Home Sick

Alexandria was just setting out a bowl of pine cones in the centre of the coffee table as she looked at Kira sitting on the couch staring out the window. The little girl was watching as the snow fell and she didn't look happy.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" Alexandria asked as she took a seat near her daughter.

"If we were home, tonight would be the Harvest festival. We'd be with all our friends. We'd have dinner together and we'd sing songs and play games . . ."

Alexandria put her arms around Kira and held her close. "I know . . . You feel homesick. That's understandable."

"Can't we go back? I don't have to see Daddy anymore. We could just stay together and move back to Marston and to all our friends . . ."

Alexandria sighed and caressed her little girl's face. "You may not believe this, Kira, but everything's going to be okay . . . In time, you'll make new friends; you'll like being able to spend time with you dad . . . and you'll like Serenity City once you have a chance to really get to know the place."

"I never will," Kira replied with the conviction of a seven year old.

Misha, Danayal and Tyran put their minds together. Danayal, who was Kira's babysitter on occasion, and her friend, had noticed she was rather homesick for her old town. Especially now when there was the annual feast about to be held. The three men made arrangements to surprise Kira and Xandria. They had already set out plans for the shop, and Kira's new school for the time for the trip.

"This should work; it’s only a few hours travel with my horse carriage," Misha said. "That will be something special. Neither of you may say why they have to come here, but let’s get them here in an hour. I’ll have everything ready by then." Misha said.

Danayal nodded and Tyran went to the comm. He contacted Alexandria. He decided to claim Danayal was sick and that he needed her to help in the bar while Kira would have to take care of Dan. He grinned, this was going to be fun.

Alexandria heard the comm and answered it. "Yes?"

" Alexandria, it’s me Tyran, I have a large problem. A busy night, and Dan got sick, please help me!"

"Dan's sick?" she replied with concern.

"Yeah, he’s in bed at the moment feeling horrible. Dom said he has a virus, but that it’s not terribly contagious."

"Well, of course, I'll help, but what about Kira?" she asked. "I mean, with Dan being ill I have no one to ask to baby-sit, really."

"Dan likes the company; she can bring him some soup and fluids, and maybe just keep him company. Of course we’ll check on them from time to time."

Alexandria smiled. "All right, I'll bundle Kira and I up and we'll head over."

"Thank you. Tyran out." He closed the comm. "She took the bait." Danayal grinned and he knew Misha would be ready in time. He went to the bar to help the first customers.

"Sweetie," she said to her daughter. "Why don't you grab your jacket, hat and mittens. We're going to the Starlight Inn and staying for awhile. Danayal's sick and Tyran needs our help."

"Dan's sick?" the little girl asked with concern in her little eyes. "Is he going to be okay?"

Alexandria smiled. "He'll be fine, but Tyran and I would like you to help us take care of him. Do you think you can do that?”

"What do I need to do?" she asked.

"Oh, maybe take him soup . . . things to drink . . . maybe just spend some time with him."

Kira smiled. "I can do that!"

"Good!" Alexandria replied. "Now grab your jacket. Quickly." She said and she grabbed hers off a nearby chair."

Misha entered Tyran's apartment. "Everything’s ready; I’ve taken the sleigh, since there’s too much snow for the wagon. Then I can take a short cut and that’ll save us around 45 minutes." Misha said.

"Good, Dan’s in the bar working and I’m preparing some food for when you’re underway. I also found that bear skin you requested so they stay warm in the sleigh...“ The men planned further and waited... The sleigh with two horses stood outside the Starlight Inn...

As Alexandria and Kira approached the Starlight Inn and saw the horses, for a moment they stopped and stared.

"Mommy! Horses!" Kira cried.

"In the city?" Xandria added with surprise.

With a shrug, she led Kira inside. "We saw a sleigh with horses outside," she said without looking around.

"From a client, I think." Tyran replied.

Danayal walked passed them with a tray in his hand, he bent down and served two glasses of wine and some cheese to a few clients.

"Danayal?" she said with surprise. "Why aren't you in bed? I thought Tyran said . . ."

Then it dawned on her that she had been baited. "What's going on here?"

"In bed? Why?" Danayal looked surprised, but he had a mischievous look in his eyes.

"Oh, what did you and Tyran cook up!" she smiled.

"Mommy, what's going on?" Kira asked just as confused.

"I think someone has a surprise for us."

"Yeah, I have." Misha stepped from behind the counter. "We’re going on a ride together, in the sleigh that stands outside. Danayal’s not sick at all. Tyran and he made that up to get you here."

Alexandria broke into a laugh. "Oh you!" she said as she went to him and embraced him warmly.

"We're going on a ride?" Kira asked. "Where? And won't in be cold in that sleigh?"

"I have a warm skin here, a real bear skin from long ago. And I believe your warm winter coats were left here last time you were here because they were too warm?" Misha said pointing at the door to Tyran's apartment. Tyran had not forgotten a new winter coat was tradition at the day of the harvest feast.

"Mommy look!" Kira shouted with glee. "It's the pink jacket I wanted with the fuzzy white lining!"

