Finding Nemo/Finding Dory Human AU Shorts

Power Outage (Christmas Short 2019 2/5)

"So we're gonna go out on a limb here and say you all need our help setting up for the party." Madeline assumes, much to Dory's delight. "Why yes! We'd love that." She gladly let Marlin's siblings inside the house. He only now noticed that they had quite a few gifts in their hands. "You know, you three were only given one person for secret Santa, right?" "Oh yeah, we know." Replied Madeline. "The extra gifts are for the kids." Mason added. Nemo and Bluebell gasped, rushing up to him. "Really!?" They asked excitedly. "Yep. Got a couple for your parents too." Answered Maya. "Yay! Can we open them?" Asked Bluebell. "No can do, kiddo." Said Madeline. "You'll have to wait until the party." "Aww." Nemo groaned in defeat. "So, who did you guys get for secret Santa?" Asked Dory. "Dory, you know you can't just ask that." Marlin scolded. "We should wait until the party." "Nah, it's cool." Madeline insisted.

"I got Hank. I never thought I had to go to a liquor store ever in my life, but I thought I'd get him some vodka." "That's perfect for him." Dory joked. "Gill's who I got." Said Mason. "I tried to ask Maya for help on what to get him because she's dating Peter, who is related to Peach, who is dating Gill. Buuuuut, she was being all goody touches and didn't want to help because she considered it 'cheating'. So I got him some guitar picks cause I heard he plays guitar." "And I got Tiffany." Maya piped in. "I knew she liked to garden so I got her some plant seeds." "Nice, you guys can put the gifts under the tree." Said Marlin, leading his siblings to the Christmas tree. They were taken aback by how large it was. "Woah! That thing's almost touching the ceiling!" Mason exclaimed. "What can I say? Go big or go home." Marlin commented. "What? Why would you let them go home?" Asked Dory. "They just got here." Marlin chuckled, kissing her cheek. "It's an expression, honey."

After the gifts were placed under the tree, Mason leaned over to Nemo. "Hey, kid. How would you like to help your dad and I work on the outdoor decorations?" He offered, making Nemo's expression light up. "That'd be awesome! Daddy, can I help? Please?" "Um, I don't know. Outdoor decorating is sorta dangerous." "Oh come on, Mar. I thought you stopped being the overprotective father." Madeline teased. "I did!" He argued. "That doesn't mean I can't still worry for my own child's safety from time to time." "Marlin, you'll be out there with him. It'll be fine." Maya assured. "What about you guys?" Asked Marlin. "We'll stay here and decorate the interior." Dory happily replied. He smiled at bit at her enthusiasm before finally giving in. He's never been able to explain it, but it seemed that Dory's enthusiasm always put Marlin in a good mood and is always something that can get him to give into whatever someone was asking. "Alright, we'll be outside if you need us." With that, Marlin, Mason and Nemo stepped outside to the side of the house. "Alright, Mason. Stay here with Nemo, I'll get the ladder and the lights." Marlin was about to turn around before Mason stopped him. "Wait, can you get me a drink while you're there?" "Sure. Cocoa?" "Yep, that'd be awesome." Marlin nodded before entering the house.

Once he came back outside, his arms were completely full. Mason and Nemo quickly ran over to help him. "You alright, dad?" Asked Nemo, taking Mason's drink. "Yep, I got it." Marlin insisted, gently setting everything down. "Nemo, can you start taking out the lights from this box while your uncle and I set up the ladder?" Nemo nodded, opening the box whilst Mason and Marlin set up the ladder. "Dad, can I got up the ladder?" Nemo asked excitedly. "No way! It's way too high up." "Oh come on, Marlin. It wouldn't hurt for the kid to at least go up there once." Mason insisted, taking a sip of his cocoa. "Actually, yeah it would. He could fall onto the pavement." Marlin argued. "The pavement that's covered in snow?" Mason pointed at the driveway that was completely covered in snow. "Dad, you and Mason will be here if I fall. I'll be alright." Nemo assured. "Alright fine, you can go up the ladder. But only if Mason holds it so it doesn't shake." "Gotcha covered, Marlin." Mason grabbed the bottom of the ladder with his free hand and held it tight, preventing the ladder from wobbling.

