"MERRY CHRISTMAS" Dad announced as he played the old record as we gathered around the table to eat breakfast. PJ, Pete, Aunt Jenna, Mr.

and Mrs. Dewitt from Silvia's side of the family. Roxanne sat beside me as on the other side was PJ and my other cousin Cole.

"This is fantastic." Mr. Dewitt agreed with Aunt Jenna as they dug into brunch.

"Me n' Silvia were tryna see who can make better dishes...we, decided on a draw." Dad grinned.

"Indeed! You should start a cooking show already. Lemme bake too." Cole grinned.

"Not until you finish highschool and college Mr. You can't work in our restaurant if you don't gotta a college degree." Dad pointed at Cole as he rolled his eyes.

"Please Mr. Goof if you want any spoken word at your humble restaurant I would be glad to take that as my first gig." PJ stated as he fixed his turtleneck.

"Of course boy!" Dad agreed.

"So Roxanne I heard you wanna go into the medical field?" Mrs. Dewitt smiled. Roxanne blushed. "What inspired you?"

"I realize I want to learn so much and help a lot of people. I love science and its mind-boggling facts. It's such an important aspect of our lives." Roxanne said.

"A family doctor would be nice." Aunt Jenna nodded as Pete grumbled.

"Jenna, you sayin" that like Roxanne would be getting married into der family." Pete said.

"Oh! I'm sorry marriage is still early for you youngings. Max I don't mean to rush ya." Jenna giggled.

"Aunt Jenna." I nearly choked on my food. Then I said into my orange juice. "That is something to be thinking about later in life."

Roxanne blushed deeply at this.

"Max? Roxanne? You have somethin' to say" Dad said knowingly.

"It's okay kids don't let him pressure you." As Dad scoffed with a goofy grin.

"Yeah. We do." As I held Roxanne's hand under the table. "We're back together...er...officially."

Aunt Jenna cheered as well as Silvia and PJ and Cole. Pete nodded as he slurped his drink. Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt clapped enthusiastically.

"I'm proud of you both. Another blessing on this fine Christmas day. Now. Who's ready to open gifts?" Dad asked as everyone agreed. Roxanne and I held hands as we made way to the living room on one of the couches.

Dad passed around the gifts with our names as we eagerly opened them. Pete got a brand new fishing pole, Cole got three sets of new clothes, Aunt Jenna got jewels and other accessories, Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt got handmade sweaters traditionally as they always appreciated. PJ got some mixtapes and autographed poet books by our local legends Henri and Spookie from anonymous.

Silvia got a super retro vinyl that her and my Dad were searching for their collection thanks to yours truly. Dad got a bike that he wanted since the last X-games.

I watched Roxanne open my present which was a nice golden necklace with her birthstone: an opal.

"Max? This...this is beautiful." As Roxanne slowly hugged me. "Thank you."

"Yeah, whereya get da money for all these gifts Mattie boy?" Pete asked smugly.

I shrugged, "I saved up, worked a couple under the table shifts at some local restaurants... A bit of my savings. I really wanted to pitch in this year to show you guys I appreciate all you done for me while in school."

"Max. That's why we're your family. We love you." Cole said grinning.

"Love you enough that me n' Silvia aren't gonna drive you two back to school." As Dad tossed me a ring sized box. I stared Wiley as I opened the gift with shaky hands. I gripped my gift by the key ring as I held it up for everyone to see.

"You're giving me the car?" I gaped.

"Even better. I never told you I was promoted at my job. Howdya think I got all these were gifts?" Dad grinned. "Check the garage."

I leaped up ad I ran to the back of the house to the garage and opened the door. Staring before me. Polished and brand new was another foreign car I never seen Dad drive.

Everyone was marvelled by this beauty as I ran my hand on it.

"Lucky man." PJ grinned as Pete ruffled his hair.

"You have me truck boy. Don't make me regret it." Pete mumbled.

I spun around to bear hug my old man.

"Thank you Dad. This is the best." I thanked.

Roxanne grinned mischievously as if she was up to no good.

"Well if that's all who wants to help me clean up?" Dad asked. PJ and Cole volunteered as Silvia and Aunt Jenna.

"Max hold on." As Roxanne held my hand and stopped me. "I have your gift."

And I stared at her.

/

Roxanne and I sat on her bed as she handed me a box.

"I wonder what it is?" I shook the box. I slowly opening it, seeing a letter and a gold chain with sports dog tag attached.

"Read the letter." Roxanne insisted. I looked down at it and read aloud:

"Dear Max, no matter how far you are and where I go you will always keep you close to my heart. Love, Roxanne." I stopped at the end and looked up at her.

"Max for as far as I know I want to become a doctor. But I think a sports doctor would be an interesting experience. Dr. Theo-Dexter says its a decent opportunity for interns like me. I wouldn't mind being closer to you." Roxanne says.

"Roxy." I stopped her. "Don't let me get in the way of your goals. If you have to go far then go. You restricting yourself will make me feel guilty. But this is only if there's a time where you have to decide to leave to stay."

"Max...it's my choice. I would rather be your sports doctor if anything over some fancy internship in Australia because you are inspiring in so many ways...whether you see it or not." Roxanne place a hand on my chest as I leaned over to kiss her forehead.

"You promise?" I held out a pinky. Roxy nodded as we crossed pinkies.

"I promise." Roxanne swore. I nodded as I put the small gold chain over my head.

And with a blink of an eye, winter break was over.