John rings the bell to the Silver residence, which is still adorned with festive lights. Tory stands slightly behind him, her arms wrapped around her brother's shoulders. None of them say anything as they wait.
Terry's face breaks into a bright smile when he opens the door. "Oh, John! And you've brought people. How unexpected. Ms Nichols, good to see you."
"Hi," Tory says awkwardly, not taking her arms from around her brother. "This is my brother Brandon."
"Nice to meet you, Brandon. Please do come inside. I'll be taking your coats myself today." He laughs to himself as if this is hilarious.
Tory shoots John a confused look. "He normally has people to do that for him," he explains, and the confusion doesn't leave her face. "Rich people stuff."
She smirks, but still looks uneasy.
After coming round at Christmas, John was expecting Dennis to be there, but he is surprised to see Sensei Wolf of the Iron Dragons. They didn't exactly meet under the best of terms, but John has managed to put his grievances with Terry to one side, so he does his best to be civil when they greet each other.
"Wolf flew in to visit family on the east coast for the holidays, but he's come to spend New Year with us," Terry says.
"Yeah, it all gets a bit much. You know what family are like," Wolf says.
That comment gets blank expressions. John suspects that everyone else would actually like to have a family to be annoyed with, but diplomatically keeps his mouth shut.
"Anyway, let me get you some drinks," Terry says. He's overdressed compared to everyone else, and when he turns round John sees he even has his hair tied in a bow with a red ribbon.
They sit down as Terry rushes about getting everyone drinks.
"Wow," Brandon breathes, staring at Dennis. "How long did it take you to grow your hair that long?"
Dennis smiles. "A few years, kid," he says.
Brandon looks at his sister. "Can I grow my hair long too?"
"Yeah, 'course you can. You can do anything you want," Tory tells him.
They make awkward smalltalk for a while. Terry doesn't sit down for more than a few minutes at a time, he's restless and keeps offering everyone top-ups for their drinks.
"This was our second Christmas without Snake," Dennis says suddenly.
"Who's Snake?" Tory asks.
"He was like a brother to me," Dennis says, as Wolf pats him on the arm.
Tory bites her lip. "I'm sorry," she says. "This is our first without our mom," she says, and Brandon grabs onto her and hides his face. She puts an arm around him.
"My condolences," Dennis says.
John notices Terry suddenly at his shoulder, topping up his glass without him even asking. His hand shakes on the whiskey decanter.
"Sit down, Terry," John says.
Terry fills his own glass and puts down the decanter, and comes to sit with the rest of them. "That Christmas we had with the three of us, I didn't expect it to be the last one we'd have with Snake. I thought I'd be the first of us to die," he says.
"I only met my granddad in China one time, he died really young," Wolf says.
"It's not fair," Tory says. "My mom was too young to die. And Kwon. He was my age. Where's the justice in that?"
"There isn't any," John says. Tory is struggling to hold back tears, and her brother still has his head curled into her side. He wonders if he did the right thing in bringing them here.
"And us who are left behind just have to carry on somehow?" she says.
"'Fraid so, kid," John says. He turns to Terry. "You'd think we'd be immune to the horrors of death, the amount of our friends we saw blown to bits right in front of us."
Terry flinches. He closes his eyes for a moment and takes a breath, then takes a sip of his drink.
"Do you still have your copy of that photo of me, you and Ponytail?"
Terry nods. He takes another drink. "We never really know how much time we have left with the ones we care about, so we should appreciate the time that we have together."
"Well said," Wolf says, reaching over to lay a comforting hand on Terry's arm.
But that does nothing to raise the mood, they all go on avoiding each other's eyes. John has a horrible feeling that someone is going to get very drunk and make an ass of themselves, and he's going to have to apologise to Tory and her brother for even suggesting they come along.
John is apprehensive when Terry takes him to one side later. They made their peace with each other in the briefest terms, but they haven't really talked properly. Just one quick phone call inviting him for Christmas, and when Terry called him again John didn't pick up, just let it ring and got the info on what time to turn up today from his voicemail. He's not sure he's ready for this conversation. He thinks perhaps it's best to ignore their issues, as any past attempts to resolve them have only made things worse.
Terry picks up a wrapped gift and holds it out to him. "Here. I never had chance to give you your Christmas gift."
John looks at the box and frowns. "I still didn't get you anything."
"Doesn't matter," Terry says. "I told you, it doesn't matter. You being here is enough. And bringing them along with you." He tilts his head towards Tory and Brandon. "Means a lot."
There's tears shining in Terry's eyes and John doesn't rightly understand why. He lets Terry press the box into his hands and looks down at it to avoid Terry's eyes.
"Go on, open it," Terry says.
John pulls off the wrapping, feeling more than a little awkward, especially as Terry remains standing close and watches him. There's a plain box inside, which he opens to find stuffed with packing material. Under the packing material, well, he can't believe his eyes. There's no mistaking it. It's an original G.I. Joe action figure.
