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Mom watched as Walker and Jim dragged the pine tree into the fort, smiling when they secured it in an old Christmas tree stand. They had put it up next to Dusty and the campfire, a few boxes of ornaments next to it.
Phillips walked up beside her, looking at the tree in the early morning light. He was smiling slightly, “Well, the kids are going to flip out.”
“Of course they are, they haven’t gotten to decorate a Christmas tree in years.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Better,” Mom shrugged, “It’s winter, there’s always gonna be some discomfort.”
“Well make sure you rest, don’t need you passing out or dying on us.”
“You almost sound like you care John.”
Phillips gave a look before chuckling, “No, you’re just the only person who can control Holly and keep Doc from killing me.”
Mom laughed.
—-----------
Holly helped one of the younger kids secure the ornament on the tree, smiling when the toddler laughed. All the kids were crowded around the tree and Mom was there as well, helping place the higher ornaments and keep the tree from getting knocked over.
All the adults were watching from the campfire, occasionally coming over to help when the kids called for them. Holly looked over and smiled as she saw all the familiar faces.
Evangelo, Walker, Sharice, Heng, Doc, Jim, Prophet, and Hoffman. Tala and Derek. Coach and Chenda.
Karlee.
Holly had noticed a little bit ago that Karlee was standing far back from the group, hiding in the shadows like she normally did. Holly thought Karlee looked almost scared, a quick glance at Mom confirmed she had seen it as well.
Just as Holly had made up her mind to drag Karlee over to hang out with them, Mom leaned down and whispered in Jenny’s ear. The girl grinned then ran over to Karlee, talking before grabbing her hand. It was no secret that Karlee had a soft spot for Coach’s little sister.
Holly gave her a smile and went back to helping the toddlers decorate the bottom of the tree. Mom grinned triumphantly as Karlee lifted Jenny up to reach the higher branches.
But even with the mask she put on for the young girl Karlee still looked scared.
—--------------
Heng brushed Chenda’s hair, braiding it and kissing her head, “I remember when your mother would have to stop you from eating the lights on our tree. You were two and it was the first year we had gotten them.”
“I like bright colors.”
“I know. I’d come home and your mother would blame me because I made a whole bunch of brightly colored foods.”
Chenda laughed, turning around to hug her father. The tent they were in was small but there was still enough room for Chenda to be there with him when she was at Fort Hope, something she was grateful for.
Now Chenda looked at the small fake tree Heng had in the corner of the tent, eyes welling with tears as she stared at the little ornaments on it, “I miss mama.”
“I miss her too sweetheart, but she wouldn’t want you to be sad. Your mama wants you happy and safe, she’d be happy to see all you’ve done.”
“I still miss her.”
“I know,” Heng brushed away the tears that were falling, gently rocking her back and forth, “And you are allowed to miss her.”
Chenda frowned, “I hate the ridden.”
“Everybody does, my daughter,” Heng couldn’t help but chuckle at her indignant tone, deciding to change the subject, “You know me and your mother fought over who you would look like?”
“Really?”
“Oh yes, she was convinced you’d look like me. But I knew from the moment she told me she was pregnant that you would be your mama's copy.”
“She must’ve been so disappointed.”
“No, you could never disappoint her. Besides, she did think you would look like me. Born all pale with my eyes, then you grew up and got all her features, right down to the freckles across your nose.”
“She must’ve been so annoyed when she realized.”
“Oh, she was!” Heng gave his daughter a bear hug as she laughed, “When you grew up and it dawned on her she was so annoyed. Convinced she’s been right for years only for me to be right.”
“Will you tell me the story of how you and mama met?”
“Yes, as long as you lay down so you can sleep after.”
Chenda lay down on her sleeping back, Heng chuckled at the speed she had moved and began telling her the story.
—--------------
Holly sat on the ground next to Karlee, looking out over the shooting range. She hated the fact that Karlee still looked scared, determined to figure out what was going on.
“Are you okay?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Every time I’ve seen you at the fort you’ve looked nervous about something,” Holly decided not to use the word scared, which had not gone down well last time, “Did something happen?”
Karlee shifted uncomfortably, sighing softly, “It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got time,” Holly moved a little closer and took Karlee’s hand, “I’m here if you wanna talk.”
“I just-” Karlee looked down at their intertwined hands, “Christmas is a hard time.”
“Yea?”
“Yea. Used to celebrate it, me and my mom, and I enjoyed it but…”
“But?” Holly pushed gently, hoping Karlee wouldn’t push her away, “What happened K?”
“Christmas day when I was twelve Social Services took me from my mom. Said she was dangerous and couldn’t provide for me. We were never rich and sometimes shit was hard, but she was never dangerous. She was loving and protective and fought like hell to keep me. After that, the homes I was in were pretty shitty and they wouldn’t let me see my mom,” Karlee shrugged as she tried to stop the tears from falling, “And well, you saw my criminal record.”
“Karlee, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault Holly. Besides we can’t change it.”
“Maybe not,” Holly sat up straight with a determined look in her eyes, “But we can find a way for you to enjoy Christmas again. Jenny’s gonna make you participate anyway so you might as well enjoy it.”
“Yea?”
“Yea. Besides, we both know you can’t say no to that girl.”
“No, no I can’t.”
They fell silent for a moment, Karlee silently trying to stop the tears that fell down her face as Holly choose her next words, “And no one can take you from us and we’re not leaving you.”
“Really?” Karlee’s voice broke, “Cause if someone comes for me to try and take me away or-”
“You know just as well as I do that Mom would not hesitate to shoot them. And neither would I, or Evangelo, or Walker, or anyone else. No one is taking you from us.”
“You really believe that?”
“I know that Karlee,” Holly smiled at her friend, “And you are going to enjoy Christmas whether you like it or not because goddamnit it’s fun to make you smile.”
Karlee laughed.
—-----------
Mom watched as the kids opened presents, laughing when Jenny opened the one she had gotten from Karlee. The young girl looked at the book and then jumped on her friend, knocking Karlee to the ground as the rest of the cleaners laughed.
Doc leaned her head on Mom's shoulder, “I think Karlee is beginning to like being around us.”
“Or she just puts up with us for Jenny and the other kids.”
“That too,” Mom put an arm around Doc, “You too cold?”
“I should be asking you that.”
“Oh shush and answer the question.”
“No, I’m not too cold. Just…”
“Content?” Mom finished the sentence for her girlfriend, smiling softly when Doc nodded, “I feel that same.”
“Good.”
—-------
Holly helped Karlee off the ground, leading her to the chairs where she and Evangelo were sitting, “Guess Jenny really likes the book huh?”
“I’ve been reading it with her for a few weeks, it’s her favorite. Figured she’d like it.”
Evangelo handed Karlee a beer, grinning the same goofy grin he always did, “How are you so good with kids? Everyone I’ve met like you either hated kids or wasn’t good with them.”
Karlee shrugged, taking a sip of the beer, “I have no idea. It’s easy with this group of kids cause they just want someone to play with,” Holly nodded with a grin, “But even when I worked at the old bakery in Finleyville it was pretty easy for me to get the kids to behave. Part of it was probably because I spoke to them like they were humans but other than that, magic I guess.”
The other two laughed, Holly taking a sip of her own beer before raising it and shouting, “Merry fucking Christmas!”
The kids all yelled various versions of “Language!” and “Bad word!” while the adults raised their own drinks, Mom giving her a scolding look from across the campfire. Holly just smirked, Evangelo giggled, and Karlee looked down at her beer and then at the Christmas tree.
Maybe Christmas wasn’t so bad after all.