Exchange Gift

Epilogue

Milk and Love are carrying 3 boxes of pizza. They have learned their lesson from last year. No more all out baking for Christmas Eve dinner. Especially not now that they are three in the family.

Luisa Marie is the cute little foster kid that has been staying with them for months now and soon, the papers for her adoption will make it legal. Not that they need some judge to formally declare Luisa as their child. She has been theirs the moment she ran into Milk's arms.

That's not to say that this years dinner was any less special.

This may actually be one of the most special they've had in a while.

For one, New Vihaan Techaapaikhun was here. Still as a plus one but this time Tay's. And the chaotic duo were currently helping decorate the living room - strewing lights and garlands everywhere. It kind of looked like a bunch of elves puked up Christmas but it wasn't any better than the job Namtan and First were doing at the dining area.

In the background a random ass Spotify playlist was playing - jumping from Itzy to a soulful voice singing:

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life, too
For I can't help falling in love with you..

The ever fastidious Love normally would have hated the mess of it all. But this was mess made with love and she could never feel anything but happiness when her friends were involved.

Bright and Win were on their way, tasked to pick up the roast beef and Christmas ham.

Their three dogs (couldn't stop at one) and one cat were left to a pet caretaker - something that made Win anxious and also made them run late.

But no worries, the two were just a few minutes away now. And everyone was excited to open Christmas presents.

In fact, they were so excited that the moment Bright Oliver and Win Seneca stepped into the house, Milk immediately announced it was time to open them.

"Can't we eat first?," Win pouts, looking longingly at the meats Love has confiscated from his hands.

"No! Let's do presents first. Luisa has a strict bedtime schedule."

Win didn't want to argue with that. So he sits as he is told. Bright plops down beside him and kisses his cheek. He then produces a caramel from his pocket and presses it on Win's palm.

Surprised by the unexpected treat, Win kisses Bright full on the lips.

First gags. "Okay, I think I liked the two of you more when you were in denial."

Win sticks his tongue out at First.

"Okay! Guys! Gift giving time!" Milk claps her hands to get everyone's attention. "Bickering later. Gifts now."

And the chaos of gift giving ensues.
Wrapping paper flying all over.
Ribbons being stuck on each other's hair.
Everyone teasing Bright for giving vinyls yet again.
Luisa squealing with joy at every doll and Duplo set she opens.
Tay squealing at every gift no matter what it was and getting paper cuts in the process.

Thirty minutes of laughter and photos and unmitigated tearing of paper.

And when it all begins to mellow down, Milk asks: "Before we have dinner. Did everyone get a gift from everyone?"

Win didn't want to make a fuss so he doesn't speak up. Thing was, Bright has not given him anything yet.

But Milk notices him fidgeting and singles him out. "Win? Are you missing a gift?"