A/N: hello my lovelies:) long time no see...
As promised, it's Friday...so...um, yeah:)
Okay, first I'd like to give a shout to garden-nomes, because...well, she's awesome, isn't she? Repeat after me...Nomesy is Awesome! She was also the only one to point out my nod to her in the last chapter, so I demand that you all go back and read her seriously sexy series of stories..(try and say that as fast as you can five times in a row...heheheheheheh)... "The Secret Life of Emily Fitch", "The Awakening of Naomi Campbell" and her new one, "The Dual Confessions That Bind Us", to reacquaint yourselves with her brand of Naomily sexiness;)...and don't worry Nomes, I'm still reading, it's just that it's hard to stand outside, making use of my Cigarette Warning when it's -22 below outside, I'm just saying...
Also, I've gotta send some Soupy loving to Michelle1017, andthewearybegs, KayEff, JimVonJam and Jennsch...you all are the best:) and I hope this meets your expectations.
typos and grammatical errors are totally my fault...
Disclaimer: I don't own Skins in anyway, shape or form...what I do own however, is an extensive collection thermal undershirts, that I've had to put to good use these last couple of days, because I don't know if I've mentioned that it's freaking cold here!
Chapter 7: Punishments, Matrimony and Christmas Eve
Kieran and Effy were standing at the head of the room, with Naomi and the rest of the Legendary Figures standing behind them. Hamish was placed in front of them, along with the elves that were helping him, and the rest of the residents of the Pole were assembled all over the room.
Emily gasped loudly as Gina led her into the room and she saw hundreds of the magical beings, as one by one, they all started parting to let her through. Whispers followed the older woman and the red head, as the news of who Emily was started spreading amongst the elves.
"Hamish. You are being charged with rebellion and ploting to overthrow Santa Claus. You have held Legendary Figures against their will. What do you have to say for yourself?" Kieran's voice took on an otherworldly tone as he questioned the rouge elf.
Effy walked closer to Hamish, as he remained quiet. "Don't mess with me, Hamish! I'm pre-El Ninó, so I'd start talking if I were you." She warned him, causing Naomi and the group behind Effy to giggle.
Hamish stepped forward. "I'd do it all over again. I take no shame in trying to take back the North Pole from this human."
Kieran gave Hamish an evil look, really hating the smug little fecker. "I thought you'd say that...," he turned to glare at Hamish's band of merry helpers, "and what about you?"
Alaric stepped forward, knowing there was really no way to get out of the mess that they all blindly followed Hamish into. "I was the one who tied up Santa. I stood by Hamish, but I did it willingly. I do not however share his sentiment, and I would not do it all over again." He stated clearly, knowing that being honest and owning up to what he did wouldn't hurt him, but lying to Father Time would. He glanced over to Naomi and smiled sadly. "Santa, I have nothing personal against you. I actually share the same feelings as most of the elves here. You've been a great Santa, and I hope one day you'll forgive me for this."
Alaric stepped back behind Hamish, allowing the other elves to say their piece. Once they were all done, Kieran cleared his throat. "Alaric, you and the rest of the elves have shown remorse for your actions, even so, Mother Nature and myself cannot allow this type of behaviour from faeries to go unpunished." Alaric and the rest of them sighed. "So, I sentence you all to ten years on Earth under the watch of Dvalinn."
About twenty-five elves gasped and groaned as Kieran told them of their fate. Dvalinn was the High Dwarf that reigned over all dwarves. Alaric knew that they could very well end up digging in the earth for the next ten years.
"Do we get to come home after?" One of the other elves asked, hopeful.
"That will be at the discretion of Santa." Kieran informed him, before turning back to Hamish. "But you," Kieran growled at the older elf, "you should have known better, boyo! You're punishment will be far worse." Kieran took pleasure in watching him swallow hard, as he started to fidget. "Not so cocksure of yourself now, are you?"
"I've got this one, Kieran." Effy said, placing a hand on Kieran's arm, walking toward Hamish. "You've been very naughty, Hamish," she told him, causing Naomi to snicker behind her but she ignored it, "I've got a very special surprise for you. My friend Iubdan needs an assistant," Hamish scowled at the name of the leprechaun king and Effy smirked, "so you know who he is, that's good...you're going to be spending a lot of time with him."
