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Christmas Day for many was a joyous time of the year. The day where families came together, opening presents by the tree and sharing company with each other. Where kids woke up early to shake their parents awake, too excited to throw wrapping paper everywhere and see what Santa had brought for them.
It certainly was the case for Douglas. After all, it was his first Christmas with his father, John MacTavish. He had already spent the Eve with his nana and granda and all of his aunts, and in the morning John would come pick him up. He promised!
So, as it were, Douglas was sitting right at the bench by the door with Barry clutched tight in his arms. He was dressed in his new pyjamas, shoes already on and tied with backpack firmly on his back and suitcase right by his side. He didn’t know what time it was but Douglas figured it had to be soon. After all, he was good at waking up in the mornings, that’s what nana had told him! She wouldn’t lie to him now, would she.
A meow to his left alerts the boy, Douglas looking down in the dark to Walkers trotting up to him. He puts a finger to his lips. “Shhh, Walkers. I have to wait for John to come get me.”
Walkers meows again, not one for manners of keeping quiet when the house was asleep. The cat hops up onto the bench, settling down next to Douglas and starting up his shift at the biscuit factory. Douglas can’t help but giggle, stroking the cream cat’s head. “Silly Walkers.”
He sits there patiently in the dark with Walkers and Barry until he hears the distant rumble of a car pulling up. He smiles, looking back at Walkers. “John’s here…!” He excitedly whispers before hopping down. Moments later there was a knock at the door, and footsteps further in the house approaching the front.
“Douglas, what’re ye doin’ up?” Douglas’ nana asks as she walks to the door. “Oh, you must be waitin’ fer yer da, is that it? Excited, aren’t ye.” She ruffles the boys hair walking past, opening the door.
“Daddy!” Douglas shouts, already rushing past his nana to cling to Soap. Walkers chitters and chirps as he too came over to greet Soap, rubbing up against his legs. She merely laughs lightly at his excitement.
Soap breaks into a smile and kneels, gathering up his young son. “Douglas! Och, you don’t look tired one bit, you been waiting long?”
Douglas shakes his head, hugging onto Soap tightly.
“That’s good.” Soap stands up, Douglas held in his arms as he looks to his ma. “He’s been behaving?”
Edith nods with a happy smile. “As good as a whistle, aye. Much better a lad than ye were at his age, not a wrinkle more on the forehead.”
Soap rolls his eyes with a smile. “Och, I wasnae that bad.“
Edith lightly taps his arm. “Dinnae kid yerself, John. We both ken what ye were like as a wee lad. Now have yerself a Merry Christmas, aye? You an’ yer lovely man both.” She pushes Douglas’ suitcase over to him, Soap grabbing the handle.
Douglas giggles in Soap’s arms as he sighs. “Aye, ma. Have yourself a Merry Christmas as well. You too, Walkers.”
Walkers meows, knocking his head against Soap’s legs before trotting back into the house. Soap leans in to give his ma a hug before he walks back to his car with Douglas in hand.
Once Douglas was safely strapped in his seat, Soap starts up the questions. “How was Christmas Eve, Douglas? You have a good time?”
Douglas nods, Soap pulling out from the MacTavish home and back to his own. “Aye! I got a lot of presents from nana and granda and aunt Evie and aunt Teresa and-”
“The whole lot, eh? No wonder your luggage feels like there’s a whole load o’ bricks jammed in it. Don’t suppose that was one of your gifts?”
Douglas giggles. “No, John!” He answers between peals of laughter. “I didn’t get bricks!”
“No? Shame, would’ve been nice to make a brick house before a wolf came to blow it all down.”
“You’re silly, John.”
John cracks a smile that stays on the rest of the way back to his house. It was decorated with string lights and inflatable decorations, courtesy of his sister Evie helping decorate along with Roach. Soap didn’t ask why the other Sergeant was in Scotland, but he supposes that explained the lack of sightings of him around base.
Inside was the same deal, the place decorated with lights. A Christmas tree sat beautifully in the corner of the living space, ornaments and fake tinsel dangling from its branches. A few of Douglas’ handcrafted ornaments were dotted along the tree, and a glittering star was perched on the very top. Soap sadly wasn’t around to help decorate himself, but Evie had sent plenty of photos of Douglas hanging up baubles and other ornaments with Roach.
Douglas of course was just as proud of the tree, grabbing Soap’s hand to drag him over and point it out. “Auntie Evie and Roach and me all helped with the tree! And look at this one John, it’s me!” He points at one of the handcrafted ornaments, which was a craft stick picture frame of Douglas’ beaming face on some Santa’s lap.
Soap smiles at the sight of it. “Oh, what a bonnie photo.”
Douglas beams proudly. “And- and look at that one! I made that at school, we had to put glitter in the bauble and then put other stuff in it and special water! Shake it!” He points to another decoration, the bauble heavy enought that the branch supporting it was a little bent. Still, Soap takes it in hand and gives it a firm shake, the glitter inside exploding and falling back to the base with little trees and snowmen inside floating along with it.
