Growing Love

14

"No! I wanna get this one!"

"We already got two of those, pick a different one."

"But I want it!" Never again am I coming Christmas shopping with everyone. Freddy was put in charge of decorations and ornaments, but he keeps trying to pick the same ones over and over. It got to the point Izzy had to step in and help.

"Freddy! We still have like fifty other stores to hit! Get your ass in gear!" Jenny screamed from the other side of the store, where she had Marcus and James holding mountains of bags each.

"You heard the lady, now come on." You would think Izzy would hate having Jenny talk to Freddy the way she does. But she thinks it's funny. She said she likes having someone who helps back her up in times like this.

"Why did you drag me here?" I sigh, and hear Ethan laughing next to me. He takes the toy truck from me, and kisses my cheek. His smile is slowly turning back to normal. No more forced or angry looks on him.

"You had us wait until the last minute to get everything set up for Christmas, now you must suffer." He does a little evil laugh that sounded more cute than evil.

"You're mean!" He pulled us to the check out line, where we watched in pity as the poor check out girl had to ring all the ornaments that Freddy bought.

"What man needs twenty seven Santa shaped ornaments?!" Jenny was holding one of the many ornament filled bags.

"A man who knows what he wants in life!" I shook my head, and paid for Nick's new truck, and followed the loud screaming people in front of us.

"Samples!" Izzy and Marcus sighed and shook their heads as they followed the twin loud mouths, followed by an embarrassed James. Izzy and Marcus are miracles all on their own. I doubt anyone else can handle those two. I was about to follow them, when I noticed that I had lost track of Ethan. As I turn around to look for him, I notice that a group of girls have surrounded him. Again. I sigh as I make my way towards them. I swear this man is too easy to trap.

"Babe." They all turn to look at me, and I see a relieved smile on his face. I want to laugh, but I keep my face composed. "The others are waiting, lets go." As we start to leave, I hear one of the girls ask why the hot ones are always gay. "What is it with you and being surrounded by horny women?"

"Like you're one to talk?" I look at him in amused shock. He is looking forwards with a small smile on his face. I gently shove him, and we laugh. It's good that we can act like this with each other now. I like this feeling.
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"Finally!" Me and James drop to floor after putting the bags down. Marcus laughs as he carries his and Jenny's bags. Freddy makes a beeline for the Christmas tree, Izzy heads to her room to lay down. She's been feeling sick for a while now. And Ethan goes to check on Nick who's with our parents. We're having a Christmas party in two days, and we're almost done setting up. I was reluctant about having another party, but Val is not an easy woman to say no to. I somehow even agreed to letting Nick's real father come to the party. Something about it following her plans. I was too scared to ask.

"You wanna say hi to daddy?" I looked up from the floor, and saw my angel holding my miracle. I smile at my own little nicknames for those two. I get up, and kiss both of them. Nick sees one of Freddy's many Santa ornaments, and he starts reaching for it. It only boost his already huge ego.

"Ha! Take that you suckers! Nicky-nick knows where I'm coming from. Give me five little man!" Nick is still to small to understand where he's suppose to high five, so he hits Freddy right on the face. Causing all of us to laugh. "I thought you loved me!" He starts to fake cry, and it makes Nick reach for him, and kiss the tip of his nose. I hand Nick to Freddy, and sit down next to James.

"So did the hospital okay it for you to come?...YES! I mean, that's great." I can't help but smile. Him and Mickey have been getting even closer. They talk on the phone every day. And I guess the hospital gave Mickey permission to attend the party. "You'll need to stay on the wheelchair? I can push you if you want?....No, I want to... yes, I'm positive... okay, I'll let him know... okay... see you soon. Goodnight." He doesn't even notice the smiles he was getting, because he's too deep in his own world. I look to Freddy, and I am happy to see he is wearing the biggest smile of them all.

After that, we all finish setting up, and start getting ready for dinner. As I'm getting dressed, I feel eyes staring at me from behind. I turn, and see that Ethan is staring at me. Or more precisely, my tattoo.

"I never did ask you what it meant." He touches the ink on my shoulder, and I watch him tracing the patterns.

"It's a special piece. The tribal style lines, are actually my mom's name wrapped together, so it looks intricate." I see him stare at in in awe. I smile and hold his hand. I lead it to the center, where the other meaning is.

"What's this part?" I look down at him, memorizing each part of him all over again. Enjoying the feeling of his hands tracing the ink on my skin.

"This part is really special. This part, holds your name." He looks up at me, and I capture his lips with my own. I poured so much love into that kiss, it leaves us both breathless. "I couldn't get you out of my head once while I was gone, and I didn't want to. I love you Ethan."

"I love you too, Carter." We were snapped out of our thoughts by Nick's giggling. We picked him up, and made our way downstairs.

"That biscuit was mine!"

"No it wasn't! You grabbed that one!"

"Jenny, just let him have it!"

"Shut up James! Stay out of it!"

"Babe, just give her the biscuit."

"But, baby!"

"Jennifer, stop shouting at the table. You can have mine if you want."

"Marcus, but that one was mine!"

"Children enough!"

"Charles please calm down. You are still recovering."

"You heard the lady you old man."

"Who are you calling old?! I woke up before you did. You're the old one here, and slow!"

"No you didn't! And I am not slow!"

"I just want my biscuit!" I watch my family before me. What started as just me and my dad after mom died, has turned into this. A loud, chaotic, and loving mess. And I am blessed to have every crazy second of it.