Through his eyes

56

Theodore

Freshly showered and fully dressed in my mom's two story apartment we all got comfortable around the decorated Christmas tree in the living room close to the fireplace I just lit.

"Can I hand out the gifts?" Will asked as he placed his half finished cake on the floor next to him

"Yeah sure" I said crossing my legs, as he quickly got up and grabbed a random present on the floor.

"This one is for.. Will - it's for me!"

I have never seen Will this excited before. It's probably because this is his first actual Christmas, back then it was only the two of us at home actually celebrating and there weren't always gifts involved, since I couldn't afford any back then. Number one reason why Will doesn't believe that Santa Clause exists unlike his classmates.

"Open it" my mom said smiling,

Will smiled to himself as he carefully opened his present

"Wow!" He said in bewilderment "it's a camera!" He yelled happily

"That's awesome buddy" I said sharing his excitement

"Now you can take pictures of everything and document your trip here" my mom offered

"Thanks" I said quietly and meaning it but she just brushed me off,

He carefully placed his camera next to cake on the floor and went ahead with the next present.

"This one is for... mom"
Will reads out loud as he handed the gift my mom.

"Ohhh what could this be" she joked eyeing the small package,

"Open it" I said eager for her reaction,
She got rid of the wrapping "Ohh Pandora" she said reading the name on the box

"Mom just open it please"

"Okay okay" she said laughing, she opened the small blue box gasping quietly

"W-wow... They are so beautiful" she said softly
"Theo they are amazing" she smiled as she wiped a tear away
"But still you shouldn't spend so much money on me Theo!" She added quickly

I just shrugged pleased with my gift for her.

"And this one is from me" Will said shyly as he handed my mom another gift

"Awww Will you didn't have to" my mom said hugging him first,
She opened the gift smiling brightly "candles! Mm they smell nice!" My said sniffing the candle

"Did you make it yourself?" She asked to which Will nodded

"I haven't forgotten about you" Will said causing me and my mom to laugh

"Here" he said handing me my gift
"Thank you buddy" I said as I took the gift and opened it.

It was a mug with drawings on it,
"That's me and that's you" Will said pointing at the two figures on the mug

"I love it Will"

I really do.

He quickly got up grabbing the remaining gifts under the tree.

"Theo" he said handing me another gift
"Theo" he said again handing another gift

"Me!" He said taking his time to open his gift.

"It's the ship! From Star Wars!" Will yelled in excitement,

"I'm glad you like it" I said smiling lightly, it wasn't easy to find it since they were sold out almost everywhere.

I opened the bigger box of the two in front of me. That must be Imanis gift because of the different wrapping paper.

"What is it?" Will asked eagerly as I opened the present

"A collage" I said, looking at it.

"Oh my goodness where did she even find all these pictures" I said laughing as I skimmed through the pages. There pictures of her and me in kindergarten and preschool.

"I might need a copy of some of the pictures" my mom said laughing sadly
"Now open the other present" she quickly added,

I grabbed the small box and opened it coming into sight with... car keys?!

"What the- mom!" I said shocked

"You deserve it Theo, I can't let you continue drive around in your dead's beat up truck no? And the car M𝑟𝑠 Jovita gifted you is not something you can drive around with everyday" she explained

"Allons-y! Let's go take a look at your new car" she said getting up

••

"You've got to be kidding me" I said to myself as we went to the private garage for all residents of this complex.

" 'American muscle' the man at the dealership said" my  mom said laughing as she's imitating a man's voice

"A mustang gt 500 Shelby" I said out loud

"I like it" Will said simply munching on a biscuit

"Thank you so much mom" I said as I went over to hug her

"It's nothing Theo, in fact it's the least I can do for you" she said giving me a kiss on the cheek

"It will get shipped to your place tomorrow so when you guys fly back home you just have to pick up the registration plates and you're ready to go"

"I don't know what else to say besides thank you mom"

"I'm content you like it"

•••

After a short test drive with my new car we had dinner back at my moms place and watched home alone 1 and 2 until Will fell asleep. I carried him into the guest bedroom were Will and I were sleeping and placed him gently on the bed.

I made sure to leave door ajar before I went back downstairs, finding my mom in the kitchen.

"If you feel like it we could watch the fireworks at Eiffel Tower on new year" my mom offered,

She was sitting on a barstool with her legs crossed, wearing her reading glasses as she swiped on her phone.

"Sure" I shrugged

"Orrrr..." she started "remember my friend Jaqueline? Her husband who works with cars?"

"Yes" I nod

"They're having dinner together and we're invited" she explained

"I don't mind goin, I just don't know about Will"

My mom nods understanding "It could be boring for him"
"Well we can postpone it, I would much rather have fun with my two boys instead of hearing men talk about their businesses" she said rolling her eyes

"I'm gonna to bed, bonne nuit" she said kissing me on the cheek,

"Goodnight" I said as I watched her leave the kitchen.

I took out my phone from my pocket to see that Imani had messaged me. 4 hours ago, whoops my bad.

I opened the message seeing that she send me a picture of her holding the promise ring and the capture 'we are to young to get married'

I chuckle at the message
'I know, that's why it's a promise ring' I write hitting send.

I made a quick pit stop at the bathroom before I went inside Wills and my bedroom and got comfortable underneath the covers and immediately fell asleep.

W: 🌨️