Fallen

41. A Spring Christmas

The family pulled up to the Spring's house, their new puppy barking in the backseat. 

"You sure your mum won't mind?" Nick asked cautiously, talking about the dog. 

Charlie shrugged. "She probably will." He answered honestly. "However..We can't just leave it at home, so.."

Nick nodded as he unlocked the car doors. "Right. Okay, hand me the pup." 

"Here.." Harper said, giving the dog to her dad. 

Nick held the animal in his arms, attempting to control the whining puppy. "Georgie, babe, stop.." He whispered. 

Georgie, however, kept squirming in Nick's arms and barked when they entered the house. The home was already full; cousins and other family all making noise. 

"Charlie." A voice said, and he immediately recognized it as his sister Victoria. She stood on the staircase, a cup filled with lemonade in her hand. Her hair was particularly straight and short this winter. She took and sip of her drink before setting it on the stairs, rushing over to give her younger brother a hug. 

Charlie smiled and squeezed her back. "Hi, Tori.." 

Tori sighed and pulled back. "Mum's already had a fit with me, though I can't say I'm surprised." She mumbled. "She's gone from middle aged crazy to full on old person crazy.." 

Charlie chuckled, and then Tori turned her head to Nick. "I see you have a dog." She said, going to touch it. 

Harper hugged her aunt. "Hi, Aunt Tori!" 

Tori stumbled at the sudden impact, but she smiled. "Hey. Wow, I haven't seen you in ages." 

"Hey, Aunt Tori." Oscar smiled and gave her a quick hug as a greeting, then went off to find his cousins, dragging Harper with. 

"What's its name?" Tori asked, giving the puppy a head pat. 

Nick readjusted the dog in his arms and smiled. "Kids named it Georgie." 

Tori nodded in response, picking her glass back up and taking a sip. 

"Is Ollie here?" Charlie yawned as he rubbed an itch on his head. 

Tori nodded, sipping again. "He's upstai-" She started, but was interrupted by what sounded like a stampede, but it was just Oliver, a full grown man, running down the stairs. 

"Nick, Charlie!" He smiled, going to hug them both. "Oh- a dog!" He cheered as his eyes lit up. Even after all these years, Oliver could still get distracted by anything. This was most likely due to his ADHD, that was diagnosed when he was around nine. His siblings never loved him any less, but his mum especially treated him differently. Jane was prone to getting agitated with his needs and snapping at him.

"Yeah!" Charlie smiled, pulling back. "Meet Georgie." 

Oliver gasped and smiled. "Hi, Georgie! I'm Oliver, and I'll probably puppy sit you soon. Ooh, Nick, can I hold him and bring him outside?" 

Nick nodded. "Ah, yeah, here you go." He handed over the puppy. Oliver smiled and went outside, talking to the animal as if it could understand him. 

"Well then." Nick stretched and yawned. "C'mon." He continued, wandering into the living room. 

Charlie followed his husband until he spotted his parents. "Hey mum and dad!" Charlie cheered, embracing them. 

"Oh, Charlie, it's been a minute." Julio smiled. 

"It has." Jane agreed. "How have you been? Are you eating properly?"