Everywhere...
"I thought the bouncer would be good for both you and little Jude," Gwen said to her near-sister, lips twitching as she added, "and the one to come, too, but I got something just for you as well."
Trading the package she'd been holding for the squirming little boy in Dora's arms, Gwen brushed a kiss to his chubby cheek and pet her hand over his downy dark hair. "You're a Mum, but one musn't sacrifice all things, hmm?" she said, twinkle lighting her eyes.
"Indeed, no," Tonks replied, smiling to see Gwen that much more comfortable with Jude. She could swear her son was looking at Gwen's chest in a manner not quite related to food, but she couldn't be sure. Shrugging it off, she dug into the long, thin box Gwen had placed in her lap.
"Oh, Gwen, you shouldn't have, but I'm very chuffed you did. These are perfect," Tonks breathed out as she ran a finger down the laces, and to the tip of the toe. "Thank you." She brushed her lips on Gwen's cheek, laughing when Jude pulled on the bits of entwined dark hair.
Gwen winced as her nephew pulled particularly hard and gently disentangled his hand from her hair before turning her full attention back to Dora, smile curling her lips. "I'm glad you like them. I know you might not feel up to wearing them for a long while, but it's heartening to know such things are waiting for you sometimes."
"I completely agree. Sometimes I think that this babe is going to kill me. I might just wear the shoes to spite her," Tonks replied, hand going to her still sort of flat stomach.
Gwen's eyes followed Dora's hand. There was no bump showing yet, but she'd watched Jude grow in Dora's belly. It wasn't the first time, but Gwen wondered briefly what it was like. Her eyes tracked back up then. "She's not so easy as Jude then, already?"
Tonks shook her head, eyes sparkling with wry amusement. "That's why I'm certain she's a she. Only Black women are that cantankerous from the start." She wondered if Gwen would ever know what it was like to hold her own child. She was already more comfortable around Jude, and Tonks had barely contained her glee when watching her almost-sister with Tess.
A warm laugh slipped Gwen's lips. "Yes, you're quite right, though I think you've turned out rather well. Sweet natured, some would say even," Gwen teased, eyes flicking to Jude as he grabbed for her hair again. Intercepting his mission, she shifted him across her lap and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"Is my Hufflepuff showing?" Tonks' laugh was a full bodied sound, and Jude giggled along with her. "Mind telling that to my husband and cousins? For some reason they all think they are on the brink of death in my presence."
"Perhaps because you carry children that are related to your dear aunt who is still about somewhere, hmm?" It was a tease, but both women knew the gravity of the words even if many did not. Dora herself might have been a Hufflepuff, but blood was blood. Gwen knew what her near-sister was capable of. "And if they're wary, I think for once, they've all wizened up." Her lips twitched.
"Mmm.... but there's the next generation who needs to learn the same. Like the one on your lap. I'd watch your top, sistermine, when you have Jude in your lap," Tonks said, nodding to her son.
She felt a tug, and looking down at Dora's warning, Gwen caught Jude's grabby hand just in time - before he pulled her neckline down to something quite scandalous. "Like his father, isn't he," she commented wryly.
"Like his mother," Tonks replied, mouth curving up to a grin. "Happy Christmas."
Gwen's brows rose, though her lips twitched. "Happy Christmas."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
While Bishop had taken Jude for a little bit, Jonathan saw his opportunity and took it. Sliding onto the sofa next to Tonks, he stretched his arm along its back, looking over at his fellow Auror with a smirk on his face. "Perpetually pregnant seems to do wonders for you, Tonks. The idea of your water breaking will send criminals of the seedy wizarding underworld fleeing in fear, I'm sure of it."
Tonks narrowed blue eyes at the man sitting next to her.
"Just because you're here with Gwen's blessing doesn't mean I won't retch on your pretty shoes," she replied sweetly, scooting closer to Jonathan to bat her eyes at him. "Enjoying your Christmas?"
"Do you really think they're pretty?" he asked, lifting a foot to admire the Italian leather. Shrugging his shoulders, he threw a grin in Tonks' direction. "I don't have anything to compare it to, but it's better than being at the Ministry. The company is infinitely better, in any case. And no paperwork is always a plus."
"Mmm... no paperwork, and lots of cider," she replied. "Much better than spending it breaking waters on felons. But you have no option of pregnancy, however do you apprehend your dark wizards?"
