Happy Holidays to everyone. I was lucky this chapter had an appropriate theme for the story! I hope you guys enjoy it too.
Never trust a ladder: Glad you love it! I enjoyed writing it. Happy Holidays!
Akane09chan: Yay thanks for the words of praise. Happy Holidays!
Stay_traught_suckas: Turkey is awesome. I would have turkey everyday if I could :x. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Happy Holidays!
Awsomaniatica: Thank you! It was fun exploring new characters and its better to bring back a common enemy to meet the boyfriend! Happy Holidays!
forget the rest: Thanks. I try to do a story in each chapter. Not sure why it comes out like that but I think its a nice touch. Happy Holidays!
andy-ninja girl: Agreed lol. Thanks for the review and Happy Holidays!
Player Zero: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Happy Holidays!
IronicVeghead: I'm glad you did. It was a blast writing it. Happy Holidays!
Liam Payne16: :) Brings a smile to my face whenever people like it. Hope to see you around for future chapters. Happy Holidays!
FlyingFree: We are our own worst enemies. I'm not disagreeing with you in any way but yes, we try to strive for perfection and if we try hard enough, we may attain it :) Happy holidays and thanks for reviewing!
sunflower13: LOL wow. I should try that but I'll stick to beer lol. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well. Happy Holidays!
Wolf Skater: I like this fluff that I have going on. It still warms me up every time I re-read these chapters. Happy Holidays!
angelkierra: I hope this one brings a smile to your face as well! Let me know! Happy Holidays!
Hockeygirl28: I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope the next one is to your liking as well. Happy Holidays!
Ashleylee987: LOL. I think it's very cool that I can make people, including you, feel mushy :) Happy Holidays!
Love Our Troops: I call that a very successful meal! Happy Holidays!
Irenerb: Yes, Favorite chapters! Win! lol. Happy Holidays!
Chapter 15: Gift
'I really can't stay - But baby it's cold outside... I've got to go away - But baby it's cold outside...'
Wally sighed, the pressure finally getting to him. It was the fifth time this song has played over the mall's PA system and it was driving him nuts. It was bad enough that tonight was Christmas Eve but he still didn't have a gift for Artemis! He tried asking his mother and Aunt Iris for some hints on what to get her but all they told him was to look inside his heart. The best gifts always comes from the heart. He would have taken their advice seriously if he didn't overhear his Uncle Barry snickering from the other room.
"Bottom of my heart. Look from the bottom of my heart." Wally muttered as he strolled through the mall once more. "Nuts!" He threw his hands into the air and disappeared from the mall. So far, he's been to fifteen different malls, trying to find the perfect gift but the more he searched, the more everything looked the same.
"This is impossible! It cannot be done!" Wally yelled, sinking down to his knees as he slowly crawled over to the mall couches. "Scarves, hats, sweaters. Why do they need to come in so many different colors and materials! It's like they don't want men to succeed in buying the perfect gift!"
He continued to crawl, his body crying out with every step taken. "I'm so sorry Artemis. I tried. I really tried but it looks like you'll have to be happy with just a gift certificate from a department store."
As Wally crawled, he ignored the looks that everyone was giving him. They don't understand the pain that he was going through. The suffering that he was in and the scars from within his body. The uneaten Christmas Cookies, the leftovers from dinner that he refused so he can get back to shopping early. All of this was for one person...
His girlfriend, Artemis.
If only there was a sign. A clue that would lead him to a perfect gift. The universe wouldn't let him down like this.
"You have to move Wally. You're embarrassing everyone."
Okay, that wasn't the exact sign he was looking for. As he slowly opened his eyes, he noticed that the voice came from a dark set of boots and black cargo pants...
It couldn't be him... Wally thought. He heard a sigh and then a grunt.
"Conner!" Wally shouted, jumping up and giving his teammate a hug. "The universe sure sent a weird sign but hey, I'm desperate so I'm just going to take it. I'm just glad they didn't send Wolf instead."
