Logan

110. Christmas Party, Part 1

*Natalie's POV*

I was fluffing up my hair, wincing as I lifted my arms slightly higher to put part of my hair back. I wanted to look perfect tonight, Wren, Aeron and Desmond all in one room.

I felt like I was going to throw up from the anxiety, but I kept a level head. Desmond could handle himself, same with Wren. He was bringing Artie and Robin, and instagram told me she'd be bringing her new girlfriend. Good for her, I hit the like on her latest photo with Moon, or was it Monty? I shook my head and stood up to zip my dress. This one was pretty easy, since it zipped from the side. It wasn't too tight, and I'd made the effort to wear some black tights with a garter clip attachment.

I was supposed to get Desmond from work, and since Wren wouldn't let me drive I had to make my way into his car with my snow-boots on. Desmond had bought me protectors that had spikes on the bottom. Wren still stood beside me and helped me get in, but before he could shut the door I stopped him.

"Wait, I have to go get something." I quickly walked back inside and picked up the cookie tin. I placed the card inside as well and tightened the ribbon just a little. I made my way back to Wren's car again and we were off.

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"You didn't have to do this," Captain Ripley smiled, taking the tin from me. "I didn't get you anything."

"Open it!" I smiled, sitting on the chair opposite the desk.

"What the heck," he chuckled and placed it on the desk carefully, delicately pulling the ribbon until it released. He pulled open the tin and opened the card. Inside it said, 'I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I enjoyed making them.' He laughed, "Cookies? Oh, I've been spoiled by just about every club and legion in this town."

I shook my head, "I don't think anyone else knows how to make these like me."

He took a cookie and looked it over, and he smiled. "Sugar cookies, you even... you made the wreaths."

I nodded, "Alex helped me with some of the details, but I made the mix and I followed it down to the last detail, I found it somewhere in my mom's box of recipes. I don't think it was my moms, the handwriting doesn't look the same." I laughed, but a strange look came over his face. "Is something wrong? Did I add too much zest?"

I tried to read his emotions but I was lost, he put the cookie down and looked away as he chewed. He put his hand on his face with his index finger pointed, shit. He probably hated them, I knew I added too much zest.

A silence fell over the small room, my anxiety was fighting through my skin. I bit my lip and looked at the floor, I knew it. I messed up.

"Captain Ripley, I'm so sorry. I tried one earlier before I left and I thought they were okay," the tears were threatening to burst but I wanted to hold my grip. I didn't want to get Desmond in trouble.

When he didn't answer me back, I stood up, "I've upset you. I'm sorry, I won't bother you anymore."  I moved toward the door and his voice broke the silence.

"Wait," His hand gently grabbed my elbow, but his voice was raw and quivering, "don't go."

I turned and he let go, "I just wanted to say that I'm extremely grateful, no one's ever made that style of cookies before. I haven't tasted something like that in... almost 20 years. You've truly given me a gift."

I sniffled, exhaling a sigh of relief, "I'm so happy to hear you say that. I thought you hated them."

Captain Ripley shook his head, "I could never." He dug in his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, and his wallet. He handed me the handkerchief, and I looked it over. "T.R." in cursive, with a small red rose next to it. I lightly dabbed my eyes, I didn't want to get mascara all over it. I watched suspiciously as he pulled out a $50 bill and handed it to me.

"Here, get yourself something nice."

I shook my head and tried to hand it back to him, "I can't accept this, the cookies were a gift."

"Did you not spend time on them?" He asked, taking another bite of cookie.

"I did, but-"

"Did you make multiple batches?" He asked.

"How'd you know that?"

He laughed, "Doesn't every baker make a mistake batch or two?"

"I mean, yes, but I can't accept this, it's too much."

He sighed, "Please humor me. Put it in your po-" He looked at my jacket curiously, "How do you stay warm in that?"

I looked at my jacket, "I mean, I'm fine." Lies, I just wanted to look cute for Desmond.

Ripley's brow furrowed, "Come on, there's no way you're warm in that. It doesn't even have insulation."

I tried to come up with a better excuse but it was pointless. He put up his finger, "Hold on, wait a second."

He opened the other door and went inside, a closet? I waited and saw him come out with a leather bomber jacket, it looked vintage. I knew bomber jackets like these weren't cheap, the material alone would've cost a fortune. "I can't let my k-I mean, I can't let you just walk around cold like that."

I shook my head, "Sir, please, I-"

He sighed, "Jeeze louise, are you always this stubborn? Just put it on, come on, kid."

I put down the money and unzipped my jacket. "I'm just borrowing it."

"Yeah, yeah, sure." He laughed, and helped me get my arms in, and let me do the rest. "There you go," He tucked the bill into the pocket, "Listen, I'm not taking no for an answer, get yourself something nice. Please. You've spoiled me, honestly."

I smiled, "I just wanted to do something nice."

"Believe me, I'm going to wipe out those cookies once you leave." He laughed, "But, thanks for making them. I really do appreciate everything you do, for me, for Raleigh. You grew up nice."

Something about that phrase confused me, "Did you know me before I started dating Raleigh, sir?"

He looked away and then stepped back a little, "I mean, I saw your name in some articles, I went to see some games, you had one hell of a spike!"

I nodded, "Until I broke my arm senior year."

He was going to respond, but then Desmond knocked on the door. We both looked at him.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Miss Koughlin, would you excuse us?" I nodded and pointed to the jacket.

"Thanks for letting me borrow it."

He smiled, "Yeah, sure." He took a couple of steps and pulled me into a hug, placing his hand on the back of my head. "Thanks for everything, it's the best Christmas gift I've received in years."

I nodded and closed the door behind me, waiting for Desmond at the elevator. A few more minutes and we were walking to Wren's car.

"Hey, so why'd Cap give you his favorite jacket?"

I stopped in my tracks, "Wait, what do you mean? Favorite jacket? How do you know it's his favorite jacket?"

He furrowed his brow, "I thought you would've known, but that jacket belonged to his grandfather who served in WWII."

I gasped, "What?! He gave me a vintage jacket?!"

"I thought you knew? He told everyone the story of his grandfather's jacket... pilot in the air force."

I shook my head, "No, he failed to mention he gave me a family heirloom!!" I stood in panic for a moment, until I saw him out of the corner of my eye. He gave me a small wave and kept walking.

"Goodnight kids, Merry Christmas."