AN: In order for me to post the next chapter, I'd like to reach forty-five reviews! So guys, I'm not asking you to review every chapter, just drop in and leave me a little something to let me know you like it!
Christmas was four days away.
Mrs. Evans, deciding to pick up a couple of last minute things, heads to the mall with an ecstatic Duncan.
It turns into a mistake, when he grabs every toy that he comes across off the shelf, and asks if he can have it.
"What about this one? It lights up, mom!" Duncan shouts, waving the plastic gun in front of her face, with a look so serious you'd think he was saying it could speak proper English.
"Duncan, for the last time, no. You already have all your Christmas presents." Emily replies with a hint of irritation, taking the item from him and setting it back on the shelf. "Maybe Santa will bring it to you." She adds, to wipe the disappointed look from his face. Like she suspected, he smiles.
He's quiet most of the time, as she goes from shop to shop, picking out little things for distant relatives and friends. She's in the Sport Chek, when Duncan pulls on her sleeve.
"What about my friends? Can I get them something, too?" Emily considers this, adding up costs and how many kids are in his class. Because after all, if you get one person something, you need to get them all something.
"I'm not sure we can afford that, sweetie," She pauses, noticing his pout and glassy eyes, that she thinks he's perfected, and is ashamed that even she isn't immune to it. "Well, only for your best friends, alright?" She's forced to scrap the buying for the whole class idea.
Lighting up once more, he bobs his head in a nod, and points back to the toy store not too far away. "Can I go in there?" Not keen on letting him go off on his own in such a crowded mall, she takes his hand and they begin their trek toward the store.
Christmas is two days away; Duncan has a small gift for all his friends.
Except now he wants one more.
It's six AM on the dot, when Emily and Carter Evans are shaken from their sleep, on account of their son rattling the bed.
"Mom! Dad! I have to buy one more present!" He shouts; the earliness of the hour is lost on him.
"Duncan, go back to bed." His dad grumbles into his pillow, cursing the gods for giving him such a high-strung little boy. Why couldn't he be more like Mrs. Tanner's son? He sits nicely, eats his vegetables, and doesn't laugh every time someone says poo.
Always the caring, peacemaker, Mrs. Evans slowly sits up in bed, and faces her son. "What's the matter, Dunc?"
"I need to buy one more gift! Please!" Duncan exclaims, urgency and slight panic written all over his face
"Did you break one of your friends' toys?" She asks, pulling on her bathrobe and attempting to locate her slippers.
"No," He thinks Geoff's Power Ranger still has it's head. "I forgot someone."
"Who?"
Even in the faint light streaming in from the hallway, Emily can see the flush his cheeks take. "N-No one special."
She already knows the perfect gift.
Walking over to her dresser drawer, she tugs it open and rummages for a minute, feeling Duncan's gaze burning a hole into her back all the while. Finally, she pulls out a small box, and pops open the top. Another couple moments of going through old jewelry, Emily smiles.
Gesturing for Duncan to stick out his hand, she drops a necklace into his palm. It's got a silver chain with a teardrop shaped purple Cubic Zirconium gem. "She'll like this," Emily says gently, leaning down to kiss her son's still pink cheek.
"Mom," He mumbles in complaint, rubbing at his kissed cheek in annoyance, but then throws his arms around her waist while giving a squeeze. "Thanks..."
It's noon, Christmas day.
Duncan has delivered his gifts to all his friends, and even gotten some in return. The moment of truth comes, when they pull up to Courtney's home.
"Um," Duncan's face is so pink, Emily wants to squeal. "Can you go over there?" He points farther up the street, while trying to hide his face in embarrassment.
Emily smiles, leaning over to peck his head. "Of course, sweetie. I'll be back in two minutes."
Duncan nods, then climbs out of the car, before marching somewhat confidently up to her doorstep.
He knocks once his mom's car disappears from plain sight, and rocks back and forth on his heels. "This is for you." He whispers under his breath, trying to get what he wants to say right. "No, that's dumb." He thinks for another minute. "Merry Christmas...?" He doesn't have time to think anymore, as the door swings open.
He says the first thing that comes to his mind, as he eyes the old lady standing there. "You're old. Are you Courtney's mom?"
Thankfully, the elder lady laughs lightly, and shakes her head. "No, I'm her grandmother." That makes more sense.
"Is Courtney here?" Duncan asks hopefully, hand clenched around the necklace he'd shoved into his pants pocket, after trying and failing to wrap it for the third time.
Her smile slips a little. "I'm afraid not, sonny."
"My name's Duncan, not Sonny." He corrects her, frowning in confusion.
Courtney's grandma chuckles once. "Well, it's nice to meet you Duncan."
He nods. "Will Courtney be back, later?"
"Oh, no... She's in the hospital."
Duncan's hand uncurls from around his gift. He hates the hospital; it's where he went when he broke his wrist last year. The doctors always pat him on the head, and call him Buddy, no matter how many times he tell them his name. Their hands are always cold, they always tell him what to do, and the whole building smells like cleaning supplies. It's a horrible place.
"Okay." Is all he can say, in utter disappointment, pulling his hand all the way out of his pocket, and letting it drop to his side.
He climbs into the car when his mom pulls back up.
Gifts are only special on Christmas.
He's quiet the whole way home.