Chapter One-hundred Ninety-Six: New "Old" Home

Chapter 196

New “Old” Home

Blair, Vanessa, Sylvia, Demetrio, and Ashley stood outside, marveling at the Christmas display of the Donati manor. White icicle lights outlined the house's trim, and white lights outlined the windows. There were several lit-up Santa Clauses, reindeer, snowmen, and cedar trees adorned with white lights. The fountain had white lights on its trim, and lit-up candy canes lined the path. On top of the roof, there was a sculpture of Santa on his sleigh, followed by reindeer.

Blair: “Isn’t this amazing, Ashley? We’re the best decorated house in the city, and Lazaros has nothing up.”

He smiled and put his arm over them.

Ashley: “...We didn’t even decorate it, though. You hired people to do it and took the fun out of it….”

They frowned and then thought of Lazaros’ barren house. He loved Christmas and loved decorating with Ashley. He must be so heartbroken, they thought.

Blair: “That’s what hired people are there for!”

Sylvia: “I took care to mail out the Christmas cards. Here is how they turned out.”

She showed a card with a picture of Demetrio, Blair, Vanessa, and Ashley. Demetrio wore a burgundy tuxedo; Vanessa wore a red dress with a sweetheart neckline, a rose at her waist, and black mesh gloves. Blair wore a baby blue tuxedo with a top hat, with his hand awkwardly hovering over Ashley’s shoulder. Ashley wore a pink sequin ball gown with puffy sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. They were standing before their twelve-foot Christmas tree, with white lights, adorned with ribbons, poinsettias, fake doves, and gold garland. It had “Merry Christmas from the Donatis” in cursive gold.

Ashley winced and grimaced at the Christmas card. They couldn’t bring themself to look at themself in that abomination of a dress.

Blair: “Oh, Sylvia, Ashley looks amazing for once! They’re not wearing those outdated clothes!”

He nodded. Ashley frowned at Blair.

Ashley: “...No, I don’t.”

Their bottom lip trembled.

Blair: “Well, we’re going to Asagao to pick your bridal dress, and we’re gonna get Lucy to plan our wedding!”

He smiled and put his arm over them. Ashley pulled away from him.

Ashley: “Why do you want to marry me? You don’t even like me!”

They cried.

Blair: “No, I love you! Anyway, my good friend Trevor got a recording for me!”

He grinned. Ashley frowned at him.

Ashley: “Doesn’t seem like it…”

They pouted. Blair pulled out a recorder and pressed play.

Lazaros: “I said I forgave Ashley for throwing up my delicious food! Did I have to say it every day?”

Lazaros: “Maybe I have to emphasize my forgiveness. It’s not every day you make a delicious meal for it to get thrown up.”

Deimos: “You don’t fuckin’ forgive them…”

Lazaros: “Between us? No, I don’t, but I said I did because I had to or I wouldn’t get tummy time with them!”

Deimos: “Yeah, I said a lot of shit Tristan wanted to hear to get my dick sucked.”

Blair grinned. Sylvia smiled awkwardly. Demetrio sighed. Twenty-somethings, he thought. Ashley cupped their mouth at what they heard and felt overwhelmed with hurt.

Blair: “My friend got this for me because Lazaros doesn’t forgive you anyway!”

Ashley embraced themself and looked away.

Ashley: “Y-YOU’RE ALL MEAN! I’m more than just my tummy, and my boobs, and Tristan isn’t a vacuum cleaner!!”

They snapped through hot tears and stormed off.

Blair: “Well, I think they’re on PBS or something!”

He laughed. Sylvia placed her hands on her hips.

Sylvia: “Blair, was ANY of that necessary?! Why did you have that scoundrel record knowing it would affect them?!”

She snapped.

Blair: “I wanted Ashley to know Lazaros is after one thing.”

He smiled.

Blair: “Unlike me. I’m a nice guy!”

He nodded. Demetrio heaved a deep sigh.

~

Tristan lay asleep in his bed. He wore his white silk pajamas with his name embroidered in blue on the left breast pocket. A shadow loomed over him. Narcisse stood over Tristan with a big smile.

Narcisse: “My God…, you look so much like her… You sleep like her, you have her beautiful eyes, and her soft skin…”

He crooned and caressed Tristan’s hair.

Narcisse: “You are beautiful, Tristan…”

He leaned over and kissed his neck while his hands ran down his torso. Tristan winced and groaned.

