As we walk along the paths, I see some good contenders, but not the one.
“Do you love my aunt? Are you going to become my new uncle or something?” she asks as I stop to touch one of the branches.
It's a Blue Fir, and though expensive, I like it. It's unique. Reminds me of Shina.
I glance at Leena. “I don't know where things will go, kiddo, but would that be a bad thing?”
She looks off into the distance and sniffles. “I've never had a real home before. My mom tried, but she had too many demons haunting her. I think I'd like to have a real family. My brothers and sister deserve one too.”
Fuck, this kid's breaking my heart.
“I do. Love your aunt. But she's not ready for that yet.”
I give her a little honesty, and she nods.
“Yeah, but I can tell she really likes you. Don't fuck it up. And that's the tree. It's perfectly imperfect like we are.”
She turns and walks toward the front to grab an attendant's help.
I think over what she said the whole time I'm chopping down a tree, wrapping it in twine, and loading it into the truck bed. Even driving to Walmart, as we grab some decorations and a tree stand, I'm lost in thought.
Her words just keep replaying. Shina likes me! God, I feel like some teenage school boy who just got flashed for the first time.
My palms are sweaty, my heart is racing, and I'm happy.
“How about this?” Leena holds out a small dog ornament with a bone in its mouth and a red hat on its head, lopsided, hiding one ear.
I nod and also grab a baby's first Christmas for Alec and a unicorn and red truck for the twins. As we wait to check out, I scroll through my phone for possible take out options.
Shina said no pizza. A lot of places are shut down for the holidays though.
“What do you want to eat?” I ask Leena as she grabs some snacks on the side of the aisle.
She shrugs, and I groan.
“Burgers? Chinese? Wendy's?”
“The twins love Wendy's chicken nuggets, and I like their frostys.”
“Wendy's it is.”
I place a large order on the app, so they have time to get it all together. I got a little of everything, since I don't know what Alla or Shina will want.
It doesn't take us long to load the car up, then swing by the restaurant. Soon we are headed back to the house, and I stop at the gate.
“Do you know the code?” I ask, sheepishly.
“I was sworn to secrecy. Just buzz the intercom. They will let us in.”
I wave at the camera in the corner and press the button.
“They're back!” I hear Kenna squeal, and Shina laugh through the intercom. Then the box buzzes, and the gate slowly opens.
“Do you know why your aunt has so much security here?”
I figure now is the time to get the insider scoop. Shina isn't always willing to open up.
“Ah, yeah. My uncle is a very bad man. Shina just wants to keep us safe,” she mutters then wipes her eyes. “I wish I could have kept my mom safe,” she whispers, and I place my hand on her shoulder, giving her a light squeeze.
