Because Someone Loves You Very Much  Response to the Vin Fanfic and Discussion Group Challenges “Christmas” and “Words” Vin picked up the toy car and turned it over absentmindedly. Christmas music was playing in the family room where his uncles were collected. It was less than a week until he could give out his gifts. He was so excited. He’d done some Christmas shopping with Chris and Buck and bought great things for his uncles and J.D. He’d even bought something special for Chris. It was a pen Chris could use at the office and it had his name, “Christopher” written on it. Uncle Nathan had helped him wrap everything and they’d tied a big bow on Chris’. Vin had wanted it to be special and it looked the best under the tree. He knew it was because Chris had seen it and said, “Wonder what lucky person is getting that one. I sure looks the best.” Tinsel hung in the family room and in boys’ bedroom. The smell of fresh mistletoe twitched at Vin’s nose. Buck had insisted on it being in every room because, ‘You never can tell when you could get lucky’ – whatever that meant. All had been perfect until this morning when J.D. had started going on about writing letters to Santa. Vin glanced at his brother... they weren’t really brothers but Buck said they loved each other like brothers so it was okay to call J.D. his brother. J.D. was stretched out on his stomach, tongue stuck out to the side, putting the finishing touches to his letter to Santa. Vin looked down at his own, which he’d finished a few moments earlier. Santa never came. He sent a letter every year and he tried to be really good but Santa hadn’t visited him in a long time. That was okay though. He understood why. Eli Joe had told him. At first he’d refused to believe but the more he thought about it, the more sense it made... so writing a letter was silly. Vin grabbed his note and screwed it into a small ball. He leapt up, marched across the room and tossed the letter to Santa into the trash. When he turned around, J.D. was staring at him. “Didn’t you like it? Did you forget somethin’? We got lots more paper so you can start again.” Vin swallowed. “He ain’t gonna come, J.D.” “He is this year,” J.D. insisted. “Buck said he is.” Vin shook his head slowly and repeated softly, “Santa ain’t gonna come.” ********* Josiah cursed the cast which extended from the top of his left thigh to his toes. With a shake of the head, he lifted his leg onto the foot stool Nathan had readied for him. One misplaced step and he’d ruined Christmas for the children he loved dearly. Nathan eyed his frowning friend. “Leg aching?” Josiah sighed. “My heart. I can’t believe me slipping on the ice means disappointing the boys.” Ezra looked up from the newspaper he was browsing through. “And how does your breaking your leg disappoint the boys...apart from depriving them of piggy back rides?” Josiah paused, raising his hand for silence. The muffled sounds of the boys playing in their bedroom could be heard over Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas”. In a lowered his voice he explained, “I was supposed to be Santa for them when we go to New York. Got the suit and everything. Can’t now. They’ll know I’m not the jolly old elf. This cast and the crutches are a dead give-away.” Ezra frowned, his gaze drifting to the beautifully decorated tree with its enormous pile of presents bundled underneath. “It is a shame they can’t spend their first Christmas in their own home. As a child all I wanted was to be home for Christmas... but it never happened. Mother always dragged us all over the world.” “Chris can’t get out of accepting that award on behalf of the ATF so he has to go... which means we all have to go,” Nathan stated, rising and adjusting Josiah’s leg to make him more comfortable. “Well, technically only Chris has to go... just as technically it would only have taken one of us to babysit while Buck and Chris do their Christmas shopping but any excuse will do to spend time with those two blessings the Lord sent us,” Josiah pointed out with a wink. Ezra opened his mouth to protest but Josiah dismissed his excuse with a flick of the wrist. “We all feel the same way about J.D. and Vin. And look at the difference they’ve made in Buck and Chris’ lives. Buck has settled down and is less reckless, and Chris... where do I start?” The room became silent for a few moments... apart from Bing Crosby quietly serenading the trio. “It would be impossible to celebrate Christmas without Chris so it makes sense for all us to follow him to New York. Family can’t be apart at Christmas.” Ezra closed the paper. “I am reticent to admit it but you are right. It would be strange to celebrate a Christmas without Chris, considering we have celebrated together for the last four years.” Nathan