What About Now

Chapter 23 - Kaya's Christmas Present

Three weeks later...

Taylor's P.O.V.
Okay, so my flu lasted for just over a week; and let me tell you, it was not the greatest start to December. Thomas has been such a good friend to me lately, especially when I was ill - I couldn't help but smile when I remembered how he'd left work to come and take care of me. Later that evening, both Dylan and Bella turned up with even more movies and blankets, and we all ended up sitting on the sofas, watching film after film after film. They were all so kind and caring, and when they left me to sleep that night, I didn't want them to go! Over the week, I slowly started to get better, thanks to the antibiotics Dylan had picked up for me, and thanks to my friends. I still didn't get to see Ben once when I was ill, and I only received a text message from him once to say that he was leaving for Paris a couple days earlier. So yeah, even though I'm better now, and I no longer have the flu, I'm still a little bit upset and kind of hurt, that Ben hasn't been up to see me. I did tell him that I was ill when I had the flu, but I didn't hear anything back from him. My friends had made up for his absence and all, but I still missed him like crazy. Anyway, now was not the time to be missing Ben. It's now 21st December, I'm officially off work for my Christmas break, and my decorations are up. The Christmas tree stands proudly in the corner of my living room, reminding me of the time when we all went to buy our trees.

"What about this one?" Dylan grinned as he stood looking up at the tallest tree in the place.

"Urm, isn't it a wee-bit big?" I asked, having to crane my neck to see the very top.

"Yeah, there's no way it's gonna fit!" Thomas laughed, wrapping an arm over Bella's shoulders.

"Oh rubbish!" Dylan whined, looking at the price tag, "Just tell me then how it's not going to fit?"

"Well, it's too big to fit in the car, in the lift,
through the door, in the living room," Thomas said, counting the items on his fingers.

"Oh alright, shut up!" Dylan groaned, hitting Thomas' arm, "So which one do you want, then Ebenezer Scrooge?" A grin plastered itself on my face as I made my way into the living room. Turning on the morning radio, I reached down to switch on the lights on the Christmas tree, when the DJ on the radio made an announcement.

"And now folks, for what I believe to be the greatest Christmas song ever, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'!"

"Yes!" I squealed, as my all-time favourite song started playing.

I don't want a lot for Christmas,
There is just one thing I need.
I don't care about the presents,
Underneath the Christmas tree.

I just want you for my own,
More than you could ever know.
Make my wish come true,
All I want for Christmas is you!

Singing along at the top of my voice, I started swinging my hips and dancing along as I began to make my breakfast. This was one of my favourite parts of Christmas - Christmas music and mince pies for breakfast.

I just want you for my own,
More than you could ever know.
Make my wish come true,
Baby, all I want for Christmas-aaaaaas,

I braced myself for the high note...

Is youuuuuuuu!

My lungs felt like they were about to burst, but I held the note for as long as it lasted. By the end of the song, I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous I probably sounded. Oh well, I shrugged, taking a bite out of my mince pie. Whilst I started dancing along to the new song on the radio, I heard my phone buzz from the table. Munching and humming, I unlocked my phone and placed it to my ear.

"Hello?" I said with some mince pie still left in my mouth.

"Please tell me you saved me a mince pie?" Kaya asked from the other end of the phone. I rolled my eyes, as I could practically see the smirk on her face.

"That depends," I mumbled, looking back over at the pack of mince pies left on the counter, "How would you feel if I sent you half a mince pie?"

"That is like the worst insult ever, Tay!" She acted heartbroken, but failed and laughed at the end, "So, how's my girl been?"

"Eh, okay I guess," I sighed and collapsed into a chair. I told her what had happened recently, with me being ill and spending a lot of time with my friends. I explained to her how Ben had been working a lot recently, and that I probably wasn't going to be spending Christmas with him this year.

"Wait, you're not spending Christmas with your fiancé?" Kaya gasped, "But that's like, against the rules of engagement!"

"He's working hard, I guess," I said half-heartedly, "But it would be nice to see him once in a blue moon!"

"So who are you spending Christmas with then?"

"Well, Sydney's asked me to have the kids this year, as she'd like to spend some time with Sam before the baby comes. Dylan, Thomas and Thomas' girlfriend Bella, will probably join us, but we'll probably have it down at Thomas', seeing as he's got the biggest place."

"Oh, so you're spending Christmas with your ex-boyfriend, and your fiancé is away! Bloody ironic!" Kaya laughed sarcastically, "And what about your sister? When is she due?"

"Sometime in January, I think?"

"Aww you have to send me some pictures of the baby!" Kaya cooed, "Oh I wish I could come see you, Tay!"

"Same here, Kaya," I smiled sadly. I hadn't seen Kaya since I left New York. She hadn't been able to get the time off work to come see me, and I missed her like bloody crazy!

"It's been so long!" Kaya went on, "I just wish I could come spend Christmas with you! Christmas on my own isn't going to be fun!"

"You'll be fine! As long as you have Christmas movies, mince pies and Christmas dinner, then you'll have a great time!"

"Yeah, I guess," Kaya sounded distant on the phone, "Oh, did you get my present come in the post? It should have arrived by special delivery?"

"Urm, no I don't think so," I said, looking about the room for a parcel that I may have taken in, "I'll go check the front door later."

"No, you'll get up off your lazy arse now and go check, or those mince pies will go straight to your thighs!" Kaya ordered, making me let out a laugh,

"Oh fine, I'm going, I'm going!" I huffed, getting up off my chair and galloping to the front door. I pressed my phone between my ear and shoulder, and fumbled about with the lock. I finally managed to get the door unlocked, and with a pull, I opened the door.

"SURPRISE!" Kaya screamed, leaping at me with a hug. I had enough time to look up to see it was her, before I was crushed with a hug.

"Oh my god, Kaya!" I squealed, jumping up and down with delight as I wrapped my arms around her in a hug, "What are you doing here?"

"Coming to spend Christmas with you, silly!" She grinned, pulling away from me and looking me up and down, "Love the pyjamas!"

"Thanks!" I grinned, looking down at my reindeer pyjamas, "Oh my god, I can't believe you're here!"

"Now, what kind of friend is gonna leave her best friend on her own, without a fiancé at Christmas?" Kaya said sarcastically, as I helped her bring her bags into the hallway, "Oh, and you guys gotta get packing as soon as you can! Our car gets here in the morning."

"Wait, packing for what? And what car?" I asked, dumbfounded. A Cheshire Cat grin grew on Kaya's face.

"We're all going away for Christmas!"