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Chapter Twelve

Reece and I spent the next two hours trying to find stuff for our parents. We succeeded for the most part; got that adult stuff people like. Purse for our mom and new ties for our dad. Mom specifically told us not to buy her anything, but we did anyway. We wouldn't be good children if we didn't.

The only Christmas shopping I had left was for the boys in my life, Luca, Ryder, Reece and Pierce. I was contemplating getting something for Grayson but I didn't feel like it was a good move. We weren't on speaking terms and I knew I wouldn't see him until school started, so I had time in case I did change my mind.

Reece's present was going to be the easiest. I could get him any type of clothing or shoes and he'd be happy. He loved to be fashionable. Even though I never got to have fashion in my life, I knew what would make him happy.

Luca and Ryder were going to be the most difficult to buy for. Though, I did know they'd be happy with literally anything. Christmas wasn't the greatest time in our old home. So, I wanted to get them something special. I just hadn't really thought of what.

Pierce was in the middle. I wasn't sure what way to go when it came to giving him a present. I didn't know if I should give him a sentimental gift or more of a materialist one. At the end of the day, I knew what I got him really didn't matter because he'd always just say that I was his Christmas present.

At the end of shopping day one, we all met up for dinner. Lucy tried for hours to pull what I got her out of me, but I wasn't letting it slip. She only had a few days to wait. She was going to have to suffer.

Luca had no interest in asking about presents, that boy was all into his food. He was hating this shopping trip as much as our dad probably would be hating it if he were here. The only thing he was looking forward to was food and the ride home. Going home was one step closer to getting the presents. That's all he could ever hope for when we had grown up with nothing.

Shopping day two was a bit of an easier day than I thought. My mom was a huge help in shopping for the boys. She pointed out things that Luca had shown interest in the day before. That checked one person off the list.

Reece was the next person I bought for. I got him shoes as I originally planned. The fashionista herself, Lucy, helped me pick the ones she knew he'd love. Apparently, every shoe I picked was 'out of fashion'. So, I ended up just picking what she wanted for him.

My youngest brother was definitely giving me the most trouble when buying for. I felt like I knew him least out of my siblings. Ryder and I were never close. Even if I did raise him, we just never had a tight bond. I asked Casey for some ideas but she gave the usual answer of 'anything will make him happy'. So, she was no help to me. I ended up deciding on getting him a sandbox for the Bradbury's backyard with all the sand toys a kid could hope for. 

The final piece of shopping I had to do was for Pierce. Lucy, mom and I, went through shop after shopping just trying to find something for him. Nothing felt right. I knew that Pierce would go out of his way to get me something special. I couldn't let him down.

I dropped down onto a bench that sat in the middle of the mall. Lucy followed my actions. My mom stood in front of us staring at how defeated we looked.

"Don't get discouraged Charlee." My mom reached her hand out, placing it on my shoulder as I ran my fingers through my hair.

"What do you get someone who means so much? Like I feel like no amount of money could even begin to show what he deserves. I feel like I'm better off getting him nothing than getting a disappointing gift."

"What is something that he loves? Football, right?" My mom was suggesting anything at this point.

"I mean yes, but the Pierce I knew before here, he was, not a football man. It's not right to get him something sports related." I looked down at the jacket draped over my body. "Wait," I ran my fingers over the leather on my skin, "I can get him a new jacket." I smiled as the idea lit a fire in me.

"I know just the place."

Just like that the three of us took off across the mall. With an idea in mind, my mom was on a mission to find a jacket that matched Pierce's old one. It didn't have to be exactly the same but my mom was stuck on this idea of us being a matching couple. Typical moms am I right?

After a good hour of looking at the same leather jackets over and over again, my mom held one up to her. "That's the one."

I walked over to my mom and ran my fingers over the fabric. The jacket was new and unweathered. It didn't have the stitching of his sister's name engraved into it. But it felt like it was Pierce, not just any Pierce, but my Pierce. I pulled the jacket from my mom's hands and pulled it toward my chest.

"That's definitely the one." My mom had a smile that matched mine.

With finding the jacket the shopping trip officially came to a close. We met up with the boys for a final shopping dinner before heading back to our hotel rooms for one last night in this new city.

Reece and I returned to our room with arms full of shopping bags. I was glad that we had finally gotten over our drama. This trip was good for everyone. It bonded us deeper as a family. It sucked that our dad didn't join us, but I understood his reasoning for not coming. Shopping is stressful and difficult. Sometimes it really isn't worth the hassle when someone else can do it.

"What did you end up getting my best friend?" Reece said as he dropped down onto his bed.

I grabbed the bag holding Pierce's present and got onto my own bed. I pulled the jacket from its bag and laid it out on the bed in front of me. "A new jacket."

"New?" Reece looked at me with a puzzled face. 

"The leather jacket I wear is Pierce's. He left it for me back in the group home. Along with that letter, the one I showed you when you didn't believe me. So, with the help of mom, I came up with this as an idea. It's not complete. I've got to add a few things to it but, that's what my boyfriend is getting. What did you get Harlow?"

"Nothing. We aren't dating. I don't have to get her anything. We went over this yesterday."

"Reece, you're stupid." I threw a pillow off my bed at him. "You like the girl and she's finally on the same field as you. The least you could have done is got her a bracelet or something. Nothing fancy. I mean I guess a bracelet is fancy. But come on."

Reece shook his head at me ending the conversation there. He did know her better than I did. I guess I really shouldn't push him too much. I knew he loved the girl and if he felt she would have wanted something; he would have gotten it.