and Josiah exchanged a wink. It was still difficult for Ezra to admit he felt a part of this family, but they knew he did. Under the scrutinizing gaze of his companions, Ezra cleared his throat self-consciously. “A shame you not being able to play Kris Kringle for the boys.” Josiah and Nathan exchanged another glance. “Maybe someone else could play the role,” Nathan suggested innocently. “Such as?” Josiah asked. “We’ve already eliminated you, Josiah.” “Buck will do it,” Ezra stated confidently, returning to the paper. “Can’t be Buck. J.D. would know him immediately.” “Which also means it can’t be Chris for the same reason. Vin would recognize him and will expect Chris to be there with him,” Josiah added. “And it can’t be me. I don’t have the right ‘complexion’... or not the one the boys expect for Santa,” Nathan chuckled. Ezra nodded thoughtfully. Abruptly his eyes widened and he looked up. “No.” “Ezra, you’re the only one left.” “Gentlemen, I...” He looked from Nathan to Josiah and back again. “I am not ashamed to admit I care deeply for those energy sapping terrors, but I declare here and now, only when the sanctified dead rise from their graves to receive judgement, will I done a ridiculous beard and red...” “I’s finished!” J.D.’s voice wafted into the room to be followed a few seconds later by the whirlwind himself. The right strap of his overall had fallen off his shoulder, he had only one sock on and there was chocolate smudged around his mouth. The little boy ran into the middle of the room and waved a piece of paper like a flag. “What have you there son?” Josiah asked. “My letter to Santa. Wanna see?” Josiah smiled broadly. “I’d love to see it.” J.D. climbed up onto Josiah’s lap, using the cast as a ramp. “Let’s see... that’s quite a list. What’s a wee wee?” Ezra’s eyes widened. “I would suggest he means wii.” “Ahh,” Josiah chuckled. “And is Vin writing his letter to Santa?” Nathan asked. J.D. shook his head, taking his back from Josiah. “He said Santa won’t come. Eli Joe says Santa ain’t real and only kids with real parents get presents and ‘acause me and Vin don’t have a mama and pa we won’t get any.” “The power of words. They can steal the hopes and dreams of so many,” Josiah preached softly. “Santa don’t come to bad boys that’s why he don’t come to Eli. I wasn’t bad last year but Santa musta forgot me. Probably ‘acause me and Vin was livin’ in that box in the alley. Then Buck and Chris found us.” J.D. frowned. “Santa’s forgot Vin lots of times. Musta forgot ‘acause Vin ain’t a bad boy.” J.D.’s eyes lit up. “Buck said Santa is comin’ this year. He made sure. Santa will leave us presents won’t he? It don’t matter that I don’t have my mama now, do it?” His bottom lip trembled. Josiah drew the child in and kissed the top of his head. “The Lord sends Santa to leave gifts for all children who give love and who are loved, J.D. You are loved so I’m sure Santa will drop some presents off for you and Vin.” Nathan frowned. “I think one of us should help Vin to write a letter to Santa.” J.D. leaped from the great height of Josiah’s lap and landed on the carpet. “He already writted it, but he threwed it away. He said it don’t matter how many he sends, Santa still don’t come.” J.D. paused... which was unusual to see because the child was always on the move - unless he was eating or sleeping. “Why? Why does Santa keep forgetting Vin?” Silence. J.D.’s big eyes swept the dumbstruck adults. “Sometimes Santa gets lost,” Nathan muttered. J.D. pursed his lips thoughtfully and nodded. “I gets lost sometimes too. But Vin always knows where I is.” Happily he trotted off. ********* Ezra frowned, rising from his chair. This year, Santa was not going to get lost. “Gentlemen, you better buy a smaller red suit. I don’t believe Josiah’s will fit me.” With that, he went in search of Vin, but found the bedroom empty. J.D.’s voice drifted from outside. “Come on, Vin. I’ll race you.” Ezra cast his gaze around the bedroom, which looked like a bombsite. It had been tidy only a half an hour earlier. Amongst the toy cars, stuffed toys, train set and something Ezra couldn’t identify, were sheets of paper and crayons. Ezra sighed. He’d hoped to speak to Vin and convince him that Santa had simply... got lost in the past. Santa had often come a day late to him... his mother never seemed to get the day right, but at least Santa had come. As Ezra set about tidying the room, something caught his eye. He stopped and reached into the bin in the corner. Sitting on top was a crumpled piece of paper. ********** Vin stared up at the huge tree in Time Square. It was like a tower of blinking lights and tinsel. It was magnificent... the best tree he’d ever seen. The wind lashed his small frame and he shivered. Immediately, an