kari, Yolie, Ken, and Cody and of course you already know Mimi and Davis." Rita spoke. "Nice to meet all of you," Mikumon replied. "Thank you Davis…" Rita spoke with a smile. Davis started blushing. "Hey no problem I knew you would like it." Davis replied. Rita then started coughing as she collapsed to the floor. "RITA," everyone yelled out. "Maybe we should take you home." Mimi spoke while picking her up. "Izzy and I will walk you guys home, right Izzy?" Tai asked. "Right," I replied. Tai carried her on his back and we left after saying goodbye. Our Digimon came with us… Mikumon looked really worried, although we all were. Once we all arrived at Mimi and Rita's house we placed Rita on her bed and let her rest while we talked in Mimi's room. "So Izzy I take it you haven't told her yet…" Tai commented. "Such a shame yesterday would have been perfect." Mimi added in. "Yeah but at least I was able to give Rita her present…" I spoke "Yeah… she seemed to like it." Mimi commented. "I'm glad," I replied. "Izzy…" Mimi and Tai both spoke. "Tell her," they both finished. "I will… when I'm ready…" I replied. I then turned my gaze to Rita with Mikumon sleeping beside her…. Rita