Who: Nick and Mia What: Celebrating X-Mas Day When: Dec 25 Where: Nick’s little house Rating: low
Mia had meant to go home on Christmas Eve, but ended up falling asleep with Nick. It wasn’t the biggest of deals, but she was aware this was his ward’s first Christmas in America and in Madison and Nick took his guardianship seriously. She had woken up early - she often did - and slipped out of the house so that Nick and Nam-Ra could do the whole Christmas morning thing. She was a teenager so Mia doubted the kid would wake up ‘super early’, but she was sure there’d still be excitement.
Mia thought it’d be ‘safe’ to re-visit at ten in the morning and so she did, knocking on the door and carrying a bag with a few presents in it. She was even being festive this year - she had found a Santa hat in Hanukkah colours when shopping with her dad. It reminded her of her mother and now she was wearing it. She blamed the time of year and Nick’s influence for the nostalgia.
When Nick opened the door, Mia smiled. “Merry Christmas.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I brought second breakfast.” She held up a non-gift bag with breakfast from Hinkles. If he had gotten up early, he’d be hungry by now.
Nick certainly didn’t mind falling asleep with his fiancee, especially not on Christmas Eve. Given neither of them seemed to be in a particular rush to marry, this might not be the only Christmas with the title of fiancee and not wife. But, he never wanted Nam-Ra to feel awkward, so he and Mia kept sleepovers to a minimum at times.
When he opened the door, Nick laughed, loving the hat. “Where did you find the hat? It’s perfect.” He pulled Mia inside and kissed her, gently. “I will never say no to any breakfast.” He’d eaten some pastries and drank espresso, but he definitely needed more food than pastries.
“Thank you.”
“When I was younger my mom made it a game to seek out anything that combined both holidays. Since then I’ve gotten pretty good at it. There’s a small, niche market for it, apparently.” It was worth it to see have him laugh.
She walked in and went to start pulling out the food. “How did Christmas go?” Mia paused, considering. “I was able to say she’s probably too old for Santa, but considering there is or was a Santa here in Madison I guess it’s hard not to think he’s at least a little bit real.” It was still strange to think about.
“I wish I got to see some of the treasures your mom managed to find.” Of course, he also wished for the opportunity to meet Mia’s mom, given he knew so many others from her world. “I’m sure the niche market is especially small in Madison Valley.”
“Christmas went over well.” Madness in the Pack house as always, especially with how many people currently called it home. “Considering I was Saint Nicholas, let’s not speak of that ever again,” he joked.
He pulled Mia in for a kiss, before taking her hand and leading her into the kitchen to dish out some of the food.
Mia managed not to laugh at the reminder he had been a version of Santa. Of course his version had been very different from the one she grew up with, but it still had been very… interesting…. When she woke up next to an old man like that.
“I think I managed not to get a truck load of presents from my dad, but the day’s not over yet.” While some people might love a lot of gifts, getting gifts was already hard for her since she had a hard time truly accepting she deserved them. She was better now, but being showered in gifts would be utterly weird to her.
“It’s nice having my aunt around to celebrate with too.. Though I guess I sort of miss having a ward around too.” Which was a weird admission, but true.
Nick still thought it hilarious that he became the fancy version of Saint Nicholas, while Scott became the American version. Not that he’d say so out loud, in this house, where Kate could possibly hear him say so.
“Your dad…is…your dad.” Nick liked Oliver enough, now that he didn’t seem to want to murder Nick. But sometimes the werewolf thought maybe Oliver should take a little step back and allow his daughter to breathe. Like, he had to make up for all of the missing years in days.
“I miss your ward. MJ was really fun to have around. Even if she gave me a lot of shit. And it’s nice you have your aunt.” Nick thought how lucky he and Mia were to have as much family here as they did.
Nick was definitely right about her dad being who he was. He wasn’t going to change. Or, well, was unlikely. Mia had always thought she’d never change, but Nick certainly changed that preconceived notion.
“It’s weird when I think about it considering I never thought I’d be a good guardian of any kid…. Probably helped MJ was pretty self sufficient. It would have been hard to screw up with her.” Probably. Mia certainly had some things on her list of what not to do thanks to her own upbringing.
“What’s happening for New Years? I haven’t talked to Sara yet, but I have a feeling we might be working.”
“I think you’d be good as a guardian in the future. Maybe MJ will return at some point?” Of course, if she did, the teen might not remember anyone, which would hurt Mia. “I think she was more self-sufficient than me,” he joked.
At the question about New Year’s, Nick shrugged. “If Sara has something planned, I’ll work. I thought about attending the museum party for a bit and maybe checking out the art. Would you want to go?” The werewolf knew formal parties didn’t necessarily interest Mia, but he knew she should get a say.
She considered it for a moment, but it didn’t take her long to decide. She nodded. “I would.” She didn’t necessarily like fancy parties, but that stemmed from who threw them in her world and the times she was turned into a socialite by the Dome. A ‘normal’ fancy party with Nick might be nice if it was with people in Madison. That meant most of them probably weren’t stuffy jerks… hopefully.
“I might as well put those dresses in my closet to use on occasion.” Her dad would probably be there, she realized, and she had to wonder how he’d react to her in an expensive dress - she was pretty sure he hadn’t ever seen her like that yet.
He leaned over and kissed Mia. “I think we’ll have fun.” And if after an hour they weren’t having fun, the two could leave, obviously.
“Should we eat some food and go join the others?”
Mia nodded and smiled “Yeah. That sounds good.” She was looking forward to celebrating the rest of the day with her fiance.