"I seduce them into a false sense of security with my dazzling charm and outrageous good looks, of course," he answered readily, no hint of sarcasm on his face as he peered at her.
"Arse raggery aside, of course?"
"Only if they go for that sort of thing," Jonathan answered, his face breaking into a brilliantly smug grin.
Tonks shook her head at Jonathan, suppressing a snort and sipping her cider. "And yes, they are pretty."
"Well, let's just say I'm spreading it then," he said, producing a velvet box from his pocket. "I might have done too much, but my family taught excess as a motto, so..."
Tonks took the long box, suspicion written across her face. She and Bishop had brought something for Jonathan, as well, but she hadn't expected anything in return. Her eyes widened at the lovely necklace laying in the velvet. Her finger ran along the individual pieces, noting the difference in texture and temperature.
"It's lovely, Jonathan. Thank you," she said, laying her hand on his arm. "Normally in this situation I'd jump into your lap and give you a good sound snogging, but I'm afraid the movement might jar any equilibrium I have left."
"Also it would send your husband barreling over here, and I told Gwen I'd behave today." Smiling, his eyes flicked over to Tess, who was motioning him over animatedly. "Well, Our tryst shall have to end here." He rose from his spot on the sofa, grinning down at her, "but feel free to look at my arse as I walk away. It's having a spectacular day." Nodding at her, he made his way over to the small imp demanding his attention.
Tonks laughed, delighted at seeing Jonathan in such high spirits. "Happy Christmas, indeed," she murmured.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Psst!" Joscelin grinned when Tess' head shot up from her ministrations to the doll Gwen had given her. "Over here, princess," he whispered from his position near the tree.
Tucking her new baby into the seat, Tess pushed herself out of the large chair she'd been occupying and skipped over to Joscelin. She leaned on his lap, her face turned up to his jovial one. "Gwen gived you shiny tails for chair?" she queried.
"She did, indeed," he said, grinning. His eyes flicked to Gwen, who was speaking to Regan, but now looking at him very suspiciously, and then to his wife who was smiling but shaking her head as she moved towards them.
Hazel-green eyes came back to the tiny girl in front of him. "Romy and I have something shiny for you though," he said, reaching out to tug on one of the curls charmed into her hair. "Would you like to see?"
"Shiny for me?" This was a very interesting idea, and Tess nodded, wondering what else they could be giving her. She wasn't sure all these new things would fit in her purple room, even when it was finished.
"Just for you," he promised as he opened the bag he and Romy had brought and pulled out the last gift inside. He set it on the floor in front of them and warned her to stand back a little. With the flick of his wand, the tiny present enlarged to something several times bigger than Tess herself.
He could feel the room's occupants' eyes drawn to them now, but his manic grin was all for his sister when he looked up for a brief moment before turning his attention back to Tess. "Since we had so much fun on my chair, Romy and I thought you might like this."
"For racing the big brother," Romy chimed in, a little laugh escaping as she glanced to her sister-in-law and shrugged. What could she do? Joscelin was bent on teaching the young ones close to him the best ways to have a good time.
Eyes saucer-round at the enormous parcel Joscelin had set before her, Tess looked around at everyone watching, then scooted over to the gift and started working her way through the wrapping. The box, too large for her to open, fell away on its own once all the paper was gone, and she shrieked in glee to find a pink car, just the right size for her, amidst the debris.
"I race you!" she cackled, jumping up and down for a moment before flinging herself at Joscelin.
Joscelin's grin was brilliant as he caught the little elfin thing and hugged her. "You most certainly will, princess." His eyes met his sister's glaring ones and he chuckled before pressing a smacking kiss to Tess' cheek and setting her down. "Don't forget to thank Romy too with some of that. She made sure you got pink."
Turning as she was prompted, Tess looked doubtfully up the impressive span of Romy's dress. She held up a hand and beckoned the big man's wife closer. "Give snuggle? Too much dress."
Romy beamed as she bent down and lifted the tiny girl up, thinking of the much younger siblings she hadn't been able to hold in years as she hugged Tess. Dropping a kiss to her forehead, Romy said, "I'm glad you like your car. You'll have to come and race very soon, okay?"
