Later the next day, Greta was helping out with the preparations for the evening meal. She could hear Jimmy arguing with Maggie, but stopped herself interfering. Pepper nodded towards the pair and tilted her head, wordlessly asking what was happening and whether the blonde was going to say something.
Greta shook her head. "No, liebling, it is not our argument."
She continued about her tasks, chopping vegetables to go in the stew that she was preparing for dinner. Needing more carrots, the young woman walked closer to the couple, unable to avoid overhearing the end of the argument.
"You shouldn't burden yourself with the likes of me!" Jimmy was snarling, his face close to Maggie's. "Go have your beautiful life with someone else!"
"All righty then… thanks for the clarity."
Watching as Maggie walked away, leaving Jimmy staring after her, Greta sighed and laid the bunch of carrots down on the table in front of her, before rounding it and moving to his side. She laid a hand gently on his arm, causing him to jerk and turn quickly to face her. He evidently hadn't realised that she was so close.
"Are you OK?" She asked gently and then she shook her head. "A stupid question, sorry."
"This whole stinking sorry place is just…" He started angrily.
Taking him by the hand, she led him out of the tent wordlessly, taking him back to his caravan and shutting them both inside it. Pushing him down onto his bunk, she leant against the counter that ran the length of the trailer and looked at him questioningly.
"I miss my ma." He sobbed.
Greta moved quickly to sit beside him, pulling him into her and rocking him gently. She shushed him, stroking a hand through his hair and letting him cry into her chest. They stayed in the same position for a long time, until Jimmy had finally run out of tears to cry and sniffled, sitting up and wiping his eyes.
"Sorry…"
"There is no need to be." Greta assured him softly. "I miss Ethel too." She sighed. "What has happened between you and Maggie?"
He chuckled mirthlessly. "Why should you care? You don't even like her."
"No." She agreed with a shrug. "I do not like her. But you did… she made you happy."
"She's too good for this place. Hell! You're too good for this place."
"I am not." Greta told him with a wry smile. "I am exactly where I should be. This is home, liebling, this is family."
Jimmy sobbed again. "We were going to leave… me and Maggie. We were going to get out of here and start a new life someplace else. But… I couldn't leave."
"You were going to leave?"
"I was. But now I'm not. I'm stuck here, just like everyone else."
"Why?" Greta asked seriously. Jimmy looked at her and furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Jimmy, if you want to leave you should just leave. You are no good to anybody hanging round here moping and wishing that you were somewhere else. No one would blame you; we all love you and want you to be happy. If you think that you can make a life for yourself out in the real world then I think you should go for it."
"Really?"
"Yes." She nodded. Then she screwed up her face slightly. "But first you need to sober up and have a wash because, I am not joking, Jimmy, you really stink."
He spluttered with laughter, wiping his eyes and pulling her into another tight hug. "I love you, Greta."
"I love you too." She acknowledged, her eyes twinkling as she grinned. "You are like the brother I never wanted." Jimmy laughed again as she pushed him away and stood up. "Now, you go and have a wash while I fix you something to eat. Everything will seem better when you are feeling a little more human."
Elsa remained true to her word and Christmas was largely cancelled at the showground out of grief and respect for the friends they had lost. The only two days where there was no show were Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so most of the time the troupe were able to distract themselves with rehearsals. For those two days, however, they were torn between wanting to celebrate and guilt about wanting to enjoy themselves. They had decided to have a low-key dinner and present swapping on Christmas Day, to mark the occasion, and then carry on as though it were any other day.
On Christmas morning, Eve had presented Greta with a small parcel, wrapped in dark blue paper with small snowflakes over it and a silver bow. The blonde bit her lip in anticipation, as she carefully removed the wrapping and opened the box that was inside. Her eyes met Eve's as she lifted the delicate silver chain and traced her finger over the linked hearts that formed the pendant.
"Do you like it?" The brunette asked anxiously.
Greta shook her head. "I love it!"
