A Tribe United

Chapter 16

Maddie opened Laura's and Marc's bedroom door before going to their bed and crawling in. She sat on Marc then leaned over to Laura. "It's Christmas."

Neither stirred.

"It's Christmas!" She screamed.

Laura popped up and looked around blearily. She felt Maddie on her side and laid back down. "MadCap...,-"

"It's Christmas." Maddie pouted.

"Okay."

"You have to get up." Maddie began pulling on her. "We have presents!"

"Okay, okay!" Laura yawned. "Go wake the others."

"She already did." Marcy's bitter voice came from the doorway.

"They're mad at me." Maddie sulked.

"It's-" Laura looked at her digital clock. "Five thirteen! Maddie!"

"But presents!"

"Ugh! Go make a pot of coffee for me and Marc. Make chocolate for yourselves." Laura yawned again.

"Come on, sprite." Marcy leaned against the doorway and held out a hand.

Maddie scrambled off the bed and went to take her hand. "Are you still mad at me?"

"Yes." They left.

Laura sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. She sighed before pushing at Marc. "Wake up!"

He slept on.

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"

He turned on his side- away from her.

She pushed him and he fell out of the bed. She peeked over the side.

He blinked, dazed as he'd hit his head on the nightstand on the way down. He palmed his head. "Ahh! My head! What happened?"

"You fell."

He realized he was on the floor. "Dammit!"

"Stop cursing and get up. Where does your head hurt?"

He sat up and turned his head.

"It's a small bruise. You'll be okay. Get up." She finished feeling his face and got out of the bed. "It's Christmas morning."

"Cool... but I want to sleep."

"You might have a concussion. You can't go back to sleep."

He groaned. "Fine." He pulled himself to his feet.

She pushed him out and they went downstairs to the den, where all the presents were set up. Gifts from their family had come in the day before plus Laura had found presents their parents had hid for them.

"Your coffee will be done soon." Mercedes told them as they entered the great room.

"Thanks, Mercy." Marc collapsed in a chair.

"Mal, do you have your camera?" Laura asked.

Mal pointed to the camera set up on the mantle. A red blinking light winked at them.

"Okay. Maddie, you go first."

Maddie set aside her hot chocolate and grabbed a gift. She shook it before reading the label. "It's from Santa! He knows where we are!"

"I told you." Laura smiled. "Open it."

Maddie ripped the paper off and opened the box. "New ice skates!"

"Marcy, you go next."

Marcy opened a gift. "A new jewelry box."

"It's so gothic." Mercedes admired the dark green wood.