Christmas in July fic challenge #53 - I'll Be Home For Christmas

[jenthegypsy]

My overblown entry for the current challenge at lostfichallenge, Christmas in July. Since it was my prompt, I figured I'd better get an entry in. Been working on this since New Year's Eve, 2006 (before the S3 finale, you will note) - it should be pretty obvious as to why it was so hard to finish.

Special thanks go out to my dear friend hendercats for the beta work.

Comments

[jenthegypsy]

Thank you so much! If you knew how I've agonized over this fic for seven months, you'd know how deeply I truly appreciate your comments. ;)

[hendercats]

"It's all right, brother. You're found now."
Know I've said it before, but I love this. I love the picture it makes for me and I love hearing it in Des's voice.

lost her sense of humor along with the contents of her husband's not-so-cleverly hidden and burglar-proof safe
This bit makes me grin every time I read it. :)

letting his mind wander back to the godforsaken, murdering rock that he had once upon a time called home
Adore Island as character. "Murdering rock" is fabulous.

Oh! I like the change to Jack's name in Sawyer's memory of his final graveside visit! Liked it the way it was before, but think that little change makes it even more powerful.

"Take 'em on, Doc," he said to the heelerThis little scene with four-legged Doc guiding the mule and the horse to the stream, then back to the fire Sawyer's nursing into being is just marvelous! Not only can I see it clear as crystal, but I love how it shows the level of trust between Sawyer and Doc that he just says "go do your job," and how much all that tells us about his life

[jenthegypsy]

I...am completely humbled by your comments.
Wow...
Really, I'm just...Wow.

*hankie, please*

[slybrunette]

You have officially broken me.

"It's all right," Desmond assured him, knowing that it really wasn't. It was as wrong as wrong could be. "It's all right, brother. You're found now."

You had me locked into this story right there, and I rarely read things straight through because I'm always back and forth, but I sure as hell read this the whole way through.

"Well now, how 'bout that." Sawyer leaned down and smoothed a hand across the heeler's side. "Whaddya you say, old man? You wanna take one last ride with me?"

I have a soft spot for animals, especially dogs, so this just added to it.

I love the last part with the picture, and the 'other doc' thing. Perfect.

By far, THE most well put together Christmas fic I have EVER read in ANY fandom.

Now, excuse me, as I run for the Kleenex, and try to pick my jaw up off the floor.

The bit about Kate...depressing but highly plausible, and as much as she drives me up a wall somedays, it's still heartbreaking. This whole thing was actually.

[jenthegypsy]

Thank you, thank you for your thoughtful comments - you honor me beyond all measure. I'm so happy to hear that it was Des' line that pulled you in; it is the first thing that came to me for this fic, way back in December.

By far, THE most well put together Christmas fic I have EVER read in ANY fandom. Now I am the one who needs Kleenex - I don't even know what to say to that, other than thank you so very much!

[slybrunette]

Don't thank me, thank your muse. Your stuff rocks, it always has, this was just especially spectacular.

[gottalovev]

omg, sweetie, that is so sad, but at the same time it's so, so nice! wow! I really loved it, and it's a fabulous take on a Christmas wish.

the intro where Desmond finds Jack is so painful, you really started with a punch in the gut. the little flashback scene at the graveyard, too. ow ow ow.

then I could see poor Sawyer, forlorn on the rescue boat, then in his new life. how he allows himself a time to remember each year

allowing the memories (both good and bad) free rein for one week, Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve. Come January first, he'd pack them away for another year.I would see him have this defense mechanism to cope with the loss of Jack

[jenthegypsy]

I loved it so much, and love you too! I am memorizing this for sure, and will hold it close to my heart for a long long time ♥

Oh, darlin', you don't know how happy that makes me! I had such a time finishing this fic - got the first part (where Jack is found and leaves his message for Sawyer) just after Christmas, and have had the devil's own time doing the rest. Thank goodness for extended deadlines at lostfichallenge! Thanks so much for letting me know the places that were especially meaningful to you! (and for using my favorite happy icon, too!)

*big smooch*

[maeby_surely]

Lovely story! Jack's last words being for Sawyer, "murdering rock", naming the bossy dog Doc...all awesome. It reminded me of The Little Match Girl, but then you probably intended for that?

[jenthegypsy]

Little Match Girl? No, I hadn't thought of that at all, but I will look it up and see what you mean!

Thanks for reading, commenting and for letting me know the parts which you liked best. You are too kind!