Chapter Text
It’s a cold December, with fresh snow on the ground and more still falling, and even with the heat on and gloves, my scales still feel frozen. My wings felt like they were about to fall off when I went out to get the car started.
I have no clue why they didn't call the district off today. Hopefully, Cleo was warm enough. She complained that she felt like she could barely move. Heh, I remember my mother doing the same thing .
The minutes tick by, the brown bricked extractor frosted in snowfall. I feel the anticipation and check my watch: 3:14, one minute to go. I put the car into drive, anticipation and a big grin as I wait for the bell to ring, probably paralleling the children inside. The bell rings, and all the kids come out. A mix of humans and saurans, some taking the time to catch snowflakes on their tongues, and mini snowball fights. Most run to their parents outside; the start of winter break, Christmas is soon, and in the excitement of children swarming around, I spy a little maroon coat with a pink backpack and a purple beanie.
A fatherly smile comes across my face as my little angel enters the car.
Cleo: Hi, Dad!
Harry: Hey, princess. How was school today? Were you warm enough?
Cleo: Yes! Oh, and today the class gave me a card for my birthday.
Harry: Oh, Cleo, that is so sweet! I’ll have to look at it when we get home. But first, I think you know where we’re stopping.
I look at her from the rearview and see her seafoam green eyes sparkle.
Cleo: Grandmas!
We then cut to a moderately sized bakery, Ellen’s written in cursive. The building is mostly brick, with a large window to see inside. Snow is sticking to the top of the building, reminiscent of a gingerbread house. The window is adorned with festive art. The words "happy holidays" are written in big, blocky letters filled in with white and red like a candy cane. Inside are a few customers, mostly just people picking up holiday orders. A human woman leaves the counter, picking up her order; the owner is a petro woman, roughly in her late 50s or mid-60s, but you couldn't tell that from her. She had a few light wrinkles, and you could maybe make out grey hair if her dye job were bad that month. Her purple hair was pulled into a pony tail, and she wore a black apron with the store's name and font underneath. She was wearing a red t-shirt, and her scales were pink. Looking out the window, she notices a familiar car parked in front. She sees a blue petro come out, and a violet child, Petro, sprints out of her side and enters. With a chuckle, the pink petro lady moves out from behind the counter.
Cleo: Grandma!
Ellen moves down to her height and embraces her in a hug.
Ellen: Oh, hello, sweetie!
Harry: HI, ellen
Harry enters the bakery, looking at the scene with a smile. Ellen gets up and moves over to him.
Ellen: Harry! Schools out already, I see,
Harry: We both earned ourselves a treat after today. I still can't believe they kept the schools open after last night.
Ellen: I know it's crazy! It's so cold out; it's ridiculous. I nearly slipped on my way to my car today.
Harry: Half the class showed up today, and I don't blame them. But I'll do anything for a paycheck. Oh, could we get one mint hot chocolate and a minty cold brew ?
Ellen: Chuckles. Sure, two creams, three sugars?
Cleo: And two half moons? (half moons = black and white pastry)
Cleo adds from behind, looking at the rows of baked goods and devouring them with her eyes.
Cleo sits at a table and happily eats the vanilla half of the pastry. Harry stands in front of the register with Ellen behind it.
Ellen: Is she doing well in school?
Harry: Yeah, she is doing great. She is excited for the break and Christmas.
Ellen: Fantastic! Anything planned? Anything you have planned in particular?
Her body language changes between sentences; she shifts focus and shows more concern for him.
Harry: Ellen, I, you know, don't have the time for stuff like that.
Ellen: We both know that's bull, and you need someone else.
Harry: I know. I just don't think I can trust someone; I don’t...
Ellen places a hand on his shoulder.
Ellen: Harry, I'm not asking you to find your next wife; I’m asking you to go out and have fun. You know it's been just as hard for Jan and me as it has been for you two. We just want what's best for you.
Ellen moves her hand to his cheek.
Ellen: And you can call us mom and dad; you've been like one to us for a long time.
Harry: Keep the change, el- mom. I'll see if I can.
Harry hands her his card, and she swipes it.
Ellen: I do have a new hire coming in from the city. You two could meet up here. I’ll have her work register on the 28th, and you can come by to see how she is.
Her face forms a sly grin, and she raises an eyebrow at him.
Harry:<chuckle> I'll keep that in mind, Ellen.
Harry returns to the table where Cleo is happily eating the vanilla side of the pastry.
Harry: So, how's the moon?
He smiles warmly
Cleo: It's the best!
Thats good
He takes a bite of the chocolate-frosted side of the pastry and looks at Cleo. Each is holding their baked good, and they tip the end of each other in a cheers style. After a while, they finish their after-school treat. Goodbye, hugs are exchanged. The two then make their way back home.
Later
The kitchen/ dining area is where the main door opens up to a brown wooden floor with yellow walls. Harry opens the door, and Cleo rushes from behind him, coat and boots off; she takes off up the stairs to her room. Harry then goes to his computer, puts his bag down by the chair, and then gets to do some online gaming. He opens Dino cord and messages that this group chat he's in.
8luebird815: off for winter break!!
In a matter of seconds, the group chat comes to life.
LumsHotW1fe: sweat
The art teacher sends a thumbs-up.
Moldmuffin87: awsome
8luebird815: So what are you guys doing?
LumsHotW1fe: World of WizardKraft
8luebird815: bithcin ill get on
~~~~
Later that night,
The two are sitting on the couch. Harry is wearing a black T-shirt and grey pajama pants, which show more of his defined arms and torso. Cleo sits on the other side of the couch in light blue button-up pajamas under a blanket. They are finishing watching Gremlins, and Cleo is struggling to stay awake.
Harry: Alright, sweetie, time for bed.
She barely protests as he picks her up and brings her to bed. The room has base-colored walls, a twin-sized mattress with a navy comforter, and matching pillows. He tucks her in, kisses her on the forehead, turns out the light, and puts on the night light, its soft glow lightly illuminating the room.
Later, we see him finishing his dental hygiene and entering his room. The room is a large, grey-walled room with chestnut-colored furniture and a large dresser that is too big for one person. A bureau with a large TV and a queen-sized bed has two large nightstands on both sides, one on the right side, with matching lamps. As he lies in bed, he moves to turn out the light. Harry looks at the dust-covered ring on the nightstand. He turns the light off and looks at the ring in the darkness, like every night for two years.
Harry runs through the hall in the house, panicking.
Harry: Cleo! Laura!
He rushes to the door to their bedroom and opens it. The closet is open, and the drawers are empty.
Cleo: Daddy!
He hears Cleo in a faint, ethereal voice. He turns around and wakes up in a cold sweat.
Goddamn it I hate that dream, he feels something on his left arm he looks over and sees Cleo in his bed holding onto his arm.
Harry: When did you get here?
He whispers, runs bits of her hair through his fingers, and her wings flutter as he frees his arm, not waking the child.
He goes to the bathroom, the lights blinding him. As he looks at himself in the mirror, stubble appears. He looks himself up and down in the mirror, posing and using different expressions.
Harry: After Christmas, maybe.
Harry exits the bathroom and returns to bed. As he goes to turn out the light, he takes one last look at her ring. He opens the drawer and puts it in. He then turns out the light. He then feels Cleo wrap her small arm over him. He lightly strokes her hair.
Harry: Goodnight, sweetie.