Douglas was happy enough to simply show off each and every creation he’d take home to put on the tree. Soap takes and appraises every single one as a good dad should before ushering him upstairs. “Come on Douglas, go wait a few more hours.”
“Aww, why?”
“Because, Douglas, unlike you I got very little sleep. Can I get a kip in?”
“Oh, okay John. I’ll play really quietly.”
“That’s my boy.” He ruffles his hair. He might need a hair trim soon, his hair had gotten quite long.
Douglas heads upstairs to play while Soap shuffles off to his own bedroom. He really was knackered, having come straight from a tense op. He found it a shame to be working just about anything on Christmas Eve, much less the day itself. Kids certainly didn’t have this kind of problem at hand. All they cared about was the simple things in life: Family and all of the presents said family could grant someone. He climbs into bed with a sigh, shutting his eyes.
He gets his hours in, the house still quiet when he wakes up at a more reasonable time. Soap doesn’t even startle when he sits up to Douglas on his floor, pushing around a toy jeep with one of his Power Rangers shoved in the seat.
“Morning, Douglas,” Soap greets him with a smile.
“Good morning, John!” Douglas chirps back. “Look what I got for Christmas from aunt Evie!” He pushes the jeep closer to the bed. “It’s a car.”
“Aye, I can see that. What else did your aunts get you?” He tilts his head.
Douglas holds up a finger and rushes off, bringing his new toys into Soap’s room one by one. There was quite a lot, but nothing too large that it wouldn’t have fit in his suitcase or backpack. There was even a new sweater and socks among the toys, likely courtesy of Edith.
“That’s a lot of gifts you got, Douglas.”
Douglas nods eagerly. “I also got a bike!”
Now that was something he wasn’t aware of. “A bike? Where is it?”
“Aunt Evie put it by the workshop. It’s grey with a basket for Barry to sit in.”
“Aye? Can ye ride it?”
“No, not really. But nana says that you can teach me when it’s warmer!”
Soap chuckles, nodding. “Aye, I’ll teach ye when it’s warmer. This all you got?”
“Mmhmm.” He steps closer to Soap. “Did you get me a gift too, John?”
“Course I did, what kind of person would I be if I didn’t get you one?” Soap slides out of bed and kneels down, pulling a wrapped gift from underneath the bed. He pulls out a few more, Douglas’ eyes widening. “Five?”
“Aye. Everyone from the team got you something. Come on, open.”
Douglas looks down at the gifts, then back up. “But which one do I start with?”
“Any.”
Douglas looks back down, staring at the pile as if the thought of choosing was simply too much for his little head. Eventually he picks up the smallest one, sitting down and unwrapping it with near reckless abandon. Inside was a kid-sized watch, red with all of the Power Rangers on the face.
“Ah, that one’s from Price.”
“I like it! It has all the Power Rangers on it.” Douglas was smiling, setting it aside and grabbing the next. Inside was a toy cowboy set with the hat and plastic gun with holster. Among it was also a tube full of plastic bugs. That one was from Roach, Douglas opening the tube to pick out a cockroach sitting right at the top. He puts the roach right in his jeep next to the Power Ranger.
“There, now they can be friends,” Douglas announces before taking the third box. The third was from Gaz, the box full of fashionable clothes. Douglas still smiles and holds them up one by one for Soap to see, pleased as ever. Soap couldn’t help but smile back. If it were him at this age, he’d probably just say thanks and throw it aside as fast as he could to get to the toys and back to ripping up paper and tossing it everywhere.
The fourth was Ghost’s gift, which was a model aeroplane as well as an envelope filled with money. Douglas marvels at the image on the front of the box before putting it aside, then hands the envelope to Soap.
“What’s this? Don’t you want to keep it?”
“I might lose it. That’s what aunt Teresa says, so she holds all the money until I can put it in my piggy bank.” Douglas answers. Soap supposes that makes sense, setting the envelope on the bed as Douglas grabs the last one, Soap’s gift.
“Now this one’s from me,” Soap says.
Douglas tears into it with glee. Inside was a blue power ranger set with the mask and weapons along with a few more action figures. “Thank you, John! I love it!” He was already tearing into the box to get to the stuff, Soap letting him at it. Douglas didn’t seem to need any help with it, freeing the mask and weapons with ease. He puts the mask on and gets up, posing with the sword.
“Look John, I’m Ranger Blue!” He swings the sword around a few times.
Soap chuckles, watching Douglas move about the room making action poses. He gets up to tidy the strewn about toys so Douglas didn’t accidentally trip over any of it.
“How about we go play out in the open instead, Douglas. All this stuff on my floor is a tripping hazard, what if I fell?” He says. In truth, Soap wouldn’t really trip, he has better awareness than that and he already moved everything off to the side. It was only so Douglas could have more space to play. Douglas nods, helping Soap bring all of the toys back out to the living room and the gifts that went into the bedroom up. Once that was taken care of Douglas went right back to playing pretend, Soap acting as the bad guy while Douglas defeated him over and over and over again.