Beaming at her, Eve gently took the necklace from her hand and motioned for her to turn around so that she could fasten it around her neck. Sweeping Greta's hair over one shoulder, she pressed an open-mouthed kiss to the skin she had exposed. Eve fiddled with the clasp of the necklace, before running her hands lightly over the younger woman's shoulders and down her arms.
Turning in her embrace, Greta wrapped her arms around her lover's neck and kissed her passionately. Eve returned the kiss, deepening it and walking the blonde backwards until her legs hit the bed and she tumbled onto it, bringing the other woman down with her. They both chuckled against the other's lips and then Eve pulled back slightly, pressing quick, loving pecks onto Greta's mouth before raising herself enough to look down at her.
"What did you get me?"
"You can have it later." Greta told her, lifting herself up to kiss Eve again.
The brunette pouted. "What if I want it now?"
"You just have to wait."
Eve pouted at her. "That's not fair."
Sighing dramatically, the younger woman simply pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose before rolling out from underneath her. Eve collapsed on the bed as Greta knocked her arm out from underneath her and frowned adorably at her lover. Greta chuckled and bent to press another quick kiss to her lips. Eve took advantage of the other woman's lack of balance to pull her down on top of her.
"We are going to be late!" Greta laughed, not making any attempt to move from her position lying flush on top of the brunette. "They will come looking for us!"
"Let them."
"Evie!"
Sighing, the brunette reluctantly released her grip and allowed the younger woman to stand up. Greta blew her a kiss before changing quickly and securing her hair into a messy ponytail. She watched as Eve fixed her hair in the mirror, before leaving the caravan and making her way slowly across the uneven ground to the big tent.
Suzi looked up as she entered. "You've finally decided to come and help us then?"
"Sorry." The blonde replied awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. "I overslept."
"Yeah... Ok..."
"What do you want me to do?"
"You can set the table." The legless woman informed her, pulling herself up onto the bench. "Where's Eve?"
"I do not know."
Suzi made an indistinguishable sound in response to the answer but, when Greta turned to question her about it, the woman had vanished. Frowning, the blonde continued with the task she had been set, smiling as Pepper came into the tent with a pile of plates and Salty followed behind with a jug of water in each hand. They set them on the table and grinned at her, before leaving again.
Suddenly wondering whether there was some big secret she was missing out on, Greta frowned and set the cutlery in her hands down on the wooden surface. She had just started walking towards the tent flaps when Paul and Penny entered, closely followed by Suzi, Eve and Maggie. They were all carrying plates or dishes in their arms, evidently ready to begin their Christmas dinner.
Before long everyone was present and Elsa, who was seated in her customary seat at the head of the table, stood and raised her glass to begin a toast. Immediately everyone copied her movement, ready to hear what she was about to say, apart from Jimmy who had already had too much to drink and was propping his head up on his arm.
Keeping her eyes fixed on her mother, Greta moved the hand in her lap to rest lightly on the thigh of the woman beside her. Eve jumped slightly at the touch, but then slid her own hand off the table and linked their fingers together out of sight.
"Christmas is a time for family... for remembering those who cannot be with us." Elsa said softly. "Let us spare a few moments to remember those who we have lost."
Everyone gathered around the table bowed their heads and closed their eyes, thinking of their loved ones. Greta could picture their faces clearly in her mind and she wondered whether she would ever forget what they looked like. Then her mind wandered slightly as she thought about her last Christmas, which had been spent with a group of other homeless people in a derelict warehouse near Jacksonville. Greta couldn't believe how much her life had changed, for the better, in such a short space of time.
"To absent loved ones." Elsa announced, holding her glass aloft.
"To absent loved ones." They chorused, each taking a sip of their drinks.
"And now, in their honour, let us enjoy our Christmas."