"Well I see you like it." Tyran said hugging Kira. "Those are a present from Misha, Dan and me."

"I love it!" she said as she quickly pulled off her old jacket and put on the new one. "And it's so warm!"

"And this one is for you, Alexandria." Tyran pointed.

It was a beautiful brown suede Jacket. The inside was soft and warm and it looked completely tailored to her body as she slipped it on. "This is too much, Tyran . . . It fits beautifully . . . How did you do it?"

"I know my traditions… your sleigh is ready, ma'am." He made a bow and led them outside, where Misha was waiting; he had turned the sleigh and smiled while Tyran helped Kira and Alexandria get in. When they were seated Misha made the horses run...

Kira and Alexandria enjoyed the scenery as they rode, especially once they had left Serenity City. The country was gorgeous though just as cold.

Misha rode calmly. He didn’t answer one their questions of where they were going, but an couple of hours later the scenery got more familiar.

"Wait . . ." Alexandria said. "This looks familiar . . ."

"Does it?" Misha replied with a smile, but saying nothing while he took a road leading straight to the village.

"Oh my god!" Alexandria exclaimed.

"Mommy! That's the Hastetler Farm!"

"Is it? I wouldn’t know," Misha grinned and the horses ran further. They closed in on another farm. The one where Misha's friends were living, whose daughter was Kira's best friend... "End of the ride."

"We're at the Arliss farm!" Alexandria said with surprise. "We're in Marston!"

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! We can go to the Harvest Party!"

"That was my idea… yes. I’ve been invited, and I thought, since Danayal said Kira was longing for this feast..."

"He told you??" Kira replied, not knowing if she should be upset or happy, but being happy won out. "Maybe he should tell you guys things more often . . . Like maybe getting a pony would make me REALLY happy!"

"Oh, Kira . . ." her mother laughed.

Suddenly, the door of the farm house opened and a little girl around Kira's age bolted out.

"Kira!!!" The little girl called. "Kira!"

"Natalie!!!"

Kira cried jumping out of the sleigh. Alexandria and Misha watched as the girls hugged each other jumping up and down with glee.

"I knew it would make her happy, and Danayal told me this because he wanted to help her get here." Misha said.

"I couldn't ask for a better gift for her . . ." Alexandria smiled as she leaned over and took his hand.

He smiled and kissed her. "And I could not ask for someone better to celebrate this party with..."

Suddenly, a snowball hit Misha on the back.

"Hey!" Alexandria said as she turned toward the girls. They just giggled at her.

"Hey! That’s not fair!" He bent down, made a large snowball and hit Nathalie who threw the first ball at him.

Suddenly, a snowball fight broke out . . . the kids against the adults . . . And it didn't stop when the front door opened.

"What are you kids doing out here?"

"It's war, Mr. Arliss!" Kira smiled and laughed as her mother hit her with a snowball.

Misha grinned as he powdered both girls in snow by throwing one high ball at the roof of the farm. The snow fell down and covered both girls. "How is that for snow, kiddos?" He hadn’t seen at first, but his friend Thomas was covered as well.

As the girls saw Thom, they both started giggling, even though snow was all over them.

"Oh, Thom," Alexandria began, but Thom held up his hand.

"That's okay," he said. "Because . . ." he leaned over and gathered a fist full of snow "Because all's fair in love and war!" With that he hit Misha with a snowball and all the girls laughed.

"You said it." Misha aimed another ball, too high to hit Thomas, but not too high to let snow thunder from higher up the roof. Once more they were covered. "2-0 for me." Misha grinned.

The snow ball fight kept up for awhile more before Tamira stood in the doorway. "You know, if you kids are done playing out here, we have hot mulled cider and cocoa inside to warm yourselves up before we go."

"Good idea, Tamira." Misha shook the snow from his hair and walked to her.

Alexandria and the kids followed, with Thomas behind. They all shook the snow off, went to the fire place and were handed cups of whatever they preferred. Alexandria was happy to be holding a warm mug in her hands.

"Cold, Xandria?" Misha asked with a smile.

"Oh yeah, but a good cold," she smiled. "It's so good to be back . . ."

"Can we move back here?" Kira implored. "Please???"

"Kira, I don’t think your mother will do that. You see she loves me, and Danayal and Tyran will miss you, and Bethany..." Misha said, pleading for understanding from the little girl.

Kira paused for a moment and then sighed. "Yeah, I guess we'd miss all of you too now . . ."

"And it's not like we can't come and visit, sweetie," Alexandria said.

"And Nathalie will spend her summer vacation at my home, right Thomas - Because you have to go to earth to visit your family?" Misha said.

"Yep, that's right . . . So you and Natalie will get to play all summer!"

Natalie squealed with joy. As the girls jumped around with delight, holding each other's hands Alexandria looked at Thomas. "Is everyone actually expecting us for the party?" she asked.

"I thought you told them I was bringing them with, Thom?"

Thomas nodded. "Oh yes, they *are* expecting you all."

"That's great!" Xandria smiled. "And everyone's going to be there?"

"As every year," Misha said.

