Fake Smiles

#10: Christmas

It was a week before Christmas. The family had gone out to get a Christmas tree a while ago and had decorated it. But the house still needed more decorations. Everyone was busy with decorating a certain part of the house. Ethan was helping Cameron and Grayson was helping Lily. Ethan and Cameron were putting the Christmas ornaments in the yard, while Grayson and Lily were putting the lights and tinsel around the house.

After decorating the house, everyone sat in the living room with a warm mug of hot chocolate. The family were watching Christmas movies together. There was a plate of cookies and brownies, fresh from the oven, on the coffee table.

Christmas Eve. It finally arrived. Everyone was running around the house, hiding their presents for Secret Santa. They decided to do Secret Santa: Lisa had Ethan, Sean had Cameron, Cameron had Grayson, Ethan had Sean, Grayson had Lily, and Lily had Lisa.

Lisa had decided to get Ethan an Apple Watch. Sean had decided to get Cameron tickets to her favourite band. Cameron had decided to get Grayson new Vans. Ethan got his dad a new tie for work and a gift card to his favourite store. Grayson got Lily, what he thinks, the best gift a boyfriend could give. And Lily got Lisa a necklace and matching earrings.

It was getting late, 11p.m, so everyone was going to bed. Grayson and Lily spent the night in his room, again, watching his videos. It was 12:13am when Grayson checked the time. He turned to Lily and smiled at her. Of course, she smiled back.

"Merry Christmas, beautiful" he said.

She blushed at her nickname. "Merry Christmas, Gray" she replied as she kissed him. Her soft warm lips crashed against his. He smiled into the kiss as he realised how much he loves her and how lucky he his. She giggled as she pulled away. "Shall we continue watching your videos? Or are we going to sleep?"

"What do you want to do?"

She thought for a while. "Let's watch a few more! These are getting funny!" They began to watch more of his videos before going to sleep. They finally fell asleep at 2am. But it wasn't long until they got woken up...

Grayson and Lily woke up to someone jumping on them. They opened their eyes to be blinded by a light. After their eyes adjusted to the light, they saw Ethan jumping on them.

"Wake up! It's Christmas! Wake up! Come on, love birds! It's time to get up!" Ethan bounced around the bed. He had a huge smile on his face. He was trying to hold in his laughter as Grayson and Lily woke up.

"Alright!" Grayson exclaimed. "We're up! Shut up!" Ethan ran out the room and downstairs. The couple followed him downstairs. They saw the rest of the family sitting around the Christmas tree. Presents were surrounding the tree.

Ethan grabbed a present. He read the label. "To Cameron. From Mom and Dad". He gave Cameron the present and everyone began to open more presents.

Everyone opened their presents and they all thanked each other.It was time for Secret Santa. The presents were underneath the tree. One by one, they pulled a present out. Lisa grabbed the first present. "To Sean, From Secret Santa". She handed Sean the present and everyone watched him open it.

He pulled out a new tie from a small box. "I'm guessing my Secret Santa is... Lisa?" He asked. Lisa laughed at his guess. Ethan then owned up to being his dad's Secret Santa.

The next present was for Grayson. He opened the present to recieve new vans. He looked around at everyone, trying to guess who got him his present. He turned to Cameron. She was smiling at him. He had a feeling she was his Secret Santa. And he was correct.

Lisa opened her present. She guessed it was from Sean, but it was from Lily. Ethan opened his and thought Grayson was his Secret Santa. He was wrong, it was from Lisa. Cameron opened her present and guessed it was from her dad.She hugged him and thanked him. Lily was the last to open her present.

She opened her present. She was shocked. She didn't know what to say. "Is my Secret Santa... Grayson?" She asked. He smiled at her. His smile full of love.

"Merry Christmas". His voie was soft and gentle.

Everyone was waiting to see what he got her. Tears began to run down her face. She looked at him. "Thank you!" She kissed him as more tears rolled down her face. They broke the kiss and she showed everyone her gift.

It was a pendant shaped heart with a diamond that sparkled in the lights. Grayson helped her put it on, and she held it in her hand. She was in love with the beauty of the necklace. She was so thankful. She pulled him in for another kiss, while saying "thank you".

After opening the presents, they all went to get dressed. It was finally lunch and Mrs Dolan had cooked the traditional Christmas dinner. Everyone sat down at the table and they said a prayer. "Dear Lord, thank you for this amazing day and giving us the pleasure of having Lily staying with us. Amen" Lisa said.

"Amen". Everyone repeated. They began to eat the meal, laughing and talking. It was great! Everyone was having a good time.

It was late at night and everyone was getting ready for bed. The twins and Lily were down in the basement again, watching a movie.