Tess nodded vigorously, burrowing against Romy and hugging her tightly. "I come. Thank-you for pinks."
Shaking her head, Regan called across the room, "You do realize, Joscelin, that it gets to live at your house, yes?"
As she set Tess down again, Romy answered with a cheeky grin, "There's no reason we should get all the fun. Besides, White Chapel has great spaces for Tess and Teddy to practice."
With visions of Tess rattling down the stairs in her little pink contraption dancing behind her eyes, Regan threatened, only half-jokingly, "I'm teaching your children profanity in languages you don't speak, so you know."
Romy just laughed, confident Regan would forget that threat long before she and Joscelin got around to having a family.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You're ready for a second one already?" Romy asked in more than a little awe as she bounced baby Jude on her hip. Realizing belatedly that her question might have come off the wrong way, she offered a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I'm happy for you, of course. I just can't imagine one right now, much less two. Aren't you nervous?"
"Ill, but not nervous, no. It was a surprise, but nothing to be done about it. Bishop's strutting about as I'm retching on his shoes. All in a normal day at our house," Tonks said with a small smile. She wasn't as sick feeling as she had been the past few weeks; she hoped the all the time sickness was abating.
Romy nodded, though the idea of being a parent of one child would scare the hell out of her, much less two of them. Turning her attention to Jude, she cooed, "You're going to have big brother duties early. Uncle Joscelin can tell you about that. He has lots of practice,"
Grinning at Tonks, she added, "Of course you may not want Jude to learn those lessons."
"I think they can hardly be avoided. Jude loves his Uncle Jos, and his Aunt Gwen. He seems rather taken with you as well. Not a picky child, is he?" she teased, nose crinkling with amusement.
"Quite easily pleased," the darker woman agreed, tickling the baby's chin and grinning at the happy laugh she received in return. "He's a charmer, though. I think you'll have to worry more about the girls who'll be taken with him."
"I know. Hogwarts is going to be hellish."
Romy snickered. "Not for Jude, I'd wager."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Bishop had yet to share Joscelin's gifts with his brother. They were not quite the sorts of things one shared amongst a crowd, particularly when one of the assembled was a little girl of only five years. Casually moving around the room, he collected the two gifts, a long, ribbon-wrapped stick-like object and a large bag with a mass of colorful tissue obscuring its contents.
Catching Joscelin's eye, he tipped his head toward the foyer and stepped out of the room to wait for his brother to follow. Bishop's lips twitched as he imagined Joscelin's response. There was much to celebrate this year.
Eyes darting around and finding everyone else preoccupied, Joscelin's hands worked on his chair until he was rolling out of the room.
That he had to open his presents away from the family spoke volumes of what was in store for him and a grin was already curling his lips as he came up to his friend. "What have you done then?"
"Done? Where's the trust, brother?" Bishop asked, his face a mask of feigned offense. "Couldn't I just want a moment with my closest friend, away from all the rest of the family? You wound me, Joscelin. I nearly lost my brother and I've learned to value you anew."
"And I an see that my near-death hasn't changed how much shite you're full of," Joscelin said, grinning up at his brother as he began to open the first gift handed him. He had his suspicions before the wrapping was torn away, and when it finally was they were only confirmed. The cane was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship - one he would regretably need when he was finally able to get out of the damn wheel chair.
"Well, at least I have something to beat you with for the next gift," Joscelin said, twinkling eyes raising to his brother. Bishop wouldn't have brought him out here to open this one. It had to be in the bag. Whatever it was.
A grin pulled at the burly man's lips and Bishop tipped his head toward the cane. "It's not just utilitarian, it's a work of art. Genuine bull penis over a steel rod. Try not to get jealous, though. We can't all be so impressively endowed."
Joscelin looked back to the cane in his hand and moments later a booming laugh escaped him. Of course Bishop had gotten this particular cane. "It's for the best," he said when his laughter had subsided some, "else our wives would threaten to unman us more often than they already do."
"Too true, and I'm fond of my bits where they are." Gesturing to the bag still in his brother's lap, Bishop's grin went crooked. His wife was a devilish woman. Later in the evening, he'd have to take advantage of that. "Dora picked this one out. She was worried about your mobility and that you might not be getting all the exercise you need. Enjoy."