arm curled around his back. “Cold?” “A little,” he whispered. “Come here.” Chris lifted him up. “Better?” Vin stared into the face of this man he loved and smiled, snuggling closer. He loved Chris. He loved Chris so much that all he wanted to do was smile at him. “Christmas Eve. We better get you two to bed so Santa can drop off his gifts,” Buck announced. Vin’s heart sank, his thoughts returning to Eli Joe and the words the older boy had spat in the playground. “Santa isn’t real. It’s just your parents leaving gifts. That’s why you won’t get any. You don’t have real parents.” It made sense. After all, Santa had stopped coming when his mother had died. ********* Their hotel room was enormous - a suite at the very top of the Hilton Hotel. It had five bedrooms, which was enough because Vin was sleeping with Chris, and J.D. with Buck... an adventure in itself, according to Uncle Ezra. Vin wasn’t sure what that meant, but everyone had smiled. J.D. raced to check the milk and carrots. For some reason Vin was flooded with anger. He didn’t really understand why. Here he was in an amazing room with Chris, Buck, J.D. and his uncles and he was angry. J.D. started counting the carrots again. Vin bit his bottom lip and curled it in. He was used to Santa not coming but J.D... J.D. was little. He was going to be so disappointed. Now that J.D. didn’t have real parents, Santa wasn’t going to come to him either. “J.D.,” Vin whispered. “He isn’t gonna come.” J.D. put his hands on his hips and whispered back in a voice so loud, Uncle Josiah and Buck paused to look over at them, “He is. He just got lost last year ‘acause we was living in that box.” Vin walked across to J.D. and said firmly, but quietly. “He ain’t comin’, J.D. You gotta...” The jingling of bells distracted both children. “What’s that?” Buck asked startled. J.D. started toward the French windows, but they flew open and standing in doorway was... “SANTA! SANTA! Vin, it’s Santa!” “Ho, Ho, Ho,” a very cultured Santa shivered. “I’m pleased I have caught you before you go to bed.” “We’s suppose to be in bed but we’s allowed to stay up late ‘acause it’s Christmas!” J.D. explained, staring at Santa wide-eyed. ********* Ezra shivered again – his body’s reaction to the warmth of the central heating. He’d been hiding out on the balcony for almost ten minutes, lamenting his willingness to be talked into this ridiculous charade. “Have you brought us presents, Santa?” “That I have, young man, but I don’t have them on my person. I wanted to apologize for missing you last year.” He turned to Vin who was frowning deeply. “The last few years, son. I am dreadfully sorry. Normally parents send me children’s addresses, but you have moved around so much in the last few years, I didn’t know where to leave the presents. Don’t worry. I have extra gifts for you this year.” “YES!” J.D. cried, jumping up and down with glee. “Did you hear that, Vin? Santa didn’t forget us. He just didn’t know where we was!” Ezra walked across to a lounge chair, sat down and stretched out his arms to the children. He’d come this far so he may as well see it through. Only J.D. responded to his open arms, running toward him. Ezra glanced at Vin who was staring intensely at him. Disappointed, dropped his attention to J.D. who’d climbed into his lap. “I want lots, Santa. But most of all I wants a truck and basketball, and a laptop, and a wee wee and a...” Ezra laughed. “Slow down, son or you’ll give yourself a coronary. Santa knows what you want and he’ll leave something special for you once you go to bed.” Ezra gave the child a squeeze and another ho, ho, ho. He would never admit it, but he was starting to enjoy the role. With a wink, Ezra lifted J.D. from his lap. “Do your reindeers like carrots?” J.D. asked, leaning on Ezra’s knee and peering up at him. “They most certainly do.” “Where did you leave them?” “On the roof.” “How do they fly?” “J.D., let Vin have a turn with Santa now,” Buck chuckled, taking the child’s hand and leading him a few steps back. All attention turned to the little boy standing in his pyjamas next to the milk and carrots. He hadn’t moved a muscle since Ezra had entered the room. “Vin,” Josiah coaxed softly. “You can go and sit on Santa’s knee if you want.” Vin remained still. Chris walked forward and crouched next to the silent child. “You don’t have to, cowboy. No one is going to make you, but I promise, he isn’t going to hurt you.” Vin turned to Chris, then glanced over at Buck and then J.D. “He’s real friendly, Vin,” J.D. encouraged. Finally the silent child returned his gaze to ‘Santa’. Chris squeezed Vin’s hand in support. Vin bit his lip again and then walked forward. Ezra reached out his arms expecting the boy to shy away, but he didn’t. If anything, Vin looked