Chapter 58
Summer
“Sunshine,” Seb exclaims, dropping his bags and picking me up in a hug.
“You’re all here,” I smile.
“It is our first Christmas together,” Alex replies with a smile. The others move around Seb, who still has me dangling in his arms.
When he finally puts me down, I follow everyone into the living room. People are putting presents under the tree and spreading out on the couch and floor. This is wonderful.
“Okay, you all need to open my present right now,” Seb yells, getting our attention.
He hands each of us a box covered in red reindeer paper. Seb is bouncing, he’s so excited. I rip the paper off to find a pair of Christmas pjs. Looking around, we all have the same kind, even Zander and Troy. “Hurry,” I say, choked up. He remembered my tradition.
“I knew we had to continue your traditions, Sunshine. I have a pair for Jake and Ray under the tree. Everyone scatter and get changed. It’s pajama day,” he exclaims before pulling off his jacket.
He’s already dressed in his matching pajamas, and I didn’t even notice.
Smiling, I tell Gabby to join me in my room.
We quickly change and head back to the living room.
Seb has a Christmas movie playing on tv and the fireplace and tree turned on.
“This means so much, Hurry. Thank you.”
“It’s an awesome tradition, Sunshine,” he says, pulling me down beside him on the couch.
“What’s next?” I ask everyone, feeling the holiday magic filling my soul.
“Christmas group picture by the tree, then presents,” Seb tells me.
“The guys usually come to my apartment, and we exchange gifts in the afternoon,” Alex tells me. “But we decided this would work better this year,” he smiles.
We gather around the tree. I get on my knees in front with Gabby as the others bend down or stand around us.
Zander sets his phone on a dining chair and positions it to catch all of us before setting the timer and quickly sitting beside me.
His phone takes several rapid pics, and he checks to make sure they turned out.
We have one where everyone is smiling, and he promises to text us a copy later.
Alex and Gabby usually hand out presents to everyone, so they stand near the tree as we all find seats around the room.
They've found the best method is for us to open gifts from one person at a time, so we start with Alex’s presents.
We open them and throw the wrapping paper behind us once his gifts are handed out.
This continues through Bay, E, Zander, Troy, Gabby, and finally my presents. Not everyone bought for everyone else, but nobody seems to mind.
I sit back and watch with a smile on my face as my gifts are opened. I hope I did okay and everyone likes what I selected.
I got Troy movie passes. Bay got a sweatshirt and 2 pairs of mechanic's work gloves since he was complaining his were getting threadbare.
I got Alex a medical journal subscription from the UK and a herbal medicine textbook.
I gifted E a cooking class that will happen in February and a new apron.
Gabby got a gift certificate to her favorite clothing store and a Sephora facial gift set.
Finally, I got Seb a t-shirt and tickets to an NBA game in Charlotte.
The Hornets are playing the Celtics, his favorite team.
Our group seems extremely pleased with all the presents. Zander and Troy pick up the wrapping paper into garbage bags, while we each gather our gifts into the various bags kicking around. I place my and Zander’s presents back under the tree. We're saving our gifts for each other until tomorrow.
Once the mess is cleaned up, we hang around the living room, watching movies and looking over our presents.
Zander orders Chinese for lunch, which we eat at the table and island before everyone leaves.
I give Gabby and the guys all hugs and wish them a Merry Christmas.
Bay takes Olivia’s gift with him so she can open it in the morning with her other presents.
He has family coming over for dinner tomorrow, and Steven's invited a few people to have dinner with him, Alex, and E.
I flop back on the couch after the last person is out the door. “That was amazing, Dad.”
“It was darling,” he smiles. We show each other what we received since we didn't get a chance to earlier. I got printed photos to add to my photo album and a bracelet from Bay, a selection of essential oils from Alex, an indoor plant and seeds from E, and a pair of earrings from Seb.
I grab the pjs for Ray and Jake and our gifts while Zander turns off the tree and fireplace, then he drives us to their condo. Ray greets us at the door, ushering us inside. “Merry Christmas,” I smile.
“Merry Christmas, you two. How are you?”
“Great. I have matching pjs for you and Jake,” I tell him, handing his over. “Please get changed, and I’ll give these to Will.”
Ray nods and heads for his bedroom.
I go into Jake’s room next, kissing his cheek. “Merry Christmas, handsome. How’s your day going?”
“Good Sum,” he smiles. “I like your pjs.”
“Good, because I have a pair for you too. Will, would you mind helping Jake change?”
“Sure, Summer,” he smiles.
