Talk About My Man (DISCONTINUED)

23 | Christmas

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Everywhere you go."

It indeed began to look a lot like Christmas. It was the night of December 23rd, 2016 meaning that Christmas Eve was tomorrow. With holiday songs playing in the background, the Christmas spirit was lifted up almost immediately. 

"Maddie, this is my mom, Juliet," Theresa introduced. "Mom, this is Maddie."

"It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. Juliet," I smiled warmly at Theresa's mother.

"Likewise," her mother smiled back. "And no need for formality, it makes me feel old."

"You're already old, ma," Theresa scoffed and I smacked her arm. 

"That's not nice," I whispered to her.

"Oh, it's fine dear," Juliet sighed. "I'll die sooner or later anyway. I just hope my picky daughter here will find her prince in shining armor before the Lord will take me away." 

"Ma, don't say that. I was just kidding! You look like you're just in your late teens!" Theresa exclaimed, linking arms with Juliet.

"I agree," I laughed. I can see the resemblance in the two. With both having brunette hair and shared the same facial features, Theresa was just a younger version of Juliet.

"How many children are there?" I asked, curious. 

"15. Mr. Luciano insisted the orphanage to adopt them all and come live with us instead of that crappy place. Can you believe it? The orphanage was next to a landfill and some of the children escaped without notice! Those poor kids," Juliet shook her head in disbelief.

I frowned, "That's very nice of-" My sentence got cut short because something bumped into my legs, an 'oof' leaving its mouth as it was knocked down.

"Oh, my goodness. I'm so sorry," I gasped and bent down to pick up the little girl. She giggled and wrapped her legs around my waist, throwing her arms around my neck so she doesn't fall off.

"I win!" She turned her head with a triumphant look on her face as she stuck out her tongue to the boy that chased after her.

"That's not fair!" The boy huffed angrily and stomped away.

"Annemarie! How many times have I told you to stop picking on Elijah!" Juliet scolded the little girl. 

"I wasn't picking on him!" Annemarie pouts. "He always wants to win!"

The poor girl looked like she was going to cry so I set her down and knelt next to her. "They were probably just playing around Juliet," I said reassuringly. "Kids like to have fun."

Annemarie nodded and tilted her head to look at me. "Who are you? You're pwetty." 

I laughed. "I'm Maddie." 

"Theresa! Can Maddie go play in the snow with us later?" Annemarie said excitedly, rushing over to Theresa.

Standing up, I snatched a blue bow from the floor that Annemarie must've dropped. With her silky black hair, that was tied up into a ponytail and her big sparkling blue eyes, she was the cutest little girl that had already stolen my heart.

"Tomorrow. It's getting late." Theresa smiled down at Annemarie.

"Then can me and Maddie go decorate the Christmas tree?" Annemarie gave Theresa the puppy eyes and I resisted from saying "aw" out loud.

"Yes," Theresa sighed, giving in. "But, I need her back by ten, alright?" She smiled and flicked Annemarie's forehead lightly.

"Okay," Annemarie squealed and pulled me along with her.