Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Just Another Day ❯ Volume Three, Chapter Sixteen: Cool Christmas ( Chapter 16 )

Cool Christmas

The months passed. Pretty soon, it was December. Mai-Pai asked Soon an important question. He gave her a confused look.

“You want me to spend Christmas with you?” he asked.

“Yes,” Mai-Pai said. “If you don't mind.”

“No, I'd like that,” Soon said. She shifted in place.

“There is something else,” she said. Soon narrowed his eyes.

“What?” he asked. Mai-Pai gulped and lifted her chin.

“My in-las are coming by,” she said. She gritted her teeth after saying that. Soon blinked at first.

“Okay…” he said. Mai-Pau frowned.

“You don't understand,” she said in a low voice.

“What do you mean?” Soon asked. Mai-Pai pressed her lips together and shook her head. He didn't get it, did he? He would have to learn the hard way. Help his soul.

---------

Nevertheless, Christmas was coming up. Soon decorated the tree with the kids. Jin and Be didn't seem enthusiastic about this.

“Do we have to do this?” Be asked.

“Yes!” Mai-Pai said. “It's the Christmas season!” Her daughter rolled her eyes.

“Come on!” Mai-Pai pleaded. “It will be Christmas soon.”

“Do it for your mother,” Soon said with a box of ornaments in his hands.

“Just humor her here,” Jin said. Be rolled her eyes.

“Fine,” she muttered. The younger woman walked over and joined in with decorating the tree. Mai-Pai looked ready to sing. The tree decoration took sharp rather nicely. Soon couldn't help but smile. How long had it been since he did something like this? Sure, he and his ex did celebrate Christmas. But it wasn't special. Just a small tree, dinner, and presents. In fact, Christmas seemed dull.

Jin turned his head.

“Is something wrong, Soon-san?” he asked.

“Huh?” the man asked.

“You're crying,” the boy said. Soon reached up and wiped away the tear from the corner of his eye.

“Oh,” Soon said. “I'm sorry about that. It's been so long since I really celebrated Christmas.” Jin patted him on the back.

“It's okay,” the boy whispered. Mai-Pai observed them. Soon hadn't had a decent Christmas, huh? She was going to have to change that.

----------

-Christmas Eve-

Today was going to be a busy day. Mai-Pai invited Soon out to go shopping with her.

“I forgot to pick up a gift,” she said.

“For whom?” Soon asked.

“I can't say,” she said. “We have to hurry.”

“What for?” he asked.

“I want to get the best sales!” Mai-Pai said. “Now come on! Stop asking questions!” She pulled him along out the door.

“Whoa! Slow down!” Soon shouted. They headed out the door.

---------

It had just started to snow that morning. Mai-smiled and held out her hand.

“Think we'll have a heavy storm tomorrow?” she asked.

“Don't know,” Soon said. She looked up at him.

“What exactly are you looking for with the gift?” he asked. Mai-Pai took a moment to think.

“Hm,” she said. “I don't want to go overbudget. But I don't want to be cheap either.” Mai-Pai glanced up at him.

“What do you want for Christmas?” she asked. Soon shrugged.

“I don't know,” he said. He noticed the look in her eyes.

“What?” he asked. Mai-Pai smiled and shook her head.

“Just thinking,” she said. She tried not to giggle out loud. It all flew over Soon's head.

The shopping trip turned out to be nice. Mai-Pai stayed laser-focused. She seems to be looking for something. Soon tried to help her out.

“What are we looking for?” he asked.

“I don't know,” she said. “I'll know when I see it.” That wasn't much help.

“Okay then…” Soon mumbled to himself. Mai-Pai glanced over her shoulder. She smiled to herself. His gift had to be simple and sweet. A tie wouldn't cut it. Right now, they were in a jewelry shop. Soon nervously laughed at the pieces around them. So many gold, silver, and jewels.

“Can you afford any of these?” he asked.

“I'm not buying the really pretty stuff,” she said.

“Huh?” Soon asked. Mai-Pai turned her head.

“In fact,” she spoke up. “Can you step out for a minute?” Soon gave her a confused look.

“Why?” he asked.

“Please?” she asked. She gave him sweet little puppy dog eyes. Soon tried to look away. He dropped his shoulders.

“Fine,” he said. Mai-Pai perked up.

“Thank you so much!” she said. The woman quickly bowed. Soon nervously chuckled.

“Sure…” he said. Soon turned and walked out of the store. Mai-Pai held her breath as she waited. She breathed out when he was gone.

Right…

Mai-Pai turned back to the display case. The clerk raised her eyebrow.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, yeah,” Mai-Pai said. “He's gone now.”

“Okay… Have you decided what you wanted?” the clerk asked.

“Why yes. Hang on,” Mai-Pai said. She pulled out her phone.

“Do you have something like this?” she asked. The clerk looked at the picture.

“Hm… it looks a bit old,” she said. The clerk eyed her with a strange look.

“You sure you don't want something new?” she asked.

“No!” Mai-Pai said. “It has to be this one. Can you do that?” Her tone offered no room for negotiation.

“I'll see what I can do,” the clerk said.

“Thank you,” Mai-Pai said. She couldn't help but smile. Soon was going to love his present.

Meanwhile, others were having different Christmas plans.

--------

-Christmas-

Soon woke up to see Mai-Pai sitting over him on his futon. He blinked the sleep out of his eyes.

“Huh?” he asked. Mai-Pai grinned.

“Merry Christmas,” she whispered. She playfully tapped him on the nose. Soon couldn't help but smile.

“Merry Christmas,” he said back.

Blue Christmas