Chasing The Sun Vol II: Citizen Soldier

Chapter 3: Warnings & Shopping Trips

"So...." John paused, "What just happened?" he asked Melissa, honestly lost.

The girls were giggling in a corner, and the boys looked downright horrified.

Chris looked a tad awkward, probably mirroring the same expression he had, and Peter just looked like Christmas
was today.

Melissa seemed to be the only normal one in the whole situation, and so John wisely turned to her for help.

The laughter, his baby boy's laugh, God how long had it been since he'd heard Stiles' laugh?

"I do believe, Derek is Stiles' pain medication", Melissa quipped.

The words sent the girls into another fit of giggles and the boys gaped at Melissa.

Scott turned red, "Mom!!" and he sounded downright scandalized.

"Oh sweet Lord!!! Get your mind out of the gutter!!!" Melissa protested, "That is not what I meant. At all!!" she squeaked mortified as she took in everyone's expression.

John felt dizzy.

"All I'm saying is, Derek seems to be the only one who can make Stiles laugh. And Laughter is the best medicine", she defended, then, to Scott, "Besides I don't really see any of you, making Stiles laugh that much. I mean, there used to be a time when you used to make him laugh, often riddled with fond exasperation. But you know semantics", she rattled off grabbed Chris' arm, "Well don't just stand there, Come on girls you're helping me decorate the tree", she ordered, "Boys quit gossiping around like prepubescant girls! Scott, Isaac, Peter up on the roof, get...." She shooed them towards the box of lights.

The girls and Chris followed her arm to the living room, where Derek had placed a tall tree. The tip roughly seven to eight inches below the ceiling.

"John", she called, "be a dear and take stock of the pantry", she stated, "After that Jackson darling, do go get those two lunkheads in the Laundry room, I'll give you some money. Make a quick coffee run, grocery run and buy some pie with those other two, son", she left the kitchen and went to check on Chris and the girls.

Melissa sighed, "Men, are hopeless", she cringed when all three girls turned puppy dog eyes on Chris, "Don't you dare give in, Chris", she barked.

The three girls flinched.

"Lydia, you have the duty of pinning up the baubles. Yes, those round, little decorations with the hooks", she hummed as the strawberry blonde picked up a heart-shaped red and green ornament.

Lydia nodded, and started hooking them carefully onto the tree branches.

"Kira!!!" Melissa hissed, breathing a sigh of relief when Chris caught two ceremic doves before they fell to the floor, "These ornaments belonged to Stiles' mother. For Christ's sake, please be careful", she scolded.

"Malia, little one, you see the tinsel? Good. Wrap it around the tree in Clockwise or counter clock wise motion, around the tree", she picked up the Gold tinsel and showed her how to hook the end, and walked in a circle around the tree, "Here you go", she offered her the ball, "your turn", she smiled softly.

Malia nodded quietly as she walked around the tree, careful not to disturb any precious ornaments, curled the tinsel around the tree.

"Were you a drill seargent in a past life?" Chris asked hanging up a stocking, with the initials 'D. Hale' onto the Sheriff's mantelpiece.

"I work in the hospital Chris. We learn how to handle crap situations in ER", she reminded, placing the stocking with name 'Jax' next to it.

"Will all twelve of us, fit on this mantelpiece?" Chris had to ask, as he put 'Lydia' next to 'Jax'.