Kiss Me, I'm Irish {An Artemis Fowl Fan Fiction}

Chapter 39: Christmas Morning

Hey everyone! I am SO sorry this took me so long to upload. I have been super busy with finishing the plans for the wedding. We have less than 3 days to go here, so it has been absolutely insane around here! But I was finally able to sit down and get this done. I'll admit, it's a bit short (sorry!), but I hope it will suffice. I am not sure how much writing will get done in the next week, with the wedding and honeymoon and the like, but I hope soon after we get back I can get some more done. :) Hope you all enjoy this though! :)

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            Diana sat patiently on the couch early Christmas morning. Their family had a routine for that morning; it had always been the same, as long as she could remember. She and Marisa were always the first two up- often no later than seven in the morning. They would make their parents’ coffee, and while they waited for it to brew, they would make guesses as to what were in the various wrapped boxes arranged around the Christmas tree. Once her parents had some caffeine in their system, the festivities began. This year, while Artemis was present, was no different.

            He sat next to her, although Diana could tell he was not at ease. Artemis was not accustomed to the ritualistic nature the Foxwell family seemed to have on Christmas morning. Sure, the Fowl family had their own way of handling Christmas, but it was vastly different than his American girlfriend’s family’s traditions. Opening gifts was only the beginning of the holiday festivities. Later on that evening, Diana’s father’s side of the family would be joining them for dinner. Admittedly, Diana wasn’t sure how Artemis was going to take meeting them, or vice versa.

            “What do you think is that one?” Marisa’s voice broke her thoughts, pointing at a larger box that was sitting against the wall next to the tree.

            Diana pretended to play dumb. That present she knew belonged to her younger sister, and she knew exactly what was since she helped her mother pick it up. Her younger sister was a big gamer, and had requested the newest gaming system. Well, her wish had been granted, but Diana didn’t want to spoil the surprise. “No idea,” she replied, trying to not let it slip. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

            Before anymore could be said on the matter, Diana’s parents entered the room, both clad in pajamas and clutching cups of steaming hot coffee. Her mother took a seat next to Marisa, while her father took his customary seat on the floor in front of the tree. He took a sip of his coffee, before sitting it down carefully on a foot stool beside him.

            “Very well… shall we get started?” he asked, glancing between the three teenagers.

            All three nodded, and Diana’s father began to hand out presents to each of them and her mother. For a while, it seemed like the normal Christmas. Diana was very used to receiving clothes- although it was a bit unnerving to unwrap undergarments in front of Artemis, DVD’s, and other miscellaneous items. But she wasn’t used to having a significant other sitting there with her opening up gifts as she was. However, there was one present she still hadn’t opened- the one from Artemis.

            It had been the last one her father had handed to her, and Diana held it in her hand, unsure of what to think about it for a moment. She stared at the horribly wrapped gift, wondering what was small enough to fit inside. She glanced at Artemis for a moment, watching him fold up a jacket her parents had gotten him. Once he had finished, he caught her glance, and smiled.

            “You can open it, you know,” he said, matter-of-factly.

            Diana nodded, and slowly began tearing through the wrapping paper. After a few seconds, she had revealed the small rectangular box. Before continuing, she shot Artemis an inquisitive glance, wondering exactly what was inside. Artemis only smiled, something that Diana found somewhat unnerving. She hesitated for a moment before she opened it, revealing a small silver bracelet. Judging by its shape and the way the beads and one charm were placed, Diana determined it was a Pandora bracelet- something she had always wanted. She smiled before pulling it from the box, immediately putting it on her wrist.

            “Thank you Artemis,” she replied, pulling him in for a quick hug. “It’s beautiful.”

            “You’re very welcome,” he stated, returning the hug. “And thank you for everything you and your family got me as well.”

            Diana smiled, pulling away from him. She glanced down at her wrist again, toying with the charm on the bracelet. It was a four-leaf clover, and that puzzled the girl a bit. Why would he have gotten her a bracelet with a charm like that?

            “What’s with the clover?” she finally asked.

            Artemis smirked. “I thought you of all people would’ve figured that out by now, but it’s early, and we haven’t eaten breakfast, so I will let it slide. It’s a Celtic clover, Diana, and I thought that it would perhaps remind you of me.” He paused for a moment, seemingly trying to think. “I was going to get you more beads for it, but I figured I would leave space so in the future we could add more to it- new things for each new adventure.”

            Diana didn’t know what to say to that for several minutes. No guy had ever given her something so thoughtful before, something she could actually look forward to. While this was certainly no proposal, with a present and statement like that, Diana could assume Artemis planned on sticking around. That itself was a great enough present for her. “Thank you, Arty,” she eventually answered. “I look forward to all the future adventures, as you say.”

            “As do I,” Artemis replied, a smile still plastered to his face as well. He took Diana’s hand in his, squeezing it tightly.

            On that note, Diana’s father stood, stretching after sitting on the floor for nearly an hour. “Well, children. I think it’s time you all start getting ready. We have a busy day ahead of us. Lord only knows when this family of mine will be here.”

            Diana frowned. Admittedly, the girl could go without seeing most of her dad’s side of the family. She really only liked her uncle and his wife; beyond them, she was fairly certain she could go the rest of her life without seeing her biological aunts. Neither were exactly great examples of role models- one being a serial cheater and the other a heavy drug addict- and Diana certainly didn’t want to have them meet Artemis. But, alas, she stood anyways. The girl knew she had to find places in her room for all the new gifts, not to mention shower and primp herself before everyone arrived. Her only solace would be attempting to get all her cousins out into the yard for a snowball fight.

            As she pulled Artemis to his feet, she asked something she had never legitimately asked someone before, “Have you ever thrown a snowball before?”

            Artemis made a face- one that Diana could tell meant he hadn’t. “No,” he mumbled, seemingly embarrassed.

            Diana sighed. “Well… stay behind me then, because in a few hours, you will definitely learn the ways of snow warfare.”

            “I wasn’t aware you could have a war in snow,” Artemis mused. “But then again, I’m not exactly used to large amounts of snow. We don’t receive all too much of it in Ireland.”

            “Oh you can, very easily,” Diana assured. “And you’re about to find out here soon.”