Happiness [Book 2]

Chapter 44 - Last Christmas

I woke up by myself in the morning morning; I was just plain excited for Christmas for some reason, even though I wouldn't have Ryder. I got out of bed, pulling on a jumper and tying up my hair in a bun.

I walked out of my room and to the kitchen, where Mom was sitting with a cup of tea. "Merry Christmas, Mom!" I smiled, running over to her and giving a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Marley!" Mom smiled. I jumped into my seat across from her, smiling back at Mom. "Today, you and me will have a Christmas lunch, in which we will trade gifts then." Mom smiled, slurping her cup of tea.

I nodded, before standing up. "Let's watch Love, Actually for our yearly tradition of watching a movie!" I jumped excitedly, running to the lounge room and putting the disc in the DVD player.

Love, Actually is one of my favourite Christmas movies. I hadn't watched it in years, so I was desperate to watch it this year - finally. And maybe a movie would make me forget about Ryder not being there.

"First, Marley, I want you to sing for me." Mom smiled as I sat next to her with the DVD remote in my hand.

"Okay, what song?" I smiled at her as she tapped her fingers, looking to the window.

"Last Christmas - the Britt Nicole version." She grinned, looking back at me.

"Okay, Mom." I mumbled, searching through my phone for the instrumental. I smiled as I clicked play and looked at Mom:

Marley:

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

I smiled at Mom and she was mouthing along the words to my singing. 

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

Once bitten and twice shy

I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye

Tell me, baby, do recognize me?

Well, it’s been a year, it doesn’t surprise me

Happy Christmas, I wrapped it up and sent it

With a note saying ‘I love you’, I meant it

Now I know what a fool I’ve been

But if you kiss me now, I know you’d fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

A crowded room of friends with tired eyes

I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice

Oh yeah, I thought you were someone to rely on

Me, I guess I was a shoulder to cry on

A face on a lover with a fire in his heart

You’re a man undercover, but you’re tearing me apart

Now I’ve found real love

You’ll never fool me again

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

Last Christmas, I gave you my heart

But the very next day, you gave it away.

This year, to save me from tears

I’ll give it to someone special

When I finished, Mom applauded me with a large smile. "Beautiful, Marley." She completmented. "As always." I leaned over and gave Mom a kiss on the cheek. 

As I did that, my phone vibrated against my leg. I picked it up and opened it, reading the message I got:

Jake: Hi, M. I did promise you this'd be the best Christmas ever, so I got you a present that will make you the happiest person ever. It'll come later though! Enjoy, have a great day. Jakee xox <3

I stared at the message, before reading it aloud to Mom. Mom had a frown, but she had a look of truth in her eyes... a truth I was confused about.

I put my phone away after sending Jake a thanks, and then there was a knock at the door. I exchanged a glance with Mom, who shrugged at me. "Can you get the door, Marls?" Mom asked. I nodded with a small smile and stood. I walked to the door and unlocked it before opening it the whole way, making it hit the back wall.

My mouth dropped open and I went numb. I had far too many emotions coursing through me. 

It felt like I was in a dream suddenly - like it wasn't real. It probably wasn't real and it was my stupid brain convincing me it was real. That this was happening.

I moved my hand away from the door and smashed my hand on the door. I felt a tad bit of pain run through my body, giving me the fact that this was real. It was for real. The pain only hit me seconds after. "Ow," I said, my face still in it's shocked form. He smiled and let a chuckle escape his lips. 

It took me a moment to realise how real this was. This moment in time was real. It was not a dream. Not at all. This was real. 

Ryder is real.

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Song: Last Christmas by Britt Nicole