Day 16

Being underneath Jules's scarf was quite cozy and warm. Anah didn't let any part of her show while Jules wandered the mall in search of Christmas gifts for his family. The mall was a little too cold for her liking, but she still went along with Jules to help.

And keep him on track.

"Hey, raspberry truffles!" Jules said to himself.

Anah poked her head out of his scarf. "Dear, is that wise?"

"They're free samples," Jules replied.

"Still. You came here to get gifts for everyone else. Stuffing your face wasn't on your to-do list."

"Fine." Jules sounded disappointed.

Anah sighed. How can I say "no" to you? You are just as cute now as when you were little. "Note I said 'stuffing your face.' That does not mean you cannot have just one. Or two. Maybe three."

Jules's face brightened, and kept heading to the sample stand. He walked away with a handful of raspberry-filled chocolate truffles. "Thanks, Anah," he said with his mouth full.

"You are welcome, dear."

"Do you think these're something you can make?"

"I can make an attempt." Anah adjusted herself under Jules's scarf. "Alright, who is first on your list?"

"Mum. I know she likes candles, but I feel like she's got enough candles."

"Yes, but…" Anah looked in the window of a shop they passed by. "Does she have a Tardis candleholder?"

"Oh, she might like that. I'd be shocked if she didn't. She loves Doctor Who." Jules entered the shop to get a better look at the candleholder. "I don't love that price tag, though. I really do think this'll be a perfect gift for Mum."

Anah thought for a moment. "Tell you what—get the candleholder. I will tell your father, and we will pay you back."

"You don't have to do that. It's not like I have any expenses to worry about."

"No, but you are extremely responsible with your money."

"I like to think so. I get a candy bar every now and then, but I mostly use it for horse stuff."

"Exactly. Go ahead, get the candleholder, dear."

"Alright. Thanks, Anah."

"Not a problem, dear."

Jules crossed his mother off the list he had made of people he needed to get gifts for. "Next, Dad. Has he said anything to you about what he wants this year?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Darn. Oh, well, we can look around."

Anah didn't see anything in particular that she felt Moffitt would like, but something did catch her eye: a tiny set of bells. She crawled out of Jules's scarf to get a better look, and took the bells in her jaws.

"You like those, Anah?" Jules asked.

"I do. I could wear them."

"Wear them? You'll drive Dad bonkers."

"They are quite festive. I doubt he will complain about that."

Jules sighed. "If he does complain, don't say I didn't tell you so."

When they returned home, Anah made some adjustments to the set of bells to make it easier for her to wear. She planned on wearing it as a harness of sorts on Christmas Eve, just to provide a little entertainment, but decided to test it out for the rest of the day.

Moffitt was in the parlor, curled up on the couch with a book and a cup of tea. So far, he didn't seem to notice the jingling ruckus.

"I still think Dad's not going to be happy with you," Jules said quietly while making his lunch.

"Oh, nonsense," Anah said. "If he has not said anything yet, I doubt he ever will."

"If you say so, Anah."

"And I do."

Jules didn't have anything else to add to the conversation. He was quick to eat before heading outside to do some training with Nightrunner.

Anah sighed and shook her head. Jules, I love you so much, but stop and savor your food, dear. She slithered over to the counter, jingling as she went, to go through the cupboards and get ideas for dinner. Nearly an hour went by before she heard a sigh, and the sound of Moffitt closing his book. The lanky Englishman entered the kitchen.

"Oh, of course," Moffitt said. "What the bloody hell are you wearing, Anah?"

"Little jingly bells, dear," Anah replied.

"And why are you wearing them?"

"I made a harness, and would like to see how it will work for Christmas Eve."

"Then why are you wearing it now?"

"To test it, dear."

Moffitt sighed again. "Anah, I am enjoying a nice quiet afternoon with a cup of tea, some biscuits, and a new book. Could you please take the bloody harness off?"

Anah had been enjoying the festiveness of the bell harness. She was hesitant to take it off, but she didn't want to disappoint Moffitt. "Alright. I will… take it off."

"Thank you." Moffitt went back into the parlor.

Anah didn't let out a sigh of her own until Moffitt was out of earshot. She felt like there was more to Moffitt's grumpiness than he was letting on. Or, perhaps the bells really were annoying and she didn't notice because of how much she loved them. Regardless, she took the bells off and left them on the table.

Another hour passed, and Anah heard another sigh. Moffitt returned to the kitchen, holding an empty tea cup. "Anah?"

"Yes, dear?" Anah asked.

"I'm sorry for getting snippy with you. You can put your bells back on."

"But… you expressed that they annoyed you."

"I know, and I shouldn't have. They make you happy. I shouldn't deprive you of that."

"Well, you should not have to deal with things that annoy you just to make others happy. Then nobody is happy." Anah tilted her head. "Is there something bothering you, dear?"

Moffitt hesitated for a moment. "I know you won't think this is silly. The bells you have… those specifically… I remember my mother brought home a decoration that had bells just like those, when I was very sick and had my schooling delayed. It's a very strange thing to remember, but… everyone was very excited for Christmas, and I couldn't do anything. I was… left out. Not deliberately, but I felt left out and didn't express that to anyone."

"Why?"

"I don't fully remember. I think it was because I was angry about having to spend Christmas in bed, and didn't want to take my anger out on anyone."

"Dear—"

"It's alright. Don't apologize. Don't try to accommodate me. Just… don't."

Anah shook her head. "No. I will still apologize, dear. You should not have to relive those memories, and I am so sorry that I caused you to do so."

Moffitt was quiet. "I don't want you to have to give something up just because I have bad memories associated with it. I do think what you want to do for Christmas Eve is cute, but… perhaps we can find something similar. Bells of a different pitch, maybe?"

"Alright. I like that."

Moffitt grinned a little, glancing out the window. "And, ah, we can use this as a cover to go get Jules's Christmas present."

"Good idea. I have not been able to find time to look for something for him, either."

"It'll be just the two of us, too." Moffitt's grin faded. "We haven't done that in a while. Done something together. Alone."

"No, we… have not."

"Well, now's our chance, and we'll take our time."

Like she did with Jules earlier, Anah was coiled underneath Moffitt's scarf while they headed into Cambridge to go gift-hunting. She enjoyed riding on everyone's shoulders, but Moffitt would always be special. Being enveloped in his warmth and familiar scent was a great comfort, one that she treasured more than any Christmas gift or trinket.