Tristan: “Get… GET OFF ME!”

He snapped in his sleep.

His eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright, panting. He looked around his room for someone and found no one there.

Tristan: “What was that?!”

He whispered and clasped his hand over his chest.

~

Narcisse stepped out of his bedroom with a smile and held one of Tristan’s pairs of underwear close. He placed it to his face and inhaled it.

Narcisse: “Oh God, his scent makes me cream…”

He moaned.

~

The following day, Blair took Ashley to Swan View Lake Park. He wore a blue sports jacket, a white pressed shirt, a black bowtie, blue-and-white striped pants, saddle shoes, and a boater hat. He carried a cane with him, awkwardly twirling it. Ashley tried to stand as far away from him as possible. They were forced into a peach lace dress, like something out of a bad Hallmark Movie. They came across a vendor selling marshmallow Santa Clauses. Ashley froze when they saw the Santa Clauses, recalling that day at the mall and all the chaos Blair had caused, and what happened to that poor Mall Santa.

Vendor: “Hey, why not get one for your girlfriend?”

Blair: “No, thanks! They don’t want to get fatter for their wedding dress!”

He smiled. The vendor gaped at him. Ashley frowned at him and defiantly swiped the marshmallows, shoving them into their mouth as they glared at Blair.

Blair: “Okay, maybe Mayumi will sell us a plus-size dress!”

He huffed.

Blair: “What is your problem? Are you on PBS?”

He asked sharply.

Ashley: “My problem is YOU, you big blue meanie! PBS? What is that supposed to mean?”

They countered.

Blair pointed to the swan boats.

Blair: “Let’s ride on one of those!”

He said and took their arm, leading them to the swan boat. Ashley drew a deep breath and felt as if they were speaking to a brick wall. Blair gingerly stepped into the swan boat and paid the man who rented it. When the man pushed the boat away, Blair looked nervously around.

Blair: “We’re getting kind of far away, don’t you think?”

He looked around. Ashley looked around, taking in the shallow water and the nearby land.

Ashley: “Nope!”

They pouted and folded their arms across their chest. Blair looked around as the boat floated further away from the shore.

Blair: “What is going on?! Where are we going?! How do we get back?!”

He screamed. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “I ask myself the same question every day…”

They mumbled.

Blair shook the boat and screamed.

Blair: “AHHHHHHHHH!!! WHAT IS GOING ON?! AM I FLOATING OUT TO SEA?! WAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!”

He screamed in terror as he shook the boat. Ashley gnashed their teeth as they gripped onto the boat.

Ashley: “HEY! STOP! You’re going to rock the boat into the water!”

They hissed at him.

Fabien was on shore, laughing at them and recording everything. Ashley buried their head into their hands. Blair screamed hysterically.

Blair: “HELP ME! HELP ME!! GET ME BAAAAAAAAAACK!!”

He jumped in the boat and cried.

Ashley: “CUT IT OUT!”

They hissed as they clung their arms around the neck of the swan. Blair screamed and cried.

Blair: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! WAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

He wailed.

On the shore, by Fabien, were Deimos and Lazaros. Deimos rolled his eyes, and Lazaros’ jaw dropped.

Lazaros: “What is happening?!”

Deimos: “Blair is freaking out. What’s new?”

He said dryly.

Blair screamed and shook the boat, toppling Ashley into the water. Ashley fell back with a yelp and was pulled into the water, weighed down by the lace dress, pulling them down under the water. Ashley gasped and cried out in a desperate plea.

Ashley: “HELP MEEE!”

They cried and flailed as their dress caught on some branches under the water. Lazaros screamed hysterically and shook Deimos.

Lazaros: “DEIMOS, THEY’RE DROWNING! DO SOMETHING!”

Deimos shoved him off.

Deimos: “Why don’t YOU do something and stop fucking whining or expecting ME to fix your fucking problems?!”

He snapped and shoved Lazaros into the swan boat. Deimos jumped in with him.

Lazaros and Deimos peddled the boat toward Ashley. When they reached them, Deimos reached in and pulled Ashley out of the water. Ashley gasped and caught their breath, delighted to see long, blue-black hair, only to see Deimos.

Ashley: “...Thank you, Deimos.”

They panted, catching their breath. They saw Lazaros and wondered why he didn’t save them. Was I just a tummy to him? They wondered with hurt.

