Princess' First Christmas

BY AMI MEITSU….

A/N: This story takes place in December 2202, and reflects Invidia and Arty's first Christmas together.

The snow was littered with different colors as the bright lights shone around the city and the mall, where Invidia stood looking out a frosty window hidden by a plant, it seemed strange, but it was quiet and better for calls than the store she was just in.

"Come on…pick up…" She muttered impatiently into her cell phone. It was the third time she had called Arty in the last hour and he still had not answered. She hung up and tried again, and luckily for her, he finally answered.

"Yes, Princess?" he asked.

"Why didn't you answer when I called you before?!" Invidia snapped.

"Invidia, I just got home, we ran late today."

"Oh, well, I'm coming over after I'm done here alright?"

"Fine. Do you want me to make dinner or something?"

"No. I'll do it when I come, all right?"

"Okay, I'll see you when you get here."

"I love you," Invidia said.

"I love you too, bye." Arty said back, then he hung up.

Invidia sighed and put her phone in her purse, then she quickly slipped out from her hiding spot before anyone noticed and after fighting her way through a mob of people, got out and headed to her car. She arrived at Arty's a little later than planned, but he didn't mind, he just led her in.

"Arty…" Invidia started once she was settled comfortably on the couch.

"Hm?" He asked as he came over and lightly draped a blanket over her.

"I've been meaning to ask you this, since you would know about this the best…"

"Yes?"

"What's with all the lights in town? And the snow? And those weird trees? I saw them last year too, but never got a chance to ask anyone."

Arty laughed.

"What?" Invidia asked.

"Invidia…it's Christmas…didn't you know?"

"Christmas? What the hell are you talking about?"

"No one told you? Princess, Christmas is, well in Christianity Christmas is the birth of Jesus, who in our religion is…well let's just say 'important.' So in the west it's a religious celebration but here in Japan it's a bit different, most here are Buddhist or Shinto, which is a form of Buddhism, and they celebrate well…just to celebrate. The main difference is that in the west it's a family time and here, it's more like…well Valentine's Day, New Years is our family time. And that's the simple explanation."

"Uh, so what you're saying is that it's like a date night?" Invidia asked.

"I guess you could say that, but being Christian myself, I normally spend it with my family or our friends, my parents had always done that…but then again a lot of my mother's family is from America."

"So where do I fit in with all of this, and what about the decorations?"

"The decorations are just…festive. Honestly I have no real explanation other than that it's fun. And you? Well you're like most people here, you celebrate just to celebrate or you can…"

"Then, could we maybe…go out on Christmas? Just the two of us?" Invidia asked shyly.

"Sure, oh and I forgot to mention the gifts," Arty said.

"Gifts?" Invidia gave him a curious look.

"Christmas is also recognized as a time for giving, and during this time people exchange gifts, that's why all the stores are so crowded."

"That's why it was such a mess! It took me twenty minutes just to find the dress I wanted! And another ten to find it in my size! I hate Christmas!"

"Don't say that Princess, you barely know about it! So for now, why don't we just say you hate Christmas shopping, and I'll show you what it's really about."

"Alright," Invidia hugged him and he pulled her closer so that he could just hold her.

"Now," he whispered. "You promised dinner."

"Arty!" She broke the hold and hit him on the shoulder. "I come over to be with you and all you want is food?! Maybe I'm just not good enough for you by myself." She turned away.

"Princess I was kidding alright…but I am hungry…"

"Fine, I'll see what I can do," Invidia said as she got up and headed into the kitchen. 'I need something quick…but it doesn't look like I have much to work with…' She thought as she looked through the cabinets. "Hey, Arty?" She asked. "You didn't go shopping this week, did you?"

"I was going to today, but I got busy with work…"

'Then there must be something here…' Invidia continued to rummage, eventually finding something usable. Then she got to work and finished everything in about twenty minutes.

"Pasta?" Arty asked when he came to the table.

"I couldn't find much else, so don't complain at me. And at least try it, I modified the sauce to give it more flavor. I think it's better actually."

"Alright, I'll try it, but if I die…"

Invidia playfully hit him on the shoulder. "You won't die, just eat!"

