"Fathers Christmas" by Denise Underwood c. 2005 Part Three A few hours later, the cookies were done, and Lucia had gone to her room to change into her nightie and robe, with instructions to meet her father in the great room. "There you are, slow poke!" Methos said as Lucia entered the room, her eyes like saucers at the sight of the Christmas tree her mother had decorated a few days before, and all the lights and ornaments that covered every other empty space in the room. He had changed into pajama bottoms and a robe while Lucia had been in her room. "Oh, Daddy, it's byootiful," she exclaimed. "Make sure you tell your mummy that in the morning, She worked very hard on the tree for you." "I will," she nodded solemnly. "Now, take these cookies," he handed her the container," and put some on the plate that's on the table next to the fireplace." Lucia went over the fireplace and did as she was instructed. Methos followed, holding a glass of milk, which he placed next to the cookies. "Now what, Daddy?" "Go take a look behind the tree." Mystified, Lucia did as she was told and discovered that behind the tree, out of sight from the rest of the room, were blankets and pillows. "We are going to camp out here, and wait for Santa." "But Santa will know! And then he won't come and I won't get any presents," she protested. "Ahhhh!" Methos waggled a finger at her. "You're forgetting about the magic cookies, my lovely daughter." He set her down amongst the quilts, explaining, "The candy cane pieces in the cookies, since they were made by Santa's elves, will keep him from noticing us here behind the tree." Lucia looked doubtful. "Are you sure, Daddy?" "Cross my heart." @________@ A little past midnight, Triona crept softly into the room, looking down fondly at Lucia sleeping peacefully against her father's side, nestled in a nest of quilts and pillows. Methos stirred, holding out his free arm. She lay down beside him as he pulled a blanket over her. "As soon as I know she's sound asleep, I'll put out her presents," he whispered. Triona took his hand, raising it to her lips. "She has the best daddy in the galaxy." "And Daddy needs to have a serious talk with you about our daughter. Do you know what she told me tonight?" he asked, whispering into her ear. "She told me she was going to marry her Uncle Jack when she grew up!" Triona choked back laughter, her eyes dancing. "Who better to have her first crush on?" "But he's a pirate!" Methos protested. "Was a pirate," Triona corrected. "And besides, I had a crush on him when I was a little girl too, and I hadn't even met him. He's quite dashing, not to mention gorgeous. You can't blame the girl for having excellent taste." She giggled at the appalled look on her husband's face. "We'll talk about that 'gorgeous' comment later," he promised with a glint in his eye. "But back to the subject at hand; she's five!" Triona shook her head. "When I was six, I had a terrible crush on a friend of my uncle's. He was twenty-five, with blonde hair and green eyes, and he drove a motorcycle. I was devastated when he got married a few years later." She rubbed his chest comfortingly. "It's perfectly normal. So get out your shotgun, pa, 'cus your little gal is going to leave a trail of smitten men behind her when she gets older." "Fine. That doesn't mean I have to like it though," he grumped. "Poor Lucia. Between you and Lucien, we may as well put her in a convent and call it a day." "You say that like it's bad thing," he replied sardonically. Triona didn't reply, just squeezed his arm affectionately, yawning. It had been a very long day. "Get some sleep, love," he instructed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Triona murmured something unintelligible and was soon as fast asleep as her daughter. @___________@ "Daddy, Mummy, we fell asleep and I didn't get to see Santa!" Lucia shook Methos' shoulder, trying to wake him. "Santa?" Methos mumbled sleepily, then suddenly remembering, sat bolt upright. "Santa!" Next to him, Triona stirred. "Is it morning?" she asked, rubbing her eyes. "Yes, Mummy," Lucia replied in a tone that suggested she thought her parents were just a bit slow. "I'm going to see what Santa brought me!" Before Methos could stop her, she was half way across the room. "Just perfect," Methos said, scrubbing at his face in frustration. At Triona's