Christmas Fair

"No iced coffees on the menu next year, that's it." Shiv said, holding her gloved hands together and shivering, "Seriously? Who the hell wants an iced coffee in this weather?"

"You moaned about this at the Fall Fair, too." Daryl pointed out.

"With good reason." Shiv snapped, "I can't feel my hands. Even with gloves on. And these people want me digging into a bucket of ice?"

"World's smallest violin." Daryl nodded to her.

"Oh, shut up." Shiv shook her head as he chuckled.

"Stick your hands under the chocolate fountain. That'll heat them up." Daryl nodded sarcastically.

"I might." Shiv scoffed, "Hey, where is Sally's Christmas Bauble stall this year? I don't see it." Shiv said, looking out into the park where all the different stalls were dotted around. She couldn't find her favourite Christmas stall which always had the cutest homemade tree baubles for sale.

"There's not as many stalls as last year." Daryl pointed out, "Money issues, maybe."

"That sucks. I get a new bauble for my tree every year." Shiv frowned whilst Daryl poured the espresso shot into the latte he was making, passing it over to Punk who was over at the main counter area with AJ, taking charge of orders.

"Isn't that what Amazon is for? Get a new one from there." Daryl said.

"It's not the same." Shiv said, "Is Mister Eckles selling turkeys over there?" She screwed her eyes up, looking across the park to the different farm stalls.

"Yeah, he is." Becca added from the back where she was helping Finn with the baking and cooking, "He got them delivered. They're huge. They look delicious."

"It's time that we, as a society, agree that turkey actually has no taste. It's boring. It's just a fancy chicken." Shiv said, "It's all the other stuff at Christmas which is tastier." She said.

"Thank you for your input." Daryl nodded.

"Am I wrong?" She asked him.

"I love Turkey." Daryl shrugged, "I have nothing against eating them."

"Can I get two peppermint hot chocolates." Punk called over as Daryl nodded.

"You want me to make you one to heat you up?" Daryl asked Shiv who nodded.

"Yes, please." Shiv nodded to him whilst he got some paper cups out.

"Whipped cream?" He asked as she nodded.

"Extra whip." Shiv added, "More cream than hot chocolate. That's the Brewberry way." She said.

"Is that why I hear Phil calling AJ Extra Whip sometimes?" Daryl questioned.

"Probably." Shiv chuckled, "I uh… I went to the sheriff with AJ this morning. Handed in my computer for them to look at the email."

"You told AJ?" Daryl turned to her, speaking quietly together so no one could hear.

"Yeah. Yesterday. I just couldn't hold it in any longer." Shiv said.

"And was she mad like you thought she would be?" Daryl asked.

"No." Shiv said.

"What a surprise." Daryl said, with a 'I told you so' smile.

"I couldn't help how I felt. I was conjuring all kinds of scenarios in my head." Shiv said.

"That's anxiety." Daryl said, "Bet you feel better now that you told her?"

"Yeah, I do." Shiv nodded, "I doubt the sheriff will do much. AJ said he's been pretty useless with everything."

"Well, you've done the right thing. It's up to the sheriff now." Daryl nodded.

"AJ told me that it's connected to her past. Craig. The attacks." Shiv said, "She didn't go into detail, but I can tell it's something she's scared about. It's not fair. She should be enjoying her pregnancy and focusing on their new house. Not this crap." She shook her head.

"Whatever Craig's end goal is, he's not gonna get it." Daryl said, "We're all looking out for AJ. Even if she hasn't asked. We'll do it anyway. It's what friends do." He nodded.

"Yeah, she said she feels better knowing she has so many people around her to look out for her and keep her spirits up." Shiv nodded, "And her aunt is here, that's bound to make her feel better." She said, looking over to Nico who was standing with AJ and Punk at the front counter, helping dish out different cakes and treats for customers.

