Forevermore

20

As soon as my eyes open I know EXACTLY what day it is, and poor Hayden as I literally jump on top of him, wakes from his sleep with a start.

"What the hell Selena!" He exclaims, a scared look on his face.

"It's Christmas!" I exclaim and his wide eyes fade.

"You scared the shit out of me." He says and I swoop down and kiss him.

"I'm sorry, but it's freakin Christmas." I say going to move back and he pulls me back down and finds my lips.

"It is." He says and I smile moving back. I stand up and hold my hand down to him and he laughs taking it then we run downstairs as Justin and my dad leave their rooms.

"Merry Christmas!" I exclaim then peck them both on the cheek and pull them to the tree.

"Still a child when it comes to the holiday." My dad says and I smirk grabbing presents for everyone and handing them over. We all sit back and then on the count of three, we all go to open our first present. Our final tradition of the Christmas season. A knock sounds on the door and I look over.

"Who's that?" I ask and my dad stands up and walks over to the door.

"Figured it was appropriate to invite a few people."

He pulls the door open as I stand up and my heart grows happy as I look.

"Grandma! Aunt Alice, Uncle John! Billy and Lidia!" I exclaim seeing the family I've missed so so much, it's been way too long. They all laugh and I run over giving them all big hugs.

"Merry Christmas!" I exclaim and they all smile hugging me back.

"Great to see you always, Selena." My uncle says and I smile as the kids pull me into the room. I smile as I sit beside them while my dad brings in the gifts from their cars. I look over and Hayden gets off the couch and sits beside me so everyone else can sit. I smile over at him then introduce him to everyone. They all get very excited and I laugh as they hug him and welcome him.

"Now it's really Christmas." Justin says and I smile over at him as everyone sits down and we start passing around and opening up the gifts.

It's true what they say, Christmas is a time for forgiveness and to be with your families. I'm very blessed to still have these incredible people in my life and to be blessed to welcome Hayden into it as well. 

We all laugh and smile listening to the Christmas music and just catching up and chatting. The kids play with their toys and I smile as Hayden plays with them. How'd I get so lucky?

"Selena?" I look over as my grandmother steps forward and I smile as she hands me over a box.

"What's this?" I ask and she nods me on, "open it." I look back down at the small box then open it.

"Oh my god it's beautiful." I whisper seeing the gorgeous silver heart locket with roses and a gold arrow.

"Open it." She says and I gently open the locket.

"Mom." I whisper seeing a photo of her and my dad.

"This was your mother's locket from long long ago. I lost it before she passed, but found it just recently. I knew instantly who it belonged to." She says looking at me and I smile as a tear trails down my cheek and I pull her in for a hug.

"Nobody else should have that locket, but you." She whispers and I nod against her.

"I will always cherish and take care of it." I say pulling back and she smiles, "I know." She says and I wipe my eyes then put it on over my head. The cool metal comes to its' resting position between my breasts and I smile at her.

"Thank you." I say and she nods smiling.

"Merry Christmas, Selena."

~~~~~~

I stare out at the snow covered field, the blanket wrapped around me and my mother's necklace clenched in my grip. I watch as the trees gently bend with the wind, and just let the fresh air settle around me. Everyone left about two hours ago, after our famous Christmas dinner, and it's just been Justin, my dad, Hayden and I. Today was such an incredible day, honestly.

The door slides open and I look over smiling as Hayden walks out.

"Lilith wants to talk to you." He says and I laugh taking his phone and putting it to my ear.

"Hello?" 

"Hi Selena!" She exclaims and I smile, "hi beautiful, how are you?"

"I'm good! I just finished dinner!"

"Oh? What did you have?"

"Ham and potatoes and green beans and macaroni."

"Mmm sounds good."

"It was super yummy! I got your Christmas present!" She exclaims and I look over at Hayden with a smile.

"You did? How'd you like it?"

"I love it! You know the more I dance, the sooner I'll be able to dance like her." She says and I smile.

"I have no doubt." I say and she giggles.

"Thank you!" She exclaims and I laugh.

"You're very very welcome. Merry Christmas beautiful."

"Merry Christmas!" She shouts then ends the call and I smirk pulling the phone from my ear.

"So, music box was a hit?" He asks and I nod.

"She loved it." I say and he smirks kissing me on the cheek.

"I knew she would." He says as I hand him his phone back. He puts it in his pocket then looks over my shoulder and points.

"Selena look." He says and I turn just in time to see beautiful deer sprint across our field. I laugh smiling as Hayden wraps his arms around my waist. I lean back against him and sigh as he gently  picks up the necklace around my neck.

"This is truly beautiful Selena."

"Thank you." I whisper turning to face him.

"I didn't give you your Christmas gift." Hayden says and I eye him.

"You didn't need to get me a gift." I say and he laughs.

"Well, you gave me one."

"Well yeah, but that's just me." I say and he smirks suddenly with a box in his hand.

"Where the hell did that come from?" I ask and he laughs, "magic." I eye him.

"My jacket pocket. Just open it." He says and I laugh unwrapping the wrapping paper.

"What is it?" I ask then my heart skips a beat as I turn the frame over.

"This was taken the very first day I realized I was in love with you." He says as I stare at a photo of us, the very first photo we took after re catching up.

"Open the frame." He says and I gently do so and smile reading the words.

"I never knew I could fall so madly in love with someone I hardly knew, but then it hit me that I've always known you, just took some roads for us to find each other again. I love you Selena, forevermore, and I promise, I'm going nowhere." I read then look up at him with a tear trailing down my cheek. I move onto my tiptoes and press my lips to his. He pulls me tighter to him and wraps his arms around me. 

I promise I'm not going anywhere either...

~~~~~~~~

THE END