Page 74 of The Hookup Situation

“Morning boys,” Dad says. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” we say in unison.

“It’s good to see you again, Jackson.”

“Thank you, it’s good to see you all, too.”

Mom and Paris saunter over from the kitchen and Mom’s eyes fill with tears as she smiles and takes us in, our hands clasped.

“My boys,” she says, putting her hand over her heart. “Come here, Jackson.” She holds her arms out and he goes to her. I see their shoulders shaking as they cry and then they’re pulling back and Mom is resting her hand on his cheek.

“We’re so glad you’re here,” she says.

“Easy for you to say,” Paris pipes up. “I’ll have to work for twenty five years to earn enough to pay for all the therapy I’m gonna need after listening to them go at it last night.”

“Oh, stop,” Mom shushes him. “They’re just two healthy boys in love. Nothing wrong with that.”

Paris groans as Jackson flushes, and Dad and I laugh.

We eat breakfast gathered around the table, and I can’t stop smiling and squeezing Jackson’s hand. It means everything to me that he’s here, willing to give us a chance, trusting me to treat him with the care and love he deserves, and I won’t fuck that up. I’ll do everything I can to make sure he knows that he’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

After breakfast we gather in the living room and open presents. Jackson has tears in his eyes when Mom hands him one.

“You got me something?” he says. “But you didn’t even know I’d be here.”

“I had a feeling,” she says, with a smile. “And if I was wrong that’s what returns are for.”

We laugh and he opens it. Inside the box is a pair of winter boots, a black and red scarf that will look amazing on him, a matching headband and a pair of thick black gloves.

“Now you have your own things for when you go sledding with us,” Dad says.

“I got the headband instead of the hat because I noticed you don’t like wearing things over your hair,” Mom chimes in.

Jackson is smiling as tears slide down his cheeks. “Oh my god, that’s so sweet. Thank you. I love it.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” Mom tells him.

After everyone else has had a chance to open a present, Mom hands another one to Jackson.

“That’s from me,” I tell him, and he looks at me, startled. “What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t get you anything. I didn’t even think of it. Shit.”

I shake my head and grip his cheeks in my hands, planting a kiss on his lips. “You gave me the best present in the world last night.”

“Oh, gross,” Paris gags. “Seriously?”

I laugh. “Not that. Though it’s definitely a close second,” I murmur.

Paris groans and Mom and Dad laugh.

“I meant you,” I tell Jackson. “I don’t need anything else.”

“Oh, well, good, I’ll just take these back then,” Paris says, scooting out of his chair and reaching for the water bottle and T-shirt he gave me. The shirt has the words “College student” on it, but the “ent” is crossed out. It’s corny and amazing.

“Hey,” I snatch the gift and he laughs. “Mine.”

Jackson laughs, too, and tears the paper off the medium-sized box in his hands, before lifting the lid. “Oh my god,” he says, pulling out the Evenstar necklace. He’s beaming and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that smile. “This is amazing.”

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