Blair: “HEY! GET YOUR HANDS OFF THEM! I THOUGHT YOU WERE GAY ANYWAY?!”

He bellowed at Deimos.

Deimos: “I am! But I am also trying to help them between two screaming manbabies, you little bitch!”

He kicked Blair’s boat away toward the swans. Ashley sighed and bowed their head.

Blair: “HEY!”

He cried.

The boat hit one of the swans. They honked at him and flapped their wings. Blair whacked it with his cane.

Blair: “GET OFF ME!”

He snapped. Suddenly, the swans honked and pecked at him.

Blair: “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”

He caterwauled and used his cane to row away from the swans. Fabien laughed hysterically at the scene. Ashley felt a feeling wash over them that they couldn’t identify as they watched Blair be attacked by swans with a sense of satisfaction.

Deimos peddled back to shore, bringing Ashley back.

Lazaros: “Ah, good ol’ reliable Deimos and Tristan know what to do in dire situations!”

He grinned. Deimos had a pang of hurt on his face as he climbed out of the boat. Ashley looked hurt at Lazaros. Lazaros helped Ashley out of the boat.

Deimos: “It wasn’t that hard to figure out.”

He muttered.

Ashley: “...Why didn’t you save me, Lazaros?”

They cried.

Lazaros: “Oh, because I didn’t know what to do, but Deimos sure did!

He beamed. Ashley trembled.

Ashley: “...Wh-What do you mean you don’t know what to do? I’m going through hell to save you, and you didn’t even try to save me?! I heard what you and Deimos said! Am I just a tummy to you?! And is Tristan just a vacuum cleaner to you?!”

They trembled with hurt. Lazaros gaped at Ashley with confusion.

Lazaros: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

He laughed.

Deimos looked away. Right, Fabien likely recorded it for that fucking loser, he thought.

Ashley: “You told Deimos that you only said stuff to me to get tummy time with me, and then Deimos said he did this to Tristan too, to get his dick sucked!”

They cried with hurt. Deimos furrowed his eyebrows.

Deimos: “ENOUGH!”

He bellowed.

Lazaros: “I never said anything like that!”

He shrugged.

Deimos: “Yes, you fucking did because you don’t forgive them for throwing up your food!”

He huffed. Lazaros paused. Ashley frowned and felt hurt.

Ashley: “...Why did you say you didn’t when you did, and why don’t you forgive me for that?”

They asked him. Lazaros looked at Deimos with panic.

Lazaros: “Do something!”

He cried. Ashley gaped at Lazaros.

Deimos: “What do you want me to fucking do?! They’re with that blue fucker anyways! All you do is sit around and watch those movies of Ashley eating while wallowing in your own misery!”

He huffed. Ashley’s heart sank.

Ashley: “...T-That’s what you’ve been doing all this time?”

Their voice trembled.

Lazaros: “So you’re going to do something about this?!”

He asked beseechingly.

Ashley: “Him? I want YOU to rescue me, Lazaros!”

They snapped through hot tears.

Lazaros: “Well, you left me to be with Blair. I can’t do anything more. I tried, and Deimos and Tristan never came to help!”

He huffed.

Deimos: “Face it: Blair and Lazaros are not much different, but you do you.”

He said sternly. Ashley sighed and wondered if he was right.

Lazaros: “I am NOT like that loser, Deimos! Blair always whines and does nothing to help himself!”

He cried and stamped his feet. Ashley gaped at him.

Ashley: “...Isn’t that kinda what you’re doing?”

They titled their head.

Deimos: “Your lack of self-awareness is astounding.”

He said to Lazaros.

Blair stomped up to them, angry as a hornet.

Blair: “Come on, Ashley! We’re going to Asagao to get a bridal dress!”

He snapped. Lazaros’ bottom lip trembled.

Lazaros: “Oh, I guess I meant nothing if you’re marrying him. Well, you threw up my food and are marrying Blair, so I guess I meant nothing!”

He bawled. Deimos rolled his eyes and sighed. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “I don’t WANT to marry HIM!”

They cried.

Lazaros: “YES, YOU DO! YOU LEFT ME FOR HIIIIIIIIIIM!!”

He bawled and stomped his feet. Fabien laughed hysterically.

Ashley: “I HAD TO FOR YOU!”

They cried back at him.

