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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 25, 2016 23:53:02 GMT -5
Tarak never lost that smile as he stepped into the house, brushing the snow off his hoodie, "Man it's nice and warm in here."
"Oh." Sota replied evenly, "I'm sorry he didn't show, um..." he glanced through the door at the party, "Maybe I could be that guys instead." he said slowly, looking back at her, "If the party's a bust then there's no reason for me to be here, so you wanna just go grab a coffee or something?"
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 25, 2016 23:56:27 GMT -5
Logan nodded and moved back into the living room. "I have the fire place going. I thought it would make it feel cozy." She looked back at him.
Grace smiled a little before punching him in the arm. "You're the guy I was looking for you blockhead." She told him. "But sure, coffee sounds nice."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 25, 2016 23:58:54 GMT -5
Tarak pulled off his wet hoodie and hung it on the coat rack, "You're right." He stated, following after her, he suddenly chuckled to himself, "Do you have chestnuts roasting over it?"
Sota seemed to jump when she suddenly punched him, a smile cracked his face and he nodded, "Well my car's a ways down the street, if you want I can pull it up so you don't have to walk in the snow."
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 26, 2016 0:01:20 GMT -5
Logan just rolled her eyes, setting her present down next to his. "I'm not quite sure where to even get chestnuts." She looked back at him, moving over to wrap her arms around his waist.
"No that's ok. I'll walk with you." Grace spoke, laughing softly when he jumped. "Come on its cold."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 26, 2016 0:09:16 GMT -5
Tarak smiled again and held his arms around her, "I guess it doesn't really matter." He said as he looked at her, "I got all I need right here."
Sota nodded calmly and stepped back to lead her to his car, he had to admit to himself that he was nervous around her, "How have you been?"
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 26, 2016 0:13:11 GMT -5
Logan blushed when he said that. "You're too sweet." She told him, looking up at him. He was so cute and goofy.
Grace nodded. "I've been good." She said. "How have you been?" She looked at him. She felt rather nervous with him, especially after she said she had been waiting for him.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 26, 2016 0:17:32 GMT -5
"Well, I can be meaner if you want me too. Might just take me a couple tries though." Tarak chuckled with a shrug.
"Well." Sota nodded calmly, "The debate team could be better and my brother is driving me up the wall, but," He sighed, "I'm well."
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 26, 2016 0:20:44 GMT -5
"I don't know if you could be mean." Logan teased him. "Mr bird watched." She said, pulling away to sit on the couch.
Grace smiled.'"I understand. My brother drives me crazy too." She looked at him. "But it's good you are ok."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 26, 2016 0:27:07 GMT -5
Tarak chuckled at her tease, "Well, I guess there's nothing around that can make me mad." He smiled as he followed her to the couch.
Sota nodded finally reaching his car. He pulled his keys out and unlocked her door to open it for her, "Do you have a coffee shop preferences?" he asked looking at her.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 26, 2016 0:44:19 GMT -5
Nicole was curled up in the warm blankets on Celous' couch, but in her sleepy state, her mind thought she was back in her own bed at her own place. She honestly had to admit to herself that she hadn't slept this good in years.
"Ow!"
"Ashton, shhhh! You're going to wake Ms. North!" Cedar's harsh whisper sounded through the house.
"Well if you wouldn't leave your gym bag in the middle of the doorway, I wouldn't have kicked it!" Ashton's own whisper snapped back.
"you're just a tenderfoot." Cedar snorted.
Nicole opened her eyes hearing the voices of the twins, the events of last night rushing right back in her mind and she almost blushed realizing that her car was still in a ditch and she was over at the school's wrestling coach's house. She looked up to see that Cedar and Ashton were not-so-sneakily sneaking into the living room from the door that led to the basement, Cedar's gym bag on the floor. The twins were tip toeing to the kitchen where the aroma of bacon and pancakes filled the air.
