Locked and Loaded (Fairy Twisted Tale II) (Previously: Beware Of The Beast)

chapter nine - Tree-Hunting

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"I hope that you and I could be together this one night. I wish that underneath the tree there was something that just might take me to you. Oh things I would do, just to see you smile. I would jump up and shout, I'd run all about and kiss you Titanic style."

- Leroy Sanchez

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A/N

Merry Christmas!

Two weeks after the accident had passed when William walked into the living room where Danielle was currently seated. He leaned against the door frame, with his left foot against the wall.

"Lueur and Théière are going on a tree-hunt. Do you want to come?" he said.

"Why are they going to look for a tree?" she returned his question with one of her own.

"It's Christmas next week, Danielle."

She never thought it would take her off guard. Christmas was her favourite holiday.

That was the time her family spent the entire day in their pyjamas and made food they were going to eat at night.

At least, when her mother lived they did those things. Afterwards, it just became one of these days like the rest.

"What are you going to do?" he asked.

"I-I think I'll wait here," she smiled weakly, trying to reign in the tears, "I'm not that good at choosing a tree."

"Okay, Danielle. If you changed your mind, you can always call me on the landline. My number is next to it," he said and gave her a smile of his own before walking off.

He still had a small limp but if she didn't know what had happened, she wouldn't notice the small detail in his walking.

When Danielle heard the front door close, she let her tears run freely. This was the time her mother died. On Christmas Eve.

"I forgot my ke-What's wrong, Danielle?" someone asked.

She whisked around, just to see William walk in the room again.

He crouched in front of her and cupped her face, wiping the droplets of salt water away with his thumb.

"Come on, Elle," he cooed, "What's wrong?"

"It's m-my mum," Danielle whispered.

He blinked a few times in confusion before regaining his speech, "What's with your mum? You miss her?"

She nodded, the teardrops started to regain their volume.

He smiled weakly and nodded as well, "I get it. It's Christmastime and families are supposed to be together."

"It's not that, Will," she whispered, "She isn't here anymore to celebrate it with us."

He pulled her into a hug. It was a sudden one, yet very calculated. Just like him.

"I'm sorry to hear that," he mumbled in her hair and placed a kiss on her forehead.

He got up from his position and straightened his suit again, "The offer still stands, Dani. Just so you know. And your mum wouldn't have liked it if you just sat on the ground crying about her. Trust me."