He did, and they actually had a pretty nice dinner, and after cleaning up Arty sat down with her again and Invidia laid down with her head in his lap. Arty ran his fingers through her hair for a few minutes, enjoying the brief silence, then she said, "About this decorating thing…do I have to do it too? It seems like a lot of work for just one holiday. Then again all holidays are like that, even Cometine ones…"

"You don't have too, but it would look nice, and you have to have a tree to put presents under, don't you?"

"Oh, you mean those big green ones with all the little balls hanging off of them."

"Those are ornaments and they make the tree look good, I mean it wouldn't look so good if you just put up a plain old tree," Arty said.

Invidia looked up at him for a moment. "What if I don't want a tree?"

"Then maybe we could just get you a small table sized one and even a few decorations, you have said that you do like decorating."

"Well…maybe…"

"Just think about it. And, you said you went shopping earlier, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Where's the dress you bought?"

Invidia sat up. "Oh no! You are not seeing it until our next date!"

"Aw come on…you always buy such nice clothes, and don't you want a second opinion?" Arty asked.

"No." Invidia said.

"Please?"

"No."

"If you don't I'll have to force it out of you…" Arty teased.

"Oh, really? And just how do you plan to do that?"

As soon as she finished, Arty jumped her.

"Arty what are you…?"

She didn't get a chance to finish before Arty started tickling her.

"Arty…stop it!" She laughed. You know I hate this!"

"Then tell me what you bought!"

"No! Just stop!" She pushed him off and then smoothed out her gown. "Never do that again!" she snapped.

"No promises." Arty said.

She gave him a look and he hugged her. "I'd say I'm kidding, but who's to say I won't do it again?" he whispered.

Invidia ignored it, and after he let her go she moved into his lap and cuddled up to him. "I love you," she said.

"I love you too, Princess," Arty said, then he kissed her head and sat with her until she was ready to leave, but just before she did, he remembered something and stopped her.

"What?" Invidia asked after Arty grabbed her arm.

"For our next date, why don't you come to the EDF reception with me next week? They're doing an end-of-the-year awards and dinner thing."

"Alright, when?"

"Next Friday at eight."

"Okay, I'll try and be ready by seven and you can pick me up."

"Sounds like a plan, see you then," Arty said.

"Right, and Arty?" Invidia asked.

"Yeah?"

She didn't say a thing, she just walked over and kissed him. "I love you," she whispered, then, she left and Arty just stood for a minute, then he realized something. 'Awards…I didn't even plan on going…now I need to find something to wear…' He sighed and headed into his room.

Luckily he was able to dig up something and was ready by the time he came to pick Invidia up that night.

"Arty…" she said. "You look great."

"As do you, my Princess," He took her hand and kissed it.

Invidia blushed. "Well, this is the dress I bought last week; I thought you'd like it."

"Of course I like it, it looks wonderful on you," he said as he looked her over. She wore a long, dark blue halter dress with heart outlined with sapphire gems in the middle of the top where the straps came together.

"Thanks…" She said as Arty helped her into her coat before they left. When they arrived all Invidia could do was look around. The whole place was decorated in a Christmas-like setting, it was fairly simple, just lights, garland and a tree, but she was ultimately fascinated.

"Arty, it's beautiful…" she said.

"I hope so, the cadets worked like hell on it…now come on, let's go find our table," Arty lead her off and found that they were to be seated in the middle of the room with Derek, Nova, and Hardy. It was originally going to be Homer and Wendy, but after hearing that Nova was going to bring Setsuna, Derek had it rearranged to that there would be room to put in a chair for her. Invidia saw no point since Setsuna was just a baby, until she heard that Nova couldn't get a babysitter.

"Our original one cancelled and we had trouble finding another one on short notice, and since my parents are here, I just brought her with us. But it should be fine…she's already eaten and normally falls asleep at these things anyway…" Nova explained when Invidia asked.

"You said your parents were here, Arty's are too, but…" Invidia looked around.

"The majority of the guests, the parents, grandparents, etc… are along the outside rows, where we are is reserved for EDF employees and their main guests, mostly their husbands or wives, we're told not to bring children, but…I don't think we had a choice…" Derek said.

