Matilda & Calum

"So, how was it?" Matilda asked, passing Calum a segment of chocolate orange. Christmas treats and crumpled wrappers lay spread between them on the rug.

"How was what?" Calum slipped it into his mouth, moaning softly. "God, that's so good."

"Your trip, of course."

"Oh... the trip. Right. It was good." 

Matilda waited for more, stirring her hot chocolate as steam curled lazily into the air. Calum remained still, sucking on a candy cane and humming "Santa Baby" in a slightly higher pitch than usual.

"And?"

"And what?"

"The trip. How was it?"

"It was good. We went to Rome."

"I know you went to Rome. I was asking how it was."

"Noisy. Busy. Warm."

Calum pulled out his phone and began entering his passcode, then stopped abruptly, fingers frozen mid-motion. He blinked hard, as if trying to focus.

"Calum?"

He sat there, staring blankly at the screen, then looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time.

"Cal? You with me?"

"Matti?" His voice was softer now, uncertain.

"Yeah, it's me. You alright?"

"Yeah... What were we talking about? And... how long have I been here?"

"Your trip to Rome. But we can talk about it later if you want."

"Rome? Oh, right. They went to Rome."

"I know. Warm and busy, you said. I'm sure you got some lovely photos. Maybe Morgan took some good ones you can show me later."

Calum bit the candy cane with a loud crack, breaking it in two.

"Yeah, maybe. Can I have some chocolate orange? I don't think I've had any yet."

"Of course. There's more in the cupboard. Did anyone call Mum today?"

"Mum? I don't think so... why?"

"To wish her Happy Christmas. And to let her know what time we're coming tomorrow for Boxing Day."

"Oh. I need to do that."

Calum unlocked his phone, scrolling through apps until he found Messenger. His brow furrowed as he read his recent messages, tilting his head like he was reading someone else's texts.

11:45. Thirty minutes ago: "Hey, Mum. Happy Christmas. Love to you and Dad. From Cal. :) xx"

"Oh...?"

"Cal?"

"Says someone already sent one." Calum swiped at the screen. "I... I don't remember... Damn it."

"Hey, it's alright." Matilda rested a hand on his shoulder. "Someone did send one - that's what matters. Mum and Dad got their Christmas message, and we'll see them tomorrow. Why don't we put on Werewolf Santa?"

"Can we watch Anna and the Apocalypse?"

"We watched that yesterday."

"Did we?" Calum scratched his head, looking genuinely confused. "I don't remember being here yesterday."

"After dinner. You, me, and Brennan. Someone sang along to 'Soldier at War' - sounded lovely."

Calum's face remained blank.

"How about Werewolf Santa now and tomorrow, when we get back from Mum's, we can watch Anna and the Apocalypse again?"

"Yeah!"

"Good."

"Where's Brennan?"

"He's working. Remember? He'll be home at five with a surprise."

"A surprise?"

"That's what he said."

"Nice." Calum continued humming, but the tune had changed to something more classical. "Oh, did I tell you about Rome?"

"Did you? How was it?"

"Amazing. Brennan proposed to us."

"You kept that quiet! Congratulations!"

"Thanks. It was at... it was at..." Calum's face scrunched in concentration. "I wasn't... I wasn't the one there. I can't see it." He raised his fist to pound his leg.

"Hey." Matilda caught his hand gently. "That's okay. Maybe it was the Trevi Fountain? Brennan will tell us all about it later."

"Maybe? I don't know."

"We'll ask Brennan later. I'm so happy for you both." She pulled him into a hug.

"Thanks. We're happy too."