Hamish blanched at the thought. If there was one race of faeries that the North Pole elves didn't get along with, it was the leprechauns. "How...much...time?" He asked, hesitantly.
"I wouldn't let that concern you, Hamish. Maybe next time you'll think before you act." Effy told him. "The punishments start now." She stated loud and clear, and with a flick of her wrist, the banished elves were gone.
A loud cheer went through the room as the rest of the elves applauded and started chanting "Santa". Emily stood with Katie and Gina, watching the entire scene and noticed everyone started looking at her again.
Naomi made her way over to were Emily and Katie were standing with her mum. Just as she got to them, she caught sight of the look in Emily's eyes. It was a look full of wonder with a bit of fear.
"Hey." Naomi said as she came to stop in front of them.
Emilys eyes brightened as she smiled at the blonde. "That was...eventful."
Naomi laughed and was about to respond when she felt a tug at the bottom of her shirt. She looked down to see the smile of Areth, one of the youngest elves at the Pole, beaming at her. Naomi bent down and scooped her up into her arms and cuddled her. "Whatdya want, little sprite?"
Areth blushed. "Noomi, who's that?" The little girl asked shyly, pointing to Katie and Emily, who couldn't help but smile as Naomi held the toddler.
"That's my friend, Katie and her sister, Emily." Naomi said with a smirk. "Katie, Emily...this little poppet is Areth."
The twins said hello, and Emily felt a bit disappointed because Naomi didn't call her a friend.
"Noomi, isn't Emily your friend too?" Areth asked in confusion and Naomi smiled at her with affection. Areth had only just been born the year before Naomi became Santa Claus, so she felt a special bond with the baby elf.
Emily watched as Areth asked her question, feeling herself blush, as Naomi smiled at the little girl.
"Well, Areth...Emily is more than a friend...she's a special friend." Naomi explained, glancing over at the red head.
Areth wriggled out of Naomi's arms and ran over to Emily. "Hello." Areth smiled up at her.
"Hello, sweetie." Emily replied, crouching down to meet the toddler eye to eye. "Aren't you just adorable? Isn't she just adorable, Katie?"
"She sure is. She kinda reminds me of James when he was her age." Katie stated, as she too got down to look Areth in the eye. "How old are you, sweetie?"
"I'm firty-one." Areth stated proudly, unable to correctly pronounce the word 'thirty'. "Noomi's teached me my letters and numbers."
Katie and Emily both smiled at the girl, as she turned and went back to Naomi, holding her arms up so Naomi could hold her again.
"I hate to break up the lovefest, lass, but we have to figure out what's to be done." Kieran said as he waved his hand through the air, producing an hourglass, the sands of time slowly draining. "We're running out of time."
Almost everyone, including Katie, looked expectantly at Emily. She felt put on the spot, trapped really, and she could feel a fear clawing at her. The only one who didn't look at her that way, was Naomi. The blonde kept her eyes locked on Emily's, nothing but love shining through, as she held onto the little elf.
Emily could hear everyone talking around her, but she couldn't make out anything that was being said, because her focus was on Naomi and Areth, as the two of them had a whispered conversation.
"Emily?"
The red head felt something dig into her side, breaking her out of her daze, as she blinked rapidly and looked around."Yes? What?"
Katie smirked at her and rolled her eyes. "Um, you're being asked a very important question?" The older twin spat out, as Effy, Cook and Freddie watched.
"Well, forgive me for having things on my mind, Katie!" Emily stated in a huff.
"Yeah, well...this is kinda important, ya know!" Katie replied back just as grumpy.
Emily turned to Katie, prepared to have a go at her, but Naomi interrupted.
"Leave her alone, guys!" Everyone turned to the blonde, as she stepped in front of Emily. "Harassing her is not going to make her decide."
"Nai, you need to finish this or," Effy stepped over to them, "you need to step down."
"She's right, love." Gina put her two cents in, watching the red head and her daughter. "If you don't get married, you know what'll happen."
Naomi felt her anger rise. "Yes! I know, alright! Everyone harping on the subject doesn't help, though!" She said through clenched teeth, as she turned to Emily, setting Areth down. "Listen to me, Ems," Emily had been looking around the room, like a caged animal, the fear that Naomi hated, clear on her face, "I know I've messed up, okay? But I wasn't lying when I said I love you. And I didn't just say it so that you'd marry me. I said it because I meant it."
