WT: A Merry Cassidy Christmas; Story One
Genre: Holiday
Main Characters: Gabriella Montez, Troy Bolton, Cassidy Bolton
Listen to: O Holy Night
Summary: Cassidy Bolton and her Christmas Adventures
A Merry Cassidy Christmas
Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?
Cassidy Bolton was just five years old the first time she came home from school crying. It wasn't a particularly rough day at the pre-school just down the road from her grandparents home, but it was an important one. It was the day before Chrsitmas Eve and after her nap later on in the day, the eldest daughter of Troy and Gabriella chose to be a teenager with one worded answers during dinner that night.
Troy and Gabriella didn't pressure her to tell them anything, although they knew what had happened during the day courtesy of her teacher, Miss McCook. They were preparing themselves for this day, but not nearly this early. To be honest, they both didn't know at what age they had stopped believing in Santa Claus.
It was now Christmas Eve, one of Cassidy's favorite days of the year and Megan's first. While Gabriella settled their youngest in front of her toys in the family room, Troy pulled Cassidy into his lap for a little daddy-daughter time. Brushing her long bangs back from her face, he kissed the top of her forehead and tried to look into her head. "Okay, Cassie. What's going on in your little head?"
"Ivy said Santa Claus wasn't real and said the Christmas story you and Mommy tell me every year was a lie," Cassidy mumbled and turned to look up at her father. "It's real, isn't it Daddy? All of it?"
"Of course it is. Mommy and I wouldn't lie to you."
"Then why'd she say those things?"
Troy sighed, trying to figure out how to explain it best to a five year old who was supposed to just be a five year old and not questioning the laws of the universe. "Ivy doesn't celebrate Christmas like we do, honey."
"Why not?"
"Because her Mommy and Daddy taught her different," Gabriella chimed in, resting on the cushion next to her husband.
"So, you and Daddy believe something different than Ivy's Mommy and Daddy? Why?"
"We just do, baby. It's what out parents taught us and we'll teach you and Megan the same."
"Oh," Cassidy's hope seemed deflated to Troy and Gabriella as she looked over at her sister who was on her stomach playing with the toys on the ground and looking wide-eyed at the Christmas Tree. "But Santa is still Jesus' helper, right? Spreading love and giving all over the world, right?"
Troy smiled brightly, "You bet he is."
"Even to Ivy? Even if she doesn't believe?"
"Even to Ivy," he reaffirmed his daughter's questioning mind.
"Can you tell me and Megan the story now? I wanna hear it now."
"Sure, baby. Go get the book from Mommy's office," Gabriella winked at the mini-version of herself as she hopped off of Troy's lap.
Running his hands over his face, he looked over into the chocolatiest brown eyes he had ever seen. "I thought the 'why' stage was a couple years ago. And are we sure she's not a genius? With all these questions…"
"We'll always be hearing 'why' Troy and no, not a genius."
"I found it!" Cassidy bounded back into the room, the book high above her head and climbed back into Troy's arms. "Mommy, get Meggy. Can I start?"
"Sure thing sweetie," Troy kissed the side of her head and smiled as she rattled off the first few words.