Forever and Always

Chapter 28 - Santa Baby

Kayla's POV

I am super tired. Mommy and I had to stay late to clean up after everyone left. Anyway, I had a lot of fun. I can't believe Mom did all of this for me and for the other kids.

"Kayla, did you put some carrotts out for the reindeer too?" Mom called from upstairs.
"I will do that right now." I walked to the fridge and pulled out a bag of carrotts. Then, I added some to Santa's plate of milk and cookies. The other day, Owen and I helped Mommy frost the cookies. I can't wait for tomorrow morning to come.
"Are you ready?" Mom asked. We were going to read The Night Before Christmas on Mommy's bed. I ran upstairs to put on my pajamas and grabbed my blanket. I love being at home.
"Now I'm ready." Mommy sat in the middle of her bed with the book. Owen sat on one side and I sat on the other. We snuggled in together under the covers.
"Alrighty..." she began.

I must have fallen asleep in the middle of the story because I woke up in my own bed. I got up and looked out my window. It was still dark out. I tried to go back to bed, but I was too excited. Mommy says that I am not allowed to go downstairs and check out the presents until everyone is awake. I tiptoed out into the hallway careful not to wake mom. I picked up Olivia and brought her back to my bed.

The next time I woke up, the sun was just peeking through my curtains. I ran into Owen's room. He had just woken up too. "Owen come on! Hurry up! Let's open presents." I picked him up out of bed and carried him into Mommy's room. "Mommy wake up, wake up! It's Christmas morning!" I scream/whispered. Mommy rolled over and looked up at me and Owen. First she rubbed her eyes. I expected her to scold me for waking her up. Rather she asked, "did Santa come yet?"

"I don't know yet," Owen shrugged. "Well let's go see!" Mommy said while rolling out of bed. She put on her bathrobe and walked behind us as we ran down the stairs. "WOW!" exclaimed Owen. Our tree was all lit up and presents surrounded the bottom. The stockings were so full that Santa had to place them on the fire place. I saw Owen walk over to the fireplace to see if Santa had eaten the cookies. "Mommy, look. Santa ate ALL the cookies and drank the milk!" Owen was so happy.
"He must get hungry traveling the world in one night." Mommy told him. "Hey Buddy, how about you go over there and look in your stocking. You too Kayla."

I unpacked my stocking. Wrapping paper was quickly strewn across the floor. I got a lot of candy, a mini baking set and a movie. Owen got a stuffed animal, some snacks and a new toy train. I handed Mommy some gifts that I had made at the hospital with Grandma.

"Kayla, this is incredible. Thank you!" Mommy gave me a big hug after unwrapping my gift to her. I made her a card with us on it. I also gave her sheet music for a song I wrote. "Do you want me to play this for you?" I asked her.
"I would love that," she replied.

I went to grab my guitar, but I never got a chance to play my song because mom got a phone call. It was Ed. He said he would be stopping by soon to drop of presents and say hello. So, mom went upstairs to get ready while Owen and I played with our new toys. About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. I walked to the door and peeked out the window. Ed was standing on the front porch dressed in a big red suit holding a big sack like Santa Claus. I unlocked the door and led him into the foyer.

"Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas everyone." He called out as he entered the house. Mommy came downstairs and greeted Ed with a kiss. "I come bearing gifts for all!" Ed set down his bag and started to pull out things. I got a nice new blanket for my hospital visits. I was having so much fun playing with Owen and Ed. Meredith and Olivia played with the wrapping paper. Once we finished opening gifts Mommy took a picture of all of us with our new toys. "How about we have some hot chocolate and breakfast before we go over to Grandma and Grandpa's house?" she suggested.

For breakfast we had homemade cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa. I love Mommy's cooking. "Can I have a cookie from my stocking?" asked Owen. "Well, I suppose since it's Christmas we can bend the rules. Only one though." Mommy cleaned up the dishes while I got dressed to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. I put on a red sparkly dress that Mommy had bought for me. I had a bit of a headache this morning, but I wasn't going to let it ruin my Christmas.

An hour later, we were at Grandma and Grandpa's house. They had a fire going in the fireplace and Christmas music playing throughout the house. The house smelled wonderful. Grandma baked more cookies and had ham cooking. The adults talked upstairs while Owen and I went to the basement.

"Kayla, dinner is ready" I heard Grandma call from the kitchen. I told Owen and we ran up the stairs. Once everyone was settled into their spots Grandpa said grace. We sat hand in hand with eachother. I felt safe here. "Amen!" Everyone shouted. "Let's feast. A toast to family," said Grandpa raising his glass. The rest of us followed suit clinking their glasses. I grinned as Grandpa loaded my plate up with food. Grandma's cooking is a million times better than the hospital food. I looked over at Mommy. She smiled at me. This was the first time in a long time that she didn't seem stressed or sad. I helped clear the table when we finished eating.

Mom and Grandma were whispering in the kitchen as they washed dishes. I tried to listen in, but the TV drowned them out. I couldn't help but think they were talking about me. Once the dishes were all rinsed off and packed in the dishwashwer, we gathered around the fireplace to exchange gifts.
"Owen, Kayla, I want you to open these presents at the same time." Explained Grandma as she handed us two medium sized packages. I turned to Owen. "Ready, 1, 2, 3!" Both of us tore at the wrapping paper trying to beat the other to the gift. We both got a new suitcase. Mine was purple and sparkly with my name on it. Owen's had Thomas the train on it with his name. I must have looked confused because Grandpa said, "Go ahead and open the suitcase." I quickly unzipped mine. Inside was a ticket. I helped Owen with his. We both had tickets to a Disney Cruise. "Thank you so much Grandma and Grandpa!" I exclaimed. "Owen we are going to go on a big boat!" I told him. He got excited by that.
"We will be going in two weeks if you feel alright after your chemo." Mom told me. I ran and gave her a great big hug. "I can't wait to go!"
"I will even be able to go." Austin chimed in. The whole room was filled with happiness and energy.
"Let's celebrate with some homemade cookies." Mommy grabbed the cookie platter and passed it around. "Alright kiddos, we have had a long and exciting day. After you finish eating your cookies we are gonna say goodnight to everyone and head out." Mommy said gathering up our presents.
"Awwww no mommy!" Complained Owen. "I want to stay here with everyone."
"Someone must be getting tired." Mommy said scooping him up. Owen started squirming and crying. Grandma walked over to him.
"Buddy, we will see you sometime later this week alright? We will hang out then." Owen nodded. All of us hugged and said our goodbyes before parting.

"Did you enjoy today?" Asked Mommy as she tucked me in to bed.
"I loved it!"
"Good. I enjoyed spending time with you and Owen." I hugged my stuffed bear as Mommy began to turn off the light.
"Wait." I sat up. "Can you sleep in here tonight? We never get to have sleep overs anymore." I whined. I made a sad face too hoping that would convince her.
"Oh, all right." Mommy grabbed her pillow and snuggled next to me. "Merry Christmas Kayla," she whispered.
"Merry Christmas Mommy."

One more chapter to go plus the epilogue! Merry Christmas everyone.