Adopted by Luke Hemmings

38

"Daddy," I heard Emma call from her bedroom.

She's okay going in there, she just doesn't want to be alone when she goes to bed and she wants me to be in there when she goes to sleep.

"Yeah sweetie?" I called back.

"I need help," she spoke as I walked in.

It's the day before Christmas Eve and we're packing for my mum's house. I have a surprise for her though.

I go into her room and she points to her closet. I open it and grab her suitcase.

We pack her enough clothes for a night and a day. I had forgotten that we aren't spending the night Christmas Eve night. My dad got my mom tickets to go to Dubai.

I zip up the suitcase and look at her. She looks tired.

"You're going to be okay," I told her as I bent to her level on the bed.

"Will they stop soon?" She asked.

"Yes baby," I told her as I kissed her cheek.

I grabbed our suitcases and we went downstairs. She loves the Christmas tree, especially the presents. But what kid doesn't like presents?

"Daddy, when does Santa come?" She asked as she looked up at me.

"He comes tomorrow night. But you have to be asleep in order for him to come. He has more presents for you," I told her as she gasped and smiled.

We got into the car and I drove to my parents house. She ran inside as Jack opened the door.

"Hey sweets!" He exclaimed as he picked her up.

"Hi Uncle Jack!" She spoke happily as he smothered her in kisses.

I smiled, as he set her down and came to grab her suit case.

"How has she been?" He asked.

"I honestly don't know," I spoke.

"I just hope this eases for her, " he said.

We put the suit cases in my room and returned downstairs, where we saw my dad and Emma sitting in his recliner.

"Where is Ben?" I asked as I handed Emma her blanket and dog. She'll probably go to sleep. She woke up really early. And it's 3 in the afternoon.

"He's on his way. Had to make a stop," my mom spoke as I hugged her.

"She been okay?" She whispered to me.

"Yeah, she's been fine," I assured her.

My mom nodded and let it go, knowing it was a sensitive subject.

Ben finally arrived. My brothers are married, but their wives are at their parents houses. They are doing what we're doing, going home tomorrow and spending Christmas Day together.

We all watched a Christmas movie and are dinner. On Christmas, we usually have a game night. So, that's what we did.

Emma sat in my lap as I played Ben in Mario Kart. We do tournaments and whoever wins gets ice cream, even though everyone gets some. When we were kids we would get to into the game and whine if we all didn't get any.

I ended up winning the tournament, but I didn't want any ice cream. I gave mine to Emma. She was a hot mess afterwards.

"Let's clean you up," I laughed as I took her hand and went to the bathroom.

I washed her mouth off and we raced up the stairs so we could start another Christmas movie. Emma laid in between Ben and I. Jack was on the other side of me and my mom and dad were laying on the couches.

We started a movie and thirty minutes into it we all fell asleep.

-

When I woke up, I heard a snapshot.

My mom had my phone and took a picture of us.

"Mom," I sighed, no pictures."

"I'm sorry sweetheart, it was just so cute," she spoke as she set my phone down.

I look over and Emma was cuddled into my chest and Ben had his arms around her. Jack was rolled over and had his head on my back.

"Jack," I whispered waking him up.

"Hmm?" He groaned.

"Let me get up and help mom set out presents. You can roll over and go back to sleep," I told him as he nodded

I got up, careful not to wake Ben or Emma and went downstairs.

I helped my mom set out presents and Jack and Ben came downstairs, Ben having a sleeping Emma in his arms.

"Thanks," I told Ben as I took her away and went upstairs to wake her so she could take her medicine. She took it after we are ice cream last night.

"Em, wake up baby," I spoke softly as I rubbed her back.

"Did you sleep okay?" I asked her as I carried her downstairs.

She nodded, "I didn't have a bad dream."

"That's great sweetpea," I told her as I kissed her cheek.

I set her down behind her presents and her eyes widened.

"Are these mine?" She asked as I sat behind her.

"Sure are. We'll open them in just a moment," I told her.

Once my family came into the living room, we opened presents.

Emma got some clothes and some toys, along with a new pair of Vans.

She got up and went and hugged my parents and her biological uncles.

I got clothes and some stuff for travel.

We ate breakfast and then us kids and grandchild left, leaving my dad and mom to pack for Dubai.

-

"Daddy, wake up! Santa came, Santa came!"

I opened my eyes and Emma was on my stomach.

"Did he?" I asked.

"Yeah! He came, let's go see what we got!" She exclaimed.

I smiled and got out of bed, seeing something I didn't think I would see early.

There stood Michael, Calum, and Ashton. They were all in pyjamas.

"Daddy look!" She exclaimed as she ran to them.

I smiled and we all hugged each other.

Emma opened her presents and loved them all.

"Thank you daddy," she spoke as she unwrapped what I had gotten her.

"You're welcome," I told her as she hugged me

"How do I thank Santa?" She asked.

"You don't love. He knows you're thankful," Michael told her as she nodded and went to sit in his lap.

We spent Christmas being lazy, eating candy, and watching movies, together as a family.