Emily nodded at her, entranced by the sound of Naomi's voice, encouraging her to continue.
Naomi smiled, and reached her hand into one of her pockets. "I know how unromantic it is to find out the girl you've been seeing has to get married in order to keep her job," Emily tried to hold in a laugh at that, making Naomi's smile grow, "and I know I haven't done anything the right way, but Ems...,"
Emily watched in shock as Naomi got down on bended knee, pulling a small velvet bag out of her pocket, while Katie squealed in delight behind her, and excited murmurs flowed throughout the crowd.
"Emily, I'm pretty sure I fell in love with you when you were fifteen and I tried my best to make sure your heart didn't get broken back then. And if all of this seems to be too much for you, being here, me being Santa, then I'll gladly step aside and let someone else take over," Emily's eyes widened, as cries and gasps erupted from the elves but Naomi went on, "if that's what you wanted. If you were mine, I'd spend the rest of my life making you as happy as I possibly could," Naomi opened the velvet bag and emptied the contents into her hand, "so, Emily Fitch, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Katie, Effy and Panda were standing behind Emily, crying while Thomas, Cook and Freddie stood behind Naomi, grinning widely.
"I never thought I'd see this day." Gina whispered to Kieran, as she cuddled closer to him.
"I wouldn't get too excited, love...the poor girl hasn't said yes yet." He whispered back to her, making Gina chuckle.
It all came back to Emily, as she stood rooted to her spot, Naomi down in front of her. She couldn't pretend that she didn't love Naomi, because she did, and she wouldn't deny that the thought of giving everything up scared the shit out of her, because it did. But one thing played on her mind, so she decided to ask.
"Why did you use all your magic on the locket?"
Naomi blinked, not expecting the question. "What?"
"JJ and Effy said you used the rest of your magic on the locket, and that's why you couldn't cross the barrier...why did you do that?" Emily questioned again. "Why would you give this up? If I said yes and told you I couldn't stay here, why would you leave this place?"
Naomi looked into Emily's eyes, and without thinking, answered her. "I put the magic in the locket because I didn't want you to be unhappy. To be honest, Emily, I didn't think I'd ever see you again and I knew that locket was the only link I would have with you, however small a link it was. I just wanted to make it possible that every time you touched it, it would make you happy." Naomi explained. "As for why I would give this up, that's simple. Because you're worth it, Ems."
The tears came as Emily stood there, with Naomi down on her knees. "No one has ever told me that before. No one's ever offered to give up everything they know just for me." She said quietly, wiping the tears from her eyes. "It's a big thing you're asking of me, Naoms. I couldn't just sit here and do nothing, while your playing toy maker...,"
Effy, Freddie and Cook all smirked at each other, hearing something in Emily's voice, that made them think everything was going to be alright.
"I'd have to be doing something too, ya know. And you'd have to meet my parents and the rest of my family, Naomi, that's not negotiable. And we'd have to tell my parents the truth, even if I don't tell anyone else, they have to know, yeah? As much as my mother and I don't get along, I couldn't stand it if she thought something had happened to me."
Naomi's head shot up as she finally understood what Emily was saying, to see her little red head standing there with her hands on her hips. "So...does...are...wait, what?"
"I think teaching the younger elves would be a good use of my time, don't you, Naoms?" Emily had a gleam in her eye, as she watched Naomi start to smile up at her.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Naomi asked hopefully, as she waited.
"Yes." Emily responded, causing the elves to go wild with cheers. "Yes, Naomi...Santa Claus," she smirked down at the blonde, "...I'll marry you."
Katie and Panda screamed in joy while everyone else started applauding, as Naomi slipped the ring that had been in her family for generations onto Emily's finger.
"It belonged to my great-great-grandmother, and it's traveled down through the family to me. It was the last thing my father gave to me before he left." Naomi explained as she kissed Emily's hand after putting it on. "I've been carrying it around with me for a week, just waiting for the right moment to give it to you."
Katie run up to them both and gave them a hug, squeezing the air out of them. "This is awesome!"
"I'm glad you think so, Katiekins, but do you think you could let go now, so I can breath?" Naomi asked, because lack of oxygen was actually becoming an issue.
"Oh, yeah...right! Sorry." Katie let them go, a sheepish smile on her face.
Naomi gave a smile in return, before looking back at Emily. "Not that I'm not grateful, Ems, but why?"
