Part 426: Christmas Party

December 23rd, 2009

The Reyes household was busting with activity. The two story mansion was getting prepped for their annual Christmas bash. It was something they held once a year to honor their friends and growing families; in the wake of the Flight 815 crash. Since Hurley and Joscelyn had the most money; it only made sense to hold it at their place. Caterers and other people were loading in the food at the big banquet hall. Men carries cases of sodas, champagne and beer made sure the freezers were well stocked. Hurley stayed by the doorways, making sure they all went to their proper place. His mother was making sure the food was fit to eat. The large man laughed at the sight of it. He was certain that she was going to get full before the main course but there was no use arguing with her.

Hurley looked in toward the living room and saw his wife doing what she loved best every Christmas; decorating the place. She was with her nieces as they placed up the ornaments on the big tree. Her sister and mother stayed by her side; laughing the whole time as they put up candles and Christmas plants. Hurley’s thoughts were then interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. His brother-in-law Dereck held up a grape soda for him. “Thanks, dude,” he said, immediately taking it and drinking it.

“You looked like you could use a drink,” he laughed, sipping his own soda, “And not the alcoholic kind.”

“I prefer these kinda drinks away.”

“So, Hurley, when you-know-who pops the question this year, is my sister-in-law going to answer?” Dereck said in his shy way.

“Ain’t telling, Dude.” Hurley immediately confessed.

“Oh, come on!” he playfully shoved him, “You can tell me, after all we’ve been through?”

“Dude, don’t you like surprises?”

“Not this time.”

Joscelyn peered back at the two men in the doorway, laughing as they drank their soft drinks. She smiled over how her husband had become good friends with Dereck in their bonding of their families. It felt a little too perfect; like something could go wrong at a moment’s notice. Joscelyn looked at her younger nieces putting ornaments on the tree, then her sister playfully arguing about which candle and which decoration should go where. Maybe it was a little too perfect.

But at the moment, she didn’t care.

---------------------------------------------,

McKay smirked as he got off the highway and onto the main access road. He looked over all the large houses on the way to Hurley’s place. The reason he was smiling is because every time they did drive through the rich neighborhood, his wife Taylor would always say the exact same thing. “We could live here.” She whispered.

“Oh, Taylor,” Mandy scoffed, “Would you give it up?”

“McKay, “ she said, grabbing her husband’s arm, “Just ask Hurley to buy us one of these houses. The way he is with his money, you know he wouldn’t think twice about it if you just asked him.”

“Honey . .why don’t YOU ask him?” The Australian countered.

“You know I can’t ask him, because I will look like I’m begging!”

The backseat of the SUV, Alexander was holding Bridget in his lap. He calmly looked over to his girlfriend Mandy. “Do we have to hear this every year?” he smirked.

“It’s okay,” She replied, stroking her daughter’s hair, “They’ll forget it by the time we get to his driveway.”

And within moments, they had arrived at the long driveway. As Mandy predicted, Taylor did indeed forget about begging Hurley for a lush mansion. “Wow,” she whispered, “I always love the lights on his home at Christmas. Do you think Hurley and Dereck actually put up those lights?”

“With his money, I’m sure they pay someone to do it.” Flower giggled.

Mandy playfully shoved the French girl out of the big vehicle. The family proceeded to exit their vehicle. Bridget got off of Alexander’s lap and walked over to her mother; taking her hand. The men opened up the back trunk and began to pick out the large boxes of presents. Taylor and Flower helped to carry a few while Bridget took the one she wanted the most. She held her mother’s hand as they began to walk up toward the front door. “I don’t see Auntie Shannon’s car.” Bridget told her mother.

“She’ll be here, baby,” Mandy assured he daughter.

“She promised. She promised she would be here. She said I could do it this year.”

“Bree-bree, calm down. I know your Aunt Shannon won’t disappoint you.”

