Christmas Surprises (Anna)

[karen2]

Even if he hadn't been gone for very long--what, maybe half a year?--Ben was seriously looking forward to getting back home. He couldn't wait to see Marie and Joel again, or to check out their new house. From the pictures Marie had assaulted his inbox with, it was beautiful, but he was still eager to take it in with his own eyes. Though, considering it was winter, the beach-side view wouldn't do them much good.

What excited him more than that, however, was the prospect of sharing the whole experience with Anna. Joel and Ben had set everything up behind Marie's back, and she would freak at this double treat; not only her brother home for Christmas, but her brother's girlfriend, too. He expected to be deaf for the screaming after their initial arrival. Poor Anna would probably be hugged to death, and that would be the last Ben would see of her until Marie had finished showing her around (most likely just as an excuse to drill her with questions).

The taxi turned onto the right street then, slowing as the driver searched for the house-number. A smile edging onto his face, Ben took Anna's hand in his and gave it a quick squeeze. "You ready?" he asked, his eyes alight with excitement. This was going to be good. At long last the vehicle came to a stop, and after handing their driver the appropriate sum of money he opened the door and stepped out. As the other man went to the back to take their luggage from the trunk, Ben eyed the house appreciatively. It really was a nice place.

"...Benji?!" a familiar voice chimed, disbelieving. His eyes shot down to the brunette woman standing on the driveway, unloading groceries from the back of her car, and he beamed at her stunned expression.

"The one and--" with a delighted shriek from Marie, his next words were cut off abruptly by the sudden arms wrapped suffocatingly around his middle. Sputtering a little to get her hair out his mouth, he laughed and hugged her back for a moment before prying her arms off him. "Nice to see you, too, sis," he chuckled, planting a quick peck on her forehead.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, bopping up and down excitedly. Her eyes were positively sparkling with happiness.

"It's the holidays!" he chortled, ruffling her hair affectionately. "I couldn't very well stay away during Christmas, now could I? Who would you try to beat over the head with a baseball bat for sneaking around downstairs at three AM?"

"That was one time!" Marie huffed indignantly.

"And it was one cookie," he shot back, laughing. "So where'd Joel, anyway? I need to go and say hi--as well as give him good shot upside the head." Grinning at her mock-disapproving glare, he added, "And I have a surprise for you, too. Anna?"

[~ ADMIN]

Anna had been so, so pleased when Ben had invited her home for Christmas. For one thing, who didn't want to go somewhere with their loved one for the holidays? Especially meeting Ben's family. She'd heard great and funny things about both Marie and Joel already, and it was going to be an interesting Christmas. But also, the only other prospect she'd had for Christmas was staying on board the Venia with the rest of the crew, and although they had great stuff planned, this was much better, and what she had been looking for after all the drama of the past few months.

Going home to her own family had been out of the question. She hadn't had any contact with them since she'd graduated from school and left to join the special forces. There was no nostalgia in her heart for the past Christmas' with them. Being tossed out of bed by her brothers, watching them tear open their presents first before she got hers. Then sitting around quietly until dinner, fiddling with whatever she'd been given in her room by herself. Her only good memory of that day, was the Christmas before she'd left home, when her Dad came up to her room and sat with her for a while. They had talked and drank his mulled wine. She'd never been able to fathom why he'd done it, but even that memory couldn't persuade her to go back.

So, here she was, sitting in the back of the cab with Ben, a very happy smile on her face. She wasn't nervous, by all means, she was probably as excited as Ben. Meeting new people, spending time with a new family, it was going to be great. She had been warned that she might get pounced on upon arrival, but to be honest, Anna would have preferred that than any other greeting. Grinning across at Ben, she said, "of course," squeezing his hand in return. "Can't wait."

Once they had pulled up in front of the house, Anna had found herself mesmorised by the view. The house was so beautiful. She'd already seen it from the back, of course, from that crazy glimpse of the future, but the front was gorgeous as well, clean and white, lots of glass to let light into the place. She would love to live in a place like this someday. Marie and Joel were so lucky.

It took her a moment to realise that Ben had called her name, and she hastily stepped out of the taxi, coming round to stand beside Ben with a grin, "hi," she said, "I'm the surprise, nice to meet you."