The "Girl Next Door" is Cliche for a Reason

Chapter 19: A Boyfriend for Christmas

Luci woke up the whole house Christmas morning so that they could unwrap presents. Lexi helped pass out the presents and tried to keep her younger sister from opening them. They had spent Christmas Eve with Steve's family where Luci had been spoiled with gifts, so Lexi was curious as to why she was so excited. Lexi opened one of her smaller presents while Luci went for the biggest one. Luci had gotten a new bike and was extremely happy with her giant present. Lexi forgot that she had wanted one since last Christmas and understood her sister's excitement. The small gift Lexi had expected to be simple actually turned out to be the newest iPhone. Nate would be very happy with that news. They opened the rest of the presents before Steve got up to make them breakfast. Lexi helped her mom clean up while Luci went to go change to go outside on her new bike. They all ate breakfast together then Steve helped Luci put her bike together. While Lexi watched them put it together, she started to set up her phone and it made sense why hers suddenly stopped working after she got back from the snow. She sent Nate a photo of her and her mom hoping he would catch on that she got a new phone.

"Your uncle confirmed that your dad will be at his house if you wanted to head over there for lunch then we'll go to my parents for dinner," Lexi's mother offered.

"Is there a time I should head out?" Lexi asked.

"Nate told me he was thinking of stopping by around 10 if you wanted someone to accompany you to their house," her mother stated with a smile.

"I'm glad you're starting to like him," Lexi replied, "and trusting him."

"Well I would offer to go with you, but I don't think it would help your dad. I can't send Luci with just you or Steve will be upset, so I decided Nate would be a good driving partner. He also went with you every other day for a few weeks to go visit your dad, but yes I like him," her mother said, "now get changed out of your pajamas so that you can get a good video of your sister on your new phone."

Lexi put on the outfit she had planned for Christmas and put on a little bit of makeup since her grandma always commented when she didn't. When she got back downstairs, the bike was ready to use and Luci was riding it around their backyard, Max happily following her. Lexi caught it all on video before downloading some of the social media apps Nate always wanted her on and setting up her emails.

"This kid says she doesn't want a smartphone but now she can't seem to take her eyes off of it," Steve commented, joining them on the porch.

"I was trying to set it up," Lexi explained with a smile, "but I will admit that it was a good gift choice."

Lexi quickly texted Nate about him picking her up around ten then spent the next hour with her family. Nate showed up on time with flowers for Lexi's mom and desserts for her stepdad.

"How's Christmas going so far?" Nate asked them all.

"Good, we spent yesterday with dad's family and I got a bike today," Luci answered for them.

"We're going to spend time with my family later tonight so if you could have Lexi back by four, I'd really appreciate it," Clara told Nate, noting Lexi's shocked look. It had a tone of finality so the two of them headed out after saying their goodbyes.

"I see that you finally got an iPhone," Nate commented when they were in her car. When he saw that she was distracted, he took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Want to talk about it?"

"I've never heard Lucille call Steve dad and it just threw me off," Lexi stated, tightening her hand on the steering wheel and staring hard at the road.

"I'm sorry," Nate responded, not sure what to say.

Lexi forced a smile and glanced over at him, "it's fine. I'm sorry, it's Christmas and you're taking time away from your family to spend it with mine. How was Christmas?"