Beauty and the Beast

11

Plopping onto the bench with Christine she sighs. "He was doing so good." 

"What happened?" She asks.

"He just exploded on me because I asked about Christmas." Stevie huffs.

"Don't take it to heart love." Christine rubs her back.

"But why doesn't he want to celebrate Christmas and why did he have to be such a grump about it." She crosses her arms.

"He's a hothead," Mick explains 

"EVEN AT CHRISTMAS!" She lets out a loud groan. 

"Stevie, What's Christmas?" Chip asks running over to her and climbing onto her lap.

"Don't worry about it," John warns chasing after him. 

"You don't know about Christmas." She states.

"Nuh-uh." He shakes his head.

"You've never experienced stockings hung by the fire, a tree, tinsel, presents." She lists.

"OH BOY PRESENTS! DO I GET ONE!" He cheers.

"Of course, everyone gets a present at Christmas." Stevie laughs.

"Even the master?" He slumps.

"Yes dear, even Lindsey." Stevie nods.

"Well, what are you going to get him?" Chip inquires.

"I don't really know him well enough to what he would like." She shrugs.

"Well, what would you like?" Chip taps his chin.

"Oh, I don't know. I like Jewelry, books, journals. I love to read and write." She explains.

"You should write him a story." Chip jumps on her lap.

"I don't normally share my writing with anybody but that's a very good idea Chip." She grabs his little nose. 

"So does this mean we can have a Christmas." Chip look at all of the adults.

"Absolutely." Stevie smiles.

"Absolutely not!" John states firmly. 

"But daddy." Chip whines. 

"It's out of the question Chip." He spits.

"Now John let's not get too hasty. It's Stephanie's first Christmas away from her family. I think we should do it." Mick nods.

"Come on honey, have a heart. We used to love Christmas when we were young. Please John, I kind of miss it myself." Christine sighs.

"No, No, No, out of the question." He crosses his arms.

"But why?" Chip presses.

"The Master has forbidden Christmas. Don't you remember..." He starts.

"FORBIDS CHRISTMAS! NO ONE CAN FORBID CHRISTMAS!" Stevie moves Chip onto Christine's lap and starts pacing in front of the bench. 

"He doesn't want to be reminded of his past and Christmas is one of the most painful times for him to remember and I don't want to put him through that." John scowls.

"Personally, I think it'll do the man good." Stevie states.

"Stevie's right, it's up to us to do something," Mick interjects.

"It is not. We do not get involved in his life. We just take care of him." John explains. 

"Well, I think it's a wonderful idea. I want my son to experience Christmas. He's turning five on the 30th you know and he hasn't gotten to experience it." Christine states.