JONERYS One-Shots & Short Stories

(OS5) A JONERYS CHRISTMAS

Summary: Two young adults in their late-20s get into the Christmas spirit while spending a weekend in their childhood neighborhood.

Rating:  Mature

Author's Note: This one-shot is a collaboration between FourTrisHEA and BK2U and was originally written as a Divergent (FourTris) story. As BK2U is not a fan of GoT (but she has seen the epic boatsex video and agrees Kit has a fabulous butt) - she had no issue with FourTrisHEA making her own jonerys version. This story is modern day (AU) - the year being 2017.

++o+ December 23, 2017 +o++

Pulling out of her parents' driveway, Dany wonders if she will be able to find a decent tree so late in the season. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, after all. Enjoying her view of the familiar streets of Northbrook as she drives her new Range Rover, she is reminded of her childhood. It's hard to believe it's been almost ten years since she graduated high school and moved into the city.

Dany's former elementary school is hosting a sale of Christmas trees in their parking lot during the long winter break. She is relieved to see a decent variety is still available.

Since her father's car accident that broke his hip, things have been so hard for her parents at home. Dany and her brother, Viserys, have tried to be of more help, but the truth is that they both live very busy lives that don't allow for as much time as they would like. Their oldest brother, Rhaegar, is living overseas and unable to help. Dany sighs, hoping that her father's hip surgery will provide some much-needed relief to her parents' situation.

In the meantime, Dany can only admire how much her parents have bonded together, and especially the efforts of her mother. Rhaella Targaryen is a loving woman who has stepped up to the plate for her husband while also encouraging her children to continue to live their own lives.

Walking through the tree lot, she finds herself drawn to the trees that are all several feet taller than she is. It reminds her of the trees her parents would always pick for Christmas when she was growing up. She wants the tree to be a surprise for her parents, and she wants to take care of everything on her own. She knows her father can't do it this year, nor can her mother.

In a quick decision, Dany grabs a full tree that is indeed several feet taller than she. Barely able to drag it to the makeshift checkout table, she wonders how exactly she is going to manage to get it into her family's house. Although Viserys and his wife aren't expected until Christmas Eve, she is hopeful he might just stop by to check in as he often does. She realizes that getting it off the roof of her SUV will be the hardest part.

"That's quite the tree you've got there, young lady," an older gentleman says to Dany as she finally makes it to the front of the line and hands him the cash for the tree. "Cutting it close, huh?"

Catching her breath and smiling, she replies, "Yeah, you could say that. I just got into town this morning. I'm surprising my parents with a tree for their house. Sounds like a great plan, right?"

"I think it sounds wonderful," the older gentleman turns his head to call over a couple of the younger workers to help Dany with her new tree.

Watching carefully to see how the guys secure the tree to the top of her car, Dany makes sure she will be able to figure out how to untie it later. She is also praying that the tree won't scratch up her new Range Rover. Her boutique is doing very well, so she splurged on the rugged vehicle a few months ago. The tree's branches are splayed out as the worker makes his final knot.

Tipping him generously, she accepts the razor he offers her so she can later cut the tree loose.

Driving back to her childhood home, Dany slows her speed down. Although not snowing, the weather is gray and gloomy. It's cold, and the light drizzle from earlier is starting to freeze. It's the perfect combination for the roads and sidewalks to become slippery.