The young lovers ( ponyboy fanfic)

41

^play song when it tell you too^

• Christmas Eve •

It's already here. I wish Pony was here with us... But at least we still have each other. It's still nice to have family.

"Kaylee, those cookies smell perfect," Two-Bit comments.

"Thanks. You'll get one when they're done," I tell him.

"Don't worry. I'm positive I will."

"So when can we open presents?" Soda asks impatiently.

"Tomorrow, little buddy," Darry tells him.

"Aw! Why tomorrow?"

"Because Santa has to come tonight!" Liz says, Everyone laughs.

"He's not real. Anymore that is," Johnny says.

"When did y'all stop believing in all that stuff? I was little because 'Santa' never brought me anything," Dallas says.

"I wrote a letter when I was eight. I figured out the return letter was my dad's handwriting. So I figured it all out," I tell them.

"I don't know. After a while, we just forgot about him, you know?" Soda says.

"Yeah. I knew he wasn't real from the start because I'd stay up all night waiting for him. Nothing happened. I wasted my sleep on my imagination," Johnny explains.

I get up and go to the kitchen to pull the cookies out of the oven. I let them set before I take a plate in the living room. Baby and Tucker get the smaller cookies I made.

They love them.

Dally picks up Tucker and holds him over his head. He brings him down and blows on his little tummy. Tucker laughs. He sets him back down on the couch beside Baby. I tickle his sides. Baby mimics me and tries to tickle Tucker's foot.

"They are so cute," I comment.

"I know! Just look at them!" Liz squeals. She's come to love these two so much. She's really good to them, and she's good for Dally. I hope they stay together for a long time...

"Well, shouldn't we get to bed? It's getting kinda late," Steve says.

"You're right, but since when are you concerned?" Darry asks.

"So I don't have to wonder about those presents all night long!"

Everyone laughs.

Baby yawns and puts her head on me.

"Looks like a couple little meanies are tired," I point out. I scoop Baby up into my arms.

"Goodnight, y'all!"

"Night," everyone mumbles or says in return.

We all get up, turn out a few lights, and go upstairs or downstairs, wherever we were sleeping. Dally walks in the nursery behind me and puts Tucker in his crib. I do the same for Baby. She yawns again.

"We're doing good, Kaylee, We're doing good," he says quietly.

"Yeah. I guess we are."

"Can you keep a secret? It's a big one."

"Yeah. What is it?"

"I think I'm gonna ask Liz to marry me..." he says dreamily.

"I'm so happy for you, Dal."

"Thanks. Well I'm going to bed. Goodnight. Sleep good."

"You too."

His heavy footsteps walk down the hall and into his room. Him marrying Liz? This needs to happen quickly. I lean down and kiss Baby's forehead.