"Bout time you two got up, what did the smell of my cooking wake you?"
Nicole raised her hand to her mouth as she heard Celous' voice come from the kitchen. Her heart gave a flutter and she felt a new flush of blush rush to her face. Her eyes glanced down toward the hallway where Celous' room was at the opposite end, she didn't even hear him get up.
"Well, dad, you know how much love your cooking." Ashton replied softly.
Celous huffed, "Funny how you two have come to appreciate my cooking after spending a year eating that dorm food."
"Is there anything we can help with?" Cedar asked
"I noticed Sleeping Beauty is still asleep." Ashton remarked.
She couldn't see him, but Nicole could imagine what Celous was doing as he spoke, "Drain the grease." he ordered to Cedar, probably handing him the pan of bacon, she bet he turned and pointed at Ashton, "And you, watch it."
"Watch what? The pancakes? They're fine." Ashton replied smartly.
Nicole slowly sat up, trying not to make a sound as the Skye's made their Christmas breakfast. She combed her hair with her fingers in order to not appear as a bedhead and did her best to smooth out the clothes she had to sleep in.
"Did we wake you?"
Nicole turned to see Cedar poking his head around the corner, he had an apologetic smile on his face, "I bet it was Ashton."
"You boys are fine." Nicole replied calmly.
"I hope you're hungry!" Ashton called from the kitchen, "Dad's got a pile of cakes in here!"
"I only have a pile because you two will manage to suck it all down." Celous replied, found the sounds in the kitchens Nicole guess he shoved Ashton back, "Na ah, guests have the right to pick first."
"Oh come on!" the younger twin complained.
Cedar let out a laugh and disappeared behind the corner. Nicole finished fixing up her appearance the best she could before getting up and following him to the kitchen and dinning room. Celous was holding Ashton back from a large plate of pancakes, "Why don't you be useful and move the bacon to the table?" The old fighter told his son, but he glanced over at Nicole when she walked into view.
Cedar was already setting the table with plates and silverware, "You can sit here, Ms. North." He offered, pulling a chair out for her.
"Thank you, Cedar." Nicole smiled softly, she sat down as Celous and Ashton brought the food over.
"Did you sleep ok? I know that couch isn't the greatest." Celous asked her, but he barely met her eyes.
Nicole nodded, "I slept just fine, Celous thank you. You really didn't have to do all this." She added looking over all the food he made.
"Yeah he did." Ashton replied a bit bluntly, "There's only one day a year dad makes his famous pancakes and bacon and that's Christmas!"
"Famous?" Nicole repeated with a glance at the old fighter.
"It's just my own recipe." Celous replied humbly as he sat down to her left, Cedar took the chair across from her while Ashton sat to her right.
"They're the best." Cedar stated as he leaned forward, "I almost wish Stella could've made it in last night just so she can have them this morning."
Nicole looked at Celous and found that the old fighter had a hard time looking at her this morning, I knew this would be awkward. she thought to herself, one kiss and he can't look at me. She felt discouraged and almost brokenhearted. That kiss meant everything to her and laying on the couch last night she allowed herself to hope that he felt the same way, but instead he probably felt like he was in the wrong for kissing the dean of the North Shadows, "Well there's only one way to find out." She said looking back at Cedar.
"Cedar would you say grace then we can eat?" Celous said as he looked at his son.
Cedar nodded and dipped his head, Ashton, Celous, and Nicole copying him. As he blessed the meal, Nicole found herself praying for help, God let him be the one.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 26, 2016 1:36:59 GMT -5
Christmas with the Skye family was more than anything Nicole could hope for. Celous' pancakes were the best she had ever had and after helping with clean up, the she sat down with the boys around the Christmas tree and watched them as they passed out gifts to each other. Celous even surprised her with a gift: a brand new organizer to replace the old one she had been using for ten long years. Nicole only wished that she had a gift for him.
