Okay, so I wrote this really really fast, so there is probably many errors. But, I hope you enjoy the story--sorry if you get confused, this branches off from my story Eye of the Beholder. The main character is Gianna, and she is the daughter of Ranger and Stephanie. She has two older brothers; Carlos and Carson. Hope that helps!
Chapter 7: A Manoso Christmas
It was Christmas Eve and I was sitting at the annual Manoso Christmas dinner table. Complete with twenty-two chairs, every seat at the table was taken with a Manoso clan member. Seated to my left was my cousin Sofia. She was Aunt Celia's youngest, aging 15. To my right was my other cousin Andres, he was 17 and was the son of my uncle Diego. I saw these people maybe a few times a year, so when we got together, we have a tradition to mix things up and sat in line by our age. Needless to say, this was one big, chaotic dinner table.
After dinner we then all headed to the front room and sat around the Christmas tree while reminiscing on good times. It was nice to see dad smile and laughing at some of his 'boyhood' days. He was quite the little troublemaker that's for sure. Made my brother's and I look like amateurs.
When the room grew quiet—all stories of past recollections dwindled—we said our goodbyes and headed back towards Trenton. We were currently in our Rangeman SUV relishing in our own happy thoughts. I was seated between my two brothers; Carlos and Carson. They both were older then me, but at the moment they looked ten years younger as they rested their sleeping heads on each side of my shoulders. The car was silent as Dad drove us back home to our Penthouse apartment atop of Rangeman headquarters. I loved living there—at night I could gaze out into the large one-way windows, and overlook the gleaming city. Christmas there was always something special. All the 'Merry Men' would gather around our tree— fooling around in their ridiculous PJ's as they joined in on our Christmas morning. I wouldn't trade that for the world.
As we drove on home, snow began to descend from the night sky. Big clumps of snowflakes stuck onto the windshield making it hard to see. I found it all comforting to be here in this moment. Seeming as if I was asleep alongside my brothers, my parents spoke in soft whispers as their hands held one another's. I smiled to myself seeing their love radiate so strongly after all these years.
"Babe, it still amazes me to see how fast our niños have grown," I heard dad whisper.
Mom had a sleepy slur when she replied, but answered nonetheless. "I know. Seeing them together—all grown up, gets me all choked up".
Dad gave a slight chuckle. "Babe, everything gets you choked up," he mused, bringing mom's palm up to his lips and giving a light kiss.
Mom snatched her hand back from dad's grasp and snapped her head in dad's direction.
"And just what's that suppose to mean!" mom whispered gruffly.
I could practically hear the smile in dad's voice when he spoke. "It means, that you're just an emotional women"
"Is that so," mom replied snobbishly, crossing her arms. She then turned her head towards her side of the window. "And what's wrong with that?"
Dad's tone dropped, allowing his accent to come on thick. "Nothing what so ever," he stated. "I was just implying that you're a very responsive women—and you know I like that".
Mom's head dropped and I imagined her blushing from dad's implication. I—as much as I appreciate that fact that my parents are in love—felt this wasn't something I wanted to be listening in on. I knew my parents were intimate, but I didn't need the graphic details of it.
I forced myself not to tune in on their 'conversation' and shut my eyes and willed myself to sleep.
When I came around again, I was being carried by a pair of bulging masculine arms. Peaking up, I saw it was one of my father's Merry Men.
"You can put me down Hal, I'm awake," I said to him, my voice groggy from my tired state.
"You sure Gi?" he asked, looking down at me. I nodded and he gently set me down.
I headed back up to seven. When I got there all was quiet, and a dim light from the Christmas tree was all that lit the darkened apartment. I took a moment to stare at the beautiful tree. The multi-colored lights reflected off from the ornaments, leaving an array of warm happy memories to cascade.
Engrossed in the moment, I didn't feel the presence that materialized next to me.
"Querida, I thought you were asleep," Dad said quietly.
I looked up at him and gave him a small smile. "I was, and then I woke up. Why didn't you wake me, I don't like you having the Merry Men carry me like that. I'm a big girl now daddy," I teased, mocking a young girls voice.
Dad sighed. "I'm aware of that, but in my eyes you'll always be mi Chiquita.
I smiled, then leaned in and kissed him on the check. "Buenos noche padre," I said, and then turned to head towards my room.
"Sweet dreams querida," I heard him call after me.
The next morning I was awoken by an uproar of laughter. I smiled as I pulled the covers back. Heading towards the living room, my family along with my uncles (the Merry Men), all gathered around the Christmas tree. Uncle Lester was in his Sponge Bob Christmas boxers while struggling in a brawl with Cal and Tank. Tank had pinned Lester and was tying a bow around him.
"Hey, let up man—I would have worn the stupid thing anyway," Lester yelled from the floor.
Tank and Cal grinned down at Lester—who still laid there on the floor. "I'm sure you would Les, but it was much more fun tackling you and forcing it upon you," Cal remarked.
My brothers laughed as they threw used wrapping paper at Lester. Just then, mother walked in with father in tow.
"Hey now, that's enough of this fooling around. You weren't supposed to open anything without everyone here to begin with," mom said to the room.
Apologies were spread throughout the room as Lester was helped up from the floor. I looked over to the Christmas tree and saw it clustered with presents. Seem my parents and Uncles went all out this year.
"Hey, look who's finally up," Uncle Lester pointed out from the couch. All heads turned in my direction from where I stood hidden in the hallway.
"Yeah, it's about time Gi, we've been up half the morning," my brother Carson said.
I rolled my eyes. "It's the first good night sleep I had in a long time," I remarked, looking over to dad. He knew why I never got any sleep. Since for as long as I can remember I've had these disturbing nightmares. Tonight, or rather this morning, was the first time in a very long time I've had peaceful sleep. Talk about an early Christmas present!
We all took our seats and waited as the oldest of us choose the first present to give out. This was our tradition: One present at a time. One person picks a gift that's not their own, then that person who opened the gift got to choose the next. It went on for hours at end.
I smiled as I watched my family laugh and tease each other as we passed on gifts. We might not be the ideal nuclear family, but I wouldn't trade this quirky family for anything.
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Happy holidays! Have a safe New Year as well!
