BOUND 2 (GxG)

Merry Christmas, Babe

I furrowed my brows as I snuggled deeper into the bed—but upon realizing it was the bed and not Karter, my eyes shot open.

But almost as soon as they shot open, I made direct eye contact with Karter who was laying on her side with a smirk.

"Karter what the actual fuck," I breathed out, holding my chest. "What the fuck are you doing—besides trying to give me a heart attack first thing in the morning?"

Karter's smirk only grew, "Merry Christmas, babe."

I blinked a few times, "Don't Merry Christmas babe me—I can barely breathe right now."

"Aw, because I'm just so refreshing to look at in the morning?"

"No because you watch me while I sleep, creep," I said, throwing one of the pillows at her.

Karter caught the pillow, letting out a few laughs, "Firstly, I just woke up five minutes ago—" she threw the pillow back at me, "—and secondly, I thought the idea of waking you up on Christmas was cute," she defended.

I smiled slightly, realizing her intentions for once weren't playful and instead genuine.

Hesitantly, I said, "Thank you."

Karter tilted her head in confusion, "Thank you?"

"For trying to wake me up in a cute way," I said, my smile growing.

Karter only shrugged jokingly, "Oh what that? I definitely came up with it on the spot," she said, brushing it off, but the growing smile on her lips only gave her away.

I shook my head as I slid out of the large bed, "Oh, I'm sure," I said playfully, which easily matched her energy.

Karter got out of bed too, "I'm sure my mom's are waiting downstairs with breakfast already made," she said, following behind me into the bathroom.

I grabbed the toothbrush that had somehow had its own little place on Karter's sink, "What do you think they made this time?"

Karter shrugged, squeezing the charcoal toothpaste onto both of our toothbrushes, "Definitely their homemade cinnamon rolls—they make them every Christmas morning."

I smiled, turning the sink on—I always imagined Christmas mornings like these.

Waking up to sit around the tree with actual people instead of being locked in your room all day by yourself.

—

After opening numerous gifts from Nancy and Nina that involved new clothes, shoes, jewelry, and even perfume—I felt completely unprepared.

And even after they both told me that it wasn't a big deal—that I'm like a daughter to them now, I still felt bad for coming empty-handed, at least regarding their gifts.

"Sloan," Karter said, walking back into the living room with a fairly big red box that had a top on it and a shiny green bow. "This is for you," she said, setting the box down in front of me.

I looked over at her for a moment, I guess we are doing gifts.

I'm so glad that I decided to bring her gift with me.

Karter sat down across from me, "Go on—open it," she said, clearly noticing my hesitation.

Slowly, I opened the top of the box, and almost immediately my eyes widened.

"Karter!" I exclaimed, blinking a few times as if I were hallucinating.

The black furry puppy jumped up and down, yipping happily as I seemingly processed its entire existence.