Star-Crossed Lovers

Lost in the Echo

Christmas came sooner than Ghost would've liked. He never liked it, since that day he came home to find his family murdered. So he tried to isolate himself during that time (kinda hard with kids).

"Simon, Destiny wants ye t' draw with her." Soap said to him from outside their special closet. "Tell her Papa's feelin' down." "Sigh. Okay." And with that, the Scot walked away.

A moment later, running footsteps could be heard coming towards the guest bedroom. "Papa, why're you sad? Can I help you be happy?" Destiny loudly asked him. Simon's hearing aids made a high-pitched sound. "Ah, sweetie, please be a little more quiet for me. My hearing aids are sensitive." "Oh, sorry, Papa." Pause.

"Can I open the door?" "Yes, luv." Destiny didn't hesitate to open the closet door, to see the fairy lights, fidgets, and her Papa covered in a weighted blanket. The song The Little Things Give You Away by Linkin Park was playing on the radio.

"Papa, what's this song? I like it," Dezzi said, as she sat next to Ghost. "This is called The Little Things Give You Away by Linkin Park. Dada really likes this band." "It's very nice and repe-te-te-te-tive" The Brit chuckled. "You mean, it's very repetitive." "Yeah, that. Thanks, Papa." "Of course, Dezzi."

Later, Ghost walked out into the living room with his daughter in his arms. John was sitting on the floor, playing with Carter. The baby was giggling. Soap looked up to see his fiancé. "How're ya feelin', Si? Did Dezzi help at all?" He asked with a smile. "Yes, l did, Dada." The little girl answered with a grin. "That's my girl."

"Wanna come 'n' play with yer brother?" "Yay!" Destiny wiggled in Simon's arms, wanting down. "Okay, okay, I get the message," the Brit said with a chuckle, as he set her down on the ground.

John stood up with a groan. Several muscles popped as he did so. "Steamin' Jeezus, I'm gettin' old." He grumbled, as he sat on the couch, followed by his lover. "Don't say that. You're just as beautiful as the day I laid eyes on you." "Really? Because ye said that I was an ugly, ignorant fuck with a loud mouth 'n' no manners." "Well, y'know what I mean."

The duo watched their children play. Occasionally, Destiny would get a little too rough with Carter, so she had to be told so. They never yelled at the kids.

"Simon, when are we gonna get married?" Soap asked his partner, as he looked up at him. "Whenever you're ready. I'm not in a rush." Ghost replied with a shrug. "Well, I wanna get married in the Fall." "Dezzi would be the f-l-o-w-e-r g-i-r-l." Simon suggested. The duo looked at each other. "And Carter would be the ring bear," they said in unison with smiles on their faces.

"Price would be my best man," the Brit stated. "Nik will be mine." Soap said, before he looked down and furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "I would've wanted Gaz t' be my best man..." "I know, Johnny."

On Christmas Eve, the entire family (141 family) came over for brunch. Alex brought french toast sticks and grits that Farah and he made. Nik and Price brought homemade biscuits and gravy.

Kate and her girlfriend brought scrambled eggs and bacon. Alejandro and Rudy made churros and Maria galletas. Simon and John made pancakes and sausage links, and set out bottles of orange juice, apple juice, a pitcher of tea, and hot cocoa.

"Now, who's this lil 'un?" Price said, as he walked up to Soap, who was holding Carter. "This is our son, Carter Grayson Riley-MacTavish, th' newest member of th' family," the Scot responded with a smile. "Say hi to your grampa, Carter." The baby just hid his head on his dad's neck. "Awe, he's shy. Guess that's how all kids are, huh." "Guess so."

Simon stood in the corner of the kitchen, holding a mug of hot tea in his hands. Christmas was always hard for him. "Ghost, is everything alright, brother?" Alex asked him, as he walked up to him with Farah. "I-I'm fine. Christmas isn't the easiest time for me." "Ah, I get it. Look, if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm your guy." Alex said with a wink, trying to make the Brit feel better. "Thanks."

Suddenly, there was a tug on Ghost's pant leg. "Papa, what's wrong?" It was Destiny. "Oh, sweetie, I'm just a little down right now." He said, as he picked up his daughter. "Can I help you feel up?" "I'm afraid not, Dezzi. This is a problem for me to solve on my own, okay?" "Okay, Papa."