Lazaros: “And Tristan and Deimos are doing NOTHING to help me!”

He sank to the ground, sobbing.

Ashley: “You’re doing NOTHING to help you while I’m doing EVERYTHING to help you!”

They cried with hurt and frustration.

Lazaros: “YOU ALL HATE MEEEEEEEEEE!”

He bawled and stormed away.

Blair smirked at him.

Blair: “Yeah, we all hate you, Lazaros! I won, and he lost!”

He grinned and put his arm over Ashley. Ashley wrenched away from him.

Ashley: “You almost drowned me!”

They snapped and cried at him.

Blair: “Okay, let’s go get your wedding dress now!”

He turned around and screamed. He then ran away from a flock of geese chasing him.

Blair: “NOOOOOOOOOO!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! GET AWAY FROM MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”

He wailed. Deimos’ words echoed in Ashley’s mind about Blair and Lazaros.

~

In the Megalos Tower, Jordi stepped into Minerva’s office. He wore his black suit work uniform. Alfie opened the door for him and closed it behind him. Minerva sat in her chair, her feet resting on a soldier. She wore a turquoise short-sleeved blouse, a black pencil skirt, black nylons, and black heels. She flipped through her pages of notes.

Minerva: “Jordi, I plan on traveling during the holiday. Why isn’t Jiro by my side?”

She asked as she rested her head on her hand. Jordi drew a long breath.

Jordi: “I don’t know, Ma’am. I can’t find him.”

He said tersely. Minerva raised her eyebrows.

Minerva: “Are you willing to take his place?”

She smirked. Jordi tightly pursed his lips and bowed his head.

Jordi: “I have other plans, Ma’am.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and glanced at Alfie.

Jordi: “Why don’t you take Alfie?”

He offered. Alfie’s face lit up. Minerva scowled at Jordi.

Minerva: “I am not in the mood for jokes, Jordi… I don’t have Jiro by my side! You’re not doing your job well, Jordi.”

She tapped her pen. Alfie pouted. Jordi’s eyelids dipped, and he clenched his fist tightly.

Jordi: “All right… My apologies. I will do better next time.”

He said through clenched teeth. Minerva quirked an eyebrow.

Minerva: “What’s your problem, Jordi?”

Jordi blinked.

Jordi: “Nothing. I’m fine, Ma’am. Sorry if I indicated otherwise.”

He said with a strained smile.

Minerva gazed intently at Jordi.

Minerva: “You’re not doing your job, Jordi… That warrants punishment.”

She smirked and slammed her book shut. Jordi winced and glared at her.

Jordi: “Minerva, I am sorry! I’m here and attending work despite barely hanging on and ready to fall apart!”

He snapped. Alfie drew back.

Jordi: “I took a little girl to see Santa Claus last night, and your co-worker, Ichiro, turned Santa Claus into a monster, thus traumatizing her! And what is his punishment?! Paid suspension?! How is THAT punishment?! How do you expect me to cope with that?!”

He clawed at the air as his voice rose. Minerva quirked an eyebrow.

Minerva: “How do you know what his punishment was?”

She asked coolly. Jordi froze.

~

Jordi was strapped to a chair, his power-suppressing collar in place, his boots and socks removed. Jordi moaned and struggled against his bonds. Not this again, he thought. Minerva stood before him with a smirk.

Minerva: “You’ve been a VERY naughty boy, Jordi…”

She purred. Jordi laughed nervously.

Jordi: “Hahahaha, you don’t say…”

He fanned his toes and curled them.

She started by tickling his neck. Jordi jerked his head away and laughed.

Jordi: “AAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Hahahahahahaha! AHAHAHAHA! STOP!”

He laughed.

Minerva: “You have a ticklish neck?”

She teased as she tickled his neck. He laughed and nodded.

Jordi: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Yeheheehehehes! AhahahahahaahHAAHA!”

He laughed and swerved his head away.

She ceased tickling his neck and trailed her hands down his chest, torso, and legs. Jordi panted, and his jaw tightened when she was touching him. He curled his toes as his feet overlapped. She fluttered her fingers over his long, slender feet. Jordi burst out laughing and thrashed against his bonds.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEASE STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAHAHAHAHAP!!”

He laughed hard and moved his feet vigorously.

Jordi: “PLEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEEHEHEHEHEEEEEAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!”