The front door open and liked always Joscelyn was there to greet them. McKay and Alexander waded into through the front door and began placing the presents on the large Christmas tree. Flower, Mandy, Taylor and Bridget were laughing with Joscelyn as she showed off her new decorations. McKay leaned up and slapped his hands; happy that hauling in the presents was not a chore like it was one year. As the bald man began walking toward the kitchen, he glanced outside and saw a familiar mini-van. The Riggs family had arrived.

McKay stepped outside as John exited his vehicle, followed by his wife Mia and little Shelley. Out of the backseat came Locke and then amazingly, Kate herself. The Australian walked through the lawn over toward them and gently tapped the former fugitive on the shoulder. “Merry Christmas, good-lookin,” he smirked.

“McKay!” she laughed, embracing him, “Oh, it’s been too long!”

“Yes, it has. It only seems like yesterday when you came back to us.”

“A day we will always remember,” Mia smiled.

McKay kissed the Lakota woman on the cheek and then gave her daughter a hug. Shelley was happy that McKay was here because it meant Bridget was here. The young girl ran off laughing to join her favorite “cousin” in the house. Kate and Mia laughed as they followed her. McKay stayed behind to help John and Locke with the presents. “You doing all right, gym teacher?” McKay asked the archer.

The two friends embraced like long lost brothers. John laughed as he began to place presents in the arms of the Australian. “I knew you were good for something.” He laughed.

“Bite me.” McKay muttered.

Locke just shook his head as he helped himself to a handful of gifts and proceeded toward the house. John took the last gift and closed the trunk door. He and McKay began to walk toward the house over the soft wet grass. The archer then looked at his good friend. “McKay?” he asked.

“Yeah?” he said, looking at him.

“You ..uh . .heard from Tony?” John said hesitantly.

“Not yet but I know he’ll be here.”

“That doesn’t make sense. Why hasn’t he called us?”

“John, don’t assume the worst. I’m sure he’s okay.”

“Yeah, okay,” the archer grumbled.

He wanted to hear about Tony’s surgery and if everything went okay. He didn’t understand why his friend wouldn’t call him and tell him everything was all right. McKay patted him on the shoulder as they walked up the steps. He knew John was worried about Tony; they all were. However, their blind friend hadn’t called them for some reason and whatever reason that was; they were going to have to accept it. They trusted his opinion back on the Island and they trusted it here in the real world as well.

Inside the group was already doing what they did every year; playing catch up. Mia was laughing with Mandy and Taylor about their fun last summer trip. Alexander was with Flower who were thanking Hurley for their constant private tutors to help them in their education. The large man claimed it a great tax write-off but most knew better. It was his “reverse” curse that whenever he did good things; he got richer. No one could explain it but all them accepted it.

Then their was a knocking at the door. Joscelyn walked over and when she opened it; she was surprised to see the smiling face of Sun and Jin. The young woman then hugged the Korean woman and then parted from her when she realized something was in their way to each other. The young woman looked at Sun’s mid-section and then noticed a very familiar bulge. She gasped; placing her hands over her mouth. “Sun, you’re . . you’re . . you’re . . .” she coughed.

Sun just smiled her cute smile where she winced up her nose. She shook her head in agreement even though Joscelyn couldn’t mouthed the word “pregnant.” When they realized it, all the women came over to congratulate her, then shortly thereafter the men congratulated Jin. The Korean chief laughed, as he never felt more proud. “Hey,” Clair said from the doorway,” What is everybody laughing about?”

The group then turned to greet the Pace family as they walked in. Claire allowed John and McKay to take the presents from her. Then the blonde Australian saw the reason for everybody’s happiness as they pointed to Sun’s slowly bulging belly. They were about to welcome another member to their growing family. Claire rushed over and gave a big hug. Charlie walked in laughing at the sight of everybody. Hurley gave him his usual bear hug which always made the musician grunt with laughter. Aaron walked and greeted all the men that he viewed as Uncles. Then the six year old heard the familiar squeak of Bridget running toward him. “Oh, bollocks,” he whispered.

