A Home For Zoe

Merry Christmas (In Editing)

"Family is family,
whether it's the one you start out with,
or the one you end up with."

Zoe

"Get up! Get up!" My eyes flutter open and I spot two little heads floating above me, the twins. I sigh, today the whole family has to go help pick out a tree. It's all the twins have been talking about for days.

I groan, "Ok, I'm up. Scram, so I can get ready." They run out of the room, giggling.

They haven't thrown me out the door yet, so that's good news. Bridger starts his new job after New Years, and nobody has bugged me about my freak out. The picture is reframed, and sitting next to my bed and Alanna doesn't seem to care that I threw a pillow at her.

I sigh and roll out of bed, since the twins will be up here in no time if I'm not ready soon.

When I get downstairs everyone else is pretty much ready to go but Alanna insists that I eat.

Before long everyone is piled into the car, and we are on our way. Christmas music blares from the speakers, and everyone is singing at the top of their lungs. When we arrive at the tree store, there are about 100 trees lying on the ground on leaning against walls or posts.

Chloe grabs my hand and drags me around to look at our different options, the twins call for their parents to look at one. It takes an hour for everyone to agree on the perfect tree. It was fun, we laughed and sang and ran around. I like it here so much, I wish I didn't, but I do.
___

That night Bridger set up the tree in the living room, and Alanna brings up boxes and boxes of ornaments. I don't think that they will all fit on the tree. Everybody takes turns hanging one on the tree while Christmas music plays softly in the background, and we sing along and dance.

After the tree is covered completely in red and gold and silver. We settle into the couch to watch Christmas movies.
___

On Christmas morning, I am again awakened by excited twins, "Presents, Zoe, come and see the presents." I sigh rolling over, and by the time I open my eyes, they have run on to wake up the others. I glance at the clock, 6:00 am. When I get downstairs Chloe and Cason are being pulled up the basement steps, and Alanna and Bridger are right behind me.

Presents surround the tree, spilling out onto the floor around it. And the stockings that hung empty and limp the night before bulge with treats.

Due to the twin's impatience, they are allowed to open their stockings first, pulling out one thing at a time and examining it carefully. Everyone follows suit, going one at a time.

Out of stockings come gift cards and candy, stuffed animals and headphones, socks and headbands.
Mine is stuffed just as full as the others, filled with brand new stuff, things I've always wanted.

When the stockings are empty, we take turns opening presents. Pulling out one at a time and handing it to the lucky recipient. I have a huge pile of new books and clothes, plus a new laptop of my very own. I can't believe how generous they were. I've never gotten more than a pair of socks from any of my other foster parents.

By the time we get though the hundreds of presents, it's almost 10:00 and everyone is starving. Bridger runs out to get donuts and bagels, and Alanna fries up some bacon and sausage.

Soon I'm curled up in the corner with one of my new books. But Alanna is busy as ever cooking Christmas dinner for her family, who will arrive soon.

I'm happy, this has been a really great Christmas, unlike any I've ever had before. I sigh contentedly, and smile, as I read.