Chris Evans: The Collection (Imagines and Short Stories)

After Chris-mas Special 1: A Chris-Mas Story

Part 1: Coming Home

Again we have Chris and Guin and this is their first Christmas as parents...

Before there is talk of gluttony and merry at a ranch enshrouded in winter wonderland like a life-size snow globe for a milestone Christmas, we journey back across the creek, ten days past where a blue Land Rover carries an anxious but excited family of three to a rented cottage to meet a certain puppy who's ready to meet his little human sister. A creature is definitely stirring. Let this "Chris"mas Special Commence!

December 15th, 2018 11: 00 AM

"Here we are," Chris announces in a sing-songy voice while making the final turn into the driveway.

As the car comes to a steady stop as not to make the sleeping bundle in the back stir, Guin says in a whisper, "Welcome to our house for the next couple of weeks, Ava."

They have a plan, but Chris verbalizes it all to be certain he has it all correct, "So I'll grab the bags. You'll detach the carrier part of the car seat and hand her off to me."

Guin replies reluctantly, "Yes. Even though I wish I could lift something, but lifting things provides a lot of strain on my tired and hurting body. I'm sorry."

Chris manages before shutting the door, "Don't apologize, Guin. You've done a lot already."

I really have. I can't believe I made a baby in me for nine months and yesterday morning I pushed her out. The most painful thing I've ever done, but oh so worth it. This little angel is the greatest gift I've ever received. Truly a merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

"Please don't wake up, Sweetheart," she pleads quietly. The peace on Ava's face and the serene rise and fall of her tummy is a sight her mother would despise to interrupt. Guin's touch is gentle as she pushes against the clip strapping her daughter securely to the car seat. Guin flinches in fear that the snoozing will turn into screaming instead. She holds her breath when there's a fateful click to indicate that she can begin the process of detaching the carrier from the base. She slowly brings it forward as if she's preparing to push it like a toy car on a miniature track at high velocity. When it slides with ease, Guin brings it up and moves it onto her knees. Guin's heart almost sinks when she sees Ava seeming to wake up with the stretch of an arm and a high-pitched "mmm", but is really just a changing of position and passing of gas. Guin exhales in sweet relief.

Chris opens the door and the transfer occurs like a very conspicuous drug deal as instead of taking the bar first, he takes the carrier in both hands and places it on the garage floor before taking the plastic bar in his fingers. Guin is tempted to pick a fight over it, but she's too tired. Plus she brings her focus to exiting the vehicle without reacting with a harpy-like screech.

"Don't help me," Guin says so that she can feel proud in doing something and Chris retracts his free hand. She sticks her legs out of the car-- her eyes become slits and her teeth cover her bottom lip. Guin extends one leg down to the floor as if she's going dip the tips of her toes in ice-cold water just to retreat back to the warmth of land. The plunging dagger of pain doesn't radiate from the base of her vagina into her belly like when she stood up before in the hospital causing her to sweat and perceive a sensation of fever when her sandals touch the ground. The painkiller the doctor had given her must have been doing its job.

Chris manages a muted exclamation while gesturing to the stairs leading to the door into the kitchen, "And into the house, we go!"

"Finally. Even if it is not our home, a hospital really makes me thankful for a comfy couch and a warm bed," Guinevere chuckles.

Chris laughs, "True, but it's not like we're gonna be sleeping anymore."

"We'll get the zzzs and all the sheep we can herd."