Lights, Camera, Action

Snow and Rain

THIRTY-EIGHT: SNOW AND RAIN

Mark's POV

The next day after our anniversary, everyone went home for the holidays. The boys and I were going on what we called "Christmas break" for a few weeks to be with family and Aubrey and Alyssa were headed home, too. I was really excited for Christmas this year, mainly because Alyssa and I would get to spend it together. I was spending Christmas Eve and Christmas day with her family in Indiana and she was staying in Ohio with me for the day after Christmas. On December 27th, we had to catch our flight to Florida for our week in Orlando to celebrate our anniversary.

The worst part about going back to my first home was saying goodbye to Chica. I hated that I couldn't bring her with me, that I had to put her in a kennel. I knew she'd be well taken care of, but I still didn't want to have to be without her. I knew Alyssa felt the same about leaving her dog, too. We loved our pupperschnups so much, but luckily they'd still be in LA when we got back.

Once I arrived in Cincinnati, the sadness of leaving my dog and friends in California faded. After all, there were dogs for me to play with at my mom's and stepmom's houses, and it was always nice to spend time with family. I got to see Wade and Bob too, which always made me happy. It felt a lot more like Christmas when I was surrounded by so many amazing people along with the usual cold winter weather that California lacked.

After a few relaxing days at home, I headed over to Indiana. It was a bit of a drive, but it was completely worth it once I got to Alyssa's parents' house. I had never seen it covered in snow or decked out with Christmas decorations, but it was even more beautiful at this time of year than it had been the last time I was there. It was good to see David and her parents, too, who I got a better chance to get to know on Christmas Eve. I was even included in their Christmas Eve tradition.

When David and Alyssa were younger, they would get a small gift from Santa's elves on Christmas Eve. The gifts would be hidden within the branches of the living room Christmas tree and Lys told me that they'd spend all day checking to see if the elves had come yet. Now that they were older and they didn't believe in that anymore, they each got a present underneath the tree from their parents the day before Christmas and every year it was a box that consisted of a new pair of winter or Christmas themed pajamas, caramel corn, hot chocolate mix, a mug, and a Christmas movie. I got the box this year, too, and we all got matching red and green onesies. David and Alyssa normally took funny pictures with each other in their pajamas, but this time Alyssa got some pictures with me, too. We all watched Home Alone and Home Alone 2 in our pajamas that night before we headed to bed.

It felt really nice to actually wake up next to Alyssa on Christmas morning. Honestly, that was the best present I could get - being able to spend the holidays with her - but we had actual presents to open as well after cuddling in bed for a little while.

Alyssa's parents got me a Steam card and David got me a personalized controller (in the hopes that I wouldn't destroy it out of rage like some of my older ones). Alyssa got me a new suitcase for traveling filled with nerdy things including a Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood t-shirt and a One Punch Man winter sweater. Alyssa's grandmother even had a card for me with money inside. Her family was so generous and nice the whole day, and I felt really comfortable getting to know the people I hadn't met yet. But the best parts of the day were seeing Alyssa open her present from me (Harry, Ron, and Hermione Funko Pop! figures and a golden snitch necklace) and playing outside in the snow. We were practically children, running around throwing snowballs at each other and building the most deformed snowman in the world, but it was so much fun. And I always loved getting things for Lys and seeing her reaction - her real, genuine smile is beautiful.