Joscelin lifted a brow - a look much like his sister - and set the cane aside to pull the bag on his lap. Throwing the tissue to the floor, he pulled out a box. The bag fell to the wayside as he really looked what was advertised to be inside the cardboard. He actually blinked before laughter burst from him again until tears touched the corners of his eyes.
Only when his mirth had subsided somewhat did Joscelin grin up at his brother. "Tell your wife she's very thoughtful to think of us. And you too, Peaches."
It was good to see Joscelin happy. Since he'd awakened from his coma the usually jovial dragon handler had been frustrated and often moody. It was understandable, certainly, but it was nice to see a bit of the old rogue again. With a jaunty salute, Bishop winked. "You're welcome. Use it in good health."
SUMMARY: Gwen hosts the Jones/Rascaile friends and family holiday party at a newly remodeled White Chapel. Regan, Tess, Rose, Jonathan, Joscelin, Romy, Bishop, Tonks and Jude all have a happy Christmas.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pressies not posted previously:
Gifts from Jonathan:
Regan: Snow Globe
Romy: Necklace
Gifts from Gwen:
Joscelin: Cigar Kit
Romy: Red/Black Louboutin Heels & Red Louboutin Clutch
Rose: Blue Cocktail Dress & Rainbow Crystal Louboutin Heels
Tess: Purple Slippers & Trinket Braclet
Gifts from Romy & Jos:
Gwen: Black Peeptoe Heels & Zebra Print Crystal Clutch
Regan: Necklace
Bishop, Dora & Jude: Babysitting Tickets
Jonathan: Silver Watch
Gifts from Bishop & Tonks:
Tess: Fluffy Yellow Robe & Matching Yellow PJ's & Children's Green Teaset
Regan: Sapphire Blue Jacket
Gwen: Black Cocktail Dress
Gifts from Regan:
Rose: Peacock Earrings & Converse Socks
& Peacock Stalkings
Jonathan: Book: The Works of Chaucer & Men's Slippers
Joscelin: Book: Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook & Book: Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook - Parenting
Romy: Crystal Hair Combs & Fluffy Ugg Handbag
Tonks: Heart of Gold & Book: Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters
Bishop: Book: Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook & Camo Baby Bag
Jude: Shark Mittens
Trading the package she'd been holding for the squirming little boy in Dora's arms, Gwen brushed a kiss to his chubby cheek and pet her hand over his downy dark hair. "You're a Mum, but one musn't sacrifice all things, hmm?" she said, twinkle lighting her eyes.
"Indeed, no," Tonks replied, smiling to see Gwen that much more comfortable with Jude. She could swear her son was looking at Gwen's chest in a manner not quite related to food, but she couldn't be sure. Shrugging it off, she dug into the long, thin box Gwen had placed in her lap.
"Oh, Gwen, you shouldn't have, but I'm very chuffed you did. These are perfect," Tonks breathed out as she ran a finger down the laces, and to the tip of the toe. "Thank you." She brushed her lips on Gwen's cheek, laughing when Jude pulled on the bits of entwined dark hair.
Gwen winced as her nephew pulled particularly hard and gently disentangled his hand from her hair before turning her full attention back to Dora, smile curling her lips. "I'm glad you like them. I know you might not feel up to wearing them for a long while, but it's heartening to know such things are waiting for you sometimes."
"I completely agree. Sometimes I think that this babe is going to kill me. I might just wear the shoes to spite her," Tonks replied, hand going to her still sort of flat stomach.
Gwen's eyes followed Dora's hand. There was no bump showing yet, but she'd watched Jude grow in Dora's belly. It wasn't the first time, but Gwen wondered briefly what it was like. Her eyes tracked back up then. "She's not so easy as Jude then, already?"
Tonks shook her head, eyes sparkling with wry amusement. "That's why I'm certain she's a she. Only Black women are that cantankerous from the start." She wondered if Gwen would ever know what it was like to hold her own child. She was already more comfortable around Jude, and Tonks had barely contained her glee when watching her almost-sister with Tess.
A warm laugh slipped Gwen's lips. "Yes, you're quite right, though I think you've turned out rather well. Sweet natured, some would say even," Gwen teased, eyes flicking to Jude as he grabbed for her hair again. Intercepting his mission, she shifted him across her lap and brushed her hair over her shoulder.
