Christmas With You

     The Day You Came Home

          That day at the Neopian Pound is a little hazy when I try to recall the details, but I know my life changed within moments of locking eyes with you. I remember walking down aisles of Neopets looking for someone to take them home with them. Their names, written above them, were colourful to say the least. Some of them were much older, some of them mere days old. I had walked past so many pets before I was somehow drawn to you: a young Bori, 3 days old, big eyes staring straight at me with an intensity I had never felt before. I fell in love instantly and knew you were the one.

     You were a little nervous when I walked closer, as was I. I was young and did not understand what I should be doing to make our first interaction comfortable. I walked up to you slowly, with my arms by my side. I could feel my heart beating loud in my chest; I did not know if you could hear it too. I knelt down in front of you and extended my right hand out for you to sniff.

     You were shaking and I could see you were on edge. You crept up to me slowly and sniffed the hand I had held out. I stood very still and waited for you to be comfortable enough for me to touch you. After a few quiet moments, you looked up at me again and I could see your eyes were a little less anxious. When I picked you up, you slowly nuzzled into me and my heart instantly filled with glee!

     You left a little scratch on my arm from your large claws which you were yet to grow into, as you got a little too excited in my arms, but I did not mind. I walked up to the front counter with you nestled into my neck and said “I want to adopt this one, please!”

     It was the 24th Day of the Month of Celebrating, but that is not why I remember it. That first day with you was bliss, and I knew you felt our instant connection too. After we got back home you were a little slow to look around, but I watched you closely so you didn’t accidentally knock over the Christmas Tree which I knew would catch your playful eyes. After some time I could hear you running through our Neohome, zooming from room to room, your claws clinking on the floors as you came bounding up to me. You jumped up on the couch and fell asleep in my arms: that day is a memory that always brings such warmth to my heart, and I don’t mean from the crackling fire.

     That very first night you slept beside me in our bed, not even hesitating to crawl right up into my arms. I knew you felt comfortable in your new home and this made me smile. You had no idea how quickly you filled a gaping hole within my heart that I’d been trying to fill for many long years. That very first night you were asleep within moments, and your soft snores brought such a calmness with it. I drifted off to sleep with my hand on top of your head, stroking the soft fur between your pointy ears.

     5 Years Later

     The dreary sun struggled to get through the frosty window after a night of heavy snowfall, creating glorious spears of light on the walls. I had been awake for some time however, since your loud snores right beside me often meant that I did not get much sleep at all. As you have grown you also take up much more room on the bed now, meaning the twisted angles my body ends up in only torments me the following day. I stared at the moving shapes on the wall cast by the creeping sun, my hand gently stroking the top of your head.

     It was nearing your breakfast time and I knew if I didn’t get up now I’d soon be listening to you begging for food, as if you were still the famished Bori I found in the pound five years ago. I moved slightly to manoeuvre off the bed, but this was enough to wake you. You let out a big yawn, arched out your back with your front paws stretched out in front of you. Your eyes lit up as you saw me, and your loving expression is something I will never take for granted or get sick of seeing. I placed my hand on your cheek and gave a light scratch with my fingers. Bori’s like this spot scratched for some reason so I make sure I give you plenty of cheek and chin scratches every day.

     We both got out of bed and walked into the kitchen, with you walking back and forth between my feet, making it very difficult to walk in a straight line. All it took was one split second, but you walked a little too close to my foot and I accidentally stepped on your tail!

     With a small yelp, you cowered away from me quickly.

     “Oh Acraim I am SO sorry, I did not mean to do that! Come back to me, it's okay. Is your tail okay?” I said, panicked I had hurt you. You looked at me with big eyes, and I made sure I pet you softly and told you I was sorry. I did not know if you understood me, but I really hoped you knew just how sorry I was. The subtle chin scratches always helped, and before long you were in front of me again eagerly awaiting your food like nothing had even happened.

     “Come on eat up, we are going to the park today near Kiko Lake. Kiko Lake Carpentry has a Grey Coral Table I really like and want to have a look at, and then we can stop for some treats before heading home”.

     I knew you were excited because you ran over to me and jumped up on my lap after I said this.

     “Ugh! You are not a baby anymore, you’re a little too big to fit on there!” I grumbled, wincing at your weight as you tried to sit on my lap.

