Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Sixteen: Christmas (Part Three)- Marry Me

Lauren leaned against the doorway and smiled. Mikey was sound asleep and Collum also sound asleep, on the floor. It was early Christmas morning and Maia was practically vibrating beside her. "Maaaa." Maia drew out. "Let's wake them up..."

Lauren laughed and nodded.

Maia ran over and jumped onto Collum. He jumped, groaned, and then looked to see his daughter sitting on him. "Get up! It's CHRISTMAS!"

Collum chuckled. "Is it?"

Maia gave him a look. "Don't tease, come on..." She leaped off her father, grabbed his arm and attempted to pull him up. Lauren was laughing. Mikey woke up and looked down at Maia and Collum.

"Pops..."

"Okay, okay, I'm up." Collum said. He sat up and rubbed his face and stretched. "Go ahead, get down there. I'll be down."

Maia didn't need telling twice, she raced down the stairs and looked around at all the presents. Collum looked at Lauren as she walked in. "Rough night, Cee?"

Collum glanced at Mikey and then Lauren. "No, I would do it again."

Lauren smiled, warmly, and sat on Mikey's bed. "Merry Christmas, sweetie."

Mikey looked at Lauren and smiled a small smile. "Merry Christmas." He said tentatively. Collum stood up and stretched. "Maia is very excited." Mikey said, wonderingly.

Lauren laughed. "Yes."

"Some day you will be too, buddy." Collum said and smiled at Mikey. "But today is going to be fun. You're going to get presents and then we're going to eat a big breakfast and later on...guess what where we're going?"

Mikey perked up instantly, for he knew just exactly what they were seeing. "Nicole in the ballet!" He jumped out of bed and was nearly vibrating with excitement. "We're really going, still, and it's going to be a ballet, daddy?"

Lauren looked surprised at Collum. Collum smiled and nodded at her and then knelt down to be eye level with Mikey. "Yes, bud, you're going to see a ballet."

Mikey made a noise of excitement. "I want to go now." He looked surprised at himself as those words fell out of his mouth. He looked a little nervous, but Lauren stood and scooped him up.

"I know you do, baby, but Seven will be here before you know it." She hugged him to her, and Mikey smiled. "Now, let's not keep Maia waiting longer than she has too."

Mikey nodded, but as the three of them walked down to the tree he was instantly overwhelmed. There were so many presents and so many were for him. What had he done to deserve that? He swallowed hard and tried to act excited like Maia.

"Ma, can I open one now?" Maia asked as Lauren sat Mikey by her.

"Yes, grab and go Maia." Lauren said. She sat on the ground near the children. She had seen Mikey's look and knew this must be a lot for him to take in.

Collum sat next to Lauren and laughed as Maia tore into her first present. She was so happy to see the movie she had asked for.

"Okay, Mikey, you next." Maia said and gave him a gift.

Mikey looked down at the box and felt his breathing quicken. Maia was watching him expectantly and he unwrapped it. He smiled at the toy Jurassic Park compound. He looked at the playset and then at his parents. "Thank you!" He said.