He howled with laughter, and tears dripped down his cheeks. Minerva grinned and bit her bottom lip as she watched him scream with hysterical laughter. He threw his head back and laughed hard, gasping for air in between laughter and this was exhausting him.

Jordi: “NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOOHOHOHOHOHOOOO!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!”

He laughed and sobbed.

~

That evening after work, Jordi drove down his street to pick up Madelyn to take her out to the Pearl Lion for a dinner date. He wore a black Italian-cut suit, a dark gray turtleneck, and black loafers with a gold clasp. He made a turn and went down her driveway. He parked the car and stepped out, going up her steps and knocking on her door.

Madelyn came to the door wearing a purple dress with gold sparkles and gold crescent moons across her chest. She wore a matching headband and heels, bringing it all together.

Madelyn: “Hey, Jordi! Oh wow, you look so regal!”

She smiled and greeted him with a warm hug. Jordi welcomed the hug and embraced her.

Jordi: “Thank you! You look very lovely yourself. Are you ready to go?”

He smiled a bit, resting his hand on the small of her back, leading her to his car. Madelyn smiled up at him.

Madelyn: “Yep, ready now!”

She beamed and followed him to his car. He opened the passenger’s door for her and went to the driver’s side to climb in. Madelyn thanked him and got in the car with him. Jordi looked behind his shoulder as he backed out of the driveway. He then shifted into the first gear and drove down the road.

As he was driving, he got out a cigarette, lit it up, and inhaled a long drag. Madelyn glanced over at him.

Madelyn: “Nice turtle neck!”

She smiled at him.

Madelyn: “I was ‘Turtle Cheesecake’ when I worked at Dessert Ranch in Selene Valley!”

She exclaimed. Jordi snapped out of his daze and smiled at her.

Jordi: “Oh, thank you so much! How did you like that job back in Selene Valley?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “It was really fun! I got to dress up as a turtle and serve cake to people all day!”

She chuckled. Jordi smiled a bit and sighed.

Jordi: “Sounds like fun. Is that something you’d like to do here in Pink Top City?”

He asked her and inhaled another long drag.

Madelyn: “Yes, actually!”

She smiled and nodded.

Madelyn: “How about you?”

She asked him, locking her gaze onto him. Jordi sighed.

Jordi: “Well, the closest I did was wear hot pants and serve wings to people, but the pay is not enough for what I need.”

He laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Interestingly, the job wasn’t as demanding or taxing.”

He muttered.

Madelyn: “Oh… what would your dream job be?”

She asked him. Jordi paused.

Jordi: “I would love to be a musician, actually. I would write and perform my own songs, but I also know getting your foot in the door of the music industry is very hard and it’s like… winning the lottery.”

He explained. Madelyn’s eyes lit up.

Madelyn: “You would make for an amazing musician! Oh? But you have some nice feet to get in the door, Jordi!”

She teased and winked at him. Jordi smiled a bit and laughed.

Jordi: “Hehehehe, thank you.”

He said, then drew a long breath as he crushed his cigarette in his car's ashtray.

Madelyn: “Why do you smoke?”

She asked him with genuine curiosity. Jordi turned to her and laughed.

Jordi: “It relaxes me. It’s something I do when I unwind during lunchbreak or when I am talking to my friends or eating or whatever.”

He explained.

Madelyn: “Oh, okay! Well, if you ever need a foot massage to relax, don’t be afraid to ask me!”

She offered it to him. Jordi laughed a bit.

Jordi: “Well, I can’t expect you to drop everything and come to my workplace for that.”

He sighed.

Madelyn: “I know your job is really stressful, Jordi.”

She sighed and placed her hand on his. Jordi smiled at her and held her hand while keeping his other hand on the wheel.

Jordi: “Anyway, this is why I smoke. It’s either to relax because I am on the verge of losing it or to relax and enjoy the moment.”

He laughed humorlessly and sighed.

Madelyn: “Don’t worry, Jordi, if you lose it, I will help you find it again.”

She assured him and kissed his hand. Jordi smiled a bit.

Jordi: “Thank you for that.”

He whispered.

~

They arrived at the Pearl Lion restaurant. Jordi approached the host.

Jordi: “A table under ‘Vaquero’ by the aquarium.”

He told him. The host looked through the list and grabbed two menus. He led the two to a table by the large aquarium of fish. Jordi pulled out a chair for Madelyn. Madelyn thanked him and observed the aquarium of fish with awe.

