pen pals // c.t.h.

mistletoe tradition

My dad is the one that wakes me up this Christmas morning. I actually almost cried when he woke me up. He hasn't woken me up on christmas morning since 2012; 4 years ago.

I woke up sleeping next to Calum in the fort. Calum's arms were slinged around me and we were facing each other. Soft snores would escape every now and then. Calum is so warm. I'd do anything to feel that again.

I am now downstairs with my dad, mom, and sister, drinking hot cocoa. This was always a family tradition. But we havent done it since he left for work. My dad is the one that pulls our family together. My dad is the only one in the family that actually cares about me and loves me.

About an hour later, calum comes down. Finally. He comes down with a huge grin spread across his face. I smile at him, in which he gladly returns. Calum walks up to me from behind and kisses my cheek. "Merry Christmas, Ainslee." He whispers in my ear. He then sits in the chair beside me, that is also next to my little sister.

"So now that everyone is here, can we open presents?" My sister asks, jumping up and down in her seat.

I look around Calum to my sister. "Calm down, it's not like you need anything else."

"I wasn't talking to you, Ainslee. So shut up and keep on yapping with your boyfriend." She snaps back at me.

"He isn't my boyfriend." I snap back at her.

"Yeah, I know because he doesn't like you the way you like him." She retorts. I feel my cheeks become even more red by the second. Calum looks at me, as I hide my face from him. Out of the corner of my eye, I swear I could see him smiling.

"Okay Kassandra, that is enough!" My mom yells. I slowly show my face and look at my mom. My mom just yelled at my little sister. It wasn't me this time; it was her. My little sister stares at her mom in shock. Even Calum looks surprised. It's a literal Christmas miracle.

"Now, lets just go open presents." My dad sighs. We all stand up and walk over to the Christmas tree in our living room. Calum and I sit on the floor - next to each other - right next to the Christmas tree. My mom and dad are sitting on the couch together with their hands on top of one another. Kassandra is sitting on an armchair all by herself.

"Let's do the cards first." I suggest. Everyone nods and picks out the cards that have their names on it.

I have 2 cards with my name on it. One from Calum. One from Mom and Dad. Of course, none from Kassandra. I'm honestly not even surprised. Kassandra has never once in her life given me anything.

I open the one from my mom and dad first while everyone opens theirs. It says:

Merry christmas baby! I'm glad we are here as a family together celebrating this wonderful day. We hope you enjoy your presents! Love you Lee :) <3
- Mom & Dad

I smile and then open Calum's card to me. I look over at Calum and see that he is opening my card to him as well. His card says:

Well, here we are. We started by talking through letters and then texting and now we're here; celebrating christmas together. It's crazy. We went from being pen pals to being the best of friends. And I just love you so much for letting me be a part of your life. I wouldnt want it any other way. I love you, hun.
- Calum xX (p.s. my present to you is gr8)

Calum and I look up at each other at the same time and smile widely. We then embrace each other. Once we pull apart, everyone is done opening their cards. "Present time?" I ask.

"That's right." My mom says, grabbing two presents and giving them to my sister and I.

Once again, I am shocked by my mother. She has never bought me a present; not even on my birthdays. This in its self is a present. I smile and start opening the present. But then, my mom takes the present from me and sets it next to her. I knew it was too good to be true.