mayachain

Title: Beating Holidays
Characters: John/Rodney, Jeannie/Kaleb, David, Madison
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~400
Summary: Christmas Eve.
Notes: This is the Christmas sequel to Beating Hearts, to be concluded within the next 10 days.

I'll be going to the cemetery after lunch, Jeannie says, sipping a cup of hot cocoa while pointing out to the men where to store the mountains of groceries before her. Next to David, Rodney's fingers tighten around the lumps of cheese in his hands. Can I draw a picture? Madison asks, and Jeannie smiles at her daughter and says, you can write a whole letter, if you want.

My parents are at my sisters' this year, Kaleb explains, sounding a little bit defensive, as if he needs justify being the only not-orphaned adult among them. I saw to Mom and Dad's before I came here, David confides, catching John's eye over the kitchen table. I think Martha will light a candle for us today, but I can't be sure.

Later, when Jeannie and Madison debate what kind of flowers look best on the graves, Rodney is busy in the living room, setting the table for lunch. When Madison draws her card, surprising David with a Can you hold Curie for me so I can know how to paint her? Rodney is in the kitchen, playing chess with John.

Someone else will have to take care of dinner, Jeannie says, storing the card in her purse, making it clear that her guests are to give Kaleb a break. Vegetarian, please, we're making enough of a concession tomorrow. I know Kanaan gave you his recipe for marat fen, John suggests to David, maybe we could try something like that.

Remember how grandma loved graveyards, David volunteers later still, peering into the cupboards in search for ingredients. Calmest place to take walks in, John nods, although David gets the feeling his brother definitely wouldn't agree with that.

I'm going, Jeannie calls, and there is only the slightest hesitation before she closes the door and is gone. Madison is staring a little wide-eyed at everything the Sheppard brothers have laid out, and no-one says a word about Rodney being upstairs, immersed in gift-wrapping.

David doesn't want to imagine the words he'd use if they were spending Christmas in Phoenix and John were to refuse to visit their parents.

This sure looks interesting, Kaleb says, making John grin and fake-whisper into the man's ear, Dave also knows a way to have turkey not smell like meat. Really, Madison asks, sounding very much like her uncle. Really, David confirms, and suddenly, Kaleb Miller is his new best friend.

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