Madelyn: “Ooh, it’s so pretty and peaceful!”

She gushed. Jordi smiled at her enthusiasm.

Host: “Can I get you two anything to drink?”

Jordi: “Yes, domestic beer on tap.”

He stated. Madelyn browsed the drinks menu, and a blue curacao drink grabbed her eye, resembling an aquarium.

Madelyn: “That one as a mocktail, please!”

Host: “Of course.”

He nodded and left them.

Jordi heaved a deep sigh and gazed at the aquarium. Madelyn observed it with him.

Jordi: “I’m on Christmas break now. It’s a paid vacation.”

He said, then rested his head in his hand.

Madelyn: “Ooh, you paid to go on vacation? Where do you wanna go?”

She smiled at him. Jordi laughed a bit.

Jordi: “I am not going to be on vacation long enough to go anywhere, so I’m just staying home.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Oh, how long for and what do you wanna do?”

She smiled at him.

Jordi: “About a week, and whatever you want.”

He smiled. Madelyn smiled at him.

Madelyn: “...What about what you want?”

Jordi: “Oh, I never gave that much thought. I guess I want some peace.”

He said, his voice trailing off. Madelyn smiled at him.

Madelyn: “I’ll drink to that!”

She nodded as the host approached them with their drinks.

The host came with their drinks. Jordi thanked him and sipped on his beer. He then looked through the menu. Madelyn thanked her and took a sip of her drink, and browsed the menu with him.

A waitress in a qipao arrived at their table.

Waitress: “Good evening, have you two decided what you want to order, and will this be on one bill?”

She sang. Jordi smiled.

Jordi: “Yes, one bill. I will be paying.”

Madelyn smiled back at him and mouthed a thank you to him.

Madelyn: “I’ll get the beef and black bean with shitake mushrooms and the fried rice and lemon chicken, please! Oh, and do you deep-fry ice cream here?”

She smiled.

Waitress: “Yes, we have deep-fried ice cream.”

She said as she jotted down her order.

Madelyn: “Great! That, please!”

She beamed eagerly.

Jordi: “I’ll get an order of sweet and sour shrimp, chicken fried rice, and shrimp chow mein.”

He smiled and handed her the menus.

Madelyn: “Ooh, that sounds nice, too!”

She remarked.

The waitress took their menus and left.

Jordi: “So, do you have any plans for the holiday?”

He asked her as he sipped on his beer.

Madelyn: “Spending it with you, of course!”

She smiled and winked at him. Jordi smiled at her.

Jordi: “Yeah? Well, I received an invitation to attend the Donati Christmas Gala. Do you want to be my plus one?”

He asked as he locked his gaze on her.

Madelyn: “Ooh, I'd be delighted!”

She beamed and clasped her hands.

When their food arrived, Jordi gingerly picked at his and didn’t eat much.

Madelyn: “Aren't you hungry?”

She asked him. Jordi smiled at her and sipped on his beer.

Jordi: “Not really, sorry.”

He laughed a bit.

Jordi: “If I don’t eat much more, I can take this home.”

He said, his voice trailing off.

Madelyn placed her hand on his.

Madelyn: “Are you okay?”

She asked him. Jordi grasped her hand.

Jordi: “Yeah, just a little tired. Long work day.”

He laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Look, don’t fret about this, okay? It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

He said genially.

Madelyn: “You don't have to handle this alone…”

She assured him. Jordi shifted his eyes and smiled.

Jordi: “...Yeah, you’re right.”

He said, eating a little more of his meal. Madelyn smiled when he resumed eating.

~

When Jordi was driving home with Madelyn, he turned to her.

Jordi: “Want to come home with me, or do you want me to drop you off at your place?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “Sure, I'd like to come home with you!”

She beamed. Jordi nodded and smiled.

Jordi: “Okay!”

~

After they arrived at Jordi’s place, he went into his closet, came out with a box containing a Santa hat and wrapping paper, and handed it to her.

Jordi: “Here you are: one of your early Christmas gifts from me.”

He said gently. Madelyn’s eyes brightened.

Madelyn: “Ooh, for me? Thank you, Jordi! Haha, I love that wrapping paper!”

Inside was a ball gown with a lily pad aesthetic. It had a shimmering, light-green fabric and an off-the-shoulder neckline. It featured a darker olive-green wrap at the waist that mimicked the layered look of a folded leaf. The skirt comprised two distinct layers.