"Is my Hufflepuff showing?" Tonks' laugh was a full bodied sound, and Jude giggled along with her. "Mind telling that to my husband and cousins? For some reason they all think they are on the brink of death in my presence."
"Perhaps because you carry children that are related to your dear aunt who is still about somewhere, hmm?" It was a tease, but both women knew the gravity of the words even if many did not. Dora herself might have been a Hufflepuff, but blood was blood. Gwen knew what her near-sister was capable of. "And if they're wary, I think for once, they've all wizened up." Her lips twitched.
"Mmm.... but there's the next generation who needs to learn the same. Like the one on your lap. I'd watch your top, sistermine, when you have Jude in your lap," Tonks said, nodding to her son.
She felt a tug, and looking down at Dora's warning, Gwen caught Jude's grabby hand just in time - before he pulled her neckline down to something quite scandalous. "Like his father, isn't he," she commented wryly.
"Like his mother," Tonks replied, mouth curving up to a grin. "Happy Christmas."
Gwen's brows rose, though her lips twitched. "Happy Christmas."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
While Bishop had taken Jude for a little bit, Jonathan saw his opportunity and took it. Sliding onto the sofa next to Tonks, he stretched his arm along its back, looking over at his fellow Auror with a smirk on his face. "Perpetually pregnant seems to do wonders for you, Tonks. The idea of your water breaking will send criminals of the seedy wizarding underworld fleeing in fear, I'm sure of it."
Tonks narrowed blue eyes at the man sitting next to her.
"Just because you're here with Gwen's blessing doesn't mean I won't retch on your pretty shoes," she replied sweetly, scooting closer to Jonathan to bat her eyes at him. "Enjoying your Christmas?"
"Do you really think they're pretty?" he asked, lifting a foot to admire the Italian leather. Shrugging his shoulders, he threw a grin in Tonks' direction. "I don't have anything to compare it to, but it's better than being at the Ministry. The company is infinitely better, in any case. And no paperwork is always a plus."
"Mmm... no paperwork, and lots of cider," she replied. "Much better than spending it breaking waters on felons. But you have no option of pregnancy, however do you apprehend your dark wizards?"
"I seduce them into a false sense of security with my dazzling charm and outrageous good looks, of course," he answered readily, no hint of sarcasm on his face as he peered at her.
"Arse raggery aside, of course?"
"Only if they go for that sort of thing," Jonathan answered, his face breaking into a brilliantly smug grin.
Tonks shook her head at Jonathan, suppressing a snort and sipping her cider. "And yes, they are pretty."
"Well, let's just say I'm spreading it then," he said, producing a velvet box from his pocket. "I might have done too much, but my family taught excess as a motto, so..."
Tonks took the long box, suspicion written across her face. She and Bishop had brought something for Jonathan, as well, but she hadn't expected anything in return. Her eyes widened at the lovely necklace laying in the velvet. Her finger ran along the individual pieces, noting the difference in texture and temperature.
"It's lovely, Jonathan. Thank you," she said, laying her hand on his arm. "Normally in this situation I'd jump into your lap and give you a good sound snogging, but I'm afraid the movement might jar any equilibrium I have left."
"Also it would send your husband barreling over here, and I told Gwen I'd behave today." Smiling, his eyes flicked over to Tess, who was motioning him over animatedly. "Well, Our tryst shall have to end here." He rose from his spot on the sofa, grinning down at her, "but feel free to look at my arse as I walk away. It's having a spectacular day." Nodding at her, he made his way over to the small imp demanding his attention.
Tonks laughed, delighted at seeing Jonathan in such high spirits. "Happy Christmas, indeed," she murmured.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Psst!" Joscelin grinned when Tess' head shot up from her ministrations to the doll Gwen had given her. "Over here, princess," he whispered from his position near the tree.
Tucking her new baby into the seat, Tess pushed herself out of the large chair she'd been occupying and skipped over to Joscelin. She leaned on his lap, her face turned up to his jovial one. "Gwen gived you shiny tails for chair?" she queried.
"She did, indeed," he said, grinning. His eyes flicked to Gwen, who was speaking to Regan, but now looking at him very suspiciously, and then to his wife who was smiling but shaking her head as she moved towards them.