confused, not scared. Ezra lifted Vin onto his lap. “Now. Let me see. I received your other letters and I even got....” Ezra reached behind Vin’s ear and with a simple slight-of-hand, produced the crumpled note to Santa he’d found in the trash. “.. and I even got this one that you threw away.” Everyone laughed, J.D. clapping loudly with excitement. Vin looked down at the note and then back into Ezra’s face. The boy’s eyes showed his soul – so deep and serious... and disconcerting. This child had seen too much of life’s hardships for his tender years and Ezra was suddenly overwhelmed with the need to wrap him up in his arms and protect him. “Vin, I know things have been hard for you the past few years, but allow me to let you in on a very special secret. Santa never forgot you... because you never forgot me, did you?” Silence. No one in the room moved. Ezra’s heart ached for the child. “Santa doesn’t live in people’s minds, Vin. He lives in their hearts.” Ezra patted Vin’s chest. “You’ve kept your love for Santa locked in your heart. When someone has lots of love to give and is loved by others, Santa comes. You have given a lot of love this year and are loved very much, little one that is why I’m here.” Vin looked into Ezra’s eyes for several moments and then, to Ezra’s surprise, the little boy smiled and hugged him. Ezra squeezed Vin, overwhelmed with emotion. “You are loved very, very much, son,” he assured. Vin squeezed back and whispered, “I know, Uncle Ezra.” Ezra froze and stared at Vin open-mouthed as he pulled away. Vin knew. Without another word, Vin climbed to the carpet and walked back to Chris. Ezra shot a look at Buck to see if Vin’s soft words had travelled that far, but clearly they hadn’t. “Alright, boys. Time for bed,” Buck ordered. “I know Santa has to return to the North Pole now to fill his sleigh with all of the gifts he has to deliver tonight. Say goodnight to Santa.” “GOODNIGHT, SANTA” J.D. cried. “And we’ve lefted milk for you...and carrots for Rudolph... how does his nose shine red? Everyone but Ezra and Vin laughed as Buck carried J.D. toward the bedroom and Chris took Vin by the hand and led him toward theirs. At the last moment, Vin turned back and said quietly, “Goodnight, Santa.” He gave Ezra a soft, genuine smile that lit his uncle’s soul with pure joy. ********* Chris pulled the covers down and Vin climbed into bed. It was big and soft and the best thing was, he could snuggle up to Chris in the morning. J.D.’s loud chatter penetrated the wall. “And it was Santa, Buck. He visited us. He found us. You said he would and he did.” Vin smiled. J.D. sounded so happy. Last year had been hard. J.D. had cried a lot on Christmas Day, even when Vin had found some food and brought it back for them. Chris sat down on the edge of the bed, reached up and ran his fingers through Vin’s hair the way he did every night to help him go to sleep. There had been a time when Vin had been scared to close his eyes... afraid that when woke up, Chris and Buck... his uncles... and his new house would all be gone. “Chris.” “Mmm?” “Eli Joe was wrong.” “Yep.” “He said Santa stopped coming because I didn’t have real parents.” “I see.” “Santa stopped coming because no one loved me no more, didn’t he?” Chris’ hand paused, his face shadowing with concern. “Vin...” “Now you love me... and Buck loves me...” Vin sat up and hugged Chris, breathing in the aroma of cigar smoke and peppermint that always clung to Chris’ clothes. “... and Uncle Josiah and Uncle Nathan... and... and...” Vin stated giggling. “And...?” Chris prompted as Vin sat back. “And Uncle Ezra. Uncle Ezra must love me and J.D. lots.” “He does, Vin. Believe me,” Chris winked. “...he does.” Chris bent forward and kissed Vin on the forehead before easing him onto the pillow. “Time for bed.” Chris switched off the bedside lamp and Vin waited for his eyes to adjust to the limited light filtering in under the door. “I love you, Chris.” Vin felt the gentle pull of Chris’ fingers through his hair. “Love you too, cowboy.” With each gentle stroke, Vin’s breathing got deeper until he found himself right at the edge of sleep. He was aware of Chris tucking the covers around him, but he refused to give in to sleep until he heard the special words Chris whispered to him every night... the same words Chris said Sarah used to say to Adam... words Vin had accepted before, but after tonight, believed more than ever. “Good night, cowboy. God bless. Sleep soundly knowing someone loves you very, very much.” And with those wonderful words of love ringing in his heart, Vin drifted off to sleep.
© Jan 2008 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to the owners of "The Magnificent Seven" and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while. |