"It'll be fine, she'll probably fall asleep soon anyway, and when she does I'll just give her to my parents," Nova said.

Invidia said nothing more about it and turned to Derek. "So, how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while."

"Fine, I've been kind of busy with Setsuna, but nothing new really," Derek told her.

"Then maybe we could go out sometime? I miss being with you."

Arty gave her a look. "Princess, I thought I was your boyfriend…."

"You are, and I love being with you but, I miss seeing Derek…"

"Well, what did you have in mind?" Derek asked.

"Maybe dinner, or a movie, we could also just spend a day out, you know I like shopping…"

"How about I just take you out to dinner, maybe on Sunday?"

"Sure," Invidia gave him a small smile and started to say something else but was cut off by General Stone starting the introduction. As he talked Invidia just sat, bored. And she wasn't the only one, just as Nova said Setsuna fell asleep halfway through his speech and after it was over, Nova took Setsuna to sit with her parents and then joined them for dinner, which was a buffet that was overseen and managed cadets who had volunteered to help.

As they ate, a woman came up to the table and looked at Invidia.

"Yes?" Invidia said.

"I was just wondering where you got your dress, it's beautiful and it looks nice on you…"

"Oh, thank you. I got it at Farrah's, that dress shop in the mall…but I'd advise ordering it online, the store is a mess with the Christmas rush…"

"Thanks, I've been looking for a dress for my sister for Christmas…"

"You're welcome," Invidia said, then the woman left.

"That was surprisingly nice of you…" Nova said.

"I like it when people compliment my clothes; it means they have good taste…"

Arty just shook his head.

"What?" Invidia asked.

Arty said nothing and continued eating.

Invidia shrugged it off and said nothing of it and soon, dinner ended and the actual ceremony began with Arty receiving two awards, one for his service in the Black Tigers and the other for his help in the Cadet Training Program. Invidia congratulated him on the way back and when he dropped her off at her place. She waved him off, and he left, only to show up the next afternoon…

"Arty…what are you doing here?"

"I bought you a couple decorations and I thought we could talk about our Christmas plans."

"Oh, alright," Invidia said. "I can make us something to eat if you want and…"

"No. I brought over a tray and some sparkling cider."

"Apple?" Invidia asked hopefully.

"Yes," Arty told her.

Invidia hugged him and let him get settled while she set up the fruit and vegetable trays Arty had brought, and got down glasses for the drinks.

"Why don't we put on some music?" Arty suggested.

"Fine, see what you can find in my CD collection," Invidia said as she came back into the living room and put the trays on the coffee table.

"Invidia, I can't even read half of this!" Arty looked at her briefly and continued to flip through her CDs.

"It doesn't matter, it's all instrumental anyway, I never liked any of the Cometine singers," Invidia explained.

"Oh…"

"That one you have is one of my favorites, when the band plays it makes you feel like you're somewhere else, the music…it hypnotizes you…"

"That's a strong statement…"

"Shouldn't that give you a hint?"

"Oh, right, but after this we listen to some of my music," Arty said.

"Deal," Invidia agreed.

He put it in and then started to help her decorate. It was very simple, some garland here and there, a couple bows, and even a small table sized tree. He put it on her end table next to the couch.

"Arty, I like it, it's cute…" Invidia complimented.

"Well, I figured you didn't want a big tree, and I saw these at a craft store while picking up some presents, and I figured it would be perfect for you," Arty explained.

"It is, thank you…" She hugged him briefly and then looked up suddenly when the music changed.

"What?" Arty asked.

"This is my favorite piece, they played this at every reception in the palace…It was normally the first dance, which I always had with Father…"

Arty then stood up and offered his hand. "Why don't you try dancing with me, Princess?"

Invidia hesitated for a moment, but she did take his hand and allow him to lead her to the middle of the living room floor. She took off her slippers and then joined him in what became a beautiful but sweet dance across the floor for the whole length of the song. Afterwards, he just held her for a minute.

"You're a wonderful dancer," Arty complimented. "I don't know why you don't want to go dancing with me though…"

"Because most of it is 'swing' dancing and such, I prefer ballroom dancing and formal events, you know that," Invidia explained. "Just like at the reception last night, when we only danced the slow ones…"

"Right, but at least I had you all to myself then."

