We got the table set.Seth gave his parents some directions on the last little bit that was left to be done.The ham needed another hour and then everything would be ready.
“Okay, we’ll be back,” Seth said as he practically threw my coat on me.
Janice was laughing at me as we were herded out of the house and over to mine.She had stolen some of the food that had already been cooked and shared it with the police officers.They were different ones this time, which helped to alleviate some of our guilt.While they had to spend some of their holiday babysitting, at least it wasn’t the entire day.
“Any word?”I asked Janice when she glanced at her phone.
“They’re going to be boarding soon,” she said, sounding happier at the news.She turned her phone so I could see a picture of Rowan dressed in a red and green onesie that said ‘My First Christmas’ with the current year underneath it.
I couldn’t imagine what it felt like to be away from your fiancé and baby on Christmas.Especially since it was going to be the first one for them all.
“All right,” Toby said, going right over to the tree as soon as we got inside.“How are we going to do this?”
“Just dig in?”I asked.
“I don’t want to miss you opening our presents,” Toby said.
“Same,” Seth said.
“Why?Did you guys buy some prank gifts?”
Justin made a weird snorting sound but didn’t say anything.
Toby had a sly grin.“Not this year.We promised to behave.But next year, all bets are off.”
My eyes widened as I looked at them all, wondering what kind of presents they’d bought each other in the past.Everyone laughed at my expression.
“Okay, sit here,” Bryan said, sitting me down on the couch.
The next couple of minutes, all the presents were sorted out so each person had a small pile in front of them.
“And now we dig in!”Toby cheered, grabbing one of my presents to him and opening it before anyone could say anything.
I grabbed one and did the same.
The room quickly turned into a noisy mess of crinkling papers, laughter, and teasing remarks.
“Hell yeah,” Toby exclaimed, holding up a sleek black hoodie with the words ‘I went outside once.The graphics were not so good’ in bold white letters.“Now I don’t need to steal the hoodie from Cadence.”
“Why do you think I got it?”I asked, thinking of a similar hoodie hanging in my closet.
Apparently, Toby liked to steal some of Seth’s clothes too if the sayings on them were good enough.I wondered how Seth even had enough clothes at this point if the two of us were always ‘borrowing’ them.
Justin quietly tore open his present, his lips curling into a soft smile as he pulled out a big, mesh bag full of goodies perfect for swimmers.I didn’t go as far as picking out swimming trunks for him.That felt like it was too far.But there were a couple of swimming caps and goggles thanks to Seth’s help.There were also two water bottles and a towel.
Bryan opened up the small present I got for him.It was a fancy wallet with extra features to help protect what he had inside against theft.
“Whoa,” Paxon said as he lifted up the jewelry box.Inside was a tech ring that was supposed to track his workouts and everything else.
“A smart ring instead of a smart watch, that’s pretty cool,” Toby said.
“I thought you’d like it since you’re such an active person,” I said.“Help with keeping track of information for you for soccer season.”
“I love it.And it fits.”
“You’re welcome,” Bryan said.
I laughed.“I had to have Bryan help me with the size.”