Hazel-green eyes came back to the tiny girl in front of him. "Romy and I have something shiny for you though," he said, reaching out to tug on one of the curls charmed into her hair. "Would you like to see?"
"Shiny for me?" This was a very interesting idea, and Tess nodded, wondering what else they could be giving her. She wasn't sure all these new things would fit in her purple room, even when it was finished.
"Just for you," he promised as he opened the bag he and Romy had brought and pulled out the last gift inside. He set it on the floor in front of them and warned her to stand back a little. With the flick of his wand, the tiny present enlarged to something several times bigger than Tess herself.
He could feel the room's occupants' eyes drawn to them now, but his manic grin was all for his sister when he looked up for a brief moment before turning his attention back to Tess. "Since we had so much fun on my chair, Romy and I thought you might like this."
"For racing the big brother," Romy chimed in, a little laugh escaping as she glanced to her sister-in-law and shrugged. What could she do? Joscelin was bent on teaching the young ones close to him the best ways to have a good time.
Eyes saucer-round at the enormous parcel Joscelin had set before her, Tess looked around at everyone watching, then scooted over to the gift and started working her way through the wrapping. The box, too large for her to open, fell away on its own once all the paper was gone, and she shrieked in glee to find a pink car, just the right size for her, amidst the debris.
"I race you!" she cackled, jumping up and down for a moment before flinging herself at Joscelin.
Joscelin's grin was brilliant as he caught the little elfin thing and hugged her. "You most certainly will, princess." His eyes met his sister's glaring ones and he chuckled before pressing a smacking kiss to Tess' cheek and setting her down. "Don't forget to thank Romy too with some of that. She made sure you got pink."
Turning as she was prompted, Tess looked doubtfully up the impressive span of Romy's dress. She held up a hand and beckoned the big man's wife closer. "Give snuggle? Too much dress."
Romy beamed as she bent down and lifted the tiny girl up, thinking of the much younger siblings she hadn't been able to hold in years as she hugged Tess. Dropping a kiss to her forehead, Romy said, "I'm glad you like your car. You'll have to come and race very soon, okay?"
Tess nodded vigorously, burrowing against Romy and hugging her tightly. "I come. Thank-you for pinks."
Shaking her head, Regan called across the room, "You do realize, Joscelin, that it gets to live at your house, yes?"
As she set Tess down again, Romy answered with a cheeky grin, "There's no reason we should get all the fun. Besides, White Chapel has great spaces for Tess and Teddy to practice."
With visions of Tess rattling down the stairs in her little pink contraption dancing behind her eyes, Regan threatened, only half-jokingly, "I'm teaching your children profanity in languages you don't speak, so you know."
Romy just laughed, confident Regan would forget that threat long before she and Joscelin got around to having a family.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You're ready for a second one already?" Romy asked in more than a little awe as she bounced baby Jude on her hip. Realizing belatedly that her question might have come off the wrong way, she offered a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I'm happy for you, of course. I just can't imagine one right now, much less two. Aren't you nervous?"
"Ill, but not nervous, no. It was a surprise, but nothing to be done about it. Bishop's strutting about as I'm retching on his shoes. All in a normal day at our house," Tonks said with a small smile. She wasn't as sick feeling as she had been the past few weeks; she hoped the all the time sickness was abating.
Romy nodded, though the idea of being a parent of one child would scare the hell out of her, much less two of them. Turning her attention to Jude, she cooed, "You're going to have big brother duties early. Uncle Joscelin can tell you about that. He has lots of practice,"
Grinning at Tonks, she added, "Of course you may not want Jude to learn those lessons."
"I think they can hardly be avoided. Jude loves his Uncle Jos, and his Aunt Gwen. He seems rather taken with you as well. Not a picky child, is he?" she teased, nose crinkling with amusement.
"Quite easily pleased," the darker woman agreed, tickling the baby's chin and grinning at the happy laugh she received in return. "He's a charmer, though. I think you'll have to worry more about the girls who'll be taken with him."
"I know. Hogwarts is going to be hellish."
Romy snickered. "Not for Jude, I'd wager."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Bishop had yet to share Joscelin's gifts with his brother. They were not quite the sorts of things one shared amongst a crowd, particularly when one of the assembled was a little girl of only five years. Casually moving around the room, he collected the two gifts, a long, ribbon-wrapped stick-like object and a large bag with a mass of colorful tissue obscuring its contents.