“AARON!!” she said, grabbing him and bombarding him with kisses.

“Hey, Bree-Bree,” he moaned, “Good to see you too.”

“Aaron, you should show more euthasim toward your girlfriend,” John laughed.

“Uncle John, she’s not my . . .oh, man,” the young boy winced as Bridget still kissed him.

Mandy finally came over and saved the young boy by pulling her daughter away. Aaron walked into the kitchen and Joscelyn immediately gave him towel as he proceeded to wipe his face from the soft lipstick that Bridget planted there. The grownups joked that those two would marry some day. Aaron was certain he would have none of it. He wanted to punch Bridget so bad but Charlie raised him to never hit a girl. So Aaron would wait until Brendon arrived, because when his crazy little friend was with him; the girls pretty much left them alone. “Mom, can I head up to the gaming room?” he asked Claire.

“Yes, you may, sweetie.” She patted him on the head.

“Is Eddie coming?”

“Of course he is, Aaron,” McKay said, helping himself to a beer, “He won’t miss this for the world.”

“He better not. He promised me he’d be here.”

Claire gently rubbed her chest as she saw her only son walk out of the kitchen, through the living room and up the stairs to Hurley’s game room. McKay saw her staring at her boy and could tell the thoughts that were going through her head. “It’s too late to give Aaron an older brother,” he said, rubbing her back, “But I’m sure Eddie doesn’t mind filling that role.”

“I know, McKay,” she said, sniffing, “I just wish . . .I just I could give him a family.”

“You will one day. In the meantime, he’s got us.”

“I know that. I just want to give him a younger brother or sister when the time is right.”

“So why isn’t the time right?”

“Because of Charlie,” Claire said, trying not to be too loud, “ He and Turboshaft are all so popular right now. They even have a decent chance at getting a Grammy this year. How . . .how could I take all that away by raising a family?”

McKay continued to comfort Claire on her decision to hold off building a family to allow Charlie, a man she loved, to finally build his dream career. However, what she didn’t know was that Charlie happened to be on the side wall outside the kitchen next to the exit of the back door. He heard everything she said. The musician wiped his face, wondering what kinda of night it was going to be.

More and more guests continued to arrive. Hal and Libby were quickly welcomed into the Reyes mansion. Libby had gotten her hair cut shorter and the ladies were teasing her about looking sexy for Hal. The cop just smirked as he greeted the men he hadn’t seen in quite a while. John gave him a beer and invited him over to the living room area where they were perched. They always looked forward to the interesting cop stories he told every year. Shortly there after, Dutch and Karleigh arrived after picking up Shanna. The redhead saw Mia and Kate, then screamed in delight as she ran to embrace them. Dutch walked over and shook Hal’s hand, then briefly hugged him; happy to see the man he bonded with on the Island.

Then right behind them came the Butler family. Tanya laughed as he son Brendon ran past them and shot his way up to the stairs toward the gaming room where Aaron was more than likely waiting. Seth pulled off his sunglasses and then smiled at everybody. “Okay,” he joked, “Everybody can relax now, I’m here.”

Charlie was the first to greet his singer that he’s lived with a few months on the road. In normal bands, the singer would be considered the “front-man”. However, Seth always maintained that Charlie was the front man for Turboshaft. He always did give credit were credit was due. After that, he looked in the distance and saw his two adoptive sisters Mia and Shanna looking at him with bright smiles. He walked over to them and gave them both a hug. He then kissed Mia on the cheek gently. “I missed you, sis.” He told her.

“I miss you two as well,” the Lakota girl said, “I get to see you every time I turn on MTV but it’s not the same.”

“We all got to grow up sometime.” Shanna replied.

“Speak for yourself!” Seth protested.

