But is this how you Wanted it?

Chapter 13: Gifts & Kisses.

With the news of Jessica's leukaemia, Emma had noticed Jose Fuller was a little depressed. Which was totally understandable on her part, who wouldn't be sad in his situation. Some days had past and Jessica had started treatment, she'd be on her next stage of the treatment by the end of December. Until then it was Christmas time, the first snow had fallen and the town was a busy bee with preparations for the Annual Chinese-American Christmas Day Parade. Emma loved the parade, she went with Roxy every year since they've known each other.

This year Roxy and Nathan would be going together to the parade, and Emma would go with Jose. They had had planned an after party for themselves in Emma's house since her grandparents wouldn't be at her house for Christmas.

It was snowing all week, and winter season break had started for the students in RealN. They would have 2 weeks off from school in order for the students to spend Christmas and New Year's with their family. Most of Emma's teachers had given her homework but it was all simple. Jose and hers chemistry teacher had given out a small project to do with their table partner, and for Emma and Jose, that was each other. They decided to spend the morning after the new year working on it. But for now they would be planning the Christmas party.

The day of parade came sooner than they felt it would. They set up their chairs and ice chest towards more of the end, there was less people that way. The parade started. The first float was from the local matching band team, followed by the town's dance Team Lightings. The town's robotics group of people and mini robots came out next, as did mayor and his security members. The town's famous alumni all had holographic images of themselves waving. Then came the Sweetener Police Department and was followed by lots more town clubs, including the second dance team, Rainforest Troop. There was also the Sweetener Fire Department.

After the parade, Roxy and Nathan, and Jose, went to Jose's house to allow Emma time to set up her Christmas decorations. Emma's grandparents didn't set them up, just the tree. Roxy, Nathan, and Jose still needed to pick up the gifts they bought for everyone. Emma called Roxy and told her she was ready for everyone to come over. The three got in Jose's car to pick up Maddie and David. It would be a small party of 6.

They arrived to Emma's house, in the front, there was lights lining the door that were glowing a bright rainbow. When they walked inside, it was simple. A blue, silver, and black decorated Christmas tree was in the corner, with some presents around it for her friends. Emma had the open dining room set up with snacks and drinks. She made cookies for them. She had some mistletoe hung from her ceiling. There were some stuffed animal Snowmen placed around elegantly. Emma had blankets draped over her couch and living room chairs. There were red and green streamers hanging around in random places. It was a very simple, yet festive interior. They placed the gifts they brought under the tree next to Emma's existing presents.

They started the party off with small talk. Nathan and Roxy sat side by side, David and Maddie sat on the other side of the couch, along with them. Jose and Emma sat in one of the chairs together, the chair was wide enough to fit two and a half people.

Emma put on a new Christmas movie called Christmas at Nana's, it was the latest Christmas comedy and won thousands of awards. They watched and laughed, and towards the end of the film, they turned down the volume so they could begin to open presents.

Emma decided that they would pass out their gifts to whom they belonged to. David handed out his first, followed by Roxy, Emma, Nathan, Maddie, and lastly, Jose. But something was wrong, Jose hadn't handed Emma her gift. Emma asked herself if everything from the past few months were for nothing. She didn't want to overthink this situation, maybe he left it at his house.

Maddie opened her gifts first. She opened the gift from Nathan, it was a card with a 15 dollar Visa gift card. She proceeded to open Jose's gift to her, it was a small collection of makeup brushes from one of her favorite brands. Maddie opened Roxy's gift afterwards, it was another card that said "Sisters are the best gift you'll ever get! Merry Christmas Sis!" It made Maddie laugh. She opened Emma's gift of a small set of Stanley's Lipsticks. She left the best gift for last. She opened a card from David as he shifted in his seat, she glanced up and back down to read the hand-made card, "I'm sorry for the mistakes I've made. I ask that you forgive me. But I must ask you something else..."