After gifts the Skye's pulled her into their tradition of football in the backyard. Snow was still falling and layering the ground with a fresh blanket, but they all bundled up, grabbed Celous' old leather skin and headed into the backyard to play. In past years it was always the twins verses Celous, but this year Celous had a teammate in Nicole. However, the dean wasn't much of a football player and had difficulty catching the ball when it was thrown to her and when two heavyweight college students came charging at her, she ran the other way. What Nicole would never forget was when she had the ball and she was running away from Cedar and Ashton, Celous seemed to come out of nowhere and he hoisted her up on his shoulders and ran her all the way to the endzone between two trees. She had never laughed so hard in her life.
With all the snow, traffic was bad, and the Skye's long drive way was completely covered. Stella never made it and the four of them were snowed in. They tried to clear the driveway with snowshovels and their strong backs, but the snow didn't stop all day and their efforts seemed to be in vain until the twins started up a snowball fight. As evening was setting the snow was picking up and the weatherman was calling for a blizzard. The four of them stayed inside with hot cocoa and the tv until the power blew out. Celous then lit the fireplace and they pulled out all the candles they could find. Cedar mixed another pot of cocoa and placed it over the fire to warm.
Nicole was bundled in one of Celous' hoodies, holding her hot cocoa close to her as she watched the storm whirl and howl outside. She couldn't help but think of her car in that ditch. It's probably covered by now. she thought flatly, I'll never get it out.
"Warm enough?"
Nicole turned as Celous stepped up to her, the twins were given the task of figuring out how to make dinner without the electricity, and Celous swore he wouldn't help them figure it out, "Yes, thank you." she nodded, she felt guilty wearing his hoodie, though it was keeping her warm, it did smell like him and that was the main reason she wanted to wear it, "Some storm." she commented, looking back outside.
Celous nodded in agreement, "I can just hear the curses of the college students as they wished this storm would've shown itself during finals week."
Nicole chuckled and glanced at him, "Or any other time of the semester for that matter."
"We could be snowed in for a while," Celous took a deep breath and rubbed the back of his head, "I promise I'll try to get you and your car home as soon as I can."
"Thank you so much, Celous." Nicole said suddenly, looking at him, "Thank you for bringing me into your home and sharing your Christmas with me." She looked back to the storm, "Even if we can't get my car out, I..." she sighed, "I've had the best Christmas I've had in so long."
He was quiet, and she really didn't expect a response out of him. When it came down to it, he was a fighter and for fighters, feelings were messier than the blood on their knuckles. She only watched the storm outside, holding her hot cocoa, and taking in the working scent of his hoodie. What surprised her, though, was feeling his rough hand rub her back, "I was happy to do it, Nicole." he said softly.
She looked at him. Her tense muscles relaxing under the gentleness of his touch. His eyes were focused on the storm outside, watching the snow bend and blow in the wind as its howling cries rocked the house. Nicole briefly glanced above her, almost hoping that the twins had planted another mistletoe, but the ceiling was bare over her. She turned her eyes back to the storm to hide her disappointment, but with a deep breath she stepped closer to him and leaned her head on his strong shoulder. He didn't move, and she was grateful for it. All he did was to move his hand to his her shoulder, and he held her as they watched the storm.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 26, 2016 10:17:31 GMT -5
Logan smiled and looked at him. "Do you want anything? Coffee? Hot choclate?" She asked him as he sat down next to her.
Grace followed him. She moved to get into the car, snow on her jacket and in her almost white hair. "Nope. Any place is good."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 21:18:55 GMT -5
"I'm good, but thank you." Tarak replied, "What I do what, is to see you open that gift I got you."
Sota nodded, "Alright." He looked down the street as he tried to think of a place that sold coffee this late on Christmas night. He wasn't much of a coffee drinker.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 21:26:42 GMT -5
Logan nodded and moved to grab her gift. She also got her gift to him. She handed it out to him. "Here." She smiled.