The three adoptive siblings got a laugh out of their conversation. As they parted from each other, Mia then spotted the square object at Seth’s side; wrapped in cloth. She gently tapped on it. “Shall we?” she smiled.

“By all means,” Seth smiled back as he gently began to unwrap it.

After he was done, he presented the object he had by his side. It was a framed picture of Brendon Battle. The three siblings then walked over to a special table over by the side wall. It was what they called the Memory Table, where they would post up pictures of their loved ones. Hal had already placed a picture of his son Ian on the table and Joscelyn was kind enough to secure a photo of Rose and Bernard. The three friends placed down the photo of the Asian man as they have done every year. Mia then calmly took a small twig and lit up the two candles surrounding the photo. Seth put his arm around Shanna and the Lakota. “Merry Christmas, Brendon,” he told the photo, “We miss you. Keep looking down on us and be a Guardian Angel to our children.”

“Amen,” Mia whispered.

Elsewhere the kids were getting into a lively discussion. The majority of the kids were getting ready to play one of their favorite console games called War Knights. However, Brendon had arrived and insisted on playing Mario Cart 7. As always, he needed some convincing that majority rules apply in the gaming choice. Brendon still refused and it was always up to Aaron to convince. The older boy then shoved the younger boy out the backdoor and onto the grass from the back porch, with Shelley and Bridget in tow. “MARIO CART!!” Brendon screamed, “NOW!!”

“We’re playing War Knights!” Aaron pointed at him.

“No, we’re not!”

“Yes, we are!”

“NO BODY PLAYS WAR KNIGHTS!” Brendon then stood up and maneuver over toward Aaron.

The younger boy then started to hit him rapidly across the arms. “Mariocartrulesyoulosertwofacedevilimprattyman!” He said in a fast motion, then stopped when Aaron wasn’t fighting back.

As they slowly parted from him, Aaron then grabbed Brendon by the collar and shoved him against the wall. He then started to hit him fast across the face. “AAAH!!” Brendon held up his arms, “NO REAL SHOTS, NO REAL SHOTS!!”

Aaron then started to walk away to join the girls. Brendon then tried to rush him. “PUNK!” he grunted.

Aaron then turned around and grabbed Brendon by his shirt again. This time he used his momentum against him and flung him across the hook of his dad’s convertible; landing in the back seat. Brendon then fished around in the seat for something as Aaron came over to the door. The young Butler boy then pointed a suction cup gun in his best friends face. “HA!” he countered.

“You wouldn’t use that.” Aaron pointed.

“Yes, I would.” Brendon replied.

“No, you’re not going to use that.”

“Yes, I would!” Brendon then promptly put the suction cup gun in his mouth.

Aaron stared at his friend in disbelief; seriously thinking he could threaten them into playing Mario Cart with a suction cup gun in his mouth. Aaron finally walked up and leaned against the car door. “Brendon?” he asked.

“Wat?” he said, with the gun still in his mouth.

“What do you really want out of life, huh?” he asked him.

Brendon took the gun out of his mouth and rolled his eyes to the back of his head; smiling. “I want Aaron, Bree-Bree, and Shell-Snail to play Mario Cart.” He giggled, then placed the gun back into his mouth.

Aaron sighed as he rubbed his eyes. He looked back to his two female friends. Bridget shrugged her shoulders and Shelley just rolled her eyes at the antics of her younger friend. The older boy among the group then sighed and shook his head. “Okay, Brendon, we’ll play Mario Cart.” He conceded.

“Really?” he smiled, pulling the gun out of his mouth.

“Yeah.”

“Kewl.” He said, by accident putting the gun in Aaron’s face.

The older boy then grabbed the gun from him and when he did, it fired the suction cup into the air. Aaron then heard a soft smack as it hit something. He turned around and saw a familiar man staring at the younger group.

“It’s nice to know,” Sawyer whispered, as he pulled the suction cup off his forehead, “ That Seth’s son has inherited his insanity.”