Page 102 of Until You Came Along
“Merry Christmas, my love,” he greeted me, after leaving me dazed with that kiss.
“Merry Christmas, my love,” I also greeted him, caressing his cheeks.
Afterward, we hugged the rest of the family and went out to the garden to enjoy the fireworks that lit up the sky. While we embraced looking up at the sky admiring those lights and colors, I noticed that Catalina was watching us with emotion. In contrast, Baco had gone to the middle of the garden and was already ready to light the fireworks he had brought. He looked like a child with a new toy. After several minutes, Hermes joined him and both brothers enjoyed that moment as if they were in childhood. It brought me immense joy to see them together and happy because I knew from Baco that it had been many yearssince Hermes had joined him in anything that wasn't related to company business.
“Delfina, I have no words to thank you for the joy you've brought to this family. Seeing my sons sharing this moment and laughing together, especially seeing Hermes laugh like that...” her voice broke and I put my arm around her shoulders.
“I understand, let's enjoy watching those two accomplices who look like little children.”
“They remind me of when they were children and played together. Even though Hermes is several years older, they always found some game to share,” she said, looking at them with eyes glistening with emotion.
“They look happy.”
“We're all happy, sweetheart.”
Seeing those brothers united made me feel nostalgic for my own brother, and I stepped away a bit to call Tom and wish him well. I told him that I was spending time with my boyfriend and his family and reminded him again that in a few days I would be traveling with Hermes so we could all spend New Year's together. I had already told Tom about my relationship with Hermes, and he was happy to see me in love and happy. I also called Serafina and spoke with her and her parents.
After several minutes of fun and with no more fireworks, the Darwich brothers approached us.
“Shall we open the gifts?” I suggested.
“Let's go,” said Hermes, taking my hand and pulling me to go back inside the house.
“Baco, would you like to hand them out?” Hermes proposed.
“Of course,” he replied, crouching at the foot of the tree and taking the gifts to read their names and begin distributing them.
After distributing all of them, and there were quite a few because each person had bought gifts for everyone else, we sat on the living room sofas to open them. I watched them and was delighted to see their faces of amazement each time they opened a package. When Hermes opened the one I had bought him, I waited expectantly to see his reaction. He opened the box and took the pen and fountain pen as if they were treasures.
“This one is from you,” he stated, looking at me with gratitude.
“Do you like it?”
“How can you ask me that? It's too much...”
“If you like it, I've achieved my goal. I bought it for you with much love,” I responded.
“They will always be with me,” he said.
“What wonderful gifts we have received!” exclaimed Catalina. “Sweetheart, you haven’t opened yours yet.”
“That’s true, my love. Open them,” said Hermes.
“I just didn’t want to miss a single detail of your faces when you were opening yours. I swear it was such a beautiful and moving moment.”
“Thank you all!” said Catalina.
At that moment, everyone was watching me, waiting for me to open my gifts, and I had to do it with three pairs of expectant eyes fixed on me. The first one I opened was a beautiful blue blouse, a gift from Catalina. I thanked her and promised to wear it the next time we saw each other. The second was from Baco, who gave me a beautiful brown leather planner personalized with my name in gold, but the detail was that he had put a bunch of bookmarks that said: “see my friend Baco,” “have dinner with my friend Baco,” “go out with my friend Baco,” etc., etc. When I read it, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. Hermes took the planner and looked at the bookmark details.
“Don’t even think about it,” Hermes stated. “At most I’ll allow one or two of these bookmarks and only if they’re during the day. The night is always mine.”
“You’re a damn control freak,” said Baco, pretending to be offended, but the rest of us couldn’t stop laughing.
When I had Hermes’ gift in my hands, I noticed how anxious he was for me to open it, and not just him, the others were also watching without blinking. I assumed that since it had been so many years since Hermes had behaved this way, no one had any idea what he might have bought me. Besides, it was his first gift because we had never given each other anything before. When I tore off the wrapping, I found a small box from a well-known jewelry store, and when I opened it, I was fascinated by what I saw. Inside was a beautiful gold necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant. It was spectacular. I took it out of the box and looked at Hermes completely enchanted.
“It’s beautiful! I’ll always wear it too. Can you help me put it on?” I asked, as I handed him the necklace and turned so he could fasten the clasp.
“Done,” said Hermes, with a big smile.
