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Denzel sat on the chair at the kitchen table, looking out the window. The snow was falling steadily outside, and it wasn't stopping anytime soon. The smell of chocolate chip cookies filled the air, as Aerith kept an eye on the kitchen timer.
"I hope Santa makes it out okay, mom. The snowflakes are huge!" He exclaims, turning in his seat to face her. Eyes wide.
Aerith gives a short chuckle. "Santa has his way sweetie, I'm sure he and his reindeer will make it through. After all, they got Rudolph to light the way!" She quickly turned to the oven once the timer went off, grabbing her oven mitts.
"Oh right, Rudolph!" He grins, getting out of his seat. Denzel had been excited all day, ever since he woke up that morning. Ever since school got out for winter break, he'd been prepping for this day. Being on his very best behavior so jolly Saint Nick could leave gifts. He dashed to the living room and sat down beside the coffee table, opening up a toy catalogue. He flips the pages until his eyes landed on the 100th page.
There, was the gift that he wanted most of all. A shiny, red-orange flamed bike. With a bell attachment and best of all, no training wheels! He often dreamt himself riding this bike, around the neighborhood. He made sure to circle it until the paper almost tore. And to tell Santa at the mall how much he wanted it.
"Lookin' at that bike again, buddy?" Cloud asks, situated on the couch. He was watching the news, but focused his attention on Denzel when he entered the room.
"Uh huh! It's just sooo cool! I was on my best behavior this week! I hope Santa brings it." He looks at his father, with hopeful eyes. Cloud gives a breathy laugh, ruffling his hair.
"We'll see, bud."
"I won't be upset if he can't bring it though." He closes the catalogue. "I can just use my chore money to buy it."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Denz! Wanna help make a plate for Santa?" Aerith calls out from the kitchen. She's stored away most of the cookies, those would be saved for the Christmas party tomorrow.
"Oh! Yeah, yeah! Coming, mom!" He gets up, bounding over to the kitchen. He giggles with excitement. Aerith ruffles his hair gently, before grabbing out a plate.
"Here you go, I gave him four cookies, that should fill him up." She says, a warmness in her eyes. She loves seeing Denzel so happy.
The boy grabs the cookies, neatly arranging them on the plate. With a tiny bit of assistance from his mother, he pours a tall glass of milk. "There! Ta-da! All for Santa! I bet he's gonna love your cookies, they're so delicious!"
"Oh? Aww, you're sweet, honey. I'm sure he will too."
Once the milk and cookies are set up, Denzel heads off to bed. He didn't want to be awake any longer, as he wanted Santa to come to his house. Aerith and Cloud sat on the couch together, cuddled up and watching tv. Cloud wrapped his arm around her, gently rubbing her shoulder. He smiles when he hears her yawn.
"Tired?"
"Mhm...and I'm gonna have to prepare more food tomorrow, to take to Tifa's." She says. "But...I'm happy. I love seeing the joy on his face. It warms my heart every time."
"Mine too.." Cloud pulls her a bit closer. "I know you never really had Christmases like this growing up, but...now you do. Merry Christmas, love." He gives her a quick peck on the lips.
She gives him her signature grin, and lightly blushes, kissing back. "Merry Christmas, Cloud."
After a moment, she stretches. "Ahhh..." she stood up, and grabbed the plate of cookies. "So, Mr. Claus, I'm hungry after all that prepping for tomorrow! All that gift wrapping, snow shoveling, cookie making...mind if I share these with you?"
"Well, Mrs. Claus, I don't mind at all." Cloud responds back, putting a bit of gruff to his voice. It makes Aerith cover her mouth and giggle. "I'd love to share these cookies with you." He reaches and grabs a cookie, biting into it. The sweet, savory, chewy taste of chocolate fills his tastebuds. It was just perfect. "Mmmmm..." He closes his eyes.
"Well, are they good?"
"Perfect." He mumbles after swallowing the mouthful. He takes a few more bites and reaches for the next cookie. Aerith takes one, gobbling that up. She hums, satisfied and pleased with her work.
"Need some milk to wash that down?" She gestures to the tall glass of milk on the table.
"Mhm." He takes it and gulps it down, the milk cool and refreshing.
"I really did good on these cookies, didn't I?" She leaves the last cookie for Cloud. As much as she wants it, she'd rather let Cloud have it.
He wipes his milk mustache, chuckling. He sneakily wraps an arm around Aerith's waist, pulling her close. "You sure did, Mrs. Claus." The last cookie vanishes with the blink of an eye.
Denzel's eyes open the next morning, and he sits up quickly with a gasp. He opens his curtains, his eyes squinting, adjusting to the bright light. He can see sheets of snow, coating the streets, cars, yards.
It was Christmas Morning! Today's the day! He leaps out of bed and ran downstairs, making his way into the living room. He grins from ear to ear, staring at the Christmas tree.
The tree was lit up, soft music playing from one of the light's speakers. Underneath, piles of gifts. And the cookies were gone! Along with the milk! Santa Claus came! He squeals, hopping up and down, rushing back upstairs.
"Mom, dad! Daddy! Mommy! He came, he came! Santa ate the cookies! Come on, wake up!" He whines, rushing into the master bedroom.
"Okay, okay, I'm up." Aerith sleepily slurs, yawning and rubbing her face. Cloud follows behind, sitting up and waking himself up.
"He did, huh?" Cloud yawns, stretching his arms over his head. "Did he eat the cookies and milk?"
"Yes, he did! It's all gone!"
"Nice! Merry Christmas, buddy."
"Merry Christmas!" he ran out of the room, going back to the tree and sitting down beside it. Waiting for the day to begin.
Wrapping paper and bows were strewn about on the floor, the noise of new toys being tested. Aerith folds the last of all the new clothes the three received, setting them aside. She looks on at Denzel as he plays, smiling.
"Sweetie?"
"Yeah?"
"Would you like to go help daddy out in the garage? He just texted me, he wants your help."
He nods. "Okay!" He stood up, hurrying. He approaches the garage door and opens it, stepping out. "Yeah, dad?" He tilts his head.
"Look what I found in the garage, I think Santa left this here for you."
He looks, and gasps.
It was the bike. The one he wanted so badly. In all its glory, right next to his old one. Cloud, his eyes full of warmth, smiles at his son.
"Merry Christmas, kiddo."