The top layer was a sparkling mint-green overlay with scalloped edges, trimmed entirely with white pearls. The bottom layer was a solid, buttery-yellow underskirt that provided a soft contrast to the greens.

The dress had two pink water lilies—one pinned to the center of the bust and another on the hair band. Matching mint-green, sheer opera-length gloves with a subtle shimmer came with the dress.

Madelyn: “Oh WOW, it’s beautiful! Thank you so much!”

She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in for a kiss. Jordi kissed her back and held her close.

Jordi: “You’re very welcome, Madelyn.”

He whispered and kissed her head.

Madelyn: “Here’s one of your early Christmas gifts from me!”

She tickled his sides. Jordi jolted and erupted into laughter.

Jordi: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAAA!!! OH MY! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He laughed and wiggled in her grasp. Madelyn knelt and tickled her fingertips along the soles of his feet. Jordi howled with laughter.

Jordi: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOHOOO! WHY?! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!”

He laughed hard, and tears welled in his eyes. Madelyn tickled between his toes and along the heels of the soles of his feet. Jordi laughed hysterically and rasped in between laughing.

Jordi: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOO!!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOO!!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!”

He threw his head back, screaming with laughter. Madelyn ceased from tickling him and smiled at him. Jordi panted and wiped his tears, trying to catch his breath.

Jordi: “Oh my…”

He clasped his hand over his chest as he was trying to catch his breath. Madelyn wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Jordi drew a long breath and kissed her back, rubbing the small of her back.

~

Later, Jordi stepped out of his shower, dressed in his black silk pajamas, with his name embroidered in gold on the left breast pocket. Madelyn lay on her stomach on the bed, dressed in her duck onesie with her feet up. Jordi lifted the sheets and crawled into bed, lying on his side. Madelyn shuffled into the bed beside him, lying on her side to face him. Jordi was already asleep when she faced him. Madelyn kissed his forehead.

Madelyn: “Goodnight, my sweet prince.”

She flicked off the light and drifted off to sleep.

~

That night, Jaxon was driving Celeste down Juniper Street. He eased up to a slow roll when they reached their newly rebuilt home. Celeste’s eyes lit up as she saw it looked exactly like it had before she destroyed it, except there were strings of multicolored Christmas lights on the trim of the roof and outlining each window.

He parked in the driveway, and they stepped out together. Jaxon smiled at her as he held up a set of keys with a picture of a Siamese cat hanging from a branch, the caption reading “hang in there.” She took the key, slipped it into the lock, and turned it to open the door.

Celeste and Jaxon went through the house to check if everything was the same. Jaxon smiled when he saw his shelf in the living room decorated with his family’s memorabilia and the maneki-neko Celeste had given him.

They entered their bedroom, a luxurious, dramatic space with a high-glam interior. The room was dominated by a high-contrast, moody color scheme of deep crimson red and jet black.

In the center was a channel-tufted bed upholstered in plush red velvet, complemented by a matching velvet chaise lounge by the door. It was a wide, platform-style bed with multiple rectangular pillows.

The walls were covered with black vertical lacquer panels, creating a reflective, cavern-like effect. A seamless red carpet, accented by a large, amorphous shaggy area rug, covered the floor.

Flanking the bed were sleek black nightstands with gold inlay details. Two traditional gold lamps with warm cream-colored shades provided the primary "mood lighting," casting a soft glow that contrasted with the dark surroundings.

A heavy, tufted red velvet lounge chair sat in the lower-left corner.

Large, tropical potted palms added a burst of organic texture and deep green. To the right, a large, dark mural depicting a forest scene.

A black curtain draped the window overlooking the back patio and swimming pool. There were also two black dressers, a black vanity, and a large walk-in closet.

At the end of the room, the door led to their bathroom.

~

Celeste and Jaxon sat in their living room. Jaxon wore a red silk robe with gold dragons on each side and black trim, and Celeste wore a dark gray tank top and panties. The two marveled at their Christmas tree adorned with multicolored lights, red baubles, and a gold star. Under the tree were several wrapped gifts. Jaxon put his arm around her.

Jaxon: “No opening until Christmas, my Green Queen.”

He teased. Celeste snuggled him close.

Celeste: “I can’t wait, my little prince.”

She whispered, and the two shared a kiss.