"I know I complain about this town as much as everyone else but… if there's one thing I'll always love about it, is the fact we're one big family. Craig don't stand a chance. He'll be caught out eventually, and whatever that means, whatever the connection it has with AJ's past, hopefully it'll put a stop to her worrying." Daryl nodded.

"Hopefully." Shiv nodded.

"Are you two chatty kathy's making those hot chocolates?" Punk called over to them, noticing they had been chatting for a while.

"Yes, they're coming." Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Shiv, I don't think Sally's Bauble Stall is there today." AJ made her way over to them.

"I know I was just saying that to Daryl. I can't see it." Shiv frowned, "I get one every year." She said sadly as Daryl watched her, thinking of an idea whilst he scooshed some whipped cream on the hot chocolate for her.

"Things seem to be going good with them." Punk said, sitting at a picnic bench in the park later that night with AJ and Nico, enjoying some hot chocolate and people watching as they soaked in the last few hours of the fair.

"Yeah, it looks like it." AJ nodded, looking over to where Lyla and Carlo were standing by the pizza stall, chatting up a storm and very clearly enjoying each other's company, "She deserves some happiness with someone." AJ smiled.

"There aren't much older men to tickle my fancy here." Nico admitted as Punk and AJ turned to her, "What? I can't shoot my shot?"

"You can." AJ laughed, "But you don't stay here. It'd be cruel to find someone you like and then have to leave in a few weeks."

"Well, I've been thinking, mija." Nico said, "You're moving to a new house in the new year, so your apartment will be free. Yes?" She said.

"Yes." AJ nodded.

"Maybe I'll stay for longer. Until the babies are here. I can be here to help you. You're both so busy with your businesses. I could stay and help." She suggested.

"Tia, you don't have to put your life on hold to be here just cause I'm having the babies. Me and Phil will manage fine." AJ said.

"I'm not putting my life on hold. I'd like to be here. I'm going to be an abuela. I want these babies to know me. And I want to be around to help you. I raised you for most of your life. I want to see you becoming a mother." Nico said as AJ smiled.

"Only if you really want to stay." AJ said.

"I do." Nico said, "I've been travelling for four years now. I've done so many amazing things. I ought to slow things down a little now. Have some family time." She said, nodding to Punk as he smiled.

"Then I'd love that." AJ nodded tearfully. The thought of having her aunt by her side for longer than just a few weeks was wonderful. There was a safety and security she brought with her that made AJ feel like a little girl again. A little girl who could never be harmed with such a fierce aunt in charge of her wellbeing.

"I'd love it too." Punk added, "So we can get you a boyfriend then?" He asked as AJ smacked on the shoulder.

"I wouldn't be against it." Nico nodded, looking around the busy park area where people were sitting at benches and standing around the stalls, enjoying hot chocolates and different food, "No one is standing out." She shrugged as AJ just chuckled.

"Our stall did well today." Punk said.

"I'm surprised we managed to sell all of Linda's baking. She did so much." AJ said.

"I know. I told her to just do a couple things. She doesn't listen." Punk said, "Finn did well with the cooking, huh? Those Christmas tree chicken skewers were ace. I had about 10." He admitted.

"Yeah, you're going to need to keep up with him and start selling full blown meals at your place." AJ said, "He's more than capable of it. Talk about being naturally good at something."

"Would you consider turning into a restaurant?" Nico asked him.

"I don't think so. I like what we're doing just now. A mix of everything. Feels right." He said.

"You've done amazing." AJ smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder and hugging her arms around his arm.

"Who would have thought you'd say that to me at the beginning of the year?" Punk smiled down at her.

"I know." AJ said.

"April used to Skype me back then, telling me how conflicted she felt." Nico nodded as AJ scoffed.

"Oh, really?" Punk smiled curiously.

"Told me she didn't know if she hated you or wanted to kiss you." Nico nodded as Punk chuckled.

"That sounds about right." Punk laughed, "I think she did both."

"Mhm." AJ chuckled, "Stop telling him our secrets." She scolded her aunt who chuckled mischievously.

