New Girl // A.I (completed)

twenty-one

**TW: Death**

< Wednesday >
< Christmas Day >

{ Payton }

"Payton! Wake up! Santa came!" my little brothers yelled as they jumped on me. I laughed and slowly opened my eyes,

"Come on sissy!" Jude tugged my arm,

"Okay okay. I'm getting up" I laughed, sitting up and grabbing my phone, seeing a text from my boyfriend,

-messages-

Ash🥰: [ Merry Christmas
Pay😘🎄]
[ I'll pick you up at
8:30 for breakfast ]

[ Merry Christmas Ashh😘 ]
[ and I'll be ready.
We're opening Santa presents now ]

————

Every year my friends do breakfast on Christmas Day morning and I was invited this year. Ashton told me he'd pick me up and we'd exchange presents.

But first I had to get up and follow my brothers downstairs where my mom and grandparents were waiting for us. My grandparents came from Hawaii to see us. My dad's parents went to my cousins instead of ours,

"Good morning kids" my mom smiled,

"Morning" I smiled back, "Oh um Ashton's picking me up at 8:30 for breakfast"

"That's fine" Mom nodded.

My brothers and I started opening presents but there was just a weird feeling in the room. My dad wasn't here and he should be. Hell, we still don't even know where he is. So there's a lot of emotions. Plus my brothers have never had Christmas without my dad.

I finished opening my stuff way before my brothers. I had gotten a lot of clothes and shoes, but I also got a new MacBook for when I go to college in the fall.

I checked my phone again and I figured I should go get ready.

I headed back up to my room and got dressed, deciding on leggings, a white shirt, and Ashton's flannel that I stole.

As I did my makeup and hair, my grandma walked into my room, leaning against the doorframe of my bathroom,

"Your boyfriend is so sweet" she gushed. I blushed a little,

"He's here?"

"Mhm brought your mom a gift and everything"

I internally aww'd. I had gotten Anne something too but took it over the other night. I actually met his grandparents then too.

"He seems like a nice young man"

"He's amazing" I smiled as there was a knock on my bedroom door. I followed my grandma out as Ashton walked in,

"Hi" he cheesed, hugging me and kissing my cheek, "You about ready?"

I nodded and my grandma helped me put my friends' presents in a tote bag. Ashton then took it and carried it as he followed us downstairs,

"Bye! Drive safe please!" my mom hollered as Ashton and I walked out to his Jeep.

We got in and as soon as the doors were shut, Ashton leaned over and kissed my lips. He pulled away after a minute then gave me another peck before putting his seatbelt on,

"Your grandparents are so nice" he beamed, backing out of my driveway then taking my hand and letting them rest on the stick,

"My grandma came up to my room and was telling me how nice you were" I chuckled. Ashton laughed and squeezed my hand, before getting serious,

"How are you? I mean I know your dad's not here for Christmas"

I sighed and looked down,

"It's tough. Especially since we don't know if he's dead or alive"

Ashton nodded as we came to a stop at a red light. He looked over and gave me a light peck,

"I'm here for you whenever and for anything. Just give me a call or text and I'll be right there"

****

My friends and I all sat around a table, with empty plates of food littering it. We were all having a good laugh and exchanging presents.

After we all paid, we all left to go home. Ashton and I got back in his Jeep but we didn't leave yet because we wanted to exchange our presents.

"You go first" I spoke, putting the bag in his hands. Ashton laughed and pulled the tissue paper out then the gifts I got him. I had gotten him a new pullover, his favorite cologne, a Killers record, and a little keychain that had a picture of the two of us in it,

"Thank you baby"

He then reached into the backseat and handed me a bag,

"So, I, uh, only got two things" he mumbled,

"Ashton you didn't even have to get me anything at all," I told him. He rolled his eyes and told me to open it.

I opened it slowly and the first thing I pulled out was a picture frame that held three pictures. Each one was of me and Ashton. The first one was me on his shoulders. The middle one was us kissing and he's smiling into it. And the last one was us at a carnival and he's piggybacking me and I'm kissing his cheek,

"I love this" I aww'd,

"There's one more thing" he nodded his head. I nodded and reached in, pulling out a necklace box. I slowly opened it up and saw it was a silver necklace with an 'A' on it. It resembled the necklace Troy gave Gabriella in High School Musical,

"You're my Gabriella" Ashton smiled, gently taking the necklace and putting it on me,

"I love this Ashton. Thank you"

"Of course" he smiled and kissed me, "Now I should probably get you home so you can have Christmas with your family"

****

Getting back to my house, my nerves went up when I saw the military licensed vehicle in my driveway,

"That's a good thing right?" Ashton asked, "Maybe your dad's home?"

I shook my head as tears came to my eyes,

"He's dead" I started to cry, "They wouldn't come here unless he's dead"

I unbuckled myself and got out, grabbing my presents,

"I'll text you later," I told Ashton,

"Yeah" he nodded, "If you need anything at all, please let me know"

I nodded and quickly kissed him before walking up to my front door.

I took a breath and looked back at my driveway where Ashton was still parked. He always waits for me to walk into the house before he leaves. I gave him one last wave then opened my front door.

I sat my gifts by the steps then entered the living room where my grandparents held my crying brothers and my mom was sat in front of two military officers,

"He's dead isn't he?" I croaked out,

"Yes. We received a video of your father being killed yesterday"

Tears were flowing down my face now,

"Will we get his body back to do a service?" my mom questioned,

"Yes, but you can't have an open casket" they explained.

My little brothers ran to me and hugged me. I held them back as Mom then joined us,

"I'm so sorry kids" she whispered, kissing each of our heads, "We're okay though. I promise"

"But it's Christmas" Evan whined, "He wasn't supposed to go away"

"I know honey but he's in a better and safer place now" Mom assured.

We all nodded and held each other longer, trying to wrap our heads around my father's death"

"We're okay"