Fifty-Two Weeks

twenty three

"And maybe you gave him

more love

than his heart could hold." -D.H.W.

---

The boys left on December 20th and would not be returning home in time for Christmas. Scarlett was neither happy nor sad about this, she was somewhere in the bitter middle. On one hand, she would miss hearing Ashton's giggle as he tore apart the wrapping paper. On the other, she was glad he wasn't around to remind her of what could have been. They could have had a family Christmas, but Ashton wasn't ready and Scarlett didn't think he would ever be.

So naturally on December 24th (Christmas Eve and Scarlett's twentieth birthday), the last place she wanted to be was the Irwin household. Don't be mistaken, she loved the Irwin's deeply, but anything Ashton related still left a sting. Scarlett was never one to break a promise, and she promised him she would visit on her birthday.

As she pulled into the asphalt driveway and killed the engine of her car, Scarlett prepared herself for the worst. She was still uneasy even though she knew he got her a gift, something just didn't seem right.

Her nerves calmed when the door swung open to reveal a very cheery Miss Irwin. Annemarie welcomed her in with open arms and the delightful smell of baking gingerbread greeted her senses.

"Look at you! This baby's sure ready to pop!" She squealed and rubbed Scarlett's ballooned stomach.

"Three more months!" Scarlett smiled proudly.

"Come in! Harry and Lauren will be so pleased that you're here." She ushered Scarlett into the house and called for her children to come downstairs.

"But mom, I'm in the middle of my game!" Harry whined.

"But Harry, I brought presents!" Scarlett mocked his whining tone and he shot her a death glare.

"You better not be lying, I gave up a new high score for this." He grumbled and hugged her briefly like his mother told him too.

"Shut up, Harry." Teased a sassy Lauren.

"Be nice!" Annemarie warned and the duo quickly shaped up.

"Come sit with me and I'll hand out the presents," Scarlett said as she plopped down on the love seat, "If you don't like them I can return it."

Lauren sat beside Scarlett on the love seat but Harry chose to sit on the floor facing them. Both were eager to open Christmas presents a day early.

"Lauren this one is yours," She handed a purple wrapped package to the young girl, "And Harry this is yours." She gave him a black and blue gift bag.

Lauren dived in and tore apart the paper with no mercy, screaming when she found a silver necklace inside. The necklace had the letter 'L' in cursive and a moon charm hanging from the chain.

"I love it, will you put it on me?" Lauren pleaded and Scarlett agreed. Moving and scooping up Lauren's hair, she clasped the chain together.

Harry had been rummaging around in his bag for ages before he finally found the tiny box on the bottom.

"What's this?" He asked as he unwrapped the small parcel.

"Open it!"

"No way." He breathed when he saw the contents. Scarlett had managed to get him a signed guitar pick from his favourite band and attached it to a long chain along with mock dog tags that had his information.

"I know it's lame and I can take it back, I don't know if you'll want to wear jewelry." She explained.

"Are you kidding? This is the coolest!" He cheered and threw his arms around her. "You're the best sister in law ever!"