Page 19 of The Alpha's Pen Pal

Dear Haven,

By now, you have obviously opened your Christmas gift. I know we never discussed the holidays or talked about whether we would send gifts to each other, but honestly, I felt I needed to do this for you.

I knew you would likely say no to any sort of gift because you’re selfless like that, but I had to get you something. I had to make up for my behavior from before. I know, I know, you said you forgive me, and maybe that’s true, but I just needed to show that I really am serious about being your friend.

When I heard the music from the music boxes in the gift shop in our town, I knew immediately that was what I wanted to get you. And when I saw this music box, I realized it was the perfect choice for you.

I don’t know why or how I knew that. I can’t explain it, but something inside of me just knew that you would love this one the most.

Now, before you open the other envelope, I need to explain myself. This music box is only part of your gift. The other part… well, you’ll see when you open it.

I had help with the second part, from my parents, our teachers, and your parents, too. When I read your most recent letter and saw how much dance and ballet meant to you, I explained my idea to my mom, and she contacted my teacher, who contacted your teacher, who then contacted your parents, who finally got in touch with my parents. Complicated and sort of a circle of he said-she said but, hey. What can I say? It worked.

One last thing, before you open the other envelope. You have to promise me you won’t be mad at me, or try to return the gift or pay me back because you think it is too much money to be spent on you. I may not have ever met you in person, but I feel like I already know how you will react to a gift like this, and I want you to just forget about it, all right? The only thing I ask in return is that you continue to be my friend. Because you are worth it. Our friendship is worth it.

All right. With that being said, you are now allowed to open the other envelope. I hope you enjoy your gift.

Merry Christmas, Haven.

Your friend,

Wes

I set the letter aside. My heart raced in anticipation of what I would find in the other envelope.

He said it was the other part of my Christmas gift, but I couldn’t imagine what it might be, what he could have given me that would fit inside an envelope. The only thing I could think of was money, and I just couldn’t imagine that was what he sent.

Again, I peeled open the envelope, making sure to not rip the paper. Inside were three tickets. Three tickets to a professional production ofThe Nutcracker, right here in Denver, for tonight.

The tickets fell to the table as my trembling hands came up to cover my gaping mouth. I looked at my parents, my eyes wide. I wanted to say something to them, but there were no words I could use to express myself.

It couldn’t be real. There was no way this was actually happening. I pinched my leg as hard as I could, and it hurt, so I wasn’t dreaming. Still, I couldn’t imagine my mom would ever let his family spend that much money on a Christmas gift for me. Not when we didn’t actually know each other, when we’d only ever written letters to each other, and only for a few months at that.

“This is too much,” I whispered, my voice breaking with raw emotion. “I cannot possibly accept this from Wesley and his family. We barely…”

My mom was by my side in an instant. Her arms enveloped me in a hug as she wiped tears from my face that I didn’t even realize were falling.

“Shh… sweetie, there’s no reason to cry. I spoke with his mother for a long time on the phone, and she told me how Wesley has become a completely different young man since the two of you started writing. How he is happier, kinder, and more mature in everything he does. They are so thankful—Wesley and his parents—that you gave him a chance to be your friend. And some people show their affection and appreciation by giving gifts.”

I nodded, even though I didn’t quite understand what she meant, and wrapped my arms around her as she hugged me.

“Thank you, Mom,” I said in her ear as we held onto each other.

Dad came up beside us, and he wrapped both of us up in a hug as well. We stayed like that, embracing each other for a long moment. Then Mom pulled back, her eyes sparkling.

“Now, go wash your face and put on your new dress, so we can all enjoy this lovely gift from your friend and his family.”

I smiled widely at her and leaned forward for one more quick hug before I sprinted up the stairs to get ready, the music box clasped in my hands.

I set it down on my desk when I reached my bedroom. My eye caught on the picture of Wesley I pinned onto my new bulletin board Dad mounted on my wall.

His family said I had changed him since we met, but the truth was, he had changed me. He helped me be more open to receiving love, and without him in my life, I would still be the same closed-off and wary child I had always been. I took a deep breath, and I smiled at his photo.

“Thank you, Wesley. For everything.”

CHAPTER 9

HAVEN

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