"I need your help man. I don't know what to get Artemis and I only have..." Wally paused, looking at his watch. "Two hours left so please, please, help me!"
Conner sighed. "I didn't come here to help you with your problems. I need to find something for Clark's mother..." His eyes switched between the sale at Pottery Barn and the puppy dog eyes that Wally was giving him. To think that M'gann convinced him to do his shopping here. He reminded himself that this was the last time he would listen to her when it comes to shopping in a different state.
"But Conner, buddy, pal. I'm in a bind here."
"Go buy a book or something. That's what I got M'gann."
"A book? You got a hot girl a book?" Wally asked, skeptical at the answer. "Why does she even want a book?"
"Beats me but she wanted a book so I walked into a bookstore and got her a book that she might like." Conner replied, explaining his thought process. "I'm leaving so good luck Wally."
"A book? Why would I even get Artemis a ..." Wally slowly said and then a smile lit up on his face. "I know what to get Artemis!" He shouted to no one in particular.
"Shut up Wally!" Conner yelled back from across the mall who knew Wally was too ecstatic at this point to care about anything else.
'I simply must go - But, baby, it's cold outside. The answer is no - But, baby, it's cold outside...'
With fifteen minutes until the clock struck twelve for Christmas Morning, Wally sped down the streets of Gotham, turning left and right and jumping over fences.
It took him two phone calls and a favor from Robin to get this gift but it was definitely worth it. Artemis was going to love his gift.
Running through the front door and up the stairs, Wally had a big smile on his face. The universe finally came through for him, in the form of Conner Kent.
His knuckles rapidly knocked on the door of Apartment 28B and within moments, a sleepy eyed Artemis opened the door. She stifled a yawn as she greeted her late night visitor.
"Wally?"
"Hi Babe." Wally replied, giving her a small peck on the lips. "Merry Christmas!"
"What are you doing here so late?" She asked, the sleep still present in her eyes. They had agree that they would be exchanging presents in the morning, not at the stroke of midnight.
"I got you your gift!" Wally proudly answered and held it out for Artemis. She couldn't help but smile. It was neatly wrapped in red and green paper with reindeer on them but it was the kid in Wally that had her smiling the most. Just standing next to him, she could feel her body growing with excitement.
"Thank you Baywatch."
"Open it. Open it!"
Artemis suppressed a smile, trying to keep herself from ripping the gift open. She could tell that Wally was really antsy with it so just to make him pay for waking her up so late, she slowly opened the gift... one string at a time.
She watched Wally carefully, getting a kicked out of his facial expressions. She had wonder just how long before he cracked.
"Open it already!"
Three seconds. It must be some gift. Artemis thought. She carefully opened the wrapping paper and what she saw completely took her by surprise.
"Oh Wally... How did you..."
He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Santa came to me one night... and OW-" He winced from the pain and noticed that Artemis was glaring at him. "Uh, I mean, I just knew babe. Let's just leave it at that."
Holding the present delicately in her hands, Artemis felt her eyes water. Just how on earth did Wally know that Alice in Wonderland was her favorite story?
In all her years, she received many gifts, some important, some unimportant and was left sitting in some closet somewhere but this was truly the first time she received something that she really loved.
"Thank you Wally." Artemis answered, a big smile on her face.
"And that's not the best part. This is the first edition, signed by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson himself."
"Oh my god, it must have cost a fortune. I can't accept this."
Wally shook his head. "Just take it Artemis or else a certain princess would be angry with me and I would be the only man to start a war with a sovereign country."
Artemis laughed and kissed Wally hard. As she reflected against the year, she realized just how much happier she's been in life... with Wally and with his gift in her hands... she could see just how much he loves her. It goes without saying that no matter how much she tried to deny it, she was truly and completely in love with Wally.
"I love you Baywatch."
"And I love you too Artemis."
'I really can't stay - Get over that hold out... Ohhh, baby it's cold outside...'
Just give me a warm blanket and some eggnog.