“Go ahead,” he said.“Open one of your gifts.”
Holly hesitated.“Maybe we should save them for Christmas morning.”
Colin shook his head.“We have other things to do on Christmas.”
“We do?”She sent him a confused look.“Such as?”
“You’re invited to my parents’ for Christmas day.”
“What?But I can’t.I don’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t intrude.They invited you.”
“But I… I don’t have a gift for them.”
Colin moved to the Christmas tree and knelt down.He picked up the basket Holly had put together for him to give to his mother.With it in his arms, he straightened.“You can give her this.”
She was quiet for a moment, most likely figuring out another excuse for not going.She could try, but he was going to keep countering every one of her worries.This Christmas, she wasn’t going to be alone.
“But what will you give your mother?”
“I picked up a little something while I was shopping today.Now, it’s settled.You’re going to spend Christmas with the Bishops.”He looked at the presents he’d gotten her.“Open the little one.”
She unwrapped it as though she were going to reuse the wrapping paper.He sat back and let her do it her way.He was in absolutely no rush.He wanted this evening to go on forever.It didn’t get any better than this with the two of them together, surrounded by the furbabies, as the falling snow coated Kringle Falls in a fresh layer of fluffiness.
Holly held up the ornament.It dangled from her finger.“It kind of looks like Tater Tot.And you had it personalized.Aww… thank you.I will always cherish it because it’ll remind me of this very special Christmas.”
“Now, open the big one.”
She looked at the giant envelope leaning against the back of the couch.“Is that really a card?”
“Open it and find out.”
She opened the envelope and then pulled out the two feet by three feet card with a snowman on the front.The sight of it made her smile.“He’s adorable.But why is it so big?”
“You’ll see.Open it.”
And so she did.She gasped.There were notes and signatures over every inch of paper.
Her wide-eyed stare moved to him.“I can’t believe you did this.What did you do?Stand in the middle of the street and accost everyone to sign it?”
“Of course not.People heard about what happened with Roger and Billie Jean.They wanted you to know that you always have family and people who have your back.”
Holly kept reading the notes on the card.When she glanced at him, there were tears in her eyes.“Thank you.I’ll never feel alone again.”
“No, you won’t.”He moved closer and leaned toward her.“Because you will always have me.”Then he gave her a brief kiss.
When she leaned back, she said, “It’s your turn to open your presents.”
He picked up the decorative bag.He started to open the card, but Holly redirected him to the gifts.He loved the journal and pens.He’d never thought about writing down some of his experiences with the animals and sometimes their owners.He had some interesting stories to jot down.He’d definitely work on it.
And then it was time for the card.He wondered why she’d made him wait until the end to open it.He pulled out the card with the simple wreath on the front.He opened it and started to read:
Colin,
You were the boy-next-door who stole my heart with your warm laugh, your generous spirit, and the way you made me feel seen.I don’t know if you knew it, but I had the biggest crush on you.
I thought I’d gotten over it, and then you helped me with Tater Tot.You haven’t changed since you were a kid.You still have the biggest heart.And I’ve found myself falling for you all over again.
