Now That You Are Here

Merry Christmas

Small mature scene marked by ***; literally one paragraph

"Thank you so much. I can't express to you how much this means to me."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

He presses another kiss to my lips before Leo calls him over. Brixton reluctantly moves towards his brother, but I shove him on. I stand in the corner for a second, watching the happy family. For a second, jealousy fills me, but I brush it away. Soon, we are all sitting at the table and passing around delicious food. Conversations arise, but soon everyone's attention is on me.

"Did your family have any Christmas Eve traditions?"

"My parents would go to the fancy party down the street. When I was finally able to drive, my grandpop-" I point to grandpop who's sitting next to me "-and I would meet halfway in Hidden Hills. We would take a walk around, even though the flowers weren't blooming, it was still beautiful."

"Sounds like a lot of fun."

"Oh, yeah! It was fun. I'm guessing you all have a tradition."

"We did, but the kids won't do it anymore. They used to put on a performance with the karaoke machine. They only sang Christmas songs, and it was the cutest thing ever. Now, we just watch the videos."

"That sounds like so much fun! I want to do karaoke. Brixton!"

He gives me a look, kissing my forehead. I give him a pleading look, but he only shakes his head.

"Oh, come on."

"No."

"It would be so much fun. Have a holly, jolly Christmas...It's the best time of the year...sing along, Brixton!"

"No."

"So no for A Holly Jolly Christmas. How about Santa tell me if you're really there...Don't make me fall in love again...yes?"

"You singing Christmas songs in my ear isn't going to make me change my mind."

"Fine, fine, fine, but just you wait till grandpa and I get in the car. You will be astounded at how annoyed you really get."

"Oh, yeah? Are you sure about that?"

"I'm about ninety seven percent positive that you will be annoyed."

"What about the other three perfect?"

"That's the perfect scenario where you might actually jump in and have fun."

"I'm fun."

"Not with Christmas songs. It's Christmas Eve. It would be an abomination if you didn't sing one song."

We look into each other's eyes, testing one another in a playful way. I place a hand on his thigh and give it a squeeze. Brixton licks his bottom lip. I smile sweetly up at him, knowing exactly what I'm doing.

"Alright, fine. One song."

"Yes. Love you."

"Whatever."

"Positive attitude, Brixton! Or I'll make you do another one."

He gives me a genuine smile because turning back to his meal. That's when I feel all of the eyes on us. I look up to see his whole family, including my grandpop, looking at the two of us playfully bicker with one another. I reach for Brixton, and his hand catches mine. 

I pull Krissy into conversation, talking about what her family is doing for Christmas and who they are spending it with. My nerves calm down when everyone goes back to conversation, but I can still feel Brixton's hand in mine. When dinner is over, Kylie instantly grabs the karaoke machine, much to Brixton's displeasure.