The Harper Family: Colliding Paths (Wattpad Version)

Revelations

Dyson

I woke up Christmas morning and celebrated Christmas with Gertie and Gabby. I forced a smile, but it wasn't the same. I missed my family.

After opening gifts, I checked out the watch Gertie gave me.

"Oh, I almost forgot. I left your present outside." Gabby got up and walked to the front door.

Confusion filled my face. "Why would you leave my present outside?"

Gabby opened the door and stepped aside. Ma, Decker, and Dixon entered. My eyes widened, and my jaw dropped.

"That's the first time we've seen you speechless," Dixon said.

Decker chuckled.

I sprung to my feet, rushed to my family, and threw my arms around them.

"Merry Christmas, pudding pop," Ma said.

"I don't even care that you called me a nickname I hate." I squeezed them tighter.

I held my ma and brothers tighter. Gifts didn't mean anything to me. Seeing my family was the best present. I let go of my family and turned to Gabby. Gabby smiled.

"I can't believe you do this for me," I said.

"Christmas doesn't mean as much unless you celebrate it with your family."

"I couldn't love you more than I do right now."

Gabby's smile grew bigger. I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her. She placed her hands on my face and kissed me back.

Then I introduced Ma to Gertie and Gabby officially. Gertie hugged Ma as Ma returned it.

"Thank you for taking my boy in," Ma told Gertie.

"Anytime," Gertie said.

Gabby and I grabbed hot coffee for everyone and sat around the living room. We visited with my family until they had to leave.

A few hours later, Gabby's uncles arrived with their families. Gabby introduced me to her aunts and cousins. Her uncles greeted me again. We sat around the living room and opened gifts before having dinner.

My mind drifted to what my family was doing. Most would be gathered at Uncle Elias and Aunt Tori's house, celebrating Christmas.

When Gertie and Gabby's family left, they carried gifts upstairs. I sat down on the couch with my phone. My finger hovered over the screen until I pressed a contact.

Aunt Tori answered the phone and put it on speaker. "Okay, say hi."

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, bud," Grandpa said.

"Hey, Grandpa."

"How's it going?"

"It's going. Decker and Dixon stopped by to see me."

"What about your folks?"

"Ma visited briefly. I'm not ready to see my dad yet." I rubbed my forehead.

"Give it time."

"Yeah, sure."

"Dyson, I raised your dad. I was there the day you were born. Your dad wouldn't put you down the entire time."

"What?"

"Yeah. He said you weren't breathing when you were born. He thought he had lost you."

My mouth dropped open in shock.

"It was the same way when we had your uncle, Elias. He didn't cry, so we thought something was wrong."

It took a few minutes for me to find my voice. "But Uncle Elias is deaf."