“Yeah, you know he’s not at Adrians or Cleo’s either? They haven’t heard from him in a few days. It’s weird.”
“Maybe he’s got a girlfriend. Or at least someone else to annoy for awhile. Like you said.” He wrapped his arms tighter around me. I sighed, enjoying his warmth.
“Cherish these moments.”
Derek did show up on Christmas Eve right as everyone finished dinner. He came bearing bags and bags of gifts.
“Where have you been?” I asked. He rolled his eyes at me.
“Around. Do I smell hot toddies?”
“In the kitchen. Why are you being so weird?” He blinked at me but said nothing. Instead he turned to go get himself a drink.
I looked around the room and found my husband. I went to cuddle up with him. Looking up at the TV I saw that ‘A Christmas Story’ was playing. Holiday tradition. The 24-hour marathon must have started.
“It is getting kind of late. Why don’t we take you upstairs and get you settled in.” Cleo said to the twins. They followed her out of the room, excitedly talking about Santa. Not long after, the rest of us called it a night, knowing the kids would be waking us up early.
Sure enough it was about seven when our door burst open and Derek ran and jumped on our bed. I screamed for him to stop but he started screaming.
“It’s Christmas! Come on get up! Santa came!”
Mark was finally able to kick him off the bed while I scrambled to sit up. He fell to the floor with an oof!
“Knock that shit out. I will kick your ass on Christmas Derek,” Mark warned. Derek popped up like a damn whack a mole. He was grinning ear to ear and bouncing up and down.
“Come on! Everyone’s waiting.”
Sighing I reached for my purple velvet robe and tied it quickly before starting out of the room. Mark and Derek joined me a minute later.
I glanced into the living room. The kids were in there wiggling in their seats, waiting for us. I groaned.
“Can I get some coffee first?” I begged. Once we were all had our warm mugs, we returned to the living room. I looked around and realized Derek was missing. Right as I was going to ask about him he entered wearing a full Santa costume.
“Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Christmas. Did we have two good little children this year?”
“Four, Blue and Rocky count too Santa,” Jimmy said. I looked over at the babies in Cleo and Adrian’s arms. Blue was enjoying the lights from the tree, while Rocky was enjoying his breakfast bottle.
“Oh, that’s right. Four good little children. Are you guys ready to open some presents?” He went over to the tree and picked up a red present. “To Adrian. Ooh, I wonder what this could be?” He passed it quickly to Ethan who then passed it down until it reached its intended receiver.
Derek went through and passed out presents until we each had at least one. When we all held up our pretty wrapped boxes, he declared we could open them. The kids screamed and tore into their gifts. Mark nudged me and I looked over.
“Are you going to open your present?” The kids’ excitement had made me forget about my own gift. It was a small green box. I shook it halfway into tearing it open but didn’t hear anything. Pulling the box fully out of its wrapper I opened it and my breath caught in my throat.
“Oh Mark,” I said as he took the box from me and pulled the necklace out. He moved closer to me and I extended my head out so he could put it on me. He hooked the clasp and pulled away. His eyes were lit up, I'm sure they matched mine. I lunged at him, squeezing him tightly. He wrapped his arms around me.
“You like it?” He laughed. I pulled back and kissed him.
“It’s gorgeous. I love it,” I exclaimed.
“It’s solid sterling silver and four emerald cut amethysts and its a real diamond in the center,” he boasted proudly. I smirked.
“Did you memorize what the jeweler told you?”
He blushed.
“Guilty. I saw it and had to get it for you. You make it even more beautiful,” he told me. I moved closer to him and he put his arm around me while we watched everyone continue opening presents.
The room quickly filled up with papers and bows everywhere. Eventually I got up and grabbed some trash bags to start picking up a little. We were running out of room.
