A Legion Xmas Story - Chapter 14

[Phil 5,119]

A Legion Xmas Story

 

Chapter 1 - @stevo

Chapter 2 - @DollarAndADream & @Molholt

Chapter 3 - @sterling & @Phil

Chapter 4 - @Victor

Chapter 5 - Hotel Breakfast

Chapter 6 - The Swap

Chapter 7 - Lighter Spirits

Chapter 8 - The Paradox

Chapter 9 - Last Christmas

Chapter 10 - The Second Dinner

Chapter 11 - Do Not Grieve What Is Not Lost

Chapter 12 - The Power of Voice

Chapter 13 - (Posting Soon)

 

 

Chapter 14

 

While they waited for their drinks to arrive, they sat in almost a muted silence, attempting to imitate a guppyfish.. Periodically one of the four would open their mouths to say something and then thought better of it. Each avoided eye-contact with the other and instead looked around the Pub. It was festively decorated with wreaths on the wall, tinsel looping its way around booths and a few small Christmas trees with pretty decorations here and there. The hosts and hostesses were all wearing Santa hats and elf shoes with red and white stocking to match and whizzed back and forth with massive smiles on their faces. Mercifully, before long, the drinks had arrived – spiced rum and eggnog. They hostess smiled a wide smile and the most anyone could do was give an unconvincingly reciprocated smile back. Once she had left, Max finally took charge:

 

“Let’s raise our glasses to the holiday season!” he said, raising his glass to the holiday season. “Let’s hope for a fantastic evening, a great New Years and an even better 2017. Here’s to Zach in hopes that he can grab another Boulet Trophy. Here’s to Debbie in hopes that she sees another successful year with her make-up studio. Here’s to my darling wife, Sam for always seeing eye-to-eye with me, and here’s to the four of us!”

 

“Cheers!” they all said in unison and took a deep drink.

 

“Now,” Max said, wiping his mouth. “Sam and I wanted to pitch something to you guys. In fact we’ve sort of jumped the gun on it, which I hope won’t make you feel awkward.”

 

Zach and Debbie shifted in their seats uneasily. Here it comes.

 

“Zach, we’ve been teammates forever, and it’s safe to say that I love you, man. You’re my best friend and I wanted to show you my appreciation.” He put his arm around Zach and went on.

 

“In my home in Sweden, there’s a tradition called wife-swapping. It’s pretty simple to figure out what that is, and because I have always spent my Christmas here since I’ve been with the Legion I have not really had a chance to do it, but now I think we’ve found the perfect couple to share this tradition with. But I want to take it one step further. I want to do a husband swap – with you Zach. I want it to be you.”

 

“Abuh.. buhhh” Zach mumbled aghast, and not knowing what else to do, he threw the rest of his drink down his throat. Debbie’s hands were locked and sitting on the table. She was twiddling her thumbs nervously. Sam smile at her and place a hand over hers.

 

“Speechless, huh?” Max asked happily. “I would be honoured Zach, and so, again don’t feel embarrassed, this is a tradition, albeit altered slightly."

 

“I’m not sure if it’s quite appropriate,” Zach managed.

 

“Nonsense!” Max replied “You can reciprocate whenever you’d like – or you never have to! That’s Christmas!” And reaching under the table Max felt around for something. Finding it, he gave it a tug and freed it from its nesting place. He then make eye contact with Zach and beaming revealed a neatly wrapped gift for him. Mystified and utterly confused, Zach asked.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“Well this is my Christmas present for you. I know we didn’t tell you about it, so that’s my bad, and you don’t have to reciprocate, but I wanted to do the husband-husband swap with you.”

 

“This is what you were nervous about at practice today?” asks a perplexed Zach, who noticed that Sam was presenting Debbie with a wrapped present as well.

 

“Well yes, you see, in Sweden the traditional husband-wife swap is a very special one. You give a gift to you very closest pair. It is supposed to bring you good luck for the coming year. I just decided that it would mean more to you coming from me, because we’ve known each other for so long. I just wanted this Christmas to be special. I hope you are not angry.”

 

“Angry?” Zach replied. “Max this is amazing! Merry Christmas!” And throwing his arms around his lifelong teammate they shared a warm, seasonal embrace as their wives did the same.

 

 

Outside, carolers in the distance started singing about Joy at Christmas