"It all worked out the way I thought it would." Nico said with a proud grin as AJ just hugged into Punk tighter, smiling as she felt him press a kiss on her head.

"How can there be that many cheeses?" Shiv shook her head, standing outside the cheese stall with Daryl.

"Ask Becca. I'm sure she knows all about the process now that she's an honorary farmer." Daryl said as Shiv smiled.

"She probably does know." Shiv said, walking along and passing other stalls.

"You glad you came back?" Daryl asked her curiously.

"Yeah. I am. As much as it hates me to say you were right." Shiv said stubbornly as he smiled.

"You just needed someone to shove you." Daryl nodded.

"It was never about the people here. I don't know, I guess I just made up in my head that it would be easier to stay at college. Avoid how I was feeling. But now that I'm here, I feel fine. Better even. Especially now that I've told AJ about the email and handed it over to the sheriff."

"Have you heard from him?" Daryl asked.

"No." Shiv shook her head, "Hopefully tomorrow. They might not even be able to do anything with it."

"It's worth a shot." Daryl said, "This must have been a busy stall." He said, stopping outside a stall which was selling different wine and whiskeys.

"Oh, that reminds me. What does your mom like to drink? I was going to bring a bottle of something on Christmas for her. I mean… I've got her presents but just something extra." Shiv said, "I'd get one of the girls to buy it for me."

"You don't have to do that." Daryl scoffed.

"I want to. I got your sister some stuff too." Shiv smiled, "I had so much fun buying for her. Made me feel like a little girl again."

"What did you get her?" Daryl asked curiously.

"This adorable light up globe. The kind of one you shake, and it looks like it's snowing." Shiv said, "And I got her some Frozen pyjamas and a bracelet making set."

"Shiv. Jesus, that's more than I get her." Daryl scoffed.

"Then you should get her more." Shiv concluded, "So… what does your mom drink?"

"She's not a big drinker but… maybe some kind of red wine. Usually the dry ones she likes." Daryl said.

"Noted." Shiv nodded, looking at the stall whilst Daryl looked at her. He wasn't sure he knew anybody kinder and more considerate. Someone more giving than Shiv. Her ability to make people feel special was unmatched. He really admired that about her.

"Hey, Daryl." Christina appeared beside Daryl at the stall as Shiv looked over.

"Hey." Daryl nodded, "What's up?" He smiled pleasantly whilst Shiv kept quiet and continued looking around the stall.

"A couple of us were going over to the abandoned church. Maybe for some beverages." She smiled mischievously, "Do you want to come over?" She asked whilst Shiv kept glancing over at them discretely, watching Christina place her hand on Daryl's arm. She'd never felt rage like it.

"Thanks, but… I'm good here." Daryl nodded to her, "Still got more stalls to look at." He said.

"Ok. You know where to find us if you change your mind." She smiled, brushing by him closely before walking off as Shiv turned to him.

"What?" Daryl shrugged.

"She's into you." Shiv pointed out.

"No she isn't." Daryl scoffed.

"Oh, please." Shiv said, "And who the hell says beverages? And also… isn't it only fourteen-year-olds who hang out at the abandoned church? Isn't she a little old for that kind of behaviour?" She questioned as Daryl just chuckled.

"You're doing a real good job of looking like you're not bothered by her." Daryl nodded.

"I'm not bothered." Shiv insisted, "It just looks like there's something between you both. That's all." She shrugged.

"There's not." Daryl said, "Who am I spending my time with right now?" He questioned as she looked up at him, "I'm not interested in her." He made clear as she looked up at him. She desperately wanted to clarify what he meant by that, but she chose not to.

"We'll see." She hummed as he rolled his eyes, "Let's look for something else you can get for your sister." She told him as he nodded. She was secretly warm and fuzzy inside knowing he'd blown off a social gathering with alcohol and a girl who clearly liked him, to spend the night with her.