After putting the rest of the finger foods planned for this evening in the oven, you take a breath and exhale deeply. Removing the oven mitts and adjusting your glasses you remember back to just two days ago.
Picking from a hat and reading the small crumpled piece of paper.
Kylie Willde…the one and only.
The only thing that you have on your mind day to day. The uncontrollable laugher and happiness that she has given you aling with the comfort of knowing she is safe and happy in your arms. Everything in just a 5 foot 10 inch bundle of beauty, and cuteness.
You have planned this for awhile now and knowing that she has no idea who is getting her a gift it makes it even more of a surprise. You second guess yourself thinking, 'What if it's too early? Am I rushing this?' But deep down you know 100% that she is the one.
Your thoughts are intrupted by the sound of your name being said just by you. You look up to see your always overly dressed up friend, more like a brother than friend for the reason he has always been there ever since the both of you were kids.
"You okay bro?" He asks as he pats your shoulder.
"I'm all good. I'm just hoping it's not too…"
"You're fine. I wouldn't consister it too early. She will love it." Mark gives you a small reassuring smile.
You start to say something but stop for a moment and look around the room. The twins are siting on the couch playing a card game that seems to be made up because no one can understand it, other than them, and both the girls are down the hall doing, well, whatever girls do. Amy usually tries to get Kylie into more girly things like makeup and different styles of clothes and dresses. As you come back to reality again, you comb your hair back out of face and turn to Mark again.
"Well, I got the food in. It will take about half an hour or so." You try to change the topic, hoping it will lasr for a little while. "Certainly will give the women some time to play around with their outfits." You laugh a little because like everyone one says, women take longer to get ready then men.
As time passes, it seems to go faster then you wanted it to go. The oven goes off and you get up from the couch to finish up so everyone can eat. One of the twins notice your movement, they look up and speak, "You give up on trying to figure it out?" As he puts down a card.
"Yeah. You guys are confusing." You smile as you laugh a little.
The others turn around and look over big eyed.
"Food??"
"Yes Jake, food is ready." You say as you put the food on the table then turn to the sink to turn the tap on.
While scrubbing your hands with the bubbly soap, you feel a soft and warm-hearted presence behind you. Putting hands under the water to watch the soap slide off your hands, you feel a small embrace from behind and you smile. Peaking around your shoulder on her tippy toes, you react by playfully tapping her nose with a small amount of bubbles.
She giggles and steps back, "Hey! What was that for?"
You finish rinsing your hands and turn the tap off, turning around and leaning against the counter while drying your hands.
"You just got bubble booped." You smile down at Kylie. "Food is ready."
Another hour passes as food disappears and drinks start to be served out. With dinner being cleaned up, the whole group goes and gets comfortable in the living room. As a fact you start to feel the anxious feeling again from earlier. Sitting across from the couch where Kylie and Amy sat, you make eye contact with Mark, almost like he understands what you are thinking. Mark sits beside you and gives you that same small smile. The secret Santa unwrapping begins.