the moon [h.s.] - EDITING

sixty-five.

LUNA

CHRISTMAS EVE
PART TWO

Anne's dining room table is festively decorated with a white tablecloth, red circular placemats, with tall candles next to the delicious feast. She wishes she could've helped as she takes everything in.

"Luna! How are you feeling?" Gemma asks her.

"Better... Thank you again for picking up some cough medicine for me."

"Oh, it was no problem, babe... Have a seat." Gemma smiled at her.

She's about to offer if she or Anne needs any help, but Harry is already pulling out a chair for her. "Thanks," she tells him as she then sits. She scoots in her chair after Harry gives her shoulder a light squeeze. She smiles the moment Anne walks into the dining room with a bowl. She is setting it down and Luna can't help but notice how dressed up she is. "You look absolutely lovely, Anne."

She's flattening down her white long-sleeved dress with her manicured nails and she smiles wide from Luna's compliment. "Thank you, my dear... So do you!"

Luna smiles from the compliment, but she feels as if she's only being nice. She doesn't look or feel as lovely. "Thank you," she tells her in return.

"Are you sure you don't want any soup?" Harry then asks Luna. He sits next to her with his hand on her knee.

She smiles lightly at him. "I'm sure," she tells him. She's already pushed just how much she wants to eat the turkey and not soup. "I feel better, Harry."

He looks at her for a moment as if he's deciding to believe her or not. She's telling the truth. For the most part.

"Before we get into our little Christmas dinner, I just have to say I couldn't be happier to have you home, Harry." Anne is smiling brightly as she sits next to Gemma across from them.

He smiles just as bright. "I'm happy to be here, too, mum..."

"I'm just happy you've brought Luna," his sister says as she pops open a bottle of wine. She throws Luna a playful wink over her way. "Wine?"

Luna lets out a giggle from what Gemma had said. She feels flattered and excited by the fact that Gemma seems to like her. She might be blushing. It doesn't help that Luna also finds her boyfriend's sister attractive and pretty. They all have such good genes. Wine. Luna clears her throat after leaving Gemma hanging from her offer. "Oh, I can't... I mean, no thank you. I'm, uh... fine with water," Luna says. She doesn't want some alcohol with the medication she's on. They don't know that, though... Now they probably think she's a struggling alcoholic, Luna thinks. Or pregnant? She looks over at Harry to help calm her nerves a bit.

"I'll bring us some waters," Harry tells her. He smiles at her before he stands up from his seat. "Anyone want anything else from the kitchen?"

His mother and sister had said no to his offer. Luna watched him leave before she looked at his family again. "The food looks so good, by the way. I'm so sorry I couldn't have been much help," she then tells Anne.

"Dear, don't worry about that! I'm glad you're feeling better."

"I am," she says back with a nod. Luna then smiles up at Harry when he comes back. "Thank you." She takes the glass of water. She takes a small sip and then she sets it down by her empty plate.

"Now can we dig in?" Gemma's asking her mother. She smiles wide once Anne gives her a nod.

»»

She's zoning out. She's chewing her food, but it's becoming so difficult to swallow each bite. She's so stubborn, she finally accepts. Harry had offered to warm up soup. She should have taken it. Her sore throat is hurting her much more than ever.