12603/The morning of.

The morning of.
Date of Scene:	30 December 2020
Location:	Harry Dresden's Office, Kingston Falls
Synopsis:	Christmas morning at the Dresden house see's Harry busy wrapping gifts.
Cast of Characters:	Karrin Murphy, Harry Dresden

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Karrin Murphy has posed:
Christmas Eve was full of messiness. Karrin was at the precinct until well after 3 am, cleaning up drunks, family squabbles, toy thefts, and other mess that comes with a high stress holiday. Therefore, she crept back into the apartment and bed near 4 am, passing out dead asleep within minutes of getting there.

But now, it's Christmas morning. The first one she's not spent alone, or in the office, in years. Still a bit too early, but with a strange bit of excitement, she begins to stir on the bed, reaching for Harry who may or may not still be asleep. It's definitely almost ten in the morning, but it's not like they had children to wake them up. Well, other than fur children. Karrin has set several gifts out beneath what Harry calls a tree, already wrapped for the occasion. Two for Harry, one for Mouse and one for MIster (as well as ones for more extended family, like Thomas and Buffy.)

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry isn't in bed, having got up a couple of hours ago. Fur-children demand sustenance and they don't understand the concept of sleeping in...well maybe Mouse does, but Mister sure doesn't. Having been rousted by the cat/king of the apartment, Harry got the day started early. The smell of fresh brewed coffee and bacon permeates the air, seeping into the bedroom from the spaces above and below the door.

Currently, the resident wizard resides in what passes for the living room, sitting on the couch with the pair of animals, his lap covered with paper, tape, and bows as he fervently tries to wrap something and failing horribly.

Karrin Murphy has posed:
Missing both a tall wizard and a horse of a dog to curl up with, Karrin's slow ride to consciousness picks up a little quicker. She rolls onto Harry's pillow for just a moment, taking in a deep breath in the debate of getting up or maybe going back to sleep, but then her mind remembers the day. A drowsy smile and a little groan of her lips convince the rest of her body that it's worth getting up.

Less than a minute later, her short blonde hair sticking about three different directions, Karrin is shuffling out of the bedroom in a pair of overly fuzzy slippers and a big terrycloth robe. And probably little else. She gives him a tired eyed smile, "...the best Christmas gift of all was not going to midnight mass and getting to sleep in this morning. Though you make quite the cute family photo there..." She curiously peeks at the paper, but doesn't push. Coffee first.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Yeah. A real Norman Rockwell moment here," scoffs Harry as he whips his hand back and forth trying to get a stuck piece of tape to come off his finger via centrifugal force. "Don't you dare laugh at me, Murph. Not everyone has the best wrapping skills you know. There is a reason I usually pay for gift wrapping at the store."

He mumbles some more, finally getting the last piece of paper to stay down with tape as he moves that gift from his lap, and picks up another form beside the couch, "Coffee is in the kitchen. Same with bacon. I would have made eggs, but cold eggs would be gross and I didn't know how long you would be asleep."

Karrin Murphy has posed:
She pauses at the couch just a moment, to lean over and steal a kiss against the corner of his mouth before burying her fingertips momentarily into both Mouse and Mister's scruffs. "Mm. Merry Christmas. Coffee and bacon are perfect. More than I've had in years." On Christmas, at least. He's been a pretty damn good housemate for getting food going in the mornings more than once. Karrin's almost getting used to actually keeping a sane schedule of food.

"And you know you didn't have to get me anything... The apartment, tub... cooking... Life... That's all been a pretty damn good present this year." Karrin murmurs a bit softer. But before things get too mushy, she stands up, musses his hair a bit, then heads over to pick up that precious coffee.

Harry Dresden has posed:
"Well good, because this isn't for you," Harry quips back with a grin. "This is for Thomas, maybe Buffy depending on where he puts it. I don't know. Hell, he may not even put it up, but he is going to get it anyway. It's not everyone I buy a velvet Elvis for. Especially with a frame and mounted blacklight!"

Harry looks up at the kiss and smiles, "Merry Christmas to you to, Murph. What time did you finally manage to get home? Had Kringle already come and gone?"

Karrin Murphy has posed:
"...Velvet... Elvis??" Karrin asks, both brows arched as she tries to figure out if he's being serious or not, but she's PRETTY SURE he's serious. And that's getting an incredibly bemused look from her, though she can't stop the grin from lingering. "That is... a thing you can definitely hang somewhere. Absolutely. It's... quite festive. I'm sure." She chokes out a bit of a laugh and finally returns with her coffee.

"Come on, tank. I need room too." She gently moves Mister over just enough she can slide in next to Harry, though that leaves her lap open for cuddling as well. She's learned better than trying to move Mouse anywhere when he's comfortable. "I think I got in about 4... completely missed the old man. Not that we... necessarily need a visit from Kringle proper." She's heard things, it seems. "But short of half the city burning down, I'm *off* today. Blessedly, completely, don't even have to put on underwear or a bra *off*."

Harry Dresden has posed:
Harry Dresden says, "Why Muprh, you're not wearing a bustle? How lewd," winks Harry as he does his best to channel Val Kilmer in Tombstone. "You know I will have to double check that later, right?"

Harry looks back to the wrapped rectangular gift down by his side and frowns, "What? You don't think Thomas will like a black velvet Elvis? I heard those were all the rage!" The wizard flops back against the couch and lets out a heavy sigh. "Well, damn.""