Page 19 of Merry Mayhem
When you know, you know. And I know that I'm in love with Gretchen. She's who I want to be with and there's no going back for me. I'm done.
“Oh, wow.” Gretchen's awed whisper pulls me from my thoughts, and I focus on her. Paper is crumpled around her and she's holding a jewelry box. Her eyes are clouded with tearsand she tips the open box toward me. Inside is a necklace and earrings, the shining gems set to look like snowflakes.
Gavin watches her reaction proudly and when she wipes a single tear from her cheek, he says, “I knew you'd like it. I knew it!”
I dip my head to the side as his snow shoveling plan making sense now. The girl he wanted to buy a gift for was Gretchen. “That was a good choice.”
He comes to my side and says quietly, “I thought it was pretty. Just like her.”
“It is. I mean it. That was a good pick.”
“Thanks.” He looks down at the box in my hands. “You need to open yours.”
I don't. Not really. What's in the box doesn't actually matter to me. What matters is that he thought of me, took the time to wrap this gift, and have it waiting under the tree for me. Not as an afterthought, but because he wanted me to be here.
But under his hopeful eyes, I pry open the lid, and pull out a frame. When I turn it over, I see one of the snowflakes we made the other night is secured inside, and written on it is:
Thank you, Cooke, for helping make this Christmas the best one ever.
Love, Gavin
My eyes fill and I don't bother to swipe at the moisture I know is there. I just open my arms and Gavin steps into them, giving me a hug I didn't realize I needed.
And I understand. The Christmas gift I've always wanted.
It's this. It's family.
Gretchen joins us, wrapping her arms around us both, and we stay like that for a while, just enjoying being close to each other.
When we break apart, Gretchen taps another present and says, “This one's from me.”
I pull the paper off, curiosity getting to me, and when I open it, I start laughing. Inside are three boxes of boxed stuffing.
“This way you'll know you can have your favorite comfort food any time.”
It's simple and thoughtful. The whole morning is. There aren't a lot of presents, but each one is met with joy and appreciation.
Gretchen's reaction to my gift for her is surprising. She holds up the card and her mouth drops open.
“What is this?” she asks, her voice trembling a little.
“That is a prepaid spa day. Full body massage, facial, whatever you want. Just call them up and schedule it.”
She shakes her head, and I easily anticipate her objections.
“You spend every single day taking care of other people. Your patients, Gavin, even me,” I say, holding up a box of stuffing. “You deserve a day of rest. Where the only one being taken care of is you.”
Gavin sits on the couch beside her, putting an arm around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder.
“This is a good present, Gretchen. Really good.”
Finally, she nods and then looks to me. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
We pick up the discarded wrapping paper and throw it away.
“All right, you two.” Gretchen's regained control of her emotions, and her beautiful smile is back. “Time to get cooking.”