Emily knew exactly what Naomi was asking and she had her answer on the tip of her tongue. "Because I love you and I can see how much you love what you do. Also, when I stopped believing in you, all those years ago, you never stopped believing in me, Naoms." She tried her best to explain. "And...you were willing to give all of this up for me. That's huge!"
Naomi felt tears stinging her eyes and tried so hard to not let them fall, but she knew she failed when Emily stepped into her personal bubble, lifted her hand and wiped them away. "I'm sorry, I'm always a bit more emotional around this time of year." Naomi told her.
"Don't apologise for showing me who you are, Naoms. I've come to find that I love that about you, yeah?" Emily whispered as she reached up, placing a kiss at the corner of her lips. "I wouldn't change a single thing about you."
Naomi was about to lean in to kiss her fully when Kieran tapped her on the shoulder.
"Sorry, Nai, but we have exactly, thirty-four minutes to fulfil the clause, so...," Father Time looked extremely uncomfortable, as he kept looking at the hourglass still floating in the air, "could we hurry this up?"
"Are you ready, Miss Claus?" Emily asked smiling at Naomi, as she took hold of her hand and linked their fingers together.
Naomi smiled at her. "As ready as I'll ever be, future Mrs Claus." She replied with a grin on her face.
Effy and Naomi stood at the top of the Grand Stairs, in the middle of the main room, with Cook, Freddie, JJ and Thomas stood next to the blonde, while most of her elves stood at the bottom.
Kieran had to freeze time, because Katie almost drove him crazy, whining on and pouting about the lack of a real wedding, and how their mum would be so ashamed, she was a wedding planner after all, and on and on she went, until Kieran froze time to shut her up.
"I can only give you thirty extra minutes." Kieran had informed Naomi and Emily while Effy looked on. "That'll give the Queen over there," he nodded toward where Katie was standing, looking triumphant, "a chance to whip up something wonderful!" he stated, adopting a high pitched girly voice.
When Emily questioned why he could only do a half hour instead twenty-four hours, Kieran explained that the fabric of time could only be interuppted at intervals of thirty minutes, anything more than that would alter the fate of the world and besides that, he wasn't supposed to be helping at all. He was severely tempted to banish Katie to the Netherworld as a banshee, but thankfully, Kieran relented when Naomi pointed out that it wouldn't look good on her if something happened to her future sister-in-law.
So while Thalmus and JJ took that half hour and gathered up a handful of elves to ready the sleigh, everyone else prepared for a wedding. Gina had offered to walk Emily down the aisle, in lieu of her parents, while Lara, Panda and Katie would stand with her.
It was actually amazing what Katie could get accomplished in twenty minutes with a handful of Legendary Figures totally at her disposal. She was quite proud of herself and even more so when she stood at the top of the steps on the other side of Effy, lined up with the other girls, and saw Emily's face as Gina led her up the steps. When she turned and caught Naomi's eye, she smiled through her tears as the blonde mouthed a silent "Thank you." and Katie knew Emily wouldn't find anyone better.
When Emily reached the top of the stairs, she smiled shyly at Naomi, as the blonde took her hand and they faced Effy who, with a slight nod from Naomi, began the ceremony.
"We gather here today, at this moment, to join Naomi Sunflower Campbell," Naomi overlooked the snickers and giggles from Katie, "...and Emily Rebekah Fitch in marriage."
Ten minutes later Effy, having hurried things along, wrapped up the ceremony.
"I've seen a lot of things, some wonderful things, some horrible things, in my years as Mother Nature. But when I look at the two of you, I see a love that shines so bright, it's almost blinding. Its a rare gift that you two have and I can only hope that you'll both cherish it. It is my honor and privilege to pronounce you united as one in love and marriage. You may both kiss your beautiful Bride!"
Applause and cheers once again broke out, as Naomi reached out for Emily and kissed her with all the love she felt at this moment.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mrs and Mrs Claus!"
Freddie and Cook scooped up both girls and carried them down the stairs, neither one of them ever believing they see this day when their best friend was the happiest she'd ever been.
"Alright, alright!" Naomi called out. "Put us down, you twats!" She said laughing.
"I'm just so...so...well, I'm down right fucking happy for ya, Blondie!" Cook stated, crushing her in a hug.
"Alright, Cupid, let her go," Freddie smiled at his mates, "it's my turn now." So Cook released Naomi and turned to hug Emily.
