Christmas Morning Surprise

Posted on Sat Jul 11th, 2026 @ 3:09pm by Lola ‘Myth’ McDowell & René Rouen

2,208 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: The Light House
Location: Lola's and René's Cottage
Timeline: 25 December 2012, 0800 (8am GMT)

Rene had woken up two hours earlier to put together a special Christmas morning surprise for Lola. For one thing, today was Christmas Day, but it also marked three weeks since Juliet had deposited him on Lola's doorstep. He had grown quite fond of Lola in that time. She had given him shelter, good books to read, and most of all kindness. Lola had given him one very important thing as well. Hope he would reunite with his family in France one day.

René also wanted to make up for his awkward behavior at the pub the previous night when they both inadvertently paused under the mistletoe upon arriving at the Christmas party. Juliet had said it was tradition that couples kiss under the mistletoe. The statement caused his stomach to do flip flops. Not because the thought of kissing Lola was upsetting. Quite the opposite in fact. It was becoming more and more difficult every day to conceal his growing attraction for the lovely Lola. He remembered Lola stating to Juliet that they weren't a couple and he'd confirmed Lola's statement before they moved off to get a drink from the bar.

René gave everything one final check just before Lola's footsteps could be heard on the stairs. He turned and put on a friendly smile as she emerged from the stairs. "Joyeux Noël, um...Happy Christmas." He gestured to the table. "I prepared some of your favorites. We even have meat this morning. I got some sausage links from the cook before sunrise."

Lola was still on edge, but she felt better knowing that the Europa was in port and that she had spoken to Nathan and Cassandra about the radio broadcast and let them both know who she really was and that she was 100% for them and not York. It just left her still reeling, so when she stepped into the kitchen, she was surprised by the kitchen and the declaration of meat. She had not had sausages in forever. "Merry Christmas." The woman yawned as she looked around, blinking. She was wearing the same christmas pj's she wore every year, as they had been in her suitcase when she had been travelling and ended up at Thirstledrift.

René grabbed a kettle from the stove and poured hot water into Lola's tea cup. He paused for a moment and gave a long yawn as he took the kettle back to the stove. He had attended midnight services at church and was a bit tired. He returned to the table, taking a long sip of coffee. He glanced at her for a moment. She was a bit quiet and he wondered what she was thinking about.

The last week had been a flurry of activity. The mission to the lighthouse, getting the Europa safely into port and preparations for the holidays. It was like the whole week had been a blur and he was just hoping for a peaceful day to rest. He began uncovering plates. "We have sausage, sliced and fried potatoes and toast." He gestured at the spread.

Lola smiled as she sat in the chair and looked at him. “You really did not need to do all of this and should have slept in.” The woman said quietly as she fixed her tea the way that she liked it. She knew he had gone to midnight mass as she had heard him come in but had gone straight back to sleep after reassuring herself that the cottage was locked up. “I know you are tired.” She pointed out indicating for him to sit down and she would dish up food.

Rene topped off his coffee and sat down with Lola. He looked at Lola and couldn't help but return her smile. She had a smile that could brighten his whole day in a instant.
"I will be okay. I'll take a nap after the town luncheon later on today. Besides, it's Christmas Day and I wanted to do something special for you before heading to the radio station to talk with my family."

“My dad used to nap in the afternoon before he got to busy with life.” Lola said quietly. “My mum worked hard to make Christmas happen and then dad slept. Think it was the only time I had ever seen her cross.” She said thoughtfully before she shook her head. “Well this is lovely. I appreciate the effort. Oh… one moment.” She got back up and disappeared off to find something. “It’s not big or fancy but I thought you might like it.”

René was slightly bewildered. Despite it being Christmas. He wasn't expecting a gift. Especially when Lola, the entire community for that matter, had already given him so much.

“It’s just a book I found when I went through the boxes of supplies and it’s a key to the station. You do not need me to supervise.” Lola said quietly. “Cassandra and Nathan trust you.”

René's expression was one of unexpected joy as he took the book and looked at the cover. "The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman." His voice trailed off for a moment. "My favorite movie growing up was Princess Bride. Grandpere would come and read it to Chloé and I whenever we were sick. Just like the grandpere and petit fils (grandson) in the movie." He blinked his eyes as tears of joy tried forming. He successfully fought back the tears, but couldn't conceal the adoration for Lola in his smile. He looked away quickly at the Christmas Tree. "I have a present for you too. How about we eat while the food is hot and then I can give it to you?"

Lola grinned and quickly tucked into the food as she could hear her stomach already wanting to eat as it smelt so good. She was glad that the present had gone down well, she knew the man loved books so it worked out well. She noticed the glance at the Christmas tree and smiled. It still had a few presents under that she had acquired for a few people but she had no idea what he had added under there.

