Joyeux Noël

"Wakey, wakey sleepyhead." I said, standing over Darcy as she snored away on the bed.

"Princess, wake up." No response, "It's Christmas morning!"

Immediately I said those words, Darcy's eyes flew open, "Christmas morning...it's Christmas!"

She jumped out of bed in joy, "Merry Christmas, mommy!"

"Merry Christmas, my love." I said, planting a kiss on her hair.

"Easy there, easy!" I cried as she pulled away from me, running to the door and flinging it open, "You're gonna hurt yourself!" I cried.

Darcy vanished into the hallway and I heard her voice from Daina's room, wishing her a merry Christmas.

I followed behind, seeing Diana as I walked into her room, already dressed for the day in another one of her iconic big dresses, "Good morning, my child!" She greeted me.

"Good morning, Diana." I replied with a smile.

"Hope Darcy didn't pounce on you so early in the morning?" I asked, teasingly.

Diana laughed, "Nonsense, my bones aren't so old and brittle, you know." "And I don't look a day over 40, don't you think?"

I laughed with her. She looked 45. How old was she again? Yes, Damien said she had celebrated her golden jubilee in March.

"I'm guessing you and Darcy are going to celebrate your birthdays together?" "She's born in March as well!"

Diana's joy knew no bounds, "How wonderful!" "I will definitely come down to New York for the celebration."

"Wouldn't you want that, my child?" She turned to Darcy who was only concerned about going out for Christmas.

"In that case, let's get ready for the day." Diana said with a laugh, "Christmas in Paris is always eventful!"
~

Disneyland, Paris.

The humongous Christmas tree stood with pride against the holiday atmosphere. Families streamed in and out in threes, fours and as high as ten and counting. We walked through the illuminations on Main Street, dressed according to the theme of the event; Darcy and I in red dresses while Damien Jaeger remained adamant on wearing a. black tuxedo. Coming into the main hall, it was transformed into a winter wonderland with enchanting decorations. Sparkling lights, festive garlands, and ornate Christmas trees adorned the entire place along with displays of mythical Disney characters in holiday attire, adding to the magic of the joyous atmosphere.

"I want a hat!" Darcy demanded when we took her over to meet her favourite Disney characters. And no sooner had she said that, Damien Jaeger performed a Christmas miracle and Mickey mouse's Christmas hat ended up on her head.

"Wonderful, isn't it? Damien Jaeger said, holding Darcy in his arms as we walked away from Mickey mouse. If he will have it his way, I was very certain that Darcy will no longer have any use for her legs.

"It is!" I exclaimed, happily, "Too bad Daina refused to tag along."

Damien Jaeger chuckled, "Don't tell her I told you this, but Daina has a phobia for fictional characters."

I roared into laughter, "That's just unbelievable!" Darcy is 3 and she adores them, "I guess it still freaks some people out!" I said loudly.

After meeting Father Christmas, we made our way out of the hall to watch the sparkling Christmas parade as they descended the park in a myriad of red and green, with bands cheerfully following behind them.

"Wanna ride the ferret wheel, my love?" I asked Darcy after getting her a few snacks and cotton candy from a stall. She looked delighted by my suggestion.

We walked to the ferret wheel and were disappointed to find an excruciatingly long line, "Oh!" I exclaimed, "This will simply not work!" It was already heading towards evening and waiting in this line will take forever.

"How about we try the carousel? The line isn't too long.

"No." Damien Jaeger said firmly, "If Darcy wants to ride in the ferret wheel, then she will."

"Perhaps." He added, "Wouldn't it be lovely to see the fireworks from up there?"

I frowned at the idea, "Damien, people waited hours in line to get in. It wouldn't be right to just cut in because you can."

He looked at Darcy and casually asked, "How about we ride in a helicopter instead?"

Darcy grinned widely, "I want to ride in a helicopter!"

"That's my girl." He said with a chuckle.

"You're gonna spoil her, Damien Jaeger." I said as we made our way out of Disneyland. He simply chuckled, leading the way as he didn't seem to pick any offence with what I said. Who was I kidding? Looking at the fireworks from the sky wouldn't be such a bad idea!
~

The blades of the helicopter spinned loudly, pushing the cold wind in different directions as we approached it. Darcy said something. What was it? I couldn't hear over the loud spinning of the blades.

A man dressed in a black suit, less tailored than Damien Jaeger's, stood by the helicopter, seemingly awaiting our arrival.

"Get in!" Damien Jaeger yelled over the sound of the spinning blades. Darcy and I settled into the helicopter and Damien entered after us, "fasten your seatbelts."

"And put these on." He added, handing us headphones.

"Are you driving?!" I asked in surprise. Damien Jaeger didn't have to answer as he flipped the controls like an expert and we were soon hovering over the sky.

We neared the fireworks as it blazed majestically in the sky, "Wow!" Darcy exclaimed.

I pulled her to myself without taking my eyes from the fireworks. It was indeed a wonderful sight as it continued blazing in the sky in different forms and patterns. Eventually, the display came to an end and Damien Jaeger flew us back for landing.
~

"I saw Mickey Mouse and Father Christmas!" Darcy beamed as she told Daina about her endless adventures over the lavish dinner she had planned for Christmas.

"And daddy took us in the helicopter to see fireworks!" Darcy added.

Diana laughed, "Is that so? I missed some fun then." "Except for the Mickey Mouse part." She added in a whisper, blocking her mouth with her hand for discretion.

I laughed at her hilarious gesture, "Except that!" I said with a wink.

Diana moved her eyes from me to Damien Jaeger, "Someone doesn't know how to keep a secret."

Damien Jaeger looked clueless, "Was it supposed to be a secret?"

"Naughty boy!" Diana said with a laugh, "Isn't that right, Mélie?"

A smile curved the lips of Damien Jaeger, "I don't think you should ask her that. You know, she might have other ideas." He said, giving me a mischievous stare.

I lowered my eyes on my plate of chicken breast, already feeling my cheeks heating up. I was sure that things were going to get steamy again before the night ended!