Game Over: Life's Over

Pancakes

Lisa and Garrett left after dinner. I was hoping they would come more often since they'd brought gifts with them this time. I wanted more toys to play with. I could always use more toys.

I was still stuck in baby mode so Theo gave me a bath and had me get ready for bed fairly early. When I started to argue with him, he reminded me that Christmas was just a day away and Santa wouldn't bring presents if I was bad. I shut my mouth so fast after hearing that.

Dressed in my pajamas, we went to the kitchen to set out cookies and milk for Santa. I sat on one of the stools at the counter while Theo grabbed what we would need. He set the items down on the counter in front of me and it took everything in me not to reach out and eat one of the cookies.

"Do you think Santa will give me more presents if I leave more cookies for him?" I asked.

Theo laughed. "I don't think it works that way. Leaving cookies is saying thank you for the presents."

"But if he likes me more, he might give me more presents."

"You already got presents from my parents."

I frowned. "But these will be from Santa."

It was as if Theo forgot that baby me believed in Santa and he was blowing the secret. He quickly tried to cover his words.

"Presents are good no matter who they come from. But I know presents from Santa are special because you only get them once a year."

I nodded.

We set out a small cup of milk and a plate with four cookies on it for Santa. I was hoping four was enough and he would like them.

"Time for bed. Santa can't come if you're awake."

I hopped off the stool and headed for the steps. I couldn't work the baby gate so I had to wait on Eric to get both of them open for me.

Both of them followed me to my bedroom and helped me get ready for bed. I was already in my pajamas so all I needed to do was brush my teeth and get into bed.

Theo walked over with a book and sat down on the edge of the bed beside me. "Would you like to read a book before you go to bed?"

Curious, I nodded.

In my current state, I couldn't read the cover to see what it was called so I had to rely solely on Theo to help me.

Eric sat by my feet and listened to the story with me.

"Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads."

With my bunny tucked in the crook of my arm and my binky firmly placed in my mouth, my eyes started to get heavy. Knowing that Christmas Day would be here once I woke up, I let myself fall asleep. I was ready for presents and good food.

---

Surprisingly, I wasn't the first to wake up the next morning. Because I'd gone to sleep in my baby state, I hadn't remembered to charge my phone or set an alarm to wake me up. It was Theo who woke me up sometime around seven in the morning.

"Merry Christmas, Jake. Santa came while you were sleeping."

I rubbed my eyes as I sat up in bed. My bunny fell into my lap, squished from how I'd been lying on him all night.