A little call back/cross reference to my Happy and Toby Christmas Special Last year.
"What you getting the girlfriend for Christmas?" Paige asks Toby as he stands next to her, not helping her decorate the tree she got for the garage.
"We didn't like Christmas last year Paige. What has happened in the last year that would make you think we will like it this year?" Toby responds.
"Megan." Paige says simply. "Christmas was in some ways the catalyst of Sylvester's and her relationship. She was here here and celebrating it last year. She loved Christmas. I'm sure Walter despite his ideas of Christmas is going to want to celebrate it in her honor."
"Or this tree could just bring up painful memories of a beloved who passed not two months ago." Toby fires back.
Paige looks at him knowingly" You are doing that thing again Toby. That thing where you focus on one thing but really are thinking of something else...displacement?" Paige says back. "Don't you and Happy call each other boyfriend and girlfriend? Haven't you two been dating for almost three months now?" Paige asks.
"Yes, we go on dates and spend quite a lot of time together. We just haven't talked about calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend. Every time I want to bring it up I get scared I'm putting pressure on her so I keep quiet. And from what I can tell, she never wants to bring it up. Either in her mind I'm already her boyfriend or I'm so far from that that I can't even see the shadow of boyfriend." Toby replies.
"Toby, I'm sure you're boyfriend." Paige assures.
"I hope so. I really don't want to screw us up." Toby says.
"I know." Paige says understandingly.
"I did get her something for Christmas; in fact, I got her more than one thing. I got her a pair of tickets to the Auto show to take her dad and a whole bunch of futures for different precious metals." Toby says.
"You got her a pair of Auto show tickets and gold?" Paige asks somewhat incredulously.
"Gold, silver and copper. I figured, she's always going to want them." Toby shrugs.
"Toby. That's all kinds of awesome." Paige says with a smile and half a laugh.
"Glad you think so." Toby says feeling more self assured.
"Comfortable?" Toby asks later that day as he turns to Happy who is tucked in the crook of his arm as they start streaming the final two episodes of the Christmas Light Fight.
'Yes." Happy says as she snuggles closer.
After about an hour and a half of dazzling Christmas light displays and two winners, the Christmas Light Fight is over. During the show they discussed the mechanics behind displays and the general cheesy-iness of Christmas lights. Happy tried to just concentrate on the technical components of the show like she did last year. However, her mind wandered to other things this year; like how each light show was put up by a family and how so many were about couples supporting each other.
"Did you notice how every contestant introduced themselves as a family even if there was a main person driving the whole show?" Happy asks Toby as he came back to the sofa from switching off the television.
"Of course. Just like most things of large magnitude, putting up something like Christmas lights requires lots of support and family motivation. Knowing you are working for something larger than yourself does often help spur people to do more than they would on their own." Toby answers.
"Growing up in foster families I've met so many families. Not one family was as cohesive as any of the families on the show. Probably explained why they all sucked." Happy comments as she reflects on her childhood.
"Most of these families are above average in cohesive. It's actually not normal. Don't worry about it." Toby says, trying to calm her.
"I understand." Happy says as she thinks about how extreme the contestants have to be about Christmas lights and displays to even want to compete.
"I know we aren't a blood family unit, but I do think Scorpion is an above- average- cohesive family unit. Think of all the cases we've done the last year and a half. So many required so much teamwork and so many close calls. Only a close family could survive." Toby says.
"That's true. We are a family." Happy affirms.
"Yes, we are indeed. And, if you ever decide to like Christmas and put on a crazy display, every one of us will be there to help you if you want us to." Toby smiles and says. "We know you'll win." He continues to say in conspiratorial whisper
"Yeah, like I will compete one day. I will never muster a fraction of the Christmas spirit any one of the comtestants has." Happy replies dismissively.
"You never know, crazier things have happened." Toby says teasingly.
"Oh I know, I mean, look at…" Happy starts.
"Look at what?" Tobys asks, holding his breath.
"Look at us being together." Happy answers as she tries to steady her breath; how had her heart started beating so fast?
"I guess the idea of us was pretty crazy." Toby concurs calmly even as his mind and heart were racing; Happy was acknowledging they were a couple.
"I guess. Still not as crazy as me developing Christmas spirit." Happy says, teasingly softly as her traces lazy circles on the back of Toby's neck.
Toby's heart swells with tenderness and he leans in to kiss her.
"I don't believe in Christmas either. But, I swear; having you with me the last few months has been like a freaking Christmas miracle everyday. I know..that negates the idea of the Christmas being special to around December but I don't care." Toby says.
"You really don't care about a lot of things." Happy semi-seriously says.
"But I really care about you." Toby says with all his heart.
"I know. I care about you too." Happy says, meaning it more than she thought she would. She leans in this time.
Their lips meet in the shared realization and passion that they were officially and unequivocally a boyfriend and girlfriend.