Demons

13.

On Christmas Eve, I sat wrapped in a blanket and watched Christmas specials on television with Harry. We laughed and decorated the tree with twinkling lights and glass bulbs. A few times I caught Grandma watching us with a smile on her face. That made me happy too, that me being happy made her happy.

I was able to sleep through the night, I hoped Harry did too. I woke early on Christmas, just like a little kid, and hurried everyone downstairs. We had a big breakfast and sat to open presents. Grandma got clothes for when I wanted to go back to school, I got her a lot of yarn for when she wanted to knit. Grandma got Harry a new jacket, since his old one was going to be facing it's last winter, and he got her a new cooking set. There was two small boxes left under the tree, I grabbed one wrapped in snowman covered paper and handed it to Harry. He looked confused, obviously he hadn't been expecting a present from me.

When he was paying for the tree yesterday, I looked around in a small gift shop. I found a small little black sparrow necklace, and thought of Harry. So, without him knowing, I bought him that and wrapped in during the night.

He opened it and smiled "That's funny." He said

I didn't get the joke "What is?"

"Just open this." Harry passed me the other small box under the tree

When I tore off the paper, and opened the box underneath, I found a little white sparrow necklace, identical to Harry's.

"Would you look at that!" My Grandma cheered "Great minds think a like."

I laughed at the oddness of how we could have got each other the same necklace. I wonder when he found time to buy it.

"Oh! Harry we have one more surprise for you." My grandma said, as the doorbell rang

"What is it?"

"Just go and get the door first."

Harry stood from the couch, my grandma signaled we should follow him. When he opened the door, a small old lady stood on the porch, wrapped in a red shawl. She smiled up at Harry, I wish I could have saw his face, but he had his back to us.

"Harry, my boy!" The old lady said, with a British accent

"Granny!" He wrapped the old lady in a hug

I smiled at my grandma, knowing this was all her idea. I wonder how Harry's Granny had made it to our house from the nursing home. It was nice of them to let her visit family on the holidays. She came inside, swatting Harry aside when he tried to help her with her shawl.

"I may be old, but I can take off my own coat!" She chided, with a grin on her face

"Oh! You must be Brandy! Lucy has told me so much about you, I'm Margret!" She embraced me

"It's very nice to meet you." I hugged her back

We spent all day telling Christmas stories in the living room, Grandma and Margret mostly, I think Harry and I were just happy to sit and listen to them reminisce.

Grandma made a turkey dinner, and we all sat down to eat for that. I think, out of all the seventeen Christmases I've experienced, this was my favourite. Even if I wasn't surrounded by a ton of family, it still felt like I was.

When we walked Margret to the door, Harry left her and I alone while he went to get his new jacket.

"Brandy, I want to thank you." Margret said, her green eyes suddenly serious

"For what?"

"My Harry, you're good for him. I think he's good for you too. I can see it in your eyes, you've both had rough times, I'm very grateful that you're in his life."

I nodded "I'm grateful he's in mine."

She smiled, and Harry returned, ready to drive her back.