Teddy went to church for the first time in weeks for the annual Christmas Eve evening service. Teddy went alone with Charlie only because her grandmother had to go back home to California a few days earlier to get some things taken care of. She told Teddy she would be back for Christmas, but Teddy is having her doubts now because the snow is making many flights get cancelled or delayed.
Teddy sat towards the back of the church with Charlie asleep in her car seat with a blanket over her. She saw the Walsh's in their usual row. She saw Spencer turn around and smile when he saw Teddy. She has been keeping a distance with him ever since winter break began only because it looks as if she will be moving to California with her grandmother and she needs to get used to not seeing him.
Spencer texted Teddy and told her to come sit with him and his family but Teddy texted back with a no. Spencer got up from where he was sitting, since the service wasn't supposed to begin for another five minutes, and walked over to Teddy.
"Come on and come with with me and my family."
Teddy shook her head. "I rather sit back here alone."
"Did I do something?" Spencer asked. Teddy shook her head. She was keeping her eyes locked on Charlie who laid sound asleep in the car seat. Teddy obviously wasn't going to get up so Spencer sat down beside her. "Fine, I see you being difficult, so I'm going to sit with you."
"Go sit with your family, Spencer, and I'll sit with mine."
"You don't have any though."
"That's my point." Teddy sighed when Charlie started to whine. She bent down and picked her up and sat her on her lap with a blanket around her and a pacifier in her mouth. "Charlie, go back to sleep."
Spencer smiled. "Looks like she's awake."
The service started to begin. Spencer remained sitting beside Teddy and Charlie. When the music started to play, Charlie started to fall back asleep and Teddy laid her down in her car seat once she was asleep. Teddy decided to leave ten minutes before the service ended because it was getting dark out and she doesn't like getting home when it's pitch black out, especially if she's alone or only one at home like she will be.
When she arrived back home, she noticed her grandmother wasn't back even though she said she would be by that night. Teddy lost her hope and decided to go to bed. She laid Charlie down in her crib and then wandered next door to her room. She changed into her warm flannel pajamas and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning Teddy woke up around seven in the morning because she couldn't sleep. She went into Charlie's room and saw she was awake, sitting up in the crib holding onto the bars. Teddy picked her up and carried her down to the kitchen, placing her in her high chair. She grabbed a jar of baby food and sat at the table feeding her.
Teddy had a new voice call on her cell phone from her grandmother, telling her she probably wouldn't be there for Christmas because of flight cancellations.
Teddy sighed. "Looks like it's just going to be you and me for Christmas."
After feeding Charlie, she carried her into the living room and placed her on the floor and turned on the TV to watch happy Christmas movies. Teddy wondered what her parents were up to and how they were spending the holidays. She never knew she would miss them as much as she did because they abused her. She knew they loved her and she loved them too, besides getting beat. Teddy knew that her father only did that because he wanted her to learn to do that right thing instead of wrong. Growing up, his father was also abusive, but you would think that he would have made a pack not to beat his own kid. He would only hit her if she did something bad or backed talked to her parents. His father taught him teens learn to do the right from being disciplined.
Teddy heard her doorbell ring a couple of hours later. She sighed and got up to answer it. She was confused when she saw Spencer and his parents standing on her front porch. Teddy allowed them in since it was snowing and freezing out.
"What are you doing here?" She asked as she walked back over to sit on the couch.
"Spencer, you said she said it was okay to come over." His mother said.
"You said you were spending Christmas alone." He began. "And nobody should spend it alone."
"I'm spending it alone because of you."
"I know, and I'm sorry. How many times do I have to apologize about that?"
"I said I forgive you but I can still be mad at you. I'm sorry for being rude, but please leave. I want to be alone."
Spencer's mother knelt down to Charlie who sat on the rug playing with some old blocks. "And who is this little cutie?"
"She's my sister, Charlie."
Spencer rolled his eyes. "Why do you keeping claiming her as your sister? She's your daughter."
"Daughter?" His father questioned looking at his wife. He obviously disapproved Teddy had had a baby especially with her being the same age as her son. Teddy saw that look he was giving to his wife and felt like she needed to defend herself.
"Wanna know what happened to me? A little over a year ago I was raped and this is my rapist baby. My parents wouldn't let me get an abortion and claimed her as their own. I'm not her mother and she's not my daughter." Teddy looked at Spencer. "Can't you get that into your head, Spencer? I'm putting her up for adoption as soon as the holidays end. Please go, I need to start packing this house up anyways. I'm leaving for California in two weeks." Charlie looked at Teddy and was reaching for her. Teddy bent down and picked her up, placing her on her hip, and walked over to the front door. She stood there with the door wide open "I hope you have a wonderful Christmas."