Penny: ?
Dec: Merry Christmas.
I look at the time on the clock and it officially says midnight.
Penny: Merry Christmas, Declan.
~ ~ ~
“Mommy, wake up. It’s Christmas.” Autumn jumps on the bed and shakes me awake.
I groan and look at the clock. It’s seven in the morning. I thought she would be up before six, so I can’t complain about the extra hour of sleep.
“Can I open my gift from Santa, please?” She drags out the plea, begging with folded prayer hands.
I laugh and pull her in for a hug. “Yes. But let’s brush our teeth first.
Since we celebrate Christmas at my parents’ house, I decided a few years ago that she could open one gift here at our place, a gift specifically from “Santa.” It makes for a fun moment with just the two of us and lets us have our own little tradition together. Don’t get me wrong, Christmas at my parents’ house is the highlight of the year, but I want to havetraditions of our own. Traditions that Autumn and I can maybe one day include other people in on, like a husband and a sibling or two.
She’s bouncing on her feet as she brushes her teeth, and once we’re done, we head into the living room to sit in front of our fake Christmas tree. I hand her the present and pull out my phone to take pictures as she rips it open.
“Oh my gosh. Santa got me a camera!” She tears at the box, and I laugh at her dramatics.
She’s been telling me she wants to take pictures like Auntie Jay, and Jordan steered me towards a pink kids’ digital camera that comes with its own SD card. It was super affordable and clearly a winner in my daughter’s eyes.
“Hold up,” I tell her. “Let’s get dressed and get ready to go to grandma and papas, and then I’ll help you with the camera.”
She reluctantly agrees, and we spend the next while getting ready for the day.
Our family doesn’t dress up for Christmas and goes for the cozy, comfortable approach. I made sure to let Kate know last night, so they didn’t think they had to dress to impress.
I decide to wear my pink and black tie-dye sweatpants set and then give my two-day-old curls a refresh. I throw on a layer of mascara and make sure I have a scrunchie around my wrist so I can throw my hair up later.
Autumn wears the same outfit but with her hair in a ponytail instead of down, and my heart melts. I love that sheloves to match with me. She definitely has her own style, but every once in a while, I’ll buy us matching clothes per her request.
I make us each a little parfait cup so we don’t starve before getting to my parents, and before I know it, it’s time to grab Kate and Declan. I pick up my oversized tote filled with gifts and grab Autumn’s car seat that I brought in last night.
I lock the apartment behind us and knock on Declan’s door.
“Aren’t we going to grandmas?” Autumn asks.
“Yup. But Kate and Declan are coming with us.”
Her eyes widen, and she instantly starts speaking gibberish because she’s so excited. I didn’t tell her that they were coming to my parents, deciding to keep it a surprise, and I think it paid off.
The door swings open, and Declan stands before me. “Merry Christmas,” he says and gives me a dimpled smile.
This smile is genuine, I can tell. He’s never given me one of these smiles, and my stomach does a little flip. He’s just so handsome. Even dressed down. He’s wearing almost the same outfit as yesterday, but with an olive-green sweatshirt. It makes his eyes look even brighter, and I can’t help but smile back at him.
“Merry Christmas,” Autumn yells, and she wraps her arms around Declan’s legs.
Instead of keeping his arms by his sides like usual, he pats her on the shoulder. It’s slightly awkward but an improvement, nonetheless.
“Merry Christmas,” Kate sing songs, coming into view. She’s dressed similarly to me and Autumn, much like her outfit yesterday, and is holding multiple bags.
Autumn flings herself at Kate next, and Kate crouches down to give her a hug.
When she finally stands back up, she smacks her brother on the arm. “Take her stuff, you idiot.”