John shakes his head, laughing in shock. "I can't believe you remembered," he says quietly.
"Of course I did." Terry's voice is almost a whisper too.
John smiles, looking at the figure in the box. "That night when we all sat around the campfire talking about what we'd all most wanted for Christmas."
"You described him in such detail. How could I forget?"
John shakes his head. "I spent a lot of time looking in store windows as a kid. My mother was a big fan of that activity too," he says. He laughs. "We all thought you were a big dope for saying all you wanted was one day where your parents didn't fight."
Terry spreads his arms. "It was true! I got everything else that I asked for!" he says, then slumps his shoulders. "Never did get that, though."
John looks down at the action figure again. He's just like the ones in the store windows he pressed his nose against in the sixties. He always dreamed that one day his mom would find some extra money from somewhere and one of them would be his. "This must have been difficult to track down after such a long time." He swallows. It's so hard to get the words out. "Thank you."
"Oh, it was! I couldn't find one in the original packaging. This one has been well played-with, so needed a bit of restoration. He's still a little fragile, I'm afraid."
"Aren't we all?"
Terry smiles and pats him on the shoulder. He lets out a small laugh and for a moment looks like he might cry. He looks over at Tory and Brandon. "What do they want? I didn't know they were coming so I didn't get them anything."
"I'm not sure they want anything, Terry."
"That can't be true. Why did you bring them?"
"Not for gifts from Uncle Terry, that's for sure," John says with a nervous laugh. "I thought about what you said. About how none of us have anyone else. It's the same for them."
Terry nods, and looks like he's getting choked up again. "And that's the greatest gift you could have brought me, John. Family." He takes a breath and tries to compose himself.
John looks away. Terry is being slightly dramatic calling a mutual ex-student of theirs who he didn't treat very well and her kid brother who he just met family, but then Terry has never been normal when it comes to family. It's not like John can really judge.
"I could give them cash, but I prefer to put more consideration into my gifts. What does the girl want? You must know that, at least."
John restrains himself from yelling her mother back, of course. He wracks his brain. What would Tory want? Then he remembers something she showed him. Well, didn't exactly show him, he found her looking at it when they were in Barcelona and decided to pry. He should just tell Terry to get her some designer clothes or something, but Terry really does seem to want to get her something with personal meaning, like the G.I. Joe doll in his hands. Maybe he should give him a chance.
"Well, I'm not sure I should really be telling you this."
Terry leans in, and John tells him quietly.
Brandon leans over to Tory and whispers something in his sister's ear. Tory looks over at John and Terry. "Go and ask them," she tells him.
Brandon gets up and goes hurrying over. "Can I see?"
John gets down on one knee and takes G.I. Joe out of the box to show Brandon. "Now be very careful with him. He's a veteran, you know."
"I will," Brandon says, taking the action figure from him. He bends the toy's arm carefully to make him salute. "He's so cool!"
John smiles. "Do me a favour, will you? Look after him for me? I'll come over and check that you do."
"Wow, really?" Brandon says. "Thanks!"
John ruffles Brandon's hair. He gets up and watches the boy run off to show his sister his new toy. He turns to Terry, who has been watching the whole exchange. Terry has a look on his face that John can't quite fathom.
"Toys are meant to be played with, Terry. I'm a long time past that now."
Terry smiles and puts an arm around John's shoulders. He doesn't say anything, but he holds onto John for a long time and keeps patting his arm. John thinks that means that Terry agrees he did the right thing.
To pass the time until midnight, Terry brings over some board games. It's an oddly quaint and ordinary pastime for him. But John does recall being invited round for Christmas one time in the late seventies and playing games with Terry and his parents. Terry's father could barely hide his fury when John won one of them.
John completely forgot how depressing The Game of Life could be. The game could be downright cruel at times, and now playing it at this time of his life it is an uncomfortable reminder of what might have been if he had made different choices. When he glances round the table he sees that the real game that's being played here is everyone trying to hide how upsetting they find it.
In the end Tory does seem quite pleased about winning. And Brandon seems happy with his new G.I. Joe doll. Perhaps they'll make it to next year still able to speak to each other.
Terry disappears at some point and returns with an opulent jewelry box. He goes to sit by Tory. "These belonged to my mother," he tells her, opening the box and showing her the array of rings of all sizes and colours inside.
"Great," Tory says, obviously unimpressed.
"I heard you had a special gem, and thought you might like a real gem that you can wear to remember her."
Tory's mouth falls open.
"You can choose whichever one you like. Try some on," Terry urges.
Tory pushes the box away from her. "I don't want any of them!" she says. "You think just because we're poor that we have nothing? I have my mom's jewelry! It might not be all gold and diamonds and crap, but it was hers!"
"Of course," Terry says, shutting the lid of the jewelry box. "Then maybe you would like something else instead?"
