Special Defense Force

Episode 10: Special Campus Christmas

I yawned as the cool wind blew across the Campus as well as my face. My go-to semi casual ensemble of dark slacks, a red open collared shirt and black sports coat flowed gently in the breeze. It was December and the outside temperature would have sent even the heartiest of souls fleeing indoors to warmer protection. However, two things made today an exception. One was the Temperature Dampeners Sam had developed to keep the bitter cold at bay while allowing just enough chill to make the season apparent. The second was that the Campus was open to the families of its occupants. That's right. A Christmas Open House.

I chuckled at the thought when I heard a low sigh by my leg. I looked down at Anna staring at the ground in front of her. I patted her head, "You ok?" She looked up with a forced smile, "I guess I'm a little bit nervous." I scratched my head, "Whatever for?" She sighed, "I'm meeting your family for the first time big brother. From the way things have gone recently; they will now be my family as well. What if they don't like me?" I stared at the road leading to the main gate of the Campus. The past couple of weeks had seen Anna's biological parents finally concede full custody away from themselves. However, since I still was outside the age restrictions set for adoption, custody was taken in by my parents. And this was the first time both parties would meet each other. I chuckled and looked back at her, "Anna, they're going to love you. You'll be the daughter they never had." She lowered her gaze in thought until we heard a car stop. She looked over to a white sedan parking nearby and then up to me. I looked down to her and nodded, "That's them." She took a deep "calming" breath and steeled herself as they exited the car.

I stepped forward first and waved, "Hi guys." My dad shook my hand and my mom hugged me, "Oh Daniel, it's so good to see you." My dad nodded, "Sure is. You're looking great. I take it things are going as well as your emails said?" I nodded, "Except for the defection, things are awesome here." I laughed a little then turned to wave Anna over. She blushed sheepishly and wheeled over. She stopped by me and held my sleeve. I smiled at her and then to my parents, "Mom. Dad. This is Anna." She looked at them and quietly nodded her head, "Hello. Big Brother, I mean Daniel has told me you're the ones who accepted my adoption papers. Um, it's nice to meet you." My dad smiled as my mom knelt in front of her with her arms open. Anna stared for just a moment in sheer wonder, "Huh?" My mom smiled so purely as a small tear fell, "Well, I thought maybe I could get a hug my dear. Isn't that what we do?" Anna looked from her to my dad who winked at her, "Daniel has told us all about you and your previous family." He knelt at her side and put a hand on her shoulder, "And I swear to you. You have nothing to fear from us. We will love you as our own flesh and blood. As Daniel wears his mantle of Big Brother with pride, will you give us the pleasure of wearing your own, as our daughter?" Anna looked from one to the other so fast I was afraid her neck would crack. She finally wiped her tearing eyes on her sleeve, "Mama? Papa?" My parents nodded and she threw herself into her mother's arms. Never before was there a more precious hug.

I watched from a short distance and wiped my chin, "That's what I'm talking about." I looked over as Sharon walked up to me, "Hi Daniel. Those your parents?" I nodded, "Hers too." Sharon looked at them as they started talking, "So I see. I'm glad to see that." I nodded and observed Sharon's rather plain clothes. She wore fair fitting jeans, a fluffy white sweater with a chubby Santa on the front, her summer scarf around her neck and simple flats. She noticed my gaze, "You ok?" I nodded, "Sorry your outfit is really nice and just simple to what I usually see you in." She winked, "Don't worry hun. My usual attire will be making another appearance just as soon as this chilly weather blows through." I chuckled, "Looking forward to it Share." At that point Anna wheeled over with our parents in tow. Sharon introduced herself and shook their hands. My dad rubbed his chin, "If I remember correctly, you are the one who can control the weather right?" Sharon giggled slightly and held up her hand. A stream of fire, water and stone appeared and connected over a small whirlwind. The three streams hardened into what looked like crystal, shaping a gemstone with the windstorm inside, "Sort of. I can control the four fundamental elements of nature. But in a pinch I can pull them together and manipulate the weather." She handed the orb to my mom, "Here you are maam. It will dissipate in a little while but you can have it if you'd like." She held it up to the light and smiled, "It's beautiful. Thank you." Sharon nodded and looked over at me, "Have they met her yet?" I shook my head, "No, when I told her they were coming she got so nervous; I don't think she has come out of her room yet." Sharon shook her head, "Sounds like her." I chuckled and looked over to my parents, "You want a tour of the dorms?" They nodded and dad pushed Anna inside. I followed with my mom as Sharon watched from the side walk, "It's good to have a family." A hand touched her shoulder, "Best thing to happen to us." She turned around to see an older pair of people. She gasped and covered her mouth, "Mom? Dad?" They nodded and she began worrying frantically, "I wish I had known you were coming. I would have cleaned up more. I would have...I mean I..." She stared at her parents as they smiled at her. With the last of her walls finally crumbling, she hugged her father with tears staining his shoulder. He hugged her and patted her back, "Now now. It's ok Sharon. We're here." Her mother took her hand, "Merry Christmas my little one." Sharon cried and laughed at the same time. All three of them did. From inside the Dorm I smiled as I watched everything unfold. Anna looked at me, "Did you arrange that Big Brother?" I chuckled and wiped my eye, "Who me? No way." I pushed her into the elevator, "Let's go."