Chapter Text
Hercules glanced out the window, the gentle snow warming his heart. Mostly. It was the day before the day before Christmas and everything was ready. Mostly. His hands worried at his shirt as the clock ticked. The silence was almost too much too bear, until the phone rang. He scrambled across the couch and plucked it out of the cradle.
" 'ercules!"
"Hey, Taffy."
There was a french sigh. "I am 3,625 miles away and you still annoy me."
"You signed up for that when you married me."
Lafayette chuckled from the other side of the phone. "I assume everything is ready?"
"Almost. We got our partridge and pear tree, turtle doves, french hens-"
" 'erc-"
"Calling birds, golden rings, laying geese, swimming swans-"
"Babe-"
"Milking maids, leaping lords-"
"Please, please, I get it. I miss you too."
"All I want for Christmas is you."
"Please, no more songs."
"Oh, I bet you'd love to hear me sing after having to work with that awful southern drawl all day."
"Mm. Why do you zink I call you?"
"Knew it. Anyway, any luck on that trade deal?"
"It is finally done. I'd like to thank zee academy-"
"SO YOU'RE COMING HOME?"
"I 'ave booked a flight, but I may not be zere 'til zee middle of ze day."
"That's fine. I just want you home."
"Daddy! Daddy!" Stellaluna ran up, scrambling into Hercules's lap. "Is that Papa?"
"Yes."
Her eyes sparkled. "May I talk to him?"
Hercules handed over the phone.
"Hey Père!"
"Bonjour sweetheart! 'ow are you?"
"Good! I made cookies with Daddy today!"
"Zats wonderful!"
"They weren't as good as yours though." She snuggled into Hercules as she talked.
"We can make some when I get 'ome."
"Are you going to be home for Christmas? I want you to open your presents with us."
"I will try, ma petite étoile."
"Did Uncle Thomas get the help he needed?"
Hercules winced. This child, against his wishes, /insisted/ on calling Jefferson 'Uncle Thomas'. Now, it wasn't too bad, since 'Uncle Thomas' was never seen without 'Uncle Jaime'.
But still.
"Yes, 'e did. I'm flying in as soon as everyzing is wrapped up."
"Yay!"
"Now, last I checked, isn't it past your bedtime over zere?"
"Yeeeeessss." Stella giggled and blew a kiss at the phone. "Goodnight Père!"
"Good night, Stellaluna."
Stella kissed Herc's cheek. "Goodnight daddy."
"Goodnight sweetheart."
There was noise on Lafayette's side of the phone. "I 'ave to go. Jefferson started another fight."
"That man, I swear, sometimes he's worse then Hamilton." They shared a laugh over the phone and Hercules felt his heart swell. "Man, Laf, I miss you so much."
"I miss you too, I promise, I'll be home."