christmas (baby please come home)

remember when you were here

"hi baby!" Nini exclaimed happily into her phone as she closes her childhood bedroom door behind her.

Ricky's smile is evident even through the facetime video, "hey my sweet girl, how are you?!"

she grins and shrugs her shoulder, "i'm okay, i really miss you."

"i know, i miss you too." Ricky is cut off as his little sister enters the room, "is that Nini?!"

neither have the chance to say anything before the phone is ripped out of his hand, the strawberry blonde haired little girl coming into view, "Nini! i miss you!"

the brunette grins, "awe i miss you too Al, i'm sorry i couldn't be there with you guys."

the girl nods, "it's okay! Ricky said maybe next year!"

"i promise i'll be there next year Allie!"

Ricky comes into view again as he hangs over his sisters shoulder, "can i speak to my fiancé now? alone?"

the girl hands over the phone and Nini giggles as she hears her speak once more before leaving the room, "don't do anything dad would disapprove of!"

Ricky turns a little red at the girls words, "god it's crazy here."

"sounds fun." the brunette responds, leaning on her hand and looking dreamily at the phone.

they sit in silence for a few seconds, just staring at each other. this is the longest they've been apart and it's only been a few days.

"it's Christmas Eve tomorrow, what are you and the moms up to? how's Lola?" Ricky asks excitedly.

Nini sighs a little, "Lola is good, she keeps asking about you. she's mad that i didn't bring you with me but she'll get over it. moms and i are gonna make our Filipino dinner and then we'll probably watch a christmas movie or something. what about you guys?"

"well Allie wants to make a gingerbread house so i'll probably do that with her. we're gonna open our one present which is always matching pajamas and then we'll probably take a family picture in front of the fireplace and watch a movie. the usual." he shrugs.

the girl pouts a little, "i miss the Bowen Christmas."

"we miss you. i miss you."

"i miss you too."

***

Lola has been secretive all day long. Nini first noticed it this morning when her grandmother failed to join her for breakfast, claiming she had a game of bingo to get to with her friends. it was 8:30 in the morning.

Dana and Carol seemed to be holding something back as well. they were sharing secret looks all day long and seemed to jump whenever Nini was near.

she'd had enough.

the three women were sitting in the living room, watching a movie together. Nini entered and stood in front of the tv.

"okay, what is up with you guys?!" she asked over their yelling for her to move.

"what are you talking about dear?" Carol asked, fidgeting a little.

the girl rolls her eyes, "the secret glances, the sneaking off to mysterious places all day, the jumping whenever i'm around. what is going on?"

the three women all exchanged silent looks for a moment while Nini tapped her foot impatiently. eventually, Lola gets up to leave the room, telling Nini to hold on a second when she started to complain.

the girls eyes are filled with confuse as the older woman enters the room again, this time with papers in her hands.

"what's this?" she asks as Lola hands everything to her.

the woman smiles kindly, "your christmas present."

and what a wonderful present it was.