Nodding in agreement, they tucked into their meal, spooning food onto their plates and eating and drinking with enjoyment. Before long, the noise levels and the atmosphere had turned party-like. Greta laughed loudly as she listened to Paul and Toulouse arguing about which of them could fit more carrots in their mouths at a time. The contest that followed resulted in everyone losing out when Salty became the unexpected winner.
After they had consumed everything on the table, it was time to exchange gifts. It became a bit confusing as a sea of paper covered everything and everyone around. Some of the presents were more appreciated than others, but the atmosphere was happy and filled with goodwill.
When everyone began to go their separate ways, deciding to leave the washing up and tidying until the next morning, Eve and Greta both stood and made to leave the tent. The blonde hadn't taken more than a few steps when her mother called her name. Shooting the brunette beside her an apologetic look, Greta doubled back and sat down on the bench beside the chair where Elsa was still seated.
"I just wanted to thank you again for my present." Elsa told her gently, raising a hand to touch the small silver earrings that matched the necklace Greta had given her mother for her birthday.
"You are welcome. Thank you for the books."
Elsa had bought her daughter several children's books that she would soon be able to read. At first the blonde had been a little embarrassed at the childish nature of the books, but then she realised that it didn't matter at all. As long as she was able to read them independently and understand what was happening, that was all that mattered.
"I am sure you will have read them in no time at all." Elsa assured her.
"I hope so." Greta agreed. Turning to look at the doorway and seeing that Eve was hanging around under the pretence of tidying up, she smiled. "Well, goodnight, Mother. I will see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, liebchen." The blonde agreed softly.
She watched as the younger woman crossed the tent and disappeared outside. Eve followed quickly and Elsa shook her head with a light chuckle, wondering whether the couple realised that everyone was on to them.
"I remember you saying something this morning about me getting my present later?" Eve reminded Greta as they headed back towards the caravan together.
"I did say that, didn't I?" The blonde laughed.
Eve arched an eyebrow at her. "So? Where's my present?"
"I will go and get it." Greta told her, reaching out to quickly squeeze her hand. "I will meet you in the caravan."
Eve arched an eyebrow at the innocent smile her lover sent her, before she watched Greta crossing the camp towards her tent. She was sure that the younger woman had something planned; she just couldn't work out what it could be. Slowly, Eve made her way to the caravan, letting herself in and turning on the lights.
She didn't expect to have to wait long for Greta to join her but in the end she realised that time was ticking past and there was still no sign of her. Just as she was just growing impatient, wondering whether something might have happened to her lover, the door opened and the blonde walked in. Eve furrowed her eyebrows in bemusement at the outfit change Greta had made while she'd been gone.
"Happy Christmas, baby." Greta said softly, holding out a carefully wrapped package.
Smiling, the older woman accepted it and unwrapped it quickly. Inside the paper was a beautiful silver cigarette lighter. Greta had taken it to be engraved with her lover's name and an intricate swirling design. She stood back, biting her lip nervously, waiting for the reaction.
"It is only half your present." Greta blurted out quickly as Eve turned to look at her with an expression of her face that the younger woman couldn't read.
"I love it." The brunette assured her, leaning forward to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Thank you."
Greta sighed with relief. "Good."
"What's the other half of my present?"
The blonde smirked at her, her eyes darkening with lust as she gazed at the other woman. Fiddling with the end of the belt holding her dressing gown together, she took a step forward. "You are going to have to help me unwrap it."
Grinning and drawing her bottom lip between her teeth, Eve shivered with anticipation. She reached out slowly and gripped her lover's hips, pulling her closer until Greta was standing between her legs. The blonde placed her hands over Eve's, guiding them gently to the cord around her waist and encouraging her to undo it.
As the sides of the robe fell apart, Eve gasped at the sight that greeted her eyes. Greta smirked at her, but said nothing, allowing the older woman to greedily drink in the sight in front of her. Apart from the matching crimson lingerie set, the blonde was wearing a black garter belt and stockings. Eve's eyes trailed down her body, lingering on Greta's legs, which seemed to go on for miles, finally ending in a pair of black patent stilettos.
