Yuna Inspired: Our Virtual Family

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"Hello," said Hana as she peeked inside the daycare center with Logan behind her. She entered, walked to the front desk, and said, "We're here for Lucas."

"I believe he's in room one," said the front desk lady. "Would you like for me to get him for you?"

"No, thanks. I can go." Hana turned to Logan, handed him her stuff, and scurried to a room behind the desk.

The front desk lady smiled. "Every time she picks him up, she's so happy. Not every parent I see picks up their child with a smile like hers." She smiled at Logan. "You have a doting wife."

Logan managed to not cringe and only smiled back as Hana returned with Lucas. "Got everything?" he asked Hana, and she nodded. He opened the door for her, and they walked home.

Hana glanced down at the baby. "Today, we're gonna exercise some more, Lucas."

"Don't those stretches hurt him?"

"It's to help him be more mobile. It prepares him for when he's gonna crawl. I did that to my kids to help them crawl faster." She stopped in her tracks, remembering her kids. The kids she had abandoned.

"Hey, want a Christmas tree?" he asked, changing the subject. "It's not too late for one."

"It doesn't matter, really. All I want is to spend it with my family."

The friends looked at each other. At times like this was when they asked themselves if they were portraying their roles correctly or if it was really how they felt.

"Let's get a medium-sized one," she said.

"Yeah, that'll do."

"It'll be our first Christmas together," the friends said in sync and then laughed.

They got to their house, and he immediately went to the thermostat and turned on the heater while she went upstairs with Lucas to give the boy warmer clothes.

She fixed her window's blinds and saw her neighbor's Christmas lights on its overhang. She hummed to herself, "What should I get Logan this year?"

*

Jake wailed during lunch break, "It's winter break in three hours!"

"I can't wait," added a bashful Hailey, which was a first. "This year's Christmas will be special."

Jake, Logan, and Hana covered their mouths as they eyed their dating friends.

Hailey blushed, also another first. "Not that, guys!"

Seth stepped in to clarify the dirty thoughts. "It's our first time spending Christmas together."

Hana shook her head. "It can't be your first Christmas! You guys have been dating since middle school!"

Hailey sighed and rolled her eyes. "With just the two of us. Every year, we didn't get to do much together because he had his family parties and I had mine."

"Oh, that makes sense."

"What about you guys?"

Jake answered first. "My grandparents are visiting this year, so we're doing family portraits and lots of partying."

"Aww, that sounds nice." Hailey turned to Logan and Hana. "And you guys?"

"He got us a tree," answered Hana, pointing to Logan. "We're also gonna celebrate Lucas's six-month birthday."

"Six-month birthday?" the friends asked at the same time.

Logan nodded. "She wants to make it a very special day 'cause the brat's gonna be exactly six months old."