Today was the day of Christmas Eve, and the elf of the house was fussing over details. Elrohir had heard Dhante speaking of this thing called Christmas, but he realized he truly had no clue what all it involved. Dhante had told him that it did not really matter since they were vampire and elf, but Ro sensed that at heart Dhante was aching to do something perfectly human and normal. And after all they had been through since meeting, who could blame the little vampire?
Waiting until Dhante was firmly lost to the death sleep of his kind, Elrohir rose from the bed and went to gather Tinu from his crib. “Come ion nin, we are going to give your daddy D a Christmas present he may never forget in all his long years. He got the little elf dressed and soon they were out among the people rushing here and there. Neither elf was stressed by all the people, instead they remain focused on the things they needed from their list.
“Ada!” Tinu gasped as he spotted the absolute most beautiful tree in a parking lot. Elrohir asked the gentleman how much he would want for it, and was told he could have it for half the marked price given the late hour. Elrohir thanked him and had the large tree tied to the roof of his car, much to Tinu’s delight.
Next the popped their heads into one of the large stores, where even Elrohir’s eyes widened in awe. The store was filled with so many things that a house might need to celebrate this particular holiday. He spoke to a girl behind one of the counters who explained to him that she could design for them stockings with their names on them. Elrohir was uncertain what the point of stockings was, but thought the idea of the three of them hanging side by side was charming and filled out the forms needed to have them made.
Grabbing a cart, he scooped Tinu up and set him into the basket with a grin, “We need things to put on daddy D’s Christmas tree. What do you think we should get ion nin?”
“Purple stuff!” Tinu squealed excited, his little hands reaching out to snag a few of the ornaments, while Elrohir himself was gathering a few things that seemed like the vampire would find deep sentimental value in them. Already the elf felt a bit of sentimentality about what he was doing. This was going to be their first ever Christmas, both for the elves and also as a family all together.
He bought a couple of gifts for both Dhante and his tiny Tinu even though he fully intended to find a way to give the both of them something more meaningful and from his heart. Looking over everything they had, the tall elf felt as if he had done just about everything he could to assure the happiness of both his little loves.
As he was heading to the cashier to pay for the things he had chosen, he noticed the festive hats some people were wearing. During one of Dhante’s talks of Christmas he had mentioned Santa and the elves who worked for him. He smiled suddenly, silver eyes drifting to Tinu. “Tell me Tinu, how would you feel about being ada’s elf helper?”
Tinu laughed and shook his head, “But Tinu already is ada’s elf helper!”
“That he is.” Elrohir agreed before grabbing a small green elf hat, along with a large red Santa hat for himself. Tossing both in the basket, he winked at Tinu. “When the sun goes down tonight, Santa’s littlest elf is going to go and get Daddy D from bed so he can see what Santa Elrohir brought for him.
Rushing home, Elrohir got the little elf hat on Tinu. With a smile he made sure Tinu’s tiny little pointed ears were poking out like a proper little Christmas elf. Putting on the Christmas music they had bought the pair of elves got to work setting up and decorating the tree and house. It was just before dusk when Elrohir put the final touches on his Christmas trimming, a smile of warm pleasure on his face.
He leaned down then and adjusted Tinu’s elf hat. “Are you ready master elf? I think it is time to go and wake our beautiful sleeping beauty.” He touched Tinu’s cute little nose and winked, “Now remember, no matter how many times he asks you what is going on, you are to simply tell him Santa desires to see him in the living room. Think you can achieve your mission accurately Tinu? Ada is counting on you as his most trusted elf. Do not fail me, ion nin.”
Tinu laughed, the sound joyous and happy. It was a sound that belonged to a day like this one and Elrohir winked at the child. “Go on now. Get your daddy D up so you can show him all that you have done to prepare for this Santa Claus to come.”
Tinu ran off through the house and into Dhante and Elrohir’s room. He climbed up onto the bed before running up to the head of the bed and grabbing the blankets to pull them from his daddy. “Daddy D! Daddy D… Wake up! I have a surprise for you! I have to show you something!”
Dhante woke easily enough, the pleasure of the tiny elf calling him daddy had yet to wear off. As he sat up he sent out a silent plea that the pleasure he and Tinu took from their relationship never would lessen. Smiling and grabbing the elfling in a hug, he kissed Tinu’s cheek. “What is it? What did you do Tinu?”
“It is a surprise!.” the excited elfling squealed. “You must come! Follow me!” Tinu ran and jumped from the bed before reaching to grab Dhante’s hand. Pulling with all his might, the tiny elf pulled Dhante from the bedroom, down the hall and into their living room.
Dhante paused at the doorway to their living room to take it all in as Tinu ran off to join his ada. There in the living room was Elrohir wearing a Santa hat, his beautiful elven ears poking out to either side. Behind him there was a fire in the fireplace and three perfect stockings hanging on the mantle, each one with a name on it. In the corner of the room was a massive Christmas tree covered in purple and blue lights, the ornaments hanging here and there. Dhante could see that each one had been picked very carefully by the two loves of his life. Under the tree had been placed several wrapped gifts. The vision Elrohir presented was like something out of a dream.
“Elrohir? What have you done?”
The tall elf offered a polite bow of his head as one hand went to press to his heart. As he extended his hand out, palm open toward Dhante he smiled and spoke simple words…
“Merry Christmas, Meleth nin.”
