It just keeps getting better!

Chapter Three:

A Christmas to Remember

Malik awoke to find himself lying on pearl-white sheets. A small smile crossed his little face, as he also noticed that he was warm as well. His smile dissappeared quickly, however, due to the sound of footsteps walking down the hall. His throat swelled, as the door handle turned.

A man walked in, with pepermint-green hair. He walked over to the child's bed, and looked at some machines that were placed beside Malik's bed. Malik's eyes widened with fear.

'What if he wants to hurt me?', he thought, shuddering slightly. The man was leaving, until Malik let out a horrible cough. The adult quickly spun around, and gently lifted the sheets off of Malik's face. A small smile appeared on the man's face, as he lightly stroked Malik's hair.

"Well, good morning. How was your sleep?", asked the man, picking up a stethoscope.

"F-fine..." The man gently placed the stethoscope on Malik's chest. "Ahhh!", Malik whinned, recoiling from the stethoscope.

"What's wrong?", asked the adult, a worried look on his face.

"It's cold!", the child protested. A small smile leaped on the man's face. He then exhaled on the stethoscope, and placed it back on his chest.

"That better?"

"Yes...Thank you."

"No problem. Now, could you breathe in and out slowly for me?" The child nodded and did so. "There we go. All done." The doctor stroked the child's blonde hair. "So, are you feeling better?"

"Yes, lots.", answered the child.

"That's good to hear." After a few silent minutes, the man left the room. Not long after, another person walked into the room.

"Ummm...", called the child shyly.

"Yes?"

"I...I want to thank you for the coat that you lent to me...", replied the boy shyly.

"Oh, no problem."

"What is your name?"

"My name is Ryo."

"Ryo...that is a nice name...", answered the child, blushing slightly.

"Thank you, Malik. I like your name too." The child gasped.

"You know my name?"

"Yes, I do." Malik looked at his hands, which were still frostbitten. "What's wrong?"

"Please...don't make fun of me..."

"Make fun of you? Why would I do that?"

"Because...my feet look funny...", answered the child.

"What do you mean? Your feet don't look funny. They look normal." The child quickly pulled the covers off of his legs, revealing his repaired feet. He had gotten surgery done the following night, thanks to Dr. Dartz.

"Th-their fixed!", whispered the child. "Their fixed! Their FIXED!" Ryo let out a small laugh. The child was so happy, just like he should be. Malik then looked straight into Ryo's eyes.

"Did you fix them?"

"No.", answered Ryo simply.

"Then...who did?"

"Oh...maybe Santa did it."

"Santa...? You mean...I was a good boy this year?"

"Yup!" Malik had an irriplacable look on his face. His smile shined brightly. "Hey?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you see what Santa left you?", asked Ryo.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh...lets say...the pile of presents over there, perhapes?", answered Ryo. Malik looked at the miniature Christmas tree in his room, and, sure enough, presents were there. A smile streched on Malik's face. He had never gotten a present from Santa for ages.

"Can I open them? Can I?"

"You sure can!" Malik raced to the brightly colored boxes, and tore them open. His face lit up quickly, as he admired his new possessions. As soon as he opened the gifts, he started to play with them at an instant. Ryo watched as the child's imagination grew. A smile covered Ryo's face, as he closed his eyes. Malik brought back many memories to him. Many, many memories...

"Ryo?"

"Yes?"

"Will you play with me?", asked Malik, giving Ryo puppy-dog eyes.

"Sure, why not." All that morning, the two played with Malik's new toys. That is, until...

RING! RING!

Malik flinched at the sudden sound. Ryo smiled gently, and stroked his hair.

"Awww...don't worry. That is just my cell phone. Can you hold on a moment?", asked Ryo. Malik nodded, and continued to play with his toys. Ryo was so happy to see Malik enjoying himself.

"Hello?"

/Ryo! Where in Ra's name are you/

"I'm at the-"

/Man! When I want to spend one Christmas with you, you run of on me/

"Well, you see-"

/No! I don't see you! Now, where are you/

"I'm at the hospital."

/The hospital! Oh, RA! Are you hurt Ryo?

"No, I'm-"

/Good. Now, get this through your head, I want you over here NOW/

"No, Dad! I'm busy!", shouted Ryo into the phone, causing Malik to flinch.

/Okay, but please tell me something. What is more important than being with me on Christmas/ A small smile streched on Ryo's face.

"Why don't you come here and see for yourself?"

/But, ugh, fine. Alright, I'll be there. This better be worthwhile, Ryo./

"Alright. I am in room fourty-three."

/Alright./ Ryo sighed as he hung up the phone. He then shifted his gaze to Malik, who was sobbing.

"Hey, what's wrong?", asked Ryo, embracing Malik.

"Your daddy's mad at me...", sobbed Malik. Ryo's eyes saddened.

"No he's not."

"Yes he is! He was saying that you should be at home, not with me!", he sobbed.

"He doesn't know why I am at the hospital yet. I didn't tell him about you."

"So...he's not mad at me?"

"No, not at all." Malik wiped his nose on his arm, and sniffled. "Hey. Why don't you get some of your new Christmas clothes on?" Malik smiled, as he retrieved them.

"Which ones should I wear, Ryo?" Ryo put his hands to his chin.

"Mmm...maybe the blue sweater and blue jeans.", suggested Ryo. Malik nodded, and dashed out of the room, into the bathroom, carrying a fresh pair of underwear as well. He later emerged, fully dressed. "You look great." Malik smiled at the compliment.

"Thanks." Malik then started to play with his toys again. Ryo could finally rest. He had been up all night, shopping, playing card games, and watching Malik. He was just too worried about him.

"Ryo?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm hungry." Ryo smiled.

"I'll get that taken care of." He then walked over to a speaker-phone, and pushed a red button. "Excuse me."

"Yes?", replied a female's voice.

"We've gotta hungry soldier up here."

"Alright. Breakfast will be up shortly." Malik smiled at the thought of breakfast. He hadn't eaten for days, and breakfast sounded good. Soon, it was delivered.

"Yummy!", pipped Malik, licking his lips.

"So, can you tell me what this is?", asked Ryo, pointing to a spoon.

"It's a spoon!"

"That's right. And, what's this?"

"A cup!"

"Great. Now, what's that?"

"I...don't know..."

"That's macaroni and cheese."

"Macaroni and cheese...I'll remember that!"

"I'm sure you will." Ryo smiled as Malik devoured his breakfast.

"It's good.", commented Malik.

"I bet it is."

"Do you want some?", asked Malik, sticking up a spoon with macaroni and cheese on it.

"No thank you."

"You're not hungry?"

"Well...maybe a little..."

"Have some, please?"

"Well...okay." Ryo then allowed Malik to stick the spoon gently in his mouth, and deposit the food.

"Is it yummy?", asked Malik.

"Mm-hmm. De-licous!" Malik giggled. He had never felt so special in a long while.

"Want some more?"

"No, I'm full."

"Okay." Malik then continued eating, his smile growing bigger by the second. Suddenly, he yawned.

"Tired?" Malik nodded. "Alright, get to sleep now, alright?" Malik nodded again.

'Keep on going, Malik. Keep on going. No matter how hard the path is, continue to walk it. Happiness is just on the other side.', thought Ryo, as Malik fell asleep for a nap.

Awww...very cute. It will have to continue.

Read and Review peoples!