René began eating as well, spending his time admiring the book and smiling at Lola. He was tempted to tell her about the feelings he was developing for her. It was becoming hard not to. He remembered their arrival at the pub the night before. He had wanted to kiss her under the mistletoe for a split second. Cassandra had even walked up later in the evening and asked why he hadn't. He'd taken a long moment to answer the question. He had looked across the room at Lola talking and laughing with Juliet and the new woman they'd rescued from the lighthouse. He was pretty sure his expression had held the same adoration he had now as he answered Cassandra. 'I...don't want to be the guy that wants to kiss her under the mistletoe. I want to be the guy she wants to kiss under the mistletoe...if that makes sense?

René just wanted for Lola to be happy and safe. He didn't want to pressure her into more. She seemed content at being just friends and housemates for now. He didn't want to jeopardize that if she didn't feel the same way he did. He gathered plates and silverware and took them to the sink. "Some more tea?"

“I can sort it myself.” She promised quietly as she downed the rest of the mug and poured more from the teapot.

René smiled, glancing at the book. He turned his gaze back on Lola and nodded once. "As you wish." He then set about cleaning the dishes, setting them in the drain rack as she got her tea just right. He refilled his coffee mug and gestured with his free hand towards the living room. "Ready for your Christmas present?"

“Not in the slightest.” She declared grinning as she shook her head at the fact he was being perfect again when she did not need someone to look after her. She was more than capable to do things but he was one step ahead constantly.

René retriieved his new book and gestured to the doorway. "Ladies first."

The woman narrowed her eyes as she grabbed her tea cup and headed into the room and quickly headed to the fire to stoke it before he even tried. She turned and sat on the sofa and watched him.

René followed a few steps behind Lola. Once they were in the living room, he stoked the fire and put another log on. He reached around the back of the Christmas tree and extracted an ornate case just over a meter long and brought it to Lola on the couch. He placed the case on the coffee table. He glanced at Lola. His smile a little unsure. "Merry Christmas."

"How did you hide this?" She demanded, laughing before the laughter went quiet. She took the case, surprised, and looked at him. "This is fancy." She opened it and gasped.

Inside the case was a gleaming rapier slightly shorter and a thinner, though no less deadly blade, than his own. He looked unsure now that he'd given it to her. "It's...a dueling épée. Slightly smaller than what I have which is a battle épée. I wanted you to have a proper self defense weapon should you ever need one. Um, I can give you lessons if you don't know how to use it. Mon Pere (my father) had me intruct new students at the fencing academy. I noticed your one weapon was an improvised spear and thought you should um...." He realized he was now rambling nervously. 'She is going to hate it. You're an idiot. It's not a present that brings joy,' all these thoughts ran through his head.

"You got me a weapon?" She breathed, touched that he did that. "I would like lessons. I have no idea how to use this." She laughed and put it aside to hug him. "Thank you." She whispered in his ear, truly touched that someone was thinking of her being able to defend herself instead of her needing to be defended.

René stiffened for a moment. His arms reached up and rested loosely on Lola's shoulders. He felt his heartbeat quicken as if his heart would burst from his chest at any moment. He pulled away after a few seconds and stood up. He gave a light chuckle and gestured to the middle of the floor. "No time like the present to start learning then."

"We do not use weapons in the house," Lola said quietly as she closed the case and put it aside so she could sit down again. "My mum would never forgive me." She added, smiling fondly at the woman who had been her role model growing up.

"Of course." He sat back down though a little further than before. "Perhaps this afternoon after the luncheon banquet?"

"If you do not have a nap, sure." She teased him, grinning as she sipped on her tea. This was such a lovely morning and reminded her of why she wanted to be part of this community.

René laughed. "No nap, but don't be surprised if I turn in early then. Fair?"

Lola rolled her eyes. She knew he would nap as that was a Christmas thing. She just shrugged and winked over her tea. Time would tell.

Rene took the last sip of his coffee and rose from the couch, disappearing into the kitchen to clean up. He popped his head in once he was done. "I am going to get ready for Christmas morning services. Is there anything I can get you before I do, some more tea perhaps?"

Lola looked over at the man and his voice. She narrowed her eyes and nodded. "Just chuck some water on the stove. I'll sort it all out." She said, seeing the way he wanted to make her happy.

Rene smiled and gave Lola a single nod. "As you wish." He ducked back into the kitchen for a moment and returned with the tea service, setting it down on the coffee table. He gazed at her as she was busy pouring and fixing her fresh cup the way she liked. "Merry Christmas Lola."

The woman rolled her eyes as she heard the phrase he kept saying that he was a robot sometimes and shook her head. She returned to her book and was surprised when he came back with a cup of tea. "Thank you. Merry Christmas, Rene." She said back, picking up the fresh cup to warm her lap for a few moments before she got ready for the shared lunch.

René smiled as he hitched a thumb over his shoulder. "I'm going to shower and change before heading to church. I'd like to swing by the radio station about 11:30am. My family said they would try and be on by then for a short Christmas greeting." He turned to head back upstairs. "See you at luncheon." He took the stairs two at a time.

 

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