look of confusion, he explained, "Guess who fell asleep and didn't put presents out?" She bit her bottom lip in consternation. "Uh, oops." "No bloody kidding." He sighed. "Well, nothing for it." Standing, he reached down and helped Triona to her feet. Lucia, having reached the fireplace, was silent -- not a good sign. "We'll come up with something," Triona whispered, trying to comfort him as they walked towards their daughter. Methos just shook his head, disgusted with himself. But instead of tears on Lucia's face, they discovered a look of wide-eyed awe. In her hands was a note, a photo, a book, and small blue leather bridle. "Santa brought me a pony!" she shouted gleefully. Her parents looked at each other and shrugged, each mouthing, "It wasn't me." Lucia, jumping up and down thrust the photo and note into her mother's hands. "Mummy, please, please read my letter from Santa!" Triona looked at the photo. It was a pony, and across the photo was written, 'Lucia's Pony. Love from Santa'. She handed the photo to Methos and scanned the letter before reading it aloud. "Dear Lucia, it is my hope that you can aid me this Christmas. This pony has been very lonely at the North Pole since there are no other horses and no little girls to keep him company. I hope you will let him live with you so he will have a special friend. His name is Comet," Methos smiled, looking a little wistful at that, "and he likes to be read to, especially stories from this book." Methos took the book from Lucia's hands, reading the title, "Classic Myths to Read Aloud: Great Stories of Roman Mythology." He and Triona looked at each other and started to laugh. "Who knew Santa was such a fan of Ancient Rome?" Triona turned her attention back to 'Santa's' letter. "I know you will take good care of Comet, and that he will never lack for companionship again. Love, Santa Claus." She handed the letter back to Lucia. "Santa thinks I'm old enough to have a pony! And I'm helping him too!" she added, in case there was any doubt in her mother's mind that she should get to keep Comet. "I guess Santa knows best," she admitted ruefully, shrugging at Methos. "And I am sure Santa will be very happy to hear that, my dear" a voice said from behind her. Turning, she smiled at the ancient Roman vampire. "Are you?" "Oh yes. Quite sure." He reached out and stroked Triona's cheek with one finger. "Papa!" Lucia flung herself at LaCroix, who was looking very pleased with himself. "Santa brought me a pony!" LaCroix picked her up. "So I gather. Santa must think very highly of you." "Santa was very busy last night," Methos observed, a twinkle in his eye. "Indeed?" "Mmm. And you know, come to think of it, I knew a little boy once who had a horse named Comet. Isn't that an odd coincidence?" The Immortal's wide grin nearly split his face. LaCroix just gave Methos a 'look', but otherwise ignored his teasing. "I think you will find the rest of your presents from Santa at the stable with your pony," he told the little girl in his arms. "Santa told me that he thought Comet would like to open your presents with you." Lucia's mouth dropped open in shock. "You talked to Santa? Really?" "I did indeed. Right on this very spot." Lucia sighed. "We all fell asleep." "That's what happens when you eat too many magic cookies," he pointed out, tapping her lightly on the tip of her nose. "Or have too much nog in your egg nog," Triona said sotto voce, snickering at the glare Methos gave her. "Quite true," LaCroix agreed. "I am never going to live this down," Methos said mostly to himself. "That's okay, Daddy. I'd rather bake cookies with you than talk to Santa," Lucia told him, looking at him adoringly. Eyes suspiciously bright, Methos took her little hand in his. "So would I, poppet, so would I," he told her, leaning over to kiss her cheek. Triona wrapped her arms around his waist, "I think it's time we welcomed Comet to the family, don't you?" "Yes! And Comet's going to love it here, Mummy," she held her arms out as wide as they would go, "'cus I have the best family in the whole galaxy!" Finis Merry Christmas! Ith ~ ithildin@ondragonswing.com ~ Denise House M.D. : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DrHouse/ Farscape SG1: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/farscapesg1/ Absinthe & Cookies: http://bittersweet.ondragonswing.com