"Oh my..." Eve gasped, her mouth going dry.
"You like it?" Greta asked cheekily, trailing her hands up the brunette's arms, which had found their way back to her lover's hips. She drew patterns lightly on the flesh under her fingertips, waiting for Eve to say something.
"I do..."
"I thought I would get something special and I know how much you love red..."
"You are so beautiful." Eve sighed, tearing her gaze away from the silk and lace to meet Greta's eyes.
"So are you... without the need for expensive underwear."
"That's not why you're beautiful to me, Greta..."
The blonde shook her head and bent down to press a quick kiss to her lover's lips. "Shhh, baby... this is about you, not me."
Pushing Eve backwards gently, so that she was lying on her back on the bed, Greta started to slowly lift her shirt, pressing open-mouthed kisses to every inch of skin that she exposed. As soon as Eve was free of her top, Greta threw it haphazardly over her shoulder and kissed her way back down her lover's body, popping the button on Eve's pants and slowly pulling them down her legs, repeating her earlier actions.
Finally down to her underwear, Greta straddled Eve's hips and smiled down at the older woman predatorily. She bit her lip as her eyes trailed over the expanse of flesh in front of her, the expression in her eyes making Eve shiver in anticipation. Sighing, Greta let her fingertips move lightly over the skin of the older woman's stomach, causing goose bumps to appear in their wake.
"I cannot believe how lucky I am." Greta murmured, bending to press an open-mouthed kiss on the flesh just above Eve's underwear, while her fingers moved lightly up and down her sides.
Eve whimpered softly and the younger woman looked at her, grinning. Pouting, the brunette tightened her grip on Greta's hips and pulled her down, grinding upwards and sending a jolt of arousal shooting straight to both their cores. The blonde moaned and leant down to capture her lover's lips in a searing kiss, pushing her tongue into the other woman's mouth almost desperately.
Without breaking their kiss, Greta reached around and undid the clasp of Eve's bra, ridding her of it quickly before removing her own. Releasing Eve's lips, the blonde trailed hot kisses down her neck and the valley between her breasts, before taking a nipple in her mouth and swirling her tongue around it. Eve gasped and arched her back, causing Greta to release the nipple with a pop. When her lover frowned at the loss of contact, the blonde smiled and moved to give the other nipple the same treatment.
Snaking her hand down between their bodies, it was Greta's turn to gasp as she cupped Eve through her panties and realised how wet her lover was. Arching an eyebrow at her, the blonde didn't comment. Instead, she dragged Eve's underwear down her legs and threw them behind her, not caring where they landed. Meeting the older woman's gaze and holding eye contact, Greta pushed two fingers into Eve quickly.
Eve moaned and arched her back instantly at the feeling of her lover inside her, opening her eyes wide. Greta leant down and captured her lips in a kiss again, swallowing her moans of pleasure. Speeding up her movements, the blonde began trailing hot, wet kisses down the body that was writhing underneath her, until she reached her destination between Eve's legs and swirled her tongue around Eve's clit.
Circling the bundle of nerves with her tongue, the younger woman felt the brunette start to clench around her fingers and smiled. Drawing Eve's clit between her lips, she sucked sharply and felt her lover's walls clenching hard, gasping out Greta's name as she came. The blonde helped her ride out her orgasm, before gently removing her fingers and kissing her way back up her Eve's body.
Greta kissed Eve gently, smiling as she moaned at the taste of herself on the other woman. Eve ran her hands up the blonde's back, holding her close as they traded loving kisses. Rolling sideways, Greta snuggled into her lover's side, tracing patterns on her stomach and kissing the underside of her jaw.
"That was one of the best presents I've ever had." Eve told her, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose.
"One of?" Greta asked, propping herself up on her elbow and raising her eyebrows. "Maybe I will have to try a bit harder."
Eve chuckled and rolled over so that she was lying flush against the brunette. "Maybe you will."