Line of Time

Fate is sealed...

Tino woke up with a scream and bolted into the house in a panic. He looked at everyone as they laughed. Mathias, Lukas, Chrissy, Astrid even Bernard, Gunnar and Miss Green were trying not to laugh at the high pitch scream he had made when he had felt the cold snow. Tino turned and went upstairs, he took a hot shower and got changed into warm clothes. When he came back down they ate breakfast and then the girls pulled their big brothers into the living room after Miss Green had said it was fine for them to open gifts.

After a while they had all opened what the others had gotten them. Laughs were shared and conversation made and for once no one argued. Miss Green couldn't be prouder of her boys, they were getting along, it was truly a Christmas miracle.

Then it came time for them to open the gifts that their families had sent them. Bernard had gotten a new set of clothes from his mother, a cheap card from Lukas' father and nothing from his birth father. He smiled at the gifts but his smile hid sadness, he knew that he was a mistake and no one really wanted him there. They were obligated to sent him something because he was family but because he knew this, he resented them and hate was almost present when he was in the same room as them for long periods of time. Lukas got a few books that he didn't tell what they were about, a box of something that smelled quite strong when he checked what was inside. The smell of dried flowers and plants came from it. He also got a blue hat that he put on right away. It was a braai and looked good on him. For once they saw Lukas smile a real smile, although it wasn't very big it was a true smile.

Mathias and Chrissy's presents were in the same shipping box, they opened it together and figured out what belonged to who since there weren't any names on the gifts inside. Mathias sat with his sister between his legs as they opened them together and smiled when they saw what they had gotten. Mathias had gotten a box of sweets, a CD and a few new shirts. Chrissy had gotten a box of sweets as well, a new red outfit and a few hair clips. Gunnar and Astrid opened their gifts. Astrid had received a tin of cookies, a paint set and a teddy bear that was the color's of the Swedish flag. Gunnar had gotten a few textbooks, a new set of clothes and a music disc. They smiled and Gunnar petted his sister's head when he saw her hug her new teddy bear from their parents.

Then all eyes landed on Tino and Gunnar pushed the huge box towards him.

"Go on, open it." Miss Green said with a smile as she held a camera as she was ready to take a picture of him like she had done with the others when they had opened their gifts. He kneeled, sitting of his feet and opened the box. When he looked inside his face wasn't of excitement and joy like the other's had been. He looked stunned and shocked at what he saw. They all looked at him, wondering what had cause this but then a smile crept onto his face and he pulled out a coat. The one he had been helping his Nana make the night he became an orphan. There were a collection of snickers and awes heard from them as he looked at it. Miss Green took a picture when she saw his childish smile and eyes light up with joy.

"Who's that from?" Mathias asked.

"My Nana." Tino answered with happiness in his voice as he put the warm fury coat on. He admired the blue and white stich work he remembered his Nana trying so hard not to prick him with the needle as she made the interdict patterns of interwoven plant life.

"Dose she hate you?" Bernard asked as Lukas cracked a grin and Tino looked up in confusion at them as Mathias laughed.

"I thinks it cute." Astrid commented.

"Yeah, it is." Chrissy added.

"You don't have a sister do you, maybe the box's got mixed up or something." Lukas said sarcastically.

"Boys, be nice, as long as he likes it that's all that matters. Now hold still Tino, smile." Miss Green said as she snapped a picture of him in his new coat, big smile and all.