     The park was quiet, with the sky bright blue but deceivingly cold. There were a few gatherings of families around, but I expected most to be celebrating indoors in this frosty weather near the warmth of a nice fire.

     I had brought along your Green Bori Ball to play with because I knew this was your favourite. I threw it a couple of times and you chased it with all of your might, bringing it straight back to me at ferocious speed. You’d always enjoyed running through the snow, and predictably ended up thoroughly drenched within no time. I had to jump out of your way a few times to narrowly avoid being knocked over! We played fetch for some time but the cold had really started creeping into my cheeks and hands.

     We walked over to Kiko Lake Carpentry but the store was closed. The door was locked and had a rough handwritten sign on it stating ‘Back in one hour’.

     “That is just my luck! I have been putting this off for so long and when I finally get down here the shop is closed” I huffed. “Oh well, I am not waiting here for an hour so let’s get some yummy treats and head home”. We grabbed a Cranberry Kiko Drink each, a Giant Kiko Cookie for you and an Orange Grape Kiko Taffy for me. I grabbed a few more bits and pieces to take home with us.

      Many Years Later

     Your deep snoring kept me up again last night, and even though you have the entire bed to yourself now and I get a tiny corner to sleep in, I would not want it any other way.

     I rotated myself so I could get off, and with this movement you slowly opened your eyes. They are greying now, and I am not certain if you can still clearly see me but I know you can always feel me here beside you, guiding you with my voice.

     “Come on, let’s get you some breakfast and get those old joints moving”.

     You rolled over slowly and started to stand up, waiting at the end of the bed now so I could pick you up and bring you down to the floor. I know jumping off the bed hurts now, and you don’t like the Cloud Stairs I got you for whatever reason. While I don’t mind, I do know you use this to your advantage because I will always pick you up if needed. I am sure you don’t mind the stairs, but you like it better when I do it for you.

     I walked into the kitchen and looked down to make sure you were nowhere near my feet. Years of learning to dodge your movement as you weave between my feet has meant that we haven’t had a trip or tail incident in some time now. I do sometimes forget as the years go by, you also trail slower behind me, so the risk of you being between my feet is not like it once was. I keep talking to you so you can follow my voice to your food bowl, even though I know you know where it is. I still wouldn’t have it any other way.

     I walked over to the Christmas Tree that was set up in the living room and re-adjusted some of the decorations that I wasn’t fond of. I look back at you, as you slowly pick up your food and eat it piece by piece. Your tail does not sit high like it used to, and your glossy coat is now grey and muddled. I smile, and my eyes start to well.

     You have been by my side for most of my life now, and out of everyone in Neopia you are the one thing that has never let me down, never judged me, never forgotten about me, always made me laugh and brought purpose to my life. You have listened to all of my frustrations, goals and was my constant pillar of support through every achievement or hurdle in my life.

     I glance over at the photos on the all; the day we moved into a bigger Neohome in the Haunted Woods and were surrounded by boxes ready to be unpacked, the day I had to swim after you when you fell into Kiko Lake and we were both covered in mud, proudly standing behind the counter the day I got my job at Mystical Surroundings, that Christmas where I accidentally left the Fruity Salad on the counter and you had managed to knock it onto the floor, and the day I got you.

     I wiped away my tears and sat on the sofa next to the Christmas tree. Christmas was tomorrow and everything was ready: food prepared and put away, presents under the tree, the Borovan made and ready to serve. Now just to enjoy today in preparation for the family visit tomorrow.

     You finished eating and slowly made your way up to me on the sofa, sitting at my feet. I stood up, scooped you into my arms and sat back down again. You nestled into the crook of my legs, with your paws on my lap and your head on top. I ran my fingers through your greying fur, and stroked you like the very first night I brought you home. I cannot imagine my life without you in it, and I cherish every single moment I have with you. I would not be the Neopian I am today if it were not for you, Acraim.

     We have celebrated many Christmases together now and even though the years seem to fly by, time stands still when I am here at home with you.

     Christmas tree lights cast colourful shadows on the wall and the smell of pine and Borovan lingers in the air. True happiness is drifting off to sleep with you in my arms, feeling the rise and fall of your chest as the world quiets around us.

     The End.