Smile (Kris Bryant)

Chapter Thirty Two| Best Christmas Ever

Kris

By noon time Christmas afternoon the whole house was filled with Alex and I's close family. Nine born people and one unborn person getting into the Christmas spirit and learning to love all over again. There wasn't one part of the living room or kitchen that wasn't filled with personality and I kind of love it. This was my home team. Our family's blended together just as well as Alex and I did and I was so thankful for that.

By one o clock the all food was prepared and cooking in the oven. The rest of the finger foods and drinks were set out and we were ready to surprise everyone. We all stand around the living room as people talk amongst themselves.

"When can we see the basement" Alex's sister Jessica asks us.

"I'm so glad you asked, because it's finished and we would love to show you the basement" Alex says lacing her fingers through mine. Everyone turns to us with the happiest expression on their faces and that made me feel good.

"Oh, I'm so excited" my mom says and I smile. Here goes nothing.

We lead them down the stairs and turn on all the lights. Everyone gasps as they take in all the details on the wall. She seriously did an amazing job. It was almost silent as they look at the painting taking it all in. I was still amazed by it honestly.

"Alex... you did this" my dad asks, obviously impressed with what he sees.

"Yeah, it took me a few months but I finally got it done around thanksgiving" she smiles.

"Sweetie, this is amazing. I never knew you could paint like this" her mom says.

"Neither did I. But I had some inspiration" she says smiling up to me. I wish I could take credit for this, but it was all her.

"What's this" her brother asks pointing to the awkward stick figures just hanging out in the corner. Of course he's the first one to realize, I don't know of any other way it would happen.

"It looks like a pregnant lady and a giant" my brother claims causing me to laugh.

"It's a self portrait" I say and they all nod. A few seconds later they connect the dots and everyone's eyes were on Alex's stomach. She tightens her loose sweater and her baby bump comes to focus.

"Wait a second..." my brother says. Alex lifts up the giant sweater she was wearing revealing her growing stomach under a tank top. She was five months and getting big now. She wasn't huge but it was pretty obvious she was pregnant considering she usually has a eight pack and now she doesn't. There's a small scream as everyone makes their way over to us. Everyone starts talking a mile a minute asking us questions and congratulating us.

"No fucking way" her sister yells and we both nod. Chatter breaks out as they all move to touch her stomach.

"How come you didn't say anything" my mom asks crossing her arms. She wanted to be mad but the huge smile on her face says something different.

"We wanted to make sure everything was going well and that we were mentally ready for a baby before we told anyone" I explain.

"Well what gender is it" she asks.

"We don't know yet. The answer is in here" I say pulling out a envelope from my pocket. I pass it to Alex who holds it between her two fingers. It's falls silent as we all just stare at the envelope.

"Let me see that" her brother says ripping the paper out of her hand and we laugh. He was a character but he was my favorite from her family. I mean besides of Alex of course.

He rips it open and pulls out a picture. He reads the bottom and smiles big.

"It's a boy" he announces and I feel my heart skip. I look down to Alex who was already smiling up at me. Chatter breaks out again as they all talk about how they can't wait to have another part of their family.

"A boy" she whispers while squeezing my side she was holding.

"A boy" I repeat. I place a kiss on her lips and I hear a awww in the background.

"I'm going to be a grandpa... best Christmas ever" Alex's dad says and I laugh. He was so laid back and this is the most excited I've ever seen him.

After everyone calms down we go upstairs and make our plates for dinner. We (barley) fit around the table as we share laughs and our favorite memories of the holidays. Honestly this is my favorite one. My mom loves telling the story of me breaking someone's window with a baseball back in high school and I loved listening to Alex's sister Jessica talk about how when she used to play in the backyard with Alex she used to get so competitive she broke Jessica's arm playing kick ball. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. We spent hours at the table eating a little but mostly just enjoying being around one another.

After eating we head to the gigantic tree and pass out presents. We got everyone a jersey shirt that said #1 grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle on it and their names on the back. We didn't know the gender yet so it was just a white t shirt but we will tie dye them blue at the baby shower so that's going to be fun. I got Alex a shirt that makes her baby bump look like a baseball and it was really funny. She loved it. I got her other stuff too but that's what she was most excited about.

Alex places a bag in my lap with the biggest smile and waits for me to do something with it.

"Merry Christmas" she says and look at her questionably. I open the bag and find a bunch of candy and popcorn and movies because honestly it's our favorite thing to do. I loved spoiling her and taking her to nice places but I also loved staying home away from the cameras and just being with her. At the bottom of the bag was a small box. I open and and see a set of keys.

"What's this for" I ask picking them up.

"Go in the garage and find out for yourself" she smirks. Every smiles to me and I feel like a little kid at Christmas again. I hop off the couch and run into the garage. I see a nice mid-sized Buick Enclave and smile real big. I look inside and see a car seat and I laugh.

"Safety first" she sing songs from the door frame with our families behind her laughing.

"You're the best" I laugh and she smiles bright. This was defiantly the best Christmas ever.