At the Finish Line [Haiji Kiyose] - Run With the Wind

thirty-four - "understand"

Crouching down, her mother, Alix, pulls the gloves over a four-year-old Chiyo's shaking hands, rubbing the sides of her coat covered arms. "That should be better, mon ange."

Nodding to her mother, Chiyo tugs the scarf tighter around her neck as Alix zips her coat up.

"Mamma, where did papa go?" She questions.

Her mother glances around, rubbing her hands together. "He's over at another stall getting us some hot drinks. Who knows, he might even be getting your Christmas present?"

The little girl's eyes sparkle. "Is he?"

Alix nods, toying with the bobble hat on Chiyo's head. "Papa Noël will be dropping off presents to you on Christmas eve. You've been such a good girl this year, what with us moving from Japan."

"So I'll be getting presents?"

Alix gasps, grinning at Chiyo. "Of course, mon ange! You're on the 'Nice List' and all the good children get lots of presents."

Chiyo's cheeks flush from the cold. "Will I get those red shoes I asked for?"

"Maybe," Alix grins. "We'll have to see what he brings you come Christmas day. But remember, Chiyo, your mamma and papa love you and we always will."

"But what if next year I'm not so good?" She questions, her bright eyes full of wonder as she looks up at her mother. "Will you still love me then?"

"Mon ange," Alix strokes her daughter's cheek. "You will never do anything that won't make us love you, do you understand? You'll always be my little girl and we both want what's best for you. So don't worry, because you will always be loved by us."

Chiyo's teeth chatter as a bitter wind rolls past. "I'm cold, Mamma."

Pulling her in tightly, Alix peppers her forehead with kisses. "We will always love you Chiyo and we will always support you, okay?"

"I know, Mamma."

-

"Have you got everything you need packed?"

Looking up from her bag, Chiyo grimaces at Haiji stood in the doorway of her room. "I'm struggling to put everything into two bags..."

He walks inside, kneeling on the floor and inspecting her bags. "Aren't you only going for a week?"

"Yeah, I'll be back on the 31st, but I've got Christmas presents for Hisa's children. Not only that, but it's so cold that all I'm packing are jumpers and turtle-necks." She tells him, wiping her forehead as she leans back from the suitcase.

Haiji attempts to squash and flatten the clothes in her suitcase, groaning in defeat. "You really have packed a lot. That's not all just because of some jumpers."

She shrugs. "I didn't want to be unprepared, what can I say?"

He looks at her, his eyes glancing down at the new diamond necklace around her neck --the one he bought her for Christmas. "It really suits you."

Smiling, Chiyo brushes a finger along the five arranged diamonds. "It's beautiful, I love it, Haiji."

"I'm glad." He grins, leaning forward and placing a kiss on her lips. "I'll miss you on Christmas."

She agrees, pulling him in by his neck and hugging him tightly. "Me too. But I'll be back in time for New Years, which is the better holiday of the two anyway."

The doorbell rings and she springs apart from him, her face lighting up.

"That must be Hisa!"

She jumps up, running out of her room and down the hallway to the front door. Sliding the door to the slide, she flings her arms open, a wide grin on her face.