"Except when I danced with Derek of course, and by the way, he's just a good a dancer as you…" Invidia said as she twirled away from him.

"But, never mind him for now, why don't we talk about our Christmas plans?" Arty asked as he led her to the couch.

"Fine, now, I've planned that…"

"You might have to change, I'm going to see my parents Christmas morning, but you could come over for dinner."

"Arty!" Invidia whined. "I wanted a dinner for just the two of us! Not your family!"

"Well, then we could go out on Christmas Eve, and I could stop by before dinner if you like," Arty suggested.

"Arty you've had every Christmas with your family, why don't you spend it with me, I bought some nice gifts…and I kind of wanted to make you dinner…."

"You don't have to do that, we'll go out somewhere special and I guess I could spend the evening with you…exchanging presents and such.

Invidia hugged him. "Thank you!" She said. "I love you, Arty!"

"I love you too," he replied, then, they kissed and Arty spend some time holding her before they cleaned up and she sent him off.

"Thanks for the decorations, they look nice, oh and remember I'm going out with Derek tomorrow, so you can't come over tomorrow evening."

"I know, but I'll see you soon, all right?"

Invidia nodded. "Right, I love you…"

"I know," He hugged her and then left.

She then sat down on the couch and sighed, after all that planning…she still had two weeks until Christmas…'This is going to be a long wait…' She thought. 'But on the upside, I get to go out tomorrow.'

The next night Derek ended up taking to her to a small, but nice, Japanese restaurant.

"I like it," she said. "It's got a welcoming feel to it."

"That's why I like it," Derek said. "And the food is good too of course."

"I hope so," Invidia said as she took off her shoes and replaced them with her slippers that Derek had brought in order to sit down.

"Would I lie to you?" Derek asked.

"Yes."

Derek laughed and after that, they had a fairly nice dinner, the food was good, as he said, and Invidia was just happy to be able to catch up, after a month of not seeing him. Then, all she had to do was wait until Christmas to go out next.

The wait proved fairly long, but it was worth it when Arty came to pick her up for dinner that evening,

"You look nice," He said when he saw her.

"Thanks, it took awhile to decide what to wear, but I figured this would work," Invidia said, looking down at the simple dark red, spaghetti strap dress she wore.

"It does, sometimes simple is best," Arty said as he helped her into her coat, then they left and he took her an elegant, but affordable (for him) restaurant for dinner and then to his place for presents and such.

"You know, it looks better when the lights are on…" Invidia said of Arty's tree, which she had only seen with the lights off. When they were on it gave it a warm feel…

"I always thought so too," Arty hugged her and then sat down as Invidia organized her presents for Arty under the tree. "Now, do you want to go first, or should I?"

"Why don't we do the first one at the same time?" she suggested.

"Works for me," he replied, and she handed him one of her presents, he did the same and she sat with him.

"Ready?" Invidia asked.

He nodded, and then they both quickly, but carefully, opened their presents.

"Arty…It's Beautiful…" She said as she looked at the ornament in front of her. It was one of those keepsakes people normally got for children, but instead of saying "Baby's First Christmas," it said "Princess' First Christmas."

"It took a bit to find a place to make it, but I'm glad you like it. I love yours," He said as he looked at the new watch she had given him, he had been looking at it for weeks but couldn't afford it. And underneath the clock was his name, engraved in a fine cursive.

"Thanks it took awhile, but I finally found one that suited you, now you open the next one."

"Alright," he did, and she followed. It continued on like that until the last two, which, like the first ones, they opened together. Then, after separating them and picking up the wrapping paper, Arty took her out on the balcony. It was cold, but beautiful as a light snow fell over what was already there and the lights illuminated the city.

"It's beautiful…" she said.

"But not as beautiful as you," Arty complimented.

She blushed and Arty looked at her.

"You know, this has been nice, but there's something missing…"

"Hm?" She looked back at him, then, he leaned down and kissed her. It was a sweet, gentle kiss and Invidia loved it.

"Merry Christmas, Princess," Arty said.

She smiled at him and he hugged her, it was truly a perfect evening…