In the name of 'Friendship' [COMPLETED]

34: Christmas

"Night air, good conversations and a sky full of stars can heal almost any wound."

"Ashley Ashley, please help me with the Christmas tree." Theo pouted unable to reach the top of the tree for hanging up the ornaments.

Theo was Derek's youngest cousin, an adorable ten year old kid with puppy dog eyes and a chubby face. Theo and I got along pretty well since day one and he's actually like a mini version of Derek who is perfect at everything and does have the charms to make any girl fall for him. How did I know that? Last night after dinner, I tucked him in and he winked at me saying I was the best girl he's ever come across. Definitely, something he must have learnt from Derek.

"With you in a minute Theo." I said placing the cake in the oven and rushing towards the impatient kid.

"Where's Harry and Cody?" I asked him.

Harry was aunt Marin's son whereas Cody and Theo were uncle John's. Mr.Walker was very close to both his siblings and all of them spent most of their holidays together.
Harry was a year elder to me, the same age as Derek whereas Cody was seventeen.

"Cody went grocery shopping with Derek and Aunt Vic. Harry probably took Coco for a walk." He answered, his eyes focused on the tree and checking if I was placing the ornaments properly or not. The Walker men sure loved to keep things their way!

Everyone was allotted some work or the other for the day by Victoria and needless to say everyone obliged as it was Christmas eve tomorrow. Aunt Marin, Aunt Jessie and Victoria were in charge for the dinner, Mr. Walker and Uncle John for the drinks, Derek was their driver for the day and Cody must have decided to hop along with him instead of helping Theo and Harry for the decorations. As expected, I was in charge for baking and making sure that the guys did their assigned job well.

Even though all of us were away from home, here in Dubai for Christmas, it did not seem like it. To give it a homely feel, Derek suggested us to rent a bungalow so that the family could spend time together and it would be just like any other Christmas back in New York. Mr.Walker happened to love that idea and now, here we are in a house in Dubai preparing for Christmas. We landed here a day back and spent most of the time relaxing and shopping for the Christmas decorations and gifts. Derek's side of family was so welcoming and friendly that I started to feel like I just belonged here! The fact that they did not have any daughter made them like me more. All of them have sons so Aunt Marin and Jessie were way too happy to have me to guide them with their clothes and other trendy stuff.
It was just the second day of us being here and it felt like home. They felt like family. I don't think I can ever repay Derek and his family for everything they've done for me.

"No no, towards the right." Theo whined.

"Okay okay." I chuckled.

"All done. What next?" I questioned him admiring the Christmas tree. A cute golden star at the top, golden fairy lights, colourful ornaments and candy canes randomly placed all around it.

"Garlands." Theo handed me out one reading 'Merry Christmas.'

"Why don't you set up these lights in the garden area while I hang up these garlands?" I suggested passing him the Christmas lights.

"Okay." He grinned and left.

Now, I was not tall enough to reach the top of the door so I dragged a chair near it, stood up on it and even after that had to stand on my tippy toes to reach the top!  Times like these make me crib about my height.