Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

30

"Hey, Cameron-" I called as I got out of the truck.

"Yeah?" I smiled getting ready to slam the door shut.

"Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal."

I couldn't help but laugh at his shocked expression. His eyes rolling as I walked away. I stood beside my motorcycle as I watched him drive away. My middle finger in the air as he drove off.

"Xena? Who was that?" My eyes widened as I turned to see my mother walking towards me.

"Oh, a classmate who offered to drive me home."

"But you have your bike." I grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah... about that."

Let's say my mother wasn't too thrilled. And if the doctor hadn't benched me she would have.

"You're just lucky that Christmas is in two days. Or I'd have grounded you." I just smiled and batted my eyes.

"I love you too, mom."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get out of my sight. I don't want to see you until dinner." I chuckled, walking slowly out of the kitchen as I prepared to face the feet of climbing my stairs.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"Wake up honey, it's Christmas." My eyes fluttered open as my mom stood beside my bed with a smile.

"Morning Ma, Merry Christmas." I stood from my bed slowly hugging her the best I could.

"Let's go eat some breakfast, then we can open gifts."

_______•*•*•*•________

"Xena Lee Tallen! You did not." I grinned looking at her shocked face. "Honey these are so expensive." She whispered yelled as she rose the diamond earrings and matching necklace set.

"I know. But you got rid of all the other jewelry- for good reason- so I wanted to get you the pair you've been wanting."

"Honey, I love them. Thank you. Now open yours. I know there isn't much but-"

"Ma, it's more than enough. Stop." She sighed smiling as I began to open the five packages of gifts on the table.

The first box was three high support sports bra which are my favorite to train and fight in.

The next was a sandlewood and an ocean scented candle. Two of my favorite scents.

The third was new training wraps for my hands.

The fourth was a new black compact duffel bag which folded into itself.

And the fifth was probably my favorite of all.

"Mom, these were perfect. Thank you." I held the black leather bound notebook in my hands.

"I know how passionate you are about your fighting, but I also know how talented you are as a writer." I stood using the table to help me as I went and gave her a hug.

"I love you."

"And I love you."

It was around lunch time when three knocks were played on our door. My eyebrows raising as I glanced at my phone before looking at my mother.

"I know that Pope, Kiara, JJ, and John B were going to swing through, but not this early." I spoke pushing off the counter gently as I went for the door.

I unlocked the door and pulled it open, my smile wavering slightly as I stared shocked at the male at our doorstep. A smile on his face as he stood with his hands in his coat pockets.

"Merry Christmas, Xena." I felt my smile burst forth as I made quick work of pulling him into a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Gray. Please tell me you're here to ask my mother on a date." I asked as I squeezed him tightly.

"She actually asked me." My eyes widened as I pulled back.

"No way- Mom!" I shouted turning on my heel and going to interrogate the woman who was prepping the chicken & bacon macaroni n cheese for lunch.

_______•*•*•*•_______

"You're meaning to tell me - shut up!" I tapped my hands on the kitchen counter excitedly as I finished my last bite of macaroni. "How did y'all not die from the distance?"

The two laughed rolling their eyes at me as they leaned into each other. It made my heart all warm and fuzzy to see my mom so content, so happy.

"I've been working on that, actually." I rose an eyebrow at Gray's words.

"No. You said you were waiting until summer." My mother cut in as she turned to face him.

"I still am. But it helps to be prepared, no?" My mom smiled up at him as he smiled down at her. It was cute.

"Just an fyi this cute pda is only allowed on special occasions. So use it wisely or I may barf." I pointed mockingly as I finished my glass of water. "Ma, I'm using the car to go meet the gang. John B texted and said that the Twinkie had complications in the square."

"Sounds good honey. Make sure they all get back home safely. And tell them I said Merry Christmas!" I zipped on my coat and slid on my brown knee-high boots.

"I will Ma. See you both for dinner. I'll be texting when I'm on the way back!" I shouted just as I shut the door. A cool wind running into me as I waddled to the car.

______•*•*•*•______

"Merry Christmas Babe!" I barely got out of the car when Kie rushed me.

"Merry Christmas, Kie." I winced as she squeezed me before I could warn her. "Ow. Shit."

"What? What did I do?" I pat her shoulder, shutting the car door and locking it.

"You just squeezed too hard over my bruised ribs. You didn't know, it's okay." I hugged her tightly to me using my right hand.

"Merry Christmas, Xena."

"Pope! Merry Christmas!" I gave the male a gentle hug as I turned to the last two culprits. Both smirking boyishly.

"B, Merry Christmas." I stepped towards him as he covered the distance quickly and scoped me in a hug. His arms not squeezing my ribs like Kie but still tight around my shoulders.

"Merry Christmas, T."

"JJ." I sighed smiling as he shot me finger guns.

"Wifey."

"Merry Christmas." We both whispered, my hands squeezing him tighter as he sagged into me. I had offered him to come to mine for dinner, but told me John B already had roped him into have Christmas Dinner together.

"Well, let's get on with the reason we're all here then, shall we?" JJ spoke as he broke the hug and we all stood in a large circle in front of the glowing Christmas tree.

"Right, let's go sit in the Twinkie to keep Xena from freezing her ass off." Pope suggested as he watched me shake.

"I agree." I rose a hand playfully. "But seriously."