Catching Joscelin's eye, he tipped his head toward the foyer and stepped out of the room to wait for his brother to follow. Bishop's lips twitched as he imagined Joscelin's response. There was much to celebrate this year.
Eyes darting around and finding everyone else preoccupied, Joscelin's hands worked on his chair until he was rolling out of the room.
That he had to open his presents away from the family spoke volumes of what was in store for him and a grin was already curling his lips as he came up to his friend. "What have you done then?"
"Done? Where's the trust, brother?" Bishop asked, his face a mask of feigned offense. "Couldn't I just want a moment with my closest friend, away from all the rest of the family? You wound me, Joscelin. I nearly lost my brother and I've learned to value you anew."
"And I an see that my near-death hasn't changed how much shite you're full of," Joscelin said, grinning up at his brother as he began to open the first gift handed him. He had his suspicions before the wrapping was torn away, and when it finally was they were only confirmed. The cane was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship - one he would regretably need when he was finally able to get out of the damn wheel chair.
"Well, at least I have something to beat you with for the next gift," Joscelin said, twinkling eyes raising to his brother. Bishop wouldn't have brought him out here to open this one. It had to be in the bag. Whatever it was.
A grin pulled at the burly man's lips and Bishop tipped his head toward the cane. "It's not just utilitarian, it's a work of art. Genuine bull penis over a steel rod. Try not to get jealous, though. We can't all be so impressively endowed."
Joscelin looked back to the cane in his hand and moments later a booming laugh escaped him. Of course Bishop had gotten this particular cane. "It's for the best," he said when his laughter had subsided some, "else our wives would threaten to unman us more often than they already do."
"Too true, and I'm fond of my bits where they are." Gesturing to the bag still in his brother's lap, Bishop's grin went crooked. His wife was a devilish woman. Later in the evening, he'd have to take advantage of that. "Dora picked this one out. She was worried about your mobility and that you might not be getting all the exercise you need. Enjoy."
Joscelin lifted a brow - a look much like his sister - and set the cane aside to pull the bag on his lap. Throwing the tissue to the floor, he pulled out a box. The bag fell to the wayside as he really looked what was advertised to be inside the cardboard. He actually blinked before laughter burst from him again until tears touched the corners of his eyes.
Only when his mirth had subsided somewhat did Joscelin grin up at his brother. "Tell your wife she's very thoughtful to think of us. And you too, Peaches."
It was good to see Joscelin happy. Since he'd awakened from his coma the usually jovial dragon handler had been frustrated and often moody. It was understandable, certainly, but it was nice to see a bit of the old rogue again. With a jaunty salute, Bishop winked. "You're welcome. Use it in good health."
SUMMARY: Gwen hosts the Jones/Rascaile friends and family holiday party at a newly remodeled White Chapel. Regan, Tess, Rose, Jonathan, Joscelin, Romy, Bishop, Tonks and Jude all have a happy Christmas.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pressies not posted previously:
Gifts from Jonathan:
Regan: Snow Globe
Romy: Necklace
Gifts from Gwen:
Joscelin: Cigar Kit
Romy: Red/Black Louboutin Heels & Red Louboutin Clutch
Rose: Blue Cocktail Dress & Rainbow Crystal Louboutin Heels
Tess: Purple Slippers & Trinket Braclet
Gifts from Romy & Jos:
Gwen: Black Peeptoe Heels & Zebra Print Crystal Clutch
Regan: Necklace
Bishop, Dora & Jude: Babysitting Tickets
Jonathan: Silver Watch
Gifts from Bishop & Tonks:
Tess: Fluffy Yellow Robe & Matching Yellow PJ's & Children's Green Teaset
Regan: Sapphire Blue Jacket
Gwen: Black Cocktail Dress
Gifts from Regan:
Rose: Peacock Earrings & Converse Socks
& Peacock Stalkings
Jonathan: Book: The Works of Chaucer & Men's Slippers
Joscelin: Book: Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook & Book: Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook - Parenting
Romy: Crystal Hair Combs & Fluffy Ugg Handbag
Tonks: Heart of Gold & Book: Sense & Sensibility & Sea Monsters
Bishop: Book: Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook & Camo Baby Bag
Jude: Shark Mittens
