The Missing Gem

26 | For You

Lucas

Seeing my parents on the holidays always brings out a bit of a bittersweet feeling. I very much wanted to see them and spend this special time with them but, at the same time (and especially this year), whenever my job was mentioned it constituted a reason for tension to rise between us. 

On the 24th, when they asked how I was doing over some tea, I told them about Nicole. How I had met her, how we were dating and how strongly I felt about her. Luckily for me, both my mom and my dad were more than happy to get to meet her so soon. They were happy that I found someone.

Then, during Christmas dinner I decided to rip off the band aid and let them know about my recent change of plans for the future, told them all about my trip to the studios and how they were so interested in me and my vision and explained that I'd be moving to the US after the new year.

Obviously, that was when it all went south. 

"Okay, now I'm actually getting really nervous about meeting them." Nicole took a deep breath as she looked out the window, after I told her how it all went.

I picked her up from the airport and was currently driving us to my parent's house, located in St. Jude's. 

"Don't be." With my left hand on the wheel, I took my right hand to hers and squeezed her palm. "They really liked that I met someone and they seemed pretty excited to meet you."

With what I said, Nicole looked a bit more relaxed and at ease, and we carried on with the journey. 

"I noticed you're wearing my gift."

She had given me a watch and it was my new favorite accessory. It looked good and it is useful and every time I want to know the time I'm instantly reminded of Nicole. And that's always a good memory to have. 

"I loved it. Thank you so much again." Like a God given gift, the sign turned red and once I stopped the vehicle I tilted my head to the side to kiss her.

"I loved yours too." I smiled and once I spotted the bright green light on the corner of my eye, I started the car again and continued the ride home. "And I'm wearing it too, see?"

I offered Nicole a custom made silver necklace that I designed especially for her, with an inscription of her name. It was my last design for Gems of the Heath and it was the perfect gift for her.

I glanced at her and saw she had pulled the name tag out from under the red turtle neck sweater she had on, showing to me that she was in fact wearing it. "And I never plan on taking it off."

A few minutes after, I was parking the car on my parents' driveway and much to our surprise, we had a special greeting right before we walked inside the house.

"Nicole!" Little Lexi ran to the passenger's door and excitedly waited for Nicole to open the door and hug her tight, which she did in seconds. 

"Hi cutie! Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Yes! Did you?"

"I did. Did Santa left you nice gifts?"

"Yes. What did he give you?" Lexi's voice was always filled with joy and excitement and I couldn't help but always wish I could go back to being a child whenever I heard her speak.

"Lexi, don't bother Nicole. It's freezing out here, let's go inside and she'll tell us all about it."

"Okay, uncle Luc."

We walked inside my childhood home and as we reached the front door, we had my parents expecting us already.

"Hello!" They both said in unison, with smiles on their faces.