"Here son, go hang these up there." Marlin ordered, handing Nemo a string of lights. He took the lights and carefully climbed up to the top. Once Nemo got those lights up, Marlin turned to Mason. "Mason, can you plug them in?" He asked. Mason nodded, letting Marlin hold onto the ladder whilst he went over to the outlet. The lights started to glow bright reds greens and blues. "Whoa, they look amazing." "Yeah, nice work kid." Said Mason. "Mason, take the ladder. I gotta go check on the girls." "Sure thing." He replied as Marlin stepped into the house. Mason took one step, only for him to trip on the light's cord, spilling his hot chocolate all over the power outlet. It sparked a bit, making Nemo flinch and the ladder to fall backwards. "Uncle Mason! Help!" He cried. Mason quickly ran over and caught Nemo, the impact making the two fall into the snow. They looked over at the house to see that all the power went out. There was a scream that could be heard from inside, making the two nervous. "No doubt, that's my dad." Said Nemo. "Your dad's so gonna kill me for this." Mason added.

Marlin stormed outside, glaring at his brother. "WHAT IN GOD'S NAME DID YOU DO!?" He demanded. "Don't panic! Look, I managed to save your son from falling off the ladder." Mason tried to assure, which only made Marlin panic more. "FALLING OFF THE LADDER!? HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO CUT THE POWER AND CAUSE MY SON TO FALL WHILE I WAS GONE FOR ONE SECOND!?" "I tripped on one of the cords, the power outlet burst a bit after I spilled some hot chocolate on it and the ladder started to fall." Mason quickly explained, trying his hardest to calm his brother's nerves. "But I managed to save Nemo before he got hurt, don't worry." Marlin pulls the two up from the ground. "Just come inside, before you freeze to death." He mutters as the three entered the house. It was pitch black, and the girls were on the living room couch. "Marty, what happened to the power?" Dory asked. "Mason cut the power to the house." He answered, making Madeline smack Mason on the back of the head. "You moron! What did you do?" "Relax, I just got some cocoa on the outlets after I tripped on a cord." She laughed at his explanation. "Man, you're such a cultz. You're lucky the outlet didn't catch on fire."

Meanwhile, Bluebell was crying, holding Bella tightly in her hands whilst Maya tried to comfort her. Mason noticed and patted her head. "I'm sorry, Bluebell." He apologized. "We'll try and see if we can get some light in he-" "Daddy." Bluebell cut Marlin off. "Your scream scared me way more than the dark is." He sighed before hugging the child. "I'm sorry for scaring you." "What are we going to do about the power?" Asked Maya. "I'll try to call a technician to see if we can get the power back before the party." Marlin replied before taking out his phone. "Don't worry, I'll start a fire." Dory assured, placing some wood into the fire place. Once the fire was lit, everyone crowded around it. Marlin hung up the phone and approached the others. "They said no technician is available on Christmas Eve." Everyone groaned in disappointment. "I'm sorry for cutting the power, guys." Mason apologized once more. "That's alright." Marlin assured. "It was an accident." "But what about the party?" Asked Bluebell. "Yeah, we can't have the house be pitch black." Nemo added.

"I know!" Dory exclaimed, rushing into the garage. She came back out with some tape, glow sticks, red and green colored cups, some string, and candles. After a minute or two of assembling, she managed to make a homemade light. "Dory, you're a genius!" Marlin exclaimed whilst hugging her. "Come on, let's all pitch in." Said Madeline as they all came over to help make more of these lights. Once the night approached, the house was filled with homemade lights, candles, and stringed popcorn. "You think this looks good enough?" Asked Dory. "It looks wonderful." Maya replied, the others nodding in agreement. Marlin kissed Dory's cheek before whispering "Thanks.". She happily kissed his forehead. "Happy to help, Marty." With that, there was a knock on the door. "Show time, guys." Said Marlin.