An Almost Perfect Christmas
One snowy night in a small cliff-side cave there were two poor but happy Pokémon. They didn’t have much, just a small circular cavern nestled in the corner of a large cave system. To us humans, that may seem like nothing much but to the Pokémon that live there it was an apartment. Many Pokémon whom of which were down on their luck were known to stay in Primape’s apartment complex. This case, was no exception.
“Oh, Nick you didn’t have to.” Rose said modestly as I pulled a nicely wrapped box from under the Christmas tree.
“What are you talking about? It’s Christmas! What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t get you a gift?” The Eevee opened her mouth to respond but I interrupted her before she could say what she was thinking. “A bad one, I’d be a bad friend if I didn’t get you a gift.”
“You’re the most stubborn little Pikachu in the world. You know that right?” She lightly chided.
“And you love me all that more because of it, huh?” I coyly replied wrapping her into a hug. She smiled and rolled her eyes with a light sigh.
“Nick, you know as well as I do money is tight. You can’t just be wasting it on silly things like this.” She scolded pawing at the small, green box with a red bow on it. If she didn’t like this she really wouldn’t like the big fancy Christmas feast I had cooked up in the kitchen. She started sniffing the air a bit her ears perking up a bit as well. “Oh no Nick, don’t tell me actually…” She started as she walked by me towards the kitchen. I knew I was in deep trouble this time. I followed here into the kitchen and found her staring at the dinner I had made for us. It consisted of lavish, fresh, huge, juicy apples, and plump purple grapes that looked ready to burst, coated lightly in honey. I didn’t stop there though, I had four slices of ripe watermelon, seeded of course, and the scent of fresh fruit had filled the dim room lit by nothing by the three candles flickering on the finely draped table cloth that had not a single speck upon it.
“Um, I can explain?” I meekly squeaked. What I saw as a beautiful dinner fit for the two of us, she must of saw as a fortune out the window.
“Nick” She wheezed. “How much did this cost?”
“D-does is really matter?” I asked my voice barely audible. That was, apparently the very worst thing in the world to ask.
“Does it matter?!” She exploded into rage. “Nicola Mimi Tesla! What has gotten into you? Are you trying to bankrupt us?! Do you want us to lose another apartment?! Do you Nick?” She accused, while glaring at me.
My ears drooped down. I couldn’t bare that, on Christmas no less. Not to mention I hate it when my full name is used. I hated to see her in a bad mood, especially when it was directed at me. I just looked down at my paws shuffling them on the ground. “N-no” I stuttered. “I don’t want that…” my voice was now wavering heavily. “I-I just wanted you…” I took a deep breath. “To be happy…” I weakly finished. I felt her gaze soften and she padded towards me a bit.
“Nick, look at me.” She ordered in a firm but motherly tone. I mustered up the courage to look up at her in the eyes. “I don’t need all this fancy stuff to be happy. I’m just glad I get to spend Christmas with you.” She consoled lightly poking my chest. “I’m sorry Nick I really am. I’m just so stressed right now, with everything. We aren’t a rescue team anymore we just can’t afford everything we used to. Understand?”
“I understand Rose, I’m sorry I’ll be better about this in the future, I promise.” I said gathering my voice back. “I do have some good news though.” I hopefully added.
“And what would that be?” She asked politely while pulling out her chair from at the table.
“The Kecleon brothers said I was doing such a great job that I am getting a raise. As of Monday I am getting twenty poké a day I also earn an apple a day now.” I finished calmly while taking the chair from her so I could pull it out for her.
“Nick that’s great! See, a regular job does pay off!” She excitedly praised hugging me. She also gave me a noogie but I didn’t mind. I was just glad that she was finally happy, that’s all I wanted this Christmas. She had been so stressed lately. I used to be team leader for the team, but she’s the leader of the house. “I suppose than, something like this is okay on rare occasion.” She exhaled a breath I wasn’t aware she was holding and closed her eyes while doing so. “Let’s have a good Christmas Nick, let’s eat this dinner you made us.” She smiled; I love it when she smiles it makes me so fuzzy inside. She sat down in her chair and I gently scooted her and her chair closer to the table. I then went around the table and to my chair on the opposite end. I’d practiced this a million times in my head. Was now even a good time? What am I talking about when are we going to have another dinner like this? The worst she could do was say no, right?
“Rose.” I took a deep breath. “There is something that I’ve been meaning to ask you for a long time now.” I was visibly shaking, my palms were getting clammy, and I felt a cold sweat down the back of my head. “Will you… please pass the honey?” I stumbled on my words a bit. She giggled a bit.
“Oh, Nick you’re so silly sometimes.” She continued to giggle as she reached for the honey. As she looked up from her meal to pass me it, she saw me. “Nick, are you okay? You look a bit… ill. She finished.
“O-oh yeah I’m fine thanks… just a little cold is all.” She looked like she wasn’t going to buy my little lie but she then nodded.
“Yeah it is a bit chilly in here, huh? Let’s go sit by the fire in the lobby, dinner can wait a bit.”
“Y-yeah good idea…” I reluctantly got up from the table to follow her out the door.