Melting Ice

Chapter 64

Eventually, by 10am, we round up everything together downstairs. My mum and Cato's mug boil the milk and water for hot chocolate with fresh whipped cream and cookies. Kayla comes down last, still in her onesie and seats herself on my lap.
"Merry Christmas", she says, giving me and Cato a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Merry Christmas Kayla. Did you open your stocking?".
"Yeah. I got lots of chocolate-".
"Which your obviously going to share", Cato jokes, swinging her arm around my shoulder.
"Yeah, right".
"Who wants hot chocolate?", asks my mum and the response is positive.
The presents are handed out from under the tree and we all end up with a large pile! My first one if from Kayla, which I carefully open, and find a brown leather bag with golden zips and a variety of pockets.
"Look inside!", she calls from across the other side of the room as she opens up her own present. I do so. Inside is a blue bottle labeled "Vanilla and cinnamon body mist".
"This smells so good!", I exclaim, showing it excitedly to Cato, "Thank you Kayla!". I briefly hug her before jumping back onto Cato's lap to open up the next present. This one is Cane and inside is a pretty transparent rose shaped bottle with pink liquid. On a the front is fancy french writing.
"Thank you Cane".
"No problem", Cane replies, he head turned away from me, clearly to occupied with Carla who's hand both this hands, gazing into his eyes dreamily. Along with this is a few bottles of nail varnish and make up.
"Open mine Clovey!", squeals Carla, handing me a heavy box.
"Woah, what's in this?", I laugh, shaking it slightly.
"Don't shake it, it's fragile!". Taking care, I unwarp it, trying not to rip any of the cute flowery wrapping paper. What's inside almost brings tears to my eyes: two black, beautifully carved, frames with two pictures. One of them was taken on a sunny day about 10 years ago. Carla and I were in my plaza, just finished our icecream with the water fountains spluttering water on us. A group of our school friends were in the background, splashing about. With a towels laid underneath us, we rested on our elbows and awaited the familiar click of the camera. The second was taken more recently than the last. Us richer districts got an annual fair where there would be candyfloss , rides and a beautiful sunset. In this photo, our backs are turned, our hands up in the air, listening the the band playing music into the evening light.
"Carla, it's beautiful!".
The rest of the day was magical. It was full of twinkly lights, family photos, open fires, good food and a family movie. For the first time in ages, I felt like we were a real family, with my legs swung around to the side and Cato's head resting on my lap. At the other end of the couch Jay sits with Isabelle on his lap, playing with her hair in soft curls. My parents and Cato's parents share another couch, casually sitting. My dads arm draped over my mums shoulder. Kayla sits on the ground, occasionally yawning or replying to a text from Xander. Finally, Jay sits upright, his legs bent so Isabelle can sit inbetween. We all look happy, and I honestly couldn't be happier; we've come so far.
The day I was born was apparently one of the happiest days of my parents life. Occurring to my mum and dad, was was born earlier, on a Thursday at 02:47. My mum held me first and whispered, "Welcome to the harsh world princess. Mummy and daddy will keep you safe", then she kissed my head before I fell asleep. Stories like these seem to stick in my mind, just like Isabelle's first reaping.
Isabelle walked down the stairs, in her velvety blue dress with a big bow. At the time, all girls wore dresses like this, I also had a matching one which I insisted on wearing.

I'm a little bit board so I think I might write a short story to do with Kayla?