Work Text:
December 25 - 2:35 AM
This year their Christmas morning starts at 2:35 AM, and Milk knows this because her soul wakes up exactly three seconds after the noise nearby starts. It wasn’t even just a one sound. It was a sequence of commotions. There was a thud against the bedroom door, then it was followed by a long intake of breath that belongs to multiple young girls who are trying very hard not to scream and failing at it in spirit if not in volume.
“Mama Milk…Mommy Love. Wake up!”
Milk groans.
It comes from deep in her chest. A sound of a woman who went to bed far too late after wrapping presents with precision and perfection. She presses her face into the pillow, trying to pretend that the noise was not real, that if she ignores it long enough, then they would just go back to sleep.
Beside her, she hears her wife, Love laugh gently and softly. Just a soft breath that turns into a quiet shake of her shoulders. Milk can feel the way Love’s body reacts instinctively to joy through the mattress of their bed.
Milk then lifts her head just enough to glare at her wife. “If you laugh…” She mutters, “I will not give you my present.”
Love laughs anyway. “I’m sorry, honey.” She says, still smiling with her eyes that were barely open. “They made it past two am. That’s an improvement from last year.”
Another knock was heard on the door. It was more enthusiastic this time.
“Mama! Santa came!” Muvmuv whisper-yells that somehow managing to sound louder than before.
Milk rolls onto her back and stares at the ceiling, negotiating with whatever higher power might still be listening. “It’s not even morning yet…” She says lazily. “It’s still dark outside.”
From the hallway, Chari gasps theatrically, like she always does. “But Mama, he only comes once a year!”
“I know…” Milk replies. “And I need him to respect work hours.”
After that, there was a pause outside, yet Milk and Love can hear the whispers between the siblings. Then Bonnie’s small and earnest voice can be heard through the door. “Mommy Love?”
Milk closes her eyes. Of course…she whispers to herself, knowing what that tone means.
“Yes, sweetheart?” Love answers quickly with no hesitation.
Milk turns her head to her wife. “You’re encouraging this.”
Love grins into the dark, knowing the right words to say to her ever so loving tall wife. “I’m responding to my child.”
“Mommy Love…” Bonnie continues, “Christmas is in our hearts…”
Milk exhales slowly. “Gosh…I regret teaching her that line at a young age.”
The doorknob rattled and then, because the chaos in their house was never limited to human beings, Sugus adds a loud and demanding meow that sounds like he’s been personally offended by the delay. Another cat, Jaguar, follows and consistently scratches at the door. And Milk knows somewhere down the hall that Lion was sleeping and that Panther was trying to escape the house.
Milk pulls the blanket over her face. “This is how it ends…on a random Christmas day.” She says muffled. “Tell my story, bb.”
Love leans over and presses a kiss to Milk’s cheek. “Come on. I know that hot chocolate will save us.” She murmurs. “It always does.”
Milk lowers the blanket and looks at her. Her wife’s hair was a mess and her eyes were bright with fondness. A smile so soft in a way that reminds Milk why she fell in love in the first place. “Okay…” Milk finally says.
By 2:50 AM, Milk was now wrapped in her thick robe, with slippers mismatched because she grabbed the first two she could find. Love, on the other hand, looks more organized. She was still sleepy, but glowing with that particular joy that comes from watching her children experience another year for Christmas time.
The door opens, and the kids spill in like a confetti. They didn’t run, it’s more like a quick dash, barely containing themselves. Their eyes were wide and shining even in the low light.
“Okay, my loves.” Love says gently, crouching to their level. “Remember…inside voice.”
All of them nod vigorously.
The living room glows softly with Christmas lights and decors. The tree stands slightly crooked because Milk insisted it was charming that way. The other ornaments catch the reflection of light. Some were glass and others were handmade. Yearly, they encourage their kids to create DIY ornaments that they would place around the house. It became a tradition when Love suggested it once to her wife.
Then under the tree there were presents. Stacked and wrapped. Milk and Love both stayed late these past nights because of the wrapping of gifts. It was only late at night where the kids were asleep and they wanted to keep everything as a surprise.
The kids freeze at the sight.
Milk watches their faces soften into awe. It hits her unexpectedly, so soft and tender.
“This…” Love whispers, leaning into Milk. “This part never gets old.”
“Okay.” Milk says, lowering herself into the sofa. “You may now proceed.”
And then chaos erupted. Multiple paper tears and boxes were toppled over. They hear the laughter burst out. Bonnie carefully reads the tags before opening anything, trying very hard to be responsible despite her excitement. Chari claps her hands repeatedly, feeling overwhelmed and thrilled.
And the cats…of course.
Sugus immediately claims a gift bag as he crawls inside and curls up. Jaguar then steals a ribbon and bolts out. Panther leaps onto the table, knocking over an ornament. Lion sits near Love’s feet, watching everything with judgement.
Milk rubs her face. “I can’t believe we survived last year and did this again.”
Love laughs and heads to the kitchen to check on the hot chocolate. Milk watches her go, chest warm despite the exhaustion.
