All that glitters, ain't gold.

Chapter 17

| Aspen resort |

I look around the room to see all of my friends and family sitting around the table. I can't stop looking between Conner and my family across the room at. I know you may be thinking, "are you serious? Didn't you just see them?" And I'd say "yes, I did. But only seeing them in a hospital room and thinking they all went back to their separate lives and I wouldn't see them again all together for a while, I'm ecstatic right now."

"Megan?" Conner says, putting a hand on my back. "Oh yes, I'm sorry." I say coming out of my reverie. Sitting at the table is Jack, Ashely, Tiffany, Annabel, and my parents and I go around and hug them in that order. "This is so nice you guys, thank you." I smile, wiping my tears. I take my seat at one side of the table, next to Jake, and Conner goes to take his seat at the other side, next to Annabel. Before I can question Conner on how he managed all of this, our first meal came out. A simple, but delicious, seafood stew.

"So how are you liking everything so far?" I hear my mom ask from the other side of me. "I love everything about this place, mom! Our suite, the crisp air, this restaurant is awesome and the food is very tasty." I wish I can comment on the scenery but I didn't see much of it because of the blind fold. "I can't wait to see what outside looks like on the ride back."

"We ran late because I couldn't stop her from gapping at the place long enough to take a shower." Conner joked, and everyone laughed. "I couldn't help it! Everything is so beautiful, I can't believe I'm actually here!" I smile to myself and at Conner. "I've taught you running late isn't an option, Megan." My dad snaps, looking at me. My smile drops immediately and I sit up straighter than I was before. "Yes, father." Everyone quiets down and I finish eating my soup, not looking up. "Well in her defense, Mr. Holmes, this is her dream location, it's where she's always wanted to go." Jake said from beside me. "Who wouldn't react that way?" Ashely chimes in. My dad just grumbles to himself, not saying anything to anyone else. I smile at my two loving friends, mouthing a "thank you" towards them.

No, my dad doesn't have a bug up his ass. That's just the way he always is. He might have been nice in the hospital, but it was all for show. He is a mean, stringent man who is incapable of loving anything else but his job. To prove my point, his phone rings and he picks it up and leaves the room without a word. I can feel the tension leaving my body and I close my eyes as my head starts to slightly throb. Great, he sure knows how to ruin a day. "Don't let your father get to you, baby. You have all of your wonderful friends here. Enjoy yourself." My mom caresses my cheek and I find myself smiling again. "Annabel I've missed you, baby!" I say, finally breaking the awkward silence. "Meggy! I've missed you, too." Her mom lifts her out of her high seat and she runs over to me. I pick her up and hug her tightly, placing kisses all over her face. "Are you feeling better, Meggy?" She asks me. "So much better now that you're here!" I give her one more kiss before I let her go back over to her seat between Conner and Tiffany.

Our main entrée is served soon after and it is just as scrumptious as the appetizer. I had seared scallops with creamy bacon grits and it was honestly the best meal I've ever had in my life. Could this night get any better?

"So since tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I'm unfortunately leaving, I want you two to have your gifts but you have to promise not to open it until Christmas." Ashely says to Jake and I.

"Okay- WAIT CHRISTMAS EVE IS TOMORROW?!"

"Yes!" Everyone says back. "Meggy, where have you been?!" Annabel exclaims. I had totally forgotten about the whole season. I guess being in a coma does really take a lot out of you. "Oh my gosh. How could I forget? Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and I didn't remember it was in two days?!"

"Yeah, seriously. You're like a elf on crack around this time. I can't believe you didn't remember the day you woke up." Ashely mummers. "Mommy, what's crack?" Anna asks. I shot a glare at Ashely, even though she was right. Christmas has been my favorite holiday ever since I could remember. My mom used to tell me stories on how I would spend my birthday money on Christmas gifts for Jake and Ashely, and my birthday is in August! I remember being in elementary school coloring turkeys for thanksgiving and putting little Santa hats on them. I still sing Christmas jingles throughout the year. I am obsessed with Christmas. "I need to shop! Please don't tell me that we have things to do tomorrow because I need to shop." I say pleading with Conner.