One True Love

Chapter 27

Making it back from New York, the next month or soseemed to fly by as this time of year always seemed to be the busiest. We found out shortly after returning how we had done on our midterms, and I was still thankful those were over although finals were now creeping around the corner. In actuality, I was looking forward to finals, Christmas Break, and a whole new set of classes next semester. The night before we had left, back in October, Kyle had tried to start some drama and I had told Scotty that I did not want him in the wedding. Obviously, still salty about that, he had not come around much since we were home, but when he did, he had a different girl by his side each time. I secretly hoped that one day he would find the happiness that I had found with Scotty and Ashley had found with Austin.

I had spent Thanksgiving with Scotty's family, and it was nice to have a sneak peek into their family traditions. After we had finished eating, myself, Ashley, and Mrs. Judy all hit the stores with my mom in tow for a little Black Friday shopping. It was my first time to experience this madness, but apparently Ashley and her mom put themselves through this torture every year and considered it fun. After standing in line for two and a half hours to get Mr. Mike the latest HDTV that Best Buy had to offer, I was happy when we finally walked out of the store.

Although the night had consisted of standing in line for most of the time we were out, I had to admit that I found myself having fun a time or two. Everything stayed open late and around 2:00 in the morning we had stopped by Starbucks to refuel on caffeine before hitting the last few stores of the night. In the end, I was happy that Ashley and her mom had invited us to go with them.

The next few days had consisted of sleeping late, eating left over turkey sandwiches and finding our Christmas tree. A family tradition of ours was to always put up the Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and I was thankful that Scotty had rode with us to the tree farm to pick out our family tree. I hoped that one day we would make memories like this one day with our own family. After two hours of walking up and down the aisles of pine, cedar, and Douglas fir trees, my mom and dad finally settled on a 7 foot pine tree that was absolute perfection.

Coming home, Scotty and I helped my mom and dad decorate the tree once he and my dad had it situated securely in the stand. Walking down from the attic, my mom carried a huge box of family ornaments and I knew the embarrassment was soon to start. As she handed me an ornament to hang on the tree, she told a story with each one and although Scotty laughed, he seemed genuinely interested in each one which made me smile.

This was going to be our first Christmas together as a couple, and it was already shaping up to be one to remember. The next week passed quickly, and with us both having finals soon and then Christmas Break, Scotty had taken off from touring to spend time with his family for the holidays. We had spent many nights cuddled up at the apartment, drinking hot chocolate and watching sappy Hallmark Christmas movies. Of course, he had helped me as well to set up a small Christmas tree in mine and Ashley's apartment.

Not having a real tree, I knew there would be plenty of time for that in the future and besides we weren't going to do Christmas here, or at least I didn't think we were so I had purchased a small five foot prelit tree from the store. Deciding to make our own ornaments, we had had a blast one night with Ashley stringing popcorn and making paper chains to hang on the trees. In our eyes, it was perfect.

Still, there were two ornaments on the tree that were not homemade. No, Scotty and I had started one of our own traditions which was to get each other a Christmas ornament each year representing something that happened that year. Being at the mall one night last weekend, we found a small kiosk close to the food court where you could buy personalized ornaments.

As I sat there, wrapped in his arms one night, I couldn't help but to love the ornament he had picked out for me. Somehow, he had managed to get the clerk to make me my very own ornament which was a small diamond ring and a small seashell. Along the band of the ring was the date October 9th, 2011...the day we were engaged. On the seashell was the date....October 13th, 2012 which symbolized our wedding date and the fact that we were getting married on the beach. Hanging right beside mine was a small ornament of a microphone and a music note with the date May 25th, 2011 written on it, the day that he won American Idol.