It was a pretty decent Christmas, all things considered. If Ghost were here, maybe he’d call it an even greater Christmas, but Soap never sees Ghost around this time of year. Nobody does. He never asks, either, greeting him as normal whenever Ghost reappeared sometime after. Soap figured he was off visiting family as well even though he never states what he does or what plans he has.
Once Douglas winds down a little, just enough for Soap to make breakfast for them both, there was a knock at the door. Soap pauses, pulling the eggs off of the hot stove and heading over to the door.
When he opens it, he’s a little surprised at who was on the other side. “Si? What’re you doing here?”
Ghost, dressed in a comfortable looking but ugly to high heavens sweater and a face mask with a picture of Santa’s beard on it, merely raises something wrapped in aluminium in his hand. “Merry Christmas, Johnny.”
Soap blinks once, but Douglas’ excited voice snaps him out of whatever cogs were trying to turn in his head.
“Ghost! You came to visit!” He yells, Ghost kneeling and easily catching the brunt of the boy coming at him.
“Merry Christmas Douglas. I brought a yule log. Are you having a good Christmas?”
Douglas nods, already grabbing Ghost’s hand. Soap was still flabbergasted, on the other hand, staring at Ghost as he’s dragged into the house. Ghost, seen on Christmas. What a Christmas miracle this is.
Shutting the door behind him Soap follows after, Ghost sitting on the couch while Douglas shows off his new toys. Ghost nods at each and every one with a serious expression, Soap standing off to the side. He waits until Douglas runs off to use the bathroom before springing questions on Ghost.
“What are you doing here?” He asks first, the most important question of all. Ghost merely grunts, his gaze on the toys scattered both on top and around him. Soap was smart enough to pick up on the reason, looking at Ghost with a small smile.
“You came for Douglas?”
Ghost still doesn’t give him a real answer.
Soap huffs, leaning closer and pointing at the yule log. “You buy this or make it yourself?”
Ghost finally gives him an answer with a short “I made it”, Soap nodding. He can faintly smell the rich chocolate from here. He runs out of questions that he wants to ask after, and in good time as Douglas comes rushing back, showing Soap his clean hands before continuing on with playing with Ghost. Ghost’s posture changes in seconds, going from stiff to relaxed and gentle.
Soap watches Ghost interact with his son for a few more moments before returning to finish breakfast, the eggs a little cold now. He heats them back up on the stove before plating the eggs next to some mini chocolate chip pancakes and bacon. He looks back at the scene on the couch and makes a third plate, bringing all three to the table. “Breakfast!” He shouts, Ghost and Douglas coming over within seconds.
“Looks good, Johnny,” Ghost says, Douglas already shoving mini pancakes into his mouth. Johnny smiles, Ghost tugging his mask down to shovel the food down his throat.
“Slow down ya numpty, food’s nae goin’ anywhere.”
Ghost does not slow down, Douglas watching him. “Ghost, you cannae do that! You’ll choke!” He states, Ghost pausing and looking at Douglas. Douglas was frowning at him, Soap quietly laughing at the sight.
“Sorry. I’ll slow down.” Ghost takes the next bite slower, Douglas smiling and going back to his own breakfast.
“Whipped.” Soap mutters, laughing at the sharp kick to his shin.
After breakfast, Douglas went right back to playing with Ghost, Soap joining soon after cleaning up.
Ghost doesn’t leave until after it began to get dark, Ghost standing in front of the Christmas tree for a long while. Douglas was on the couch, full of yule log and left to watch a Christmas show on the TV. Soap walks up besides Ghost, the lights twinkling across Ghost’s face.
“You leavin’ soon?” He asks quietly. Ghost’s eyes flick down to look at him, then back up at the tree.
“In a bit. Just want to soak this in a little longer.”
Soap nods, grabbing onto Ghost’s shoulder. “Douglas was mad ecstatic that you came over for Christmas. He bloody adores ya.”
“I know. I’m happy to see him too. He’s a good kid.”
“Aye.”
They both look over their shoulder, Douglas’ attention strictly on the screen all wrapped up in his blanket with Barry sticking out of the top with him.
“He’d love it if you’d stay longer.”
Ghost sighs, shoulders tensing as his eyes close. “Can’t. Have to visit some family.”
Soap tilts his head, smiling. “Ach, that explains it. Well, shouldn’t keep ya.” He pats Ghost on the shoulder. “I’ll see you soon, aye?”
Ghost looks down at Soap and gives him a nod. He turns to Douglas, giving him a farewell and a see you next time, Douglas looking up and waving back.
“Bye. Will you come back soon?”
“I’ll do my best. Merry Christmas, Douglas. You be good for your dad.” He ruffles the boy’s hair before heading to the door.
Soap watches him leave, following him to the door as Ghost heads down the path towards the bus stop.
“Simon?”
Ghost pauses. He doesn’t turn around, but Soap knows he’s listening.
“Come up tomorrow. I still have to give you a gift for showing up for Douglas today.”
Ghost grunts, continuing on. Still, there was a brief nod. That's all the confirmation he needs.
Soap smiles back, shutting the door.