Nemesis (Closed)

[Macaberz]

After a rather extensive shower, Rafael had slipped into his best clothes before heading downstairs. It wasn't designer, like Isla tended to wear, but he hoped she would approve anyway. Normally he didn't spend more than ten seconds in front of a mirror, but for today's very special Christmas celebration, he'd made an exception and actually combed his hair. A plain but pristine white blouse and his most comfortable jeans formed the basis. On top, he'd elected to wear a suit jacket and he finished off with an old-fashioned red neckerchief. Once all dressed up, he informed Isla that she could use the bathroom if she needed it before rushing down the stairs.


"Ah!" He'd hardly landed at the bottom of the stairs when his mother pulled him into a tight embrace. "Merry Christmas! Merry, merry christmas!" He hadn't seen her as happy since the death of his father, all those years ago. He smiled back. "Merry Christmas mum."


A mop of blonde curls appeared from the kitchen. Bailey had gotten up early to help his mother prepare breakfast, it appeared. Without a hint of embarrassment, Rafael stepped up to the little blond, gave a hug and ruffled his hair. "Merry Christmas Bailey-" He stopped there as he watched through the kitchen window. The entire village, and the lands surrounding it, where covered in a pearl-white blanket.


"Cool huh?" Bailey chirped from behind.


“Yeah,” Rafael smiled, the urge to step out and head through the untouched snow was almost irresistible.


**


It was 10 in the morning exactly when everyone had found a seat at the table. Mrs. Woodrow had outdone herself yet again with a freshly baked Christmas stollen, fresh orange juice, perfect boiled eggs, cheesecake, and many more sweet snacks.


“I’m so glad we can all be here together,” she would repeatedly say with a healthy blush on her cheeks. Rafael noticed she exchanged glances with Bailey in particular, as if the two had struck up some secret pact.


When everyone had had their fill and Mrs. Woodrow rubbed her hands together, leaned back in her chair and let out a relieved sigh. “I propose we head out to the Christmas market in town, have a bit of a walk, maybe get some hot chocolate, and then return here so all of you can open your presents!”


Rafael shot a glance over his shoulder at the Christmas tree. He hadn’t forgotten to buy presents, but he had very nearly forgotten that he’d be receiving some as well. Just being at home, and with Bailey and Isla too was enough of a present in of itself.


“I agree,” Rafael said. “But would you mind if we meet up at the market? You could go take Bailey shopping while Isla and I clean up here.” Underneath the table he briefly pressed his leg against Isla’s to signal her he was up to something. Hidden or not, Mrs. Woodrow almost instantly saw through her son’s decoy, but decided –in good Christmas spirit- to play along and grant him his wish. She feigned a smile and looked at Bailey. “I suppose you’re right Rafael. I think Bailey here could do with a little fattening up, and maybe some additional thick sweaters too.”


And so it was that Bailey and Mrs. Woodrow headed out through the snow, hand-in-hand, towards the Christmas market. As soon as they’d shut the door behind them, Rafael turned to face Isla. “Let’s get this cleaned up fast,” he said. “There is something I want to show you.”

 

[GalaxyGirl]

Christmas morning came after a surprisingly blissful night of sleep. Isla wasn't sure she felt so rested in her entire life, and whether it was the calming effects of a warm house such as the Woodrow's more the Christmas spirit slowly creeping in to thaw the icy girl, if only for a moment, Isla wasn't completely sure. She decided to not question it for once.


After showering, combing her long ash-blonde hair, and sliding into a simple evergreen dress with wool stockings and a pair of black snow boots, she met with the others at the kitchen table. Bailey and Mrs. Woodrow both looked cheerful and Isla did notice that Rafael cleaned up surprisingly nicely. Not that she would ever admit that to him.


Breakfast was inviting, and Isla helped herself to some of Mrs. Woodrow's finest of creations. How a woman could cook so wonderfully, she did not know. Her own mother never cooked as the Hallows had many servants to do the mundane tasks for them, but she almost wished cool Adriana Hallows had half the warmth of Mrs. Woodrow. And a fraction of the cooking skills.


It was quite a different experience for her. Yes, she had presents at the Hallows manor, but she could pick out a few hand wrapped ones clearly from Bailey, and somehow that was a little more endearing than the designer items and expensive trinkets she normally received from her parents. Christmas mornings at the Hallows manor generally consisted of Adriana sipping wine while Isla opened presents and then the older woman would prance off to get ready for some extravagant Christmas party in which Isla would be forced into a small room with the Hawthorne boys and Britianna while their parents went about their night.


But at the Woodrow house, presents were fewer but the company was more inviting. Isla liked it.


After the plans for the day had been made and Isla and Rafael were left alone to clean up, Isla drifted along the table beginning to help clear away the things. That was a new one for her, too. She never set the table, cleaned it up, and never did dishes. It was simply unheard of. She didn't particularly mind it, though. Plus, she was kind of curious as to what Rafael had to show her.


"This is not some ruse to try to get me under a mistletoe, is it?" Perhaps it was the atmosphere that caused Isla to loosen up, but the ghost of a smile tugged at her lips as she teased him.


---


The local market place was brimming with things to do and see. Bailey was absolutely transfixed as they made their way into town. From plenty of sweets to various apparel shops, and everything in between, it was an absolute sight to see. As he and Mrs. Woodrow made their way through the town, he pressed his face against the glass and breathed in the scent of fresh breads baking and soaked in the laughter of young children. He didn't even mind it when a snowball nearly hit him. He just grinned at the boy who through it before ducking into a shop with Rafael's mother.