"Welcome to the family, love." He said with tears in his eyes, as he held her tight.
"Thank you, Cook." She replied into his shoulder, when a thought hit her. "Um...Cook?"
He pulled away to look at her. "Yeah?"
"You didn't...uh, well...you know...help Naomi out, did you?" She felt really stupid for asking, but she felt she needed to know.
Cook grinned his wide grin, as he shook his head. "Believe me when I say that this is all you and Blondie. I wasn't allowed to help, was I? Don't get me wrong," his grin changed into a sincere smile, as he looked over at Naomi, "I would've shot you both with an arrow if you hadn't sorted your shit out, no matter what The Powers that Be said about it!"
"I'm sorry to ask...," she smiled at him, shyly, "but I just had to be sure."
Cook chuckled, and was about to say something, when Thalmus came running into the room, calling for Santa.
"Santa!" The elf skidded to a stop in front of Naomi. "Sorry...but...it's time...," he panted, as he tried to catch his breath.
"Yes...you're absolutely right...," Naomi trailed off, looking at Emily, "I'm sorry, Ems, but I have to go." She said, a hint of sadness filling her voice, as she thought about how she really wanted to be wedding night.
Emily looked a bit sad as well, but then smiled at her, then leaned in to give her a kiss. "I understand, Naoms. Christmas depends on you, yeah?" She said as she pulled away. "I'll still be here when you get back. I'm sure your mum can use the time to fill me in on your teenage years."
Gina winked at the red head, while Naomi grimaced at the thought.
"How about you come see me off?" Naomi asked and Emily nodded.
"Alright Mrs Claus," Naomi climbed up into her sleigh, and smiled down at Emily, "you may want to get some rest tonight, because tomorrow is the start of my four month holiday. I'm thinking sun and sand and drinks on the beach...maybe you and me in bikinis?"
They could hear Cook howling in laughter behind them, but Emily decided to ignore him as she jumped up and planted one last kiss on Naomi's lips. Katie had to pull Emily down, because there was a real possibility of Naomi not leaving at all.
"I'm going now, but think about where you'd wanna go. You and Katie can stay in my quarters, and everyone will keep you company, so you won't be alone alone...,"
Emily laughed, she really loved it when Naomi rambled, she found it so adorable the way the blonde's face would blush. "Stop. Just go already, yeah? It won't be my fault if you miss Christmas."
"God, I love you." Naomi told her, before hitting a button on her sleigh that started the engine.
"Um, Naomi?" Katie called out, over the sound of the sleigh. "Aren't you supposed to have eight reindeer?"
The blonde laughed along with the other Legendary Figures. "That was so eighteenth century. We do know how to modernise, ya know." Naomi told a blushing Katie. "Wish me luck."
With that, Naomi grabbed the controls and pulled back, propelling the sleigh forward. Emily and Katie watched as she drove down what looked like a long runway, then flipped a u-turn and started back toward them at full speed.
"You might want to step back, dear." Gina told Emily, as she stood at the edge and watched.
"What?" Emily was too focused on Naomi and didn't quite understand, until Gina gripped her arm and pulled her away from the runway, just as the sleigh flew past and lifted up, the air swirling around them, as if they were standing in the middle of a tornado.
Emily continued to watch as the sleigh got higher and higher with a smile on her face. She realised how much her life had changed in the last couple of weeks, and felt a warmth surge.
"I LOVE YOU, EMILY FITCH!"
She laughed as she heard Naomi's voice drift down to her, but then a thought occurred to her. "IT'S EMILY CAMPBELL-FITCH!" She shouted back to her, smiling widely as Naomi's laughter filled her ears. 'And I love you too.' She thought to herself, knowing that Naomi would hear it as Emily followed Katie, Gina and Effy.
"C'mon Red! It's time to go mental!" Cook shouted from the Middle of the room, a bottle of beer in his hands that he and Freddie brought out of Naomi's stash closet.
Well, she did just get married after all, so it was expected that she enjoy the party, she thought as she followed Cupid demand to celebrate.
One thing was certain, Emily was definitely going to enjoy getting Santa Claus alone tomorrow night.
A/N: alright...man I'm tired:)
Well? I am super nervous about this chapter, so please let me know what you think, yeah?
Thanks to everyone reading and following:)
Marci :D