"How about the Starbucks down the street?" Grace asked him.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 21:29:43 GMT -5
Tarak smiled when she handed him the gift, "you shouldn't have."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 21:32:26 GMT -5
"Sounds good." Sota nodded, he glanced over at her, actually a bit taken aback that she was in his car. He started the vehicle and began to pull out, "You have any other Christmas plans?" He asked awkwardly.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 21:37:27 GMT -5
"Nope. I'm sure my brother will want me home eventually. He's over protective." She chuckled softly, looking st him.
"You got me one." Logan sat down. She watched him before moving to unwrap the gift.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 21:45:01 GMT -5
Sota glanced over at her, "Not spending Christmas with family?"
"You deserve all the gifts in the world." Tarak smiled at her, watching as she opened the gift, he had searched far and wide for it, a diamond necklace in the shape of a fox.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 21:57:17 GMT -5
"Our parents are gone. It's just Nico and I." Grace sighed softly, looking at Sota.
Logan unwrapped it. She gasped softly, looking at it, picking it up. "It's gorgeous."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 21:59:17 GMT -5
"Oh..." Sota replied quietly, "My parents are gone too." he admitted with a glance at her, "It's just me and Tarak."
Tarak smiled as he watched her, "You like it?"
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 22:12:22 GMT -5
Grace reached over to touch his arm. "I'm sorry." She told him. "I understand how it feels."
"I love it. Thank you." Logan leaned over to kiss his cheek.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 22:21:34 GMT -5
Sota shrugged, "it happened when we were young, Tarak remembers more of them than I do since he's older, but it doesn't matter."
Tarak smiled brightly, "I'm glad."
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 22:32:15 GMT -5
"I don't remember mine much either.." Grace sighed. "Nico and I are twins so he doesn't either." She looked at him.
Logan smiled. "Now open yours." She said.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 22:43:06 GMT -5
Sota pulled the car into the Starbucks parking lot, "Be lucky you don't have an older brother." He muttered.
"Alright." Tarak smiled, he picked up the gift and started to tear the wrapping.
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 23:05:33 GMT -5
Grace chuckled. "A twin is just as bad. He was born first so he likes to say he's 5 minutes older." She looked at him.
Inside was a framed picture of a Thrush. She had taken it herself. It wasn't nearly as good as his work but she thought he'd appreciate it. The frame was wooden and written on the outside of the frame was the quote. 'You make my heart take flight' (I'm cheesy ignore me)
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 23:11:25 GMT -5
Sota chuckled as he parked the car, "I guess so." He said calmly. He shut off the engine and got of our the car, quickly making it to her side to open the door for her.
Tarak's smile stretched from ear to ear as he looked down at the picture, "Did you take this?" He asked showing her the picture, he looked so excited.
(xD it works for Tarak)
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 23:12:59 GMT -5
Grace smiled and stepped out when he opened the door. "Thank you." She spoke before grabbing his arm to pull her inside with her.
Logan nodded, shifting closer. "I did. It's not as good as what you do but I think it turned out ok." She said with a light blush.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 23:18:42 GMT -5
Sota stumbled as she pulled him, not expecting it.
"Are you kidding?" Tarak smiled, looking back down at the picture, "This is best shot I've ever seen."
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Post by Foxstar26 on Dec 28, 2016 23:20:45 GMT -5
"Come on its cold." Grace looked at him, heading inside the coffee shop.
"You're just saying that." Logan leaned her head on his shoulder.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Dec 28, 2016 23:27:17 GMT -5
Sota quickly followed her, he grabbed the door to open it for her and followed her inside.
Tarak shook his head as he smiled at her, "No, I'm not." he replied, "you went to the trouble to get me this picture--believe me, I know who hard it is to snap a shot of thrushes like this one--that makes it best picture in the world." He looked down at the picture once more before turning to kiss her head, "You make my heart take flight too."
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