"I don't want anything from you."
"This special gem of yours, can I see it?" Terry asks, clearly not getting the hint.
"No," Tory says reproachfully.
"Please."
"Terry, stop it!" John says.
When Terry turns to him, he looks upset. But he obviously doesn't see how much he's upsetting Tory. John glances over at Dennis and Wolf. Dennis is crying and has his head on Wolf's shoulder, and Wolf has his arm around him trying to comfort him. What a happy fucking New Year.
"You wouldn't understand," Tory says when he turns back to her.
"You have to believe me, I understand sentimental value," Terry insists. "Trust me, Ms Nichols."
Tory shakes her head. "You dare say that to me after everything?"
"Please. I want to make things right. Would you just give me this chance?"
"Fine," Tory says, putting her hand in the pocket of her dress. She opens her hand to show him the bottle top gem, then snaps it shut again and puts the gem back into her pocket.
"I know an artist who could set that into a protective coating for you and attach it to a chain, so you could wear it around your neck. So then it will be with you always, and you will never lose it."
Tory frowns and bites her lip. Then she shakes her head and puts both of her hands the pocket her gem is in.
"No no, I won't take it from you. I'll take you to see her and you can pick out all the options yourself."
Tory glances at John for input. He gives her a bit of a smile and shrugs. She looks back at Terry. "Fine. I'll go with you to see this lady, but I'm not deciding for sure until we get there."
Terry smiles. "Shrewd as always, I can respect that."
Tory swallows, and glances at John again before saying, "Thanks."
Terry puts his arms around her and pulls her into an awkward hug.
"Uh, I wasn't expecting you to do that," she says when he lets her go.
Dennis and Terry talk about their memories with Snake at Christmas time. Wolf talks a bit about his grandfather. They also talk about Kwon. Tory doesn't mention her mother again, and John can understand. It's too painful for him to talk about the two most important people he lost, even after all this time. He doesn't mention their army buddies again, not after the way Terry reacted earlier. It's unclear if Brandon is listening to these conversations, he still seems quite fascinated with G.I. Joe. It's nice to see Brandon playing with him just like John always imagined he would as a kid.
In an attempt to change the subject, John asks Dennis if he's been keeping up his karate training, and is amused to learn that he and Terry still train together almost every day. Wolf talks about how his team has just won several trophies at a national competition, and thanks Terry for getting his dojo back for him. Terry might have his faults, but John can't deny that he is terribly generous with his time and money. He almost misses the old days when it was the two of them against the world. But then it was never really like that, was it? There was always something, some problem, some complication.
A little while later, Terry claps his hands to get everyone's attention. "It's almost midnight! We should go outside, we will be able to see the firework display from my terrace. I'll light the fire pit, so you don't need your coats."
"The fire pit," John repeats, recalling the last time he was there with Terry.
Terry places a hand on his back. "Don't worry, I won't let anyone take you away from me this time," he says.
John gives Terry a sidelong glance. "Cops'll be busy on New Year, so I'm probably safe," he says with a smirk.
Terry opens a bottle of champagne and pours them all a glass. Tory lets Brandon join in, but makes sure he only gets a small measure and tells him to only take a sip.
They all count down the seconds together, and raise their glasses and take a drink at the stroke of midnight. Brandon grimaces at the champagne and spits it out. Fireworks start to go off.
John feels Terry lean close to him and press his lips to his cheek. Instinctively, John shoves him away, but then when he sees the hurt look on Terry's face, he seizes him by the shirt and pulls him in for a proper kiss as fireworks explode all around them.
Terry smiles at him when they part, and it's the first time he's seen Terry smile in a way that isn't manic or fake or worrying in such a long time.
John finds himself smiling back. "This changes nothing," he says.
"Of course not. We'll go back to being bitter enemies, that's exactly what I wanted too," Terry says, smiling even wider.
Dennis and Wolf are sharing a hug, and Brandon cuddles up to his sister. Terry goes over to exchange hugs with Dennis and Wolf.
Tory looks at John with a smirk, but doesn't say anything.
"Not the worst way to spend New Year's Eve, was it?" he says.
Tory shakes her head. "Yeah, it was all right," she says with a smile. "Honestly I didn't know what we were gonna do. Christmas was so…"
John nods. He knows exactly what she means.
She swallows. "So, thanks, I guess," she says, standing on her toes to give him an awkward one-armed hug.
John pats her on the back. "You're welcome," he says. "Well. It's late, I should be getting you two home."
Terry walks over. "No, no, I won't have you travelling across the city in the chaos of New Year's. You can all stay here, I have spare rooms. I think I remember how to put sheets on a bed!" He laughs, then leans close to John and drops his voice, sounding genuinely concerned. "Will you help me?"
John laughs. "What would you do without me?" he says.
Fireworks are still going off in the distance. John starts to think that maybe, just maybe this new year might not be as bad as the one that's just passed.