Moonlit Desires (BxB)

11🥲

Tuesday, 25th December
11:00am

Darrell

It was Christmas day and although I was sad to be spending the holidays away from Jax, I was at least happy I got to spend it with my friends and sister, my mum is supposed to be back from her shift at the hospital soon and we'll spend the rest of the day with her as well so I at least had that to look forward to. Although it still sucked that I couldn't even call Jax because he doesn't have a phone. How he survived eighteen years without a phone, I will never know.

The living room was cozy, with the Christmas tree lights twinkling in the corner and the fireplace crackling warmth. We were acting out movie titles in a heated game of charades, and the theme was Marvel.

The guys and I were in the living room while Diane was seated on another couch at the other end, engrossed in a romantic comedy, laughing at the silly dialogue but still turning occasionally to laugh at Tyler and I who were losing badly because Tyler was extremely stupid. No, I know he's stupid, but right now, even more so than I thought was possible.

"No because that was clearly Spiderman, how on earth did you even guess Beast boy? They're not even in the same universe," Shawn laughed.

"I mean, if you think about I'm technically right because Beastboy can change into a spider sooo..." Tyler trailed off because I think even he realized his reasoning made no sense.

"Can I please switch teammates with someone else?" I sighed.

"No way, the game already started," Rick replied. Damn it.

"Come on, Tyler, I don't understand how you can be so bad at this!" I complained as he tried to guess another movie title.

"I am trying!" Tyler replied, frustration clear in his voice.

Just then, my phone rang, interrupting the game. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was my mother calling.

"Sorry, guys, I have to take this," I said as I stood up from the couch and answered the phone.

"Hey, Mom. Is everything okay?" I asked, my heart racing with worry. I already have a feeling I know what's coming next.

"Darrell, I'm sorry to do this to you and Diane, but I'm going to be stuck at the hospital for a while longer. I don't think I'm going to make it home in time to spend the rest of the day with you guys," she said, her voice tired and strained.

My heart sank in my chest. I had been looking forward to spending Christmas with her, especially after being away from her for a few weeks. But I also know that her job is important, and emergencies like this were part of the deal.

"It's okay, Mom. I understand. Just take care of your patients, okay? I'll be fine here with my friends," I said, trying to sound reassuring.

"Thank you, Darrell. I'll make it up to you and Diane when I get back, I promise," she said before hanging up, and now I had the task of breaking the news to my sister.

"Diane, I need to talk to you," I said, feeling guilty because I know how much she's been looking forward to spending the day with mom today.

"What's up?" she asked.

"Mom just called, she's not coming home today. She's stuck at the hospital," I explained.

Diane's expression turned disappointed, and she crossed her arms. "Figures. She's always working, always absent. I'm going to go stay at my friend's house for the night. There's no point in being here if Mom's not even around to celebrate with us."

I felt a pang of guilt as I watched her stomp out of the room, her coat and bag already in hand. I knew she had been struggling with Mom's busy schedule and the pressure of school, and I wished there was something I could do to make her feel better.

I sighed heavily and returned to the living room, where my friends were still playing their game.

"Everything okay?" Tyler asked, noticing the expression on my face.

"My mom won't be able to make it home for Christmas," I said.

"Oh man, I'm sorry," Tyler said sympathetically, patting my back.

"It's fine. I just feel bad for her. She's been working so hard," I said, trying to shake off the disappointment.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Ricky asked.

"Don't worry about it guys, I'm fine."

I felt a pang of guilt as I watched her stomp out of the room. I know that Diane has been struggling lately with mum's busy schedule and the pressure of school and I really do wish there was something I could do to make her feel better, but I'm not sure what that could be. It doesn't help that I can't be here as much either because Jax is waiting for me and I promised him I'd return.

Tyler nudged me with his elbow, bringing him back to the game. "Hey man, we need to focus if we want to win," he says with a grin.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "Right, sorry. Let's get back to it."

This Christmas just kept getting worse. First no Jax, then no mom and now no Diane either. I'm grateful my friends are still here but it's just not the same.

The ringing of the doorbell broke me out of my thoughts and I was confused as to who it could possibly be. All my friends (the whole three of them — a large number, I know) were already here and Diane wasn't around so I doubted it was one of her friends. I wasn't expecting anybody didn't really know anyone else who would show up at my house though.

I hesitated for a moment before getting up to answer the door, not sure if I was ready for any unexpected guests. I was already having a bad day and I wasn't really in the mood to see anyone else.

"Don't worry man, I'll go see who it is," Shawn offered as he stood up and headed towards the door.

"Who do you think it is? Is it the pizza?" Tyler asked heading towards the door as well.

"Did you order any pizza?" Rick asked in return.

"Oh you're right. We should order some pizza." Tyler said and I couldn't help but smile a bit at my friends. "Oh hey, who are these cuties?" Tyler asked.

I watched them walk to the door and then heard a growl followed by a specific voice that made my heart race. It was familiar, but it couldn't possibly be him, could it?

"I'm sorry, who are you? Isn't this Darrell's place?" the voice asked again. The voice sounds way too familiar to be someone else.  I jumped up and practically ran to the door.

"Hey Darrell, someone's at the door for y-" Tyler started to say.

"Jax?" I interrupted; disbelief evident in my voice.

"Merry Christmas, Dar," he said, a wide smile spreading across his face.