I leave them to it and rejoin Zander at the island. Ray has the tree on, but the tv is off. He comes out of his room wearing his pjs. “I still have all of Jake’s Christmas pajamas in a box somewhere,” Ray tells me. “I’m honored to be included this year. Glad you kept up the tradition.”
“I actually haven’t, but Seb showed up this morning with matching pjs for everyone, and I’m glad. I'd like to keep the tradition alive,” I reply.
Will pokes his head out to tell us Jake is ready. Ray enters his bedroom first, before Zander and me.
“Hey Jake, looking good,” I smile.
“You actually got Dad into matching pjs,” Jake smiles before seeing Zander behind me. “Who is that Sum?” He inquires.
“Jake, I’d like you to meet my dad, Zander. He actually met you a few times before you woke up and was the one who found the trial,” I say.
Zander comes over beside me and smiles at Jake. “It’s nice to meet you officially, Jake. I’m so pleased the trial worked.”
“Thank you,” Jake replies. “You have Sum’s eyes,” he notices.
“They're actually from my great grandfather. We live in their house.”
“I’ll grab a photo of Zander and put it on the wall,” Ray offers.
“Good idea,” I reply. “Did you have a good day yesterday?”
“It was okay,” he shrugs. “Did you get your shopping done?”
“Yup. My friends came over this morning, and we exchanged gifts. Oh, and we’ll bring turkey dinner over tomorrow for you guys.”
“With stuffing?”
“Of course,” I say, rolling my eyes. Jake loves stuffing as much as I do. “I’ll make coconut cream too.”
“You’re the best, Sum.”
Ray comes back in and hangs Zander’s photo beside Seb's. There’s only two pictures up now. Jake can remember both Will and Janus, which is great. “Shall we exchange gifts?” Zander asks.
“Oh, yes, definitely. I’ll be right back,” I tell everyone. I go back to the island and grab the two bags of gifts Zander and I got, and Ray grabs two items from under the tree. I pass Will, Ray, and Jake their gifts.
“Summer, you really didn’t need to get me a gift,” Will says, looking a little uncomfortable.
“Suck it up, Will. You’re family now,” I reply.
Zander and Ray both chuckle at me, and Jake gives me a smile. “Sum loves giving gifts, Will. She likes it better than receiving. No use fighting her,” Jake tells him.
“Can I open yours for you, Jake?”
“Go for it,” he smiles.
I unwrap Zander’s gift first. It’s a Washington Capitols hoodie, Jake’s favorite NHL team. “That’s really nice, thanks,” Jake responds.
I unwrap mine next. I got Jake a tablet, headphones, and several dvds including hockey games and movies. “I got you some action movies and the last season of the NHL. The tablet is for later. I figured you could use it as your computer since it’s lighter than a laptop.”
“Amazing Sum. Thank you,” Jake smiles.
“Thanks for the movie passes, Summer,” Will says.
I look over at Ray, who seems to struggle a bit with his gift. “Dad, what’s wrong?” Jake asks.
“Nothing, son,” he replies, taking a deep breath. “Summer’s gift just made me emotional.” He stands up to show Jake the photos I framed. There is one of the three of us camping, one of Jake and me shortly before the accident, and another of the three of us in Charlotte after Jake woke up.
“You didn’t seem to have many personal items, so I wanted to help with that,” I explain. I found the two older photos among Jake’s belongings.
Ray gives me a hug. “Thank you,” he whispers. I pat his back, and he steps back.
“Zander, I appreciate the gift card as well,” Ray tells him. “I have a small gift for each of you,” he says, grabbing two gift bags and handing each of us one.
Opening the bag, I find a Big Hero 6 pajama set. Laughing, I pull it out to show Jake.
“Seems fitting,” Jake replies with a smile.
“Thanks, Ray, I love it.”
“You’re welcome, Summer. It seems Zander and I had the same idea.”
Zander holds up a dining gift card, the same one he got Ray. “Great minds and all that,” he smiles.
We sit and visit, ending up having dinner with them before heading back home.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” I call before walking out.
I'm so pleased with Ray today. He was so jolly and thankful, like his old self.
I imagine this Christmas differs vastly from the last few for him.
There's so much to be grateful for this year.
Zander makes hot chocolate and snacks while I call Sue quickly. My package to her arrived in time, and she’s going to open her gift with Mal. They're having dinner at Sue’s place tomorrow.
I send a text to Mal and Sarah before grabbing the throw and snuggling down into the couch corner. Zander sets a tray of hot chocolates and cookies between us and then turns the fireplace and tree back on before stretching himself out. “What movie should we watch first, darling?”
“How about the Santa Claus trilogy?” I reply.
“Perfect,” he smiles before turning the first movie on.