Timekeeper

17. I don't understand

I followed the kid as he led me through this house to a bedroom with a purple door. He opened it up to reveal a playroom, filled with toys and games. He started jumping around pulling toys off of shelves and placing them all in a circle around me.

"Ok everyone, this is my new friend. Say hello and be nice." He waved his finger as if talking to his own kids and I just watched in confusion. He grabbed my hand and sat me down a small chair before running around and grabbing the stuffed dog he once had in his hand. "This is Pupper. He's loyal and kind and always laughs at peoples jokes." He covered the stuffed dog's ears and started to whisper. "Truth is, I'm pretty sure he just does it to get extra treats."

"Well then, Salutations Pupper." Patton beamed as he ran to place the dog back in the circle. He then grabbed a two stuffed rabbit. One was pastel blue and the other was pastel pink. He handed me the blue one and smiled. 

"That's Minnie, she's a bit of a loud mouth but she can be sweet when she wants to be. And as long as you don't mess with her brother she'll be your instant friend." I nodded to the blue bunny and Patton quickly replaced it with the pink one. "That one is Vinnie, Minnie's little brother. He's very sweet and very quiet. He's a bit of a loner but if you give him some crayons he's sure to open up a bit. He love's to draw."

"They seem like a great pair." Patton nodded, happy as ever as he put them back and grabbed a stuffed bear. My eyes went wide as he handed it to me. It was a small chocolate brown bear with a bright blue bowtie and black button eyes. I've seen this bear before.

"That's Marley. I named him after a character in the Christmas Carol. The one that sent Scrooge down on the journey." I looked over at him and he smiled. walking over to a small table and bringing back a drawn picture. On it was a little boy with blonde hair, blue eyes, a grey shirt, and blue jeans. In his had was the teddy bear and I looked up to see Patton fidgeting with his hands.

"Who's the boy in the picture?" I handed him back the picture and he held it close.

"That's Christmas."  I raised and I brow at him and looked the picture over again.

"Christmas?" He nodded as he put the picture and the bear away.

"He and Marley are my Christmas angels. They live to keep my family happy." I watched as he swayed from one foot to the other. "They're like the Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. You know? They teach us the meaning of family and hope and wonder and..."

"Patton?" He looked up at me and smiled. "Does Christmas have a nickname?"

"Of course silly. I don't call him Christmas all the time. His name is Chris." I knew it. I guess I've always known. I just didn't want to accept it. I looked over at Patton and smiled. He started to giggle, when out of nowhere the sound of a small child started to cry. His smile dropped and he ran out of the room, with me following close behind.

"Patton, Roman won't stop!" I stopped at an even smaller child ran up and hid behind the moral trait. "He keeps hitting me with a stick!"

"No, I'm not!" Another little boy ran around the corner and stuck his tongue out at the other. "I'm hitting you with a sword." He pointed it at them and I say Patton sigh.

"Roman, what have I said about using Logan as a practice dummy." The small Roman flinched at Patton's tone, dropping the tip of his 'sword' to the floor. 

"Logic's not dumb... and people aren't plastic. I could get hurt."The smaller me peaked his head past Patton and stuck his tongue out at Roman, making him mad and charge after him. Patton quickly grabbed the sword, swiping it under Romans feet and knocking him on his ass. Serves him right.

I couldn't help but laugh, which brought everyone's attention to me. The smaller me jumped running to the other side of Patton to hide. Roman ran up and kicked me in the leg as pay back for laughing at him. I just shook my head as Patton dragged him back and made him apologize. Even this young he was still the parent.

"Hey, don't worry about it Pat. I'm Roman was just trying to keep his family safe right." Roman's eyes went wide as he jumped and grabbed his sword pointing it at me.

"That's right mister I'm a prince so don't try any..." The sound drowned away until I couldn't hear anything. I started to look around in confusion and worry. I felt someone grab my arm and I turned to see a worried Patton trying to talk to me. But I couldn't hear a single word.

I watched as every blew away in a tornado of colors and once again I standing alone in front of a Christmas tree. I don't understand. What's going on? I looked around spotting a small child in a hoodie sitting in front of the tree. Virgil?

"Anxiety? Come eat breakfast before you open them." An older Patton peeked out of the kitchen and stopped short when he saw me. "Logan?"