Back Home: A Beetlejuice Story

Chapter 19

BJ

I wake up to the bed shifting under the weight of someone else sitting on the bed. I open my eyes and see Lydia sitting on the end of the bed, smiling wide holding a tray of food in front of her.

"Happy Deathday," she cheers quietly. "Don't worry, this is it, this is all I'm doing for you today besides giving you a Christmas present. And I told everyone to keep celebrations low-key this year."

"Because breakfast in bed isn't over the top as is?" I ask as I sit up.

She stares at me and gives a one-word explanation as to why she doesn't think it's over the top: "Barbara."

"Right," I nod. "What'd you make me?" I ask rubbing my hands together. Lydia places the tray down on my lap. A plate with a large steak and buttered noodles sit on it.

"You said this was your favorite food at one point, so I figured it would be a good way to start the day," she smiles at me.

"It's the best way to start the day," I agree, digging in. "You want some?"

Lydia shakes her head. "The smell of it cooking made me a little nauseous. It's pretty early, y' know." She gets up and goes over to her vanity and pulls a small box out. A devious smirk covers her face as she comes back over to me. "You have to finish eating first," She says, noticing the look I'm giving the box. I roll my eyes and continue eating. I see Lydia tossing the box around while I eat.

"Okay, now present?" I ask when I finish eating, reaching out for it. She holds it overhead and I reach for it again. She stands on the bed to get it further from my reach. I snap and the box is in my hands.

"No fair," Lydia exclaims, tucking her legs under her and falling onto the bed with a bounce. I smirk at her and open the box. Inside is a singular instant print picture of her.

"What's this?" I ask.

"You said that I didn't have enough photos of myself so I deliberately took one for you," she explains, leaning up against me.

I stare at the photo for a long time. It looks like she meant to pose for it but got distracted by something else. She's smiling and looking off to the side slightly. It's definitely candid. I couldn't love it more. "It's incredible. Thank you." I tuck it into a pocket of my jacket. I smile sincerely at her and she smiles back.

We head downstairs and Lydia tells me to go sit in the living room and wait for her. She disappears into the kitchen and I stand to wait near the stairs. I can hear Lydia making conversation with the rest of her family. I take the time alone to finally look around the room since I've been avoiding any area of the house that may be decorated for the holiday. Everything is decorated in sparkly reds, golds, and white. It's almost nauseating how sparkly the place is, but amongst the midst, there is a singular small vampire nutcracker. It has a Santa hat on to fit the occasion, but it is so distinctly Lydia that it makes the place feel a little less like a store display. I shove my hands in my pockets and recline against the wall behind me.

"I told you to sit and wait," Lydia proclaims as she comes back in the living room. I chuckle and teleport over onto the couch.

"Is that better?" I ask smugly. She picks up a pillow from one of the chairs and throws it at me. I catch it before it can hit me. "Hey, it's my special day! You shouldn't throw stuff at a guy on his day," I shout.

"I thought you didn't want any special treatment today," Lydia sits on the couch, her back leaning up against my arm. She leans her head back so that it's resting against my shoulder.