KickThePj Imagines

4

    Christmas time was approaching quickly. She watched as the snow fell softly and as people milled around outside. The woman listened to her husband’s light snores and gave his sleeping form a small smile. She lifted her dress bag and folded it carefully, placing it in a basket nearby. She covered the basket with a cloth and draped a shawl around her shoulders. She left the house quietly and headed towards the nearest shop.

     As soon as he heard the door close with a small click, PJ slipped out of bed and changed out of his pajamas. He pulled on a coat and wrapped a scarf around his neck. PJ lifted his canvases and made his way towards the door. Shelly, their dog, came over to him happily and he stroked her coat once before exiting their flat. He walked down the street and started towards the large fancy hotel that had recently opened.

     The two that lived in the Liguori household weren’t by any means poor but they were just about. She worked as a teacher and he, a painter (with a side job as a chef). They were usually able to afford gifts for their families and themselves around Christmas time but this year had been different. Less money was given to the teachers and PJ’s paintings hadn’t been selling as they used to. They had barely enough extra money for small gifts for their families. They hadn’t told each other about this situation, not wanting to disappoint the other. So, she went to her mother’s house and asked for advice while he asked his closest friend, Chris.

     Her mother sat her down and held her as she cried.

"I have no money", she told her mother, "to buy PJ anything this year. I know he probably already got me something. The man works all night to make me happy and I can’t even afford to get him something to show my appreciation!"
Her mother patted her back and made her some tea.

"Darling, you know PJ knows you love him. You don’t need to get him anything to show him that. If you really do want to do something, you could sell something you own and use the money to find him something."
This idea churned in her head all night and when she left, she knew just what to do.

    PJ, on the other hand, had no family living nearby to talk to. He went to Chris’ house and poured out his woes to the friendly man.

"I love her so much and it hurts that I won’t be able to see the joy on her face Christmas morning."

"Peej, I don’t think she’ll care if she gets anything. As long as you’re there with her, I know she’ll be happy. Besides, you can come over to my house for Christmas breakfast and we can have a jolly good time!"
Chris lifted his eyebrows at PJ and waited for an answer, his easy-going smile making PJ relax.

"I don’t know, Chris. I just really want to get her something. She deserves the moon and by god, if she asked for it, I would find a way to give it to her."
Chris laughed and shook his head at his friend.

"Of course you would. Listen, I know you didn’t want to give the man from the hotel your painting but think about it, they would pay a lot of money. They offered you quite a bit! I know what you think about selling your art to morons like that but it would give you the money you want. You could also sell your blank canvases. Those go for a lot as of recently."
PJ nodded slowly and gave Chris a smile. They continued their lunch and when PJ left, he knew his pride would have to be set aside, if only for her.

     Christmas morning came far too quickly but both Liguori’s woke up with grins on their faces.

"Merry Christmas, love," he murmured.

"Merry Christmas, Peej," she murmured back and he pecked her once before flinging himself out of bed.

"Come on now! Let’s open our presents and then go to Chris’! He said he was making us a Christmas feast for breakfast!" PJ enthused.

She laughed and followed her husband, pulling her robe tighter on her body.
They both sat next to each other in front of their small tree. Shelly trotted over and rested in between their bodies. She reached for her gift and he reached for his. They exchanged boxes and PJ motioned for her to go first.

     She opened the small box and gasped, tears brimming in her eyes. There was a lovely neacklace laying there; the chain was a bronze color and hanging from it was a scalloped floral locket. The edges were bronze and the face of it was the color of silver. In the middle of one flower was a small sapphire, the blue twinkling in the gleam from outside.

"It’s for you. It’s to match your favorite dress. Inside, your family is on one side and Shelly and I are on the other."

     Her throat clenched when he mentioned her dress and she let out a shuddered breath. He asked her what was wrong and she motioned for him to open his gift, telling him that she would explain afterwards. She still thanked him with a kiss and a smile.

     He opened the box and his mouth dropped. Inside, there were beautiful, professional brushes. The bristles were soft and firm and the wooden handles looked polished. There were paints accompanying the brushes, colors ranging from the dullest blue to the brightest purple. There were fifteen paints in total, each in a clear, medium-sized bottle.
"For your paintings and those fresh canvases you have," she smiled and he stiffened.

     They both eyed each other and knew they had explaining to do.
"I sold my silk dress to buy you your brushes and paints," she confessed.

"I sold my painting to the owner of the hotel and sold the blank canvases to a studio. I knew you would love the locket."

     They both stared at each other with gratefulness and she kissed him. He kissed her eagerly back and the two sat there in the silence afterwards, contemplating each other’s actions.

"You’re too good for me, PJ."

He laughed and kissed her nose, “You silly. You’re the one who’s too good for me.”

     She smiled at him and laid her head on his shoulder. He placed his head on hers and the two sat there, hands entwined and on top of their dozing dog. Their lives weren’t perfect nor were they special, but they had each other and that’s all that mattered.

all credits go to pokemasterpeej on tumblr

See you next imagine my tiny planet explorers x