Epilogue #2
Momma invited Judy over for Christmas dinner just before we loaded up in Oscar and Daddy’s trucks and headed back to the cabins. Daddy and Oscar brought the tree in and put it in the stand, then strung the lights around it.
“Alright boys, have at it,” Daddy told us. Trey, Samian and I got to work hanging the shiny bulbs all over it. Someone put Christmas carols on, and we sang and danced while we made the cabin all Christmassy.
I was a happy boy.
“Daddy! Daddy! Wake up! It’s Christmas!” He was just laying there like it was a normal day. “Daddy! The sun is up! Christmas is waiting for us!”
Finally, he rolled over. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Merry Christmas, Daddy. Can I stay in my footie jams all day?” Daddy had bought me special ones for the cabin since it was colder here than it was at our other house. “They have reindeer all over them.”
“I don’t see why not. Let Daddy get dressed, then we’ll go make breakfast for everyone.” Daddy was so thoughtful, always taking care of the people he loved.
But when we got downstairs, everyone was already up.
“Merry Christmas!” They shouted at the same time. This was so freaking exciting.
“Merry Christmas!” There were twice as many prezzies under the tree now as there were when I went to sleep last night. “Daddy! Santa came!”
“Alright everyone, grab your stockings, then we’ll have breakfast,” Daddy announced and we all ran for them. The fire was already going, probably thanks to Oscar. Having a fire on Christmas day just made it even more perfect.
Trey and I got new Santa coloring books, cars, some small toys and candy in ours. “What did you get, Samian?”
“Pretty much the same as you guys.” He shoved a marshmallow Santa in his mouth. “Yum. This is so cool.”
I’m so happy he felt that way. You could never tell with Samian, though he had been coming out of his shell more lately. I just wanted my brothers to be happy and have fun. For so long we were fighting to survive, then life got better. Now it was time to enjoy all that we’d been fighting for.
Daddy kept his promise and after breakfast he played Santa and delivered everyone’s presents. “One, two, three!” He announced as soon as they were all handed out and we dug in.
“Daddy! Daddy! I got a castle set with tiny knights and horses!” I squealed. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to set it up. “And playdough.” Wait, weren’t those the toys I mentioned to Daddy when we were setting up my playroom? “Sneaky Daddy.”
“Can’t say Santa never pays attention,” Daddy winked.
I got a racetrack with new cars from Momma, new snow boots and kitty socks from Oscar, Samian and Trey, plus some new kitty jammies, and a really nice easel to paint on from Daddy. But the best gift of all was sharing this day with my family.
Judy, her son, and her daughter-in-law joined us for dinner. Momma, Daddy, and Oscar made a huge turkey with all the fixings just like at Thanksgiving. We had pie for dessert and played with the kitties and their new toys.
I loved my family and I loved my life.
Prezzies were great but getting to spend time with my family was worth way more than any toy. And now, it looks like I might be getting a new brother-in-law to play with.