“Mama!” Muvmuv calls, rushing over with a piece of paper. “This is for you.”
Milk takes it carefully. It was a drawing, using crayons and markers, drawn boldly and earnestly. It was an image of their family. Milk recognizes herself instantly, mug in hand. Love was beside her, smiling wide, while the three kids were in between them. The four cats were drawn at their feet.
At the top of the paper:
MERRY CHRISTMAS I LOVE YOU!
Milk, eyes were wide from the drawing, “This…” She says quietly. “...is going on the fridge forever.” Muvmuv grins, proud of herself.
Love returns with a tray of mugs consisting of freshly hot chocolate. She hands one to Milk while she puts the tray down to the table, knowing that the kids will tend to it later.
Love then sits beside Milk, their knees touching. The taller girl leans into her without thinking. Her head resting against Love’s shoulder. They sit there together, watching the little ones open gifts and watching the cats cause mild destruction.
Milk thinks…this is what it should always be…
By the time that the sun was about to rise, the room looked like an exploded Christmas scene. There were wrapping papers everywhere. Newly gifted toys were scattered on the floor and the cats were asleep in their favorite places.
December 25 - 5:55 AM
The kids, worn out by joy, have finally drifted back to sleep one by one. Muvmuv curls up on the couch with her favorite orange blanket that was gifted to her by her favorite auntie Jan. On the other hand, Bonnie falls asleep near the fireplace where she asked her Mama to lay a blanket and pillow there for her. She fell asleep with her new plushie toy clutched in her arms. And Chari was carried by Milk back to her bed, always reminding her mothers that she can only fully sleep in her bed.
Milk doesn’t remember when she sits back down in the living room. She only remembers blinking and then realizing she was wrapped in a blanket Love must have pulled over her shoulders.
Love was beside her, legs tucked under and the mug still balanced in both hands. Milk’s eyes then flutter closed, and she sleeps.
It wasn’t as deep and as long as she felt. It was just enough to feel herself soften into the couch, into Love’s presence. Then one of the cats, Lion, she thinks, settled against her hip. Another weight appears near her shoulder. Sugus purrs like a quiet machine.
When Milk woke up again, the sun was up already. Though the sky was still pale and a bit gray-blue in color. Morning has arrived gently.
Love is still there and she is still awake. The other girl clears her throat softly. “Did I fall asleep?”
Love smiles, barely more than a curve of her lips. “You did, baby.”
Milk exhales. “I’m sorry, bb. Can’t believe my body betrayed me like that.” The smaller girl chuckles quietly.
“You needed it.”
Milk glances around. The house was still quiet. Muvmuv and Bonnie were still asleep in their preferred places. And she’s sure that Chari was still snoring in her bedroom.
She leans back again, closer to Love this time. She gently draped her arm around Love’s shoulder and the other girl comfortably leans in.
“This…” Milk murmurs, “...is definitely my favorite part.”
Love turns her head. “Which part?”
Milk gestures vaguely. “The after. When everything pauses. When it’s just…us.”
Love’s expression softens. “Don’t you let Muvmuv hear that or you would have to buy a lot of treats for her.” She jokingly replies, making the other giggle too. “But…you are right. I was thinking the same thing. I love it here with you.”
They sit quietly, listening to the soft sounds around them.
Milk watches the steam coming from Love’s mug. She watches how her fingers curl around it. She notices things more clearly in moments like this. She notices how Love’s lashes reach her cheeks when she blinks and she notices how peaceful her smile is.
“You were really happy earlier.” Milk says softly.
Love nods. “I was. I am…so much.”
Milk hesitates but then asks. “Do you ever miss the quiet? Like before them?”
“God yes.” She admits with a laugh. “But not in a way that makes me wish this all away.”
Milk hums. “Me too. I wouldn’t have it in another way. I love us.”
The smaller girl shifts, turning slightly so she’s facing her wife. She tucks her feet under herself and pulls the blanket with her so it covers both of them. “You okay?” She asks gently.
Milk meets her eyes. “Yeah…I’m just thinking.”
“About what?”
Milk reaches her hand out, taking one of Love’s hands and interlocking it with hers. “I’m just happy that I get to do this with you.”
Love’s breath catches just slightly, feeling her heart beat because of Milk’s words. It was always like that. Milk says something, and she just falls in love with her all again.
“Me too.” She replies. “Christmas or not, I’m glad that I get to have mornings with you.”
There was a silent pause. A comfortable silence that always hovers through them every after small talks. Then Milk reaches out first, her fingers brushing against Love’s wrist now.
Milk leans in slowly and their foreheads touch first. A familiar breath shared and a soft smile coming from both of their lips.
Then their lips meet…like always.
Love’s hand lifts to Milk’s jaw with her thumb brushing gently along her cheek. She had memorized each of her wife’s face details, softly brushing her fingers in each mole and each feature. Milk exhales into the kiss, her shoulders loosening.
When they parted, it was only by inches. Milk rests her forehead against Love’s. “I love you. Merry Christmas, my Love.”
Love smiles. “And I, you. Merry Christmas, honey.”