A Gargoyle Christmas

Chapter 1 “Are you sure about this?” Cinder asked, looking around. “Quite sure, sir,” replied Daisy, a twinkle in her eye. How she convinced him to trek out to the mall before it closed was beyond him. For one thing, she rarely left the comfort of the basement and all the books she presided over, so having her show up in his office to practically drag him out into the bustling atmosphere of the mall was strange. Yet, it was just the beginning. When she explained what she had in mind he thought for sure she must be sick or going loopy. “This is crazy.” “Hush, sir.” Despite himself, Cinder felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Daisy was the only gargoyle he knew who would admonish him while following it up with a sign of respect. Then again, she’d always been a bit of an odd duck. A knockout who dressed modestly, threw her hair up in a ponytail and sported glasses he knew for a fact she did not need. But it was all part of who she was and he adored her. This plan, on the other hand, was a different story. Christmas time at the mall, it sent shivers down his spine. Too many people in one place. Though he lacked the social awkwardness that kept Daisy cooped up with her books, the idea of being around so many humans bugged him. What if somehow things went terribly wrong and their true forms were spotted? Gargoyles around the world might suffer. After all, normal people didn’t lurk in the darkness and sprout leathery batwings to get around. Cinder shifted his weight. “Why this, of all things?” “Do you love him?” He arched an eyebrow. The line they were standing in moved. “Why ask me that?” “Because it’s an easy enough to answer question.” Io, she was talking about his wonderful, goofy, soft hearted husband. Husband, a word that still sent his heart racing. Who knew the younger gargoyle would capture his heart completely? And making it official in the eyes of their kind only served to make his love run deeper. “Yes, Daisy, I love Io.” “And he’ll cherish this. Besides,” she shrugged, “You can always get him other things. Remember how crazy he went for Halloween?” “I prefer to think of it as enthusiasm.” “He possesses a lot of it.” “Yes. It looks like Santa threw up in Blackstone.” He referred to the ancient manor Io gifted him for his birthday, now restored and their home. “And I’m certain you can see the place from space.” “See, this is perfect and you know it.” Cinder grimaced. “What’s the problem, sir? Do you have issues with the jolly old man?” “Have you noticed we’re the only two waiting in line sans a child?” It was true. While carols played through hidden speakers and shoppers hunted down bargains, Cinder stood with Daisy waiting for a photo op with Santa. The idea sounded ludicrous, him sitting on the man’s knee like a child, but to see Io smile would be worth it. And deep down he knew what she said to be true. This was the absolute perfect gift for Io, complete with the picture frame in the bag she held—evergreen branches dusted with snow making up the border. At least he managed to talk her out of the hat, which she originally wanted him to don, the typical red Santa hat. As it was, he sported a dress shirt in a shade of blue he knew to be Io’s favorite and black slacks. While shopping for the frame she tried convincing him to pick up one of the festive ties. Reindeer and snowmen, however, were not his style. In fact, until Io stole his heart, Cinder hardly spared a thought for the passing holidays, he saw so many in his long life. But his beloved celebrated them with the love of a child, wanting to trick or treat on Halloween, then complaining of a stomachache after eating the entire bag of treats. Now it seemed he couldn’t stop talking about donning footie pajamas, excited to leave out cookies he made himself as a treat for Old Saint Nick. Would there be an Easter egg hunt at the right time? The image of Io in bunny ears brought a smile to his face. For Halloween Io had dressed up as the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland and they’d had quite the arousing private time, Io wearing his rabbit ears the whole time. “What are you thinking of, sir?” Cinder remembered where he was, surrounded by children, and chased the naughty thoughts away. “Nothing.” “Sure.” There was a knowing twinkle in her eye. Cinder had known Daisy for decades, far longer than anybody else in their pack. And for a while he thought she might be smitten with him, considering the way she never dated, only to find out she was asexual, a term he couldn’t recall having come across before. Now, however, he understood better than most that Daisy was happy single, seeking only close friendship on a delightful intellectual level. Or in the case of Io, someone who forced her to push at her boundaries while making her laugh on a nightly basis. She was like a younger sister to both of them. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, planting a kiss on the top of her head. “I have a wild idea. How about we take pictures? One of just me and one of us together?” When she didn’t speak up right away he knew she was suffering one of her internal struggles. Aside from a few exceptions, Daisy tended to avoid physical contact, like perching on the knee of some strange man. It was a simple act for most people, but just the sort of thing to make Daisy uncomfortable. Cinder was on the verge of giving her a way out when she spoke up, surprising him with her answer. “Yes, let’s, I think it’ll be fun.” And so they did, waiting their turn in what seemed like a never ending line, the same tired Christmas carols playing, and shoppers frantically seeking to finish off their lists. As Cinder drew it all in, he couldn’t help feeling as though something were missing. But what?