Beauty and the Beast

12

"Stevie he hasn't seen the ballroom yet, it's all decorated and it's really pretty. That'll change his mind." Chip says as they make their way into the main part of the castle.

"Chip, it's not that simple. He's forbidden it." She shrugs.

"But I thought he couldn't," Chip says tears welling up in his eyes.

"You know what Chip, you're right...we're going to celebrate this with or without him." She stops grabbing at her coat. 

"What are we going to do now," Chip asks.

"Well, we still need a tree. Do you want to come with me?" She asks.

"Absolutely!" He grins.

"Alright, go get your coat and boots on and meet me at the front entrance. I'll be right back." She sighs grabbing the gift that she had decided to give him off of the buffet where she left it in the middle of the hallway, as she was still carrying it around when she decided to go grab the Yule log.

She slowly went to his room and when the coast was clear she set the book down on the table and snuck out before Lindsey made his way back. Lily stayed back but Chip, Max, and Stevie went onto the trial with their sleds to hunt for a tree. 

***

Lindsey was talking to Mick as he entered his room. He peered out the window to see Stevie with Chip heading for the woods and he sighed. 

"She's beautiful isn't she." Mick nudges him.

"She's beautiful and she's great with kids and I can't help but wonder what she'd be like with our own. But she's so stubborn she can't get it through her head that we do not celebrate Christmas." He states.

"So she has some problems. She's stubborn and independent but you love her for that reason. And let's face it. You have things to work on too like the fact that you're just as stubborn and you're severely ill-tempered." Mick scolds.

"You're right...but we're still not having Christmas....what the fuck is this?" He asks holding up the gift that Stevie just placed. 

"Well Lindsey, it looks like a Christmas gift." Mick shrugs.

He just grunts and throws it at Mick who examines it. "Lindsey, it's for you...from a girl." 

Lindsey stops and turns around cocking an eyebrow.

"Christine, Sarah, Sharon, Margi?" 

"Nope...Stevie." Mick winks.

"Stevie?" He asks quickly taking it back and grabbing at the ribbon.

"LINDSEY! It's not Christmas yet." 

He just scoffs. And goes to open it again.

"Lindsey, we all know how you feel about Christmas but when a woman gives a man a gift, she's saying that she cares about you." Mick sighs.

"But I don't have a gift for her." He looks down sadly.

"It's not too late. You can make her something. Or she likes Jewelry. You have a lot leftover from your mother." Mick shrugs.

"I can't part with my mother's stuff." He shakes his head.

"Lindsey. Your mother is gone. She's been gone for over twenty years. Stevie's not. Stevie's right here and I think it would be special." Mick pats his back as he goes to walk out of the room.

***

"CHRISTINE! Where's Stevie?" Lindsey asks as the night ascends on them. He had picked out his gift for her and he wanted to give it to her quickly. 

"We can't find her sir." 

"What!" 

Oh, Lindsey the last I knew she went out in the forest with Chip to find a tree, but I'm getting kind of worried, it's dark out." She bites her lip.

"Oh no." He groans going up to his room and grabbing the mirror.

"Show me the girl." 

***

When he sees her he gulps and quickly flies down the stairs to grab his coat. 

"Is this the one?" Stevie asks for what seems like the millionth time. Every tree she's pointed out to Chip he's turned down flat saying it wasn't good enough, even though the little bastard has turned down about fifty trees and it's starting to get dark, Stevie knows that deep down he's right. None of them have been good enough. 

She's not sure how far into the woods they are, but she knows they're away out there. 

"THIS IS THE BEST TREE EVER!" Chip cheers when they come to a giant fluffy tree. 

Stevie agrees and starts chopping and once she hooks it up to the sled and the horse she sends him off. They're comfily riding in the sleigh when the horse steps a little too hard on a soft patch of ice and like glass it shatters. Chip falls into the water and Stevie immediately gasps before diving in and swimming to find him. The water is cold and it's dark but she luckily grasps his hand and she tries to pull him up but she gets sucked in with the current. until she grabs onto a piece of a ice and throws them over it. 

"Chip thank god I got you." She sighs sitting him down on the ice as something wraps around her ankle and pulls her down. 

Lindsey watching the exchange immediately dives into the water and grabs her before hauling her to safety. His swimming that he used to do with his brothers paying off immensely. 

***

She had semi-drowned and when Lindsey got she was passed out, when she blinks awake he's staring at her. 

"Lindsey?" She sighs.

"You were running away weren't you." 

"What, no. I was just trying to get a tree. It's my first Christmas without my family and I wanted to celebrate it with my new one." She plays with the hem of her skirt.

"Why do I get the feeling that you're lying to me. This is the second time that we fought and the second time that I had to go haul your ass in from the snow." He spits.

"Lindsey, I was just trying to make you happy." A tear rolls down her cheek.

"Here's what I have to say about that Stephanie. Fuck happiness." He spits walking out and slamming the door shut. It was then that she realized where exactly she was.

He had locked her in the cellars again. All she had was the thin blanket wrapped around her, in her soaked clothes and the stupid straw pillow. All she does is lay down against it and she cries.

"I should've known you'd never be anything but a monster."  It was then that the clock chimed. It was midnight.