It was obvious Alexandria was looking forward to this surprise as much as her daughter. She had missed everyone just as much as Kira had, though she hid it better. And Tyran had suspected it, since she kept talking about her friends she left behind. Misha had also gotten a dose of it, and that was why the men had made their plan.

After awhile, the group headed toward the big hall where everyone gathered for the party. It was bright with lights as the sun set early, bringing night quickly. There were tables for sitting and long table filled with food. There were streamers, dried corn, little pumpkins and gourds around and anything else that represented the Harvest. Even scarecrows had been set around . . .

"Just like last year!” Kira smiled as she grabbed Natalie's hand and ran toward a pack of her other friends.

"Well, it’s like the second time I’ve been here.. the last time was ten years ago." Misha grinned. "I just didn’t feel like going here alone."

"And now you won't have to," Alexandria replied. "Maybe never again . . ."

"I’d like that." He smiled tenderly.

Xandria's smile brightened as she took his hand. "Why don't we get something to eat?" she said as people lined up to get food. Even the kids eventually got in line, though they were much happier playing with each other, but Alexandria figured their stomachs at the moment were strong than their desire to play; Though they most likely wouldn't eat much.

Misha joined her, and got a good portion of the food for himself. "You know, I think Kira will eventually happy in Serenity City. I have to come here every once in awhile, maybe if her school permits it, I can take Kira here to play with Nathalie."

"I'm sure I can arrange it. If nothing else, I'll just get her homework for those days for her to do or something . . . Or maybe get her an extra credit assignment she can do on the days she comes here . . . But I think that would be good for her. That way she won't feel so isolated from her friends . . . This move has been hard on her," Alexandria said as she watched her daughter happily eating at a table nearby surrounded by several of her friends.

"She’ll make new friends, I’m certain of it, but this will help. It was actually Danayal who came up with this suggestion."

"Danayal's a fantastic young man and Kira loves him," she smiled.

"I bet she was willing to play nurse for him, only he wasn’t sick." He grinned.

"Oh, she was indeed," Xandria grinned. "We were both pretty confused when we saw him working the bar."

"Since he had no illness, he had no reasons not to work." Misha grinned.

She laughed. "Very true!" she said as she began eating some ham.

Misha smiled. He ate from the omelet he chose, and just listened and watched. He felt like a stranger here, though half the village knew him.

Alexandria caught up with old friends and drew Misha into several conversations. She had felt is unease, but as time went on, he grew more comfortable.

"And this year, Bea is giving out her famous fruitcake and Cyndel made Popper berry Jam. It's so sweet you could almost use it for a dessert!"

"I imagine you could over ice cream if it were melted," Alexandria replied.

"What about you? Are you going to make your award winning cookies this year?"

"Well, my time is a bit limited, but I certainly want to . . ." Alexandria replied.

"Then what’s stopping you? I’d love to taste those cookies of yours." Misha said. "And if you make them, save some for Danayal. He’s got a real sweet tooth according to Tyran."

Alexandria laughed. "Well, then I guess that's been settled! I love baking at Christmas. It's been a tradition for me since I was a kid."

"Well then I know who to ask for something good to hang on my tree, but I think Christmas dinner was Tyran's turn this year."

"And I look forward to it," she smiled. "He's invited Kira and I."

"Ah and me, and around half of the city." He grinned.

She laughed. "And I'll bring a dessert. I make more than just cookies. Oh," she said turning to Dora. "And make sure Bea sends me a fruitcake! Nothing compares to hers!"

"Well, I'll do that!"

"I see for Christmas everything’s arranged." Misha said with a smile.

Dora laughed. "If you mean goodies, then definitely! All of us gain at least 10 lbs around this time! Well, except Alexandria!"

"Oh right," she laughed. "I always gain weight too. You just never notice it!"

"I wouldn’t care even if you did notice." Misha said.

She smiled, leaned over and kissed him. "You're so sweet!"

"Am I?" He kissed her back.

Dora smiled. "Ooooh, I am so happy for the two of you! And may I say you both make a beautiful couple! It's about time you found yourself a man!"

Misha blushed severely. Tyran had said it was about time he’d found a woman...

"Well, thank you, Dora," she replied, though she blushed as well.

"Now there's not need for the two of you to be embarrassed. After all, you two really look like you're made for each other."

Alexandria looked at Misha and had to agree.

Misha smiled at her. He knew it was just a matter of time before he would dare to share his bed with her, or to ask her to marry him…

The rest of the evening past pleasantly, but all too soon it seemed, the party broke up."

"I think we’d better go back to the farm now, tomorrow we have to ride back home." Misha said looking at Natalie and Kira, who were almost sleeping.

"I think that's a good idea," she said. "Are we staying with Thom and Tamira?"

"Yes, they invited us. They have enough room."

As they stood up to go gather Kira and Natalie up to head out with the Arliss' family, she turned and kissed Misha.

"I wanted to thank you for tonight," she said. "It really meant a lot to Kira . . . and to me."

"You’re welcome." Misha smiled and followed them out. This evening had been a success, better than he could have hoped for and it was thanks to his friends....