Chapter 26

Cameron woke to the smell of coffee and cinnamon buns and Christmas music playing softly. She stretched and rolled over, and reached for Brian. She opened her eyes when she didn't feel him next to her. She pulled her head up and looked around the room. She sat up in bed right when he walked through the door carrying a tray with coffee and food on it.

"Good morning. Merry Christmas." Brian said handing the tray to her. He then got into the bed as Cameron said "Merry Christmas" back.

"Your brother is watching TV and making some phone calls so we're good to stay in bed and enjoy a leisurely breakfast."

"Sounds good to me. This looks really delicious." Cameron looked at the food on the tray. There was coffee, orange juice, cinnamon buns and an omelet.

"Thanks. It's the usual Christmas breakfast back home. There are pecans in the buns, peppermint schnapps in the coffee and that's a western omelet."

Cameron smiled and started to dig in.

"This is excellent! Thank you so much for making this."

"You're welcome Sweets. Anything for you." He gave her a kiss on the forehead before going back to his breakfast. They enjoyed their breakfast and cuddled a little before taking a shower and getting ready for the day. A little over an hour later they were in the living room with Gary and awaiting the arrival of Jenn and Yvonne before exchanging gifts. They were watching the Disney Parade when Jenn and Yvonne arrived. Cameron made more coffee for everyone and then they sat and started to exchange gifts. They opened gifts and thanked each other. Jenn had leaned over at one point to Brian and said,

"So that ring count as Allie's gift?"

"Yeah man, that should definitely count." Gary chimed in. Brian had laughed and said, "It may seem like it counts but no, it's not her Christmas present. This is." Brian pulled out a box and handed it to Cameron. She took it saying, "You really didn't have to get anything else. The ring was enough Brian."

"Well I wanted to so don't argue and open it." Cameron smiled at him and then unwrapped and opened the box. She gasped in surprise when she pulled the tissue paper apart. Lying in the box were two airline tickets to Ireland for March.

"I remembered that you said that you have always wanted to see Ireland and that you liked that band from Albany, Hair of the Dog. They're doing a pub tour for St. Patrick's week. I figured it would be as good a chance as any for the trip."

"That is awesome. Now, what band is it?" Gary said.

"Oh it's one that is local to Albany, NY but they performed at an Irish Festival that I went to near here a few years ago and I was hooked ever since. I've gone to other festivals in Massachusetts and New York to see them. I heard that they do a pub tour. It's where they perform at a bunch of pubs in Ireland and you just follow them and watch the performances. They set up sightseeing and free days also. It's really neat."

"Sounds it. You should have a lot of fun." Gary said.

"You are one lucky girl." Jenn said to her and Vonny chimed in with an "I'm so jealous."

Cameron grinned at her friend and said, "Oh you know that you're really happy for me."

"Yeah I am." Vonny then turned to Brian and said, "So any of your brothers single?"

"Hey, what about me? What am I, chopped liver?" Gary said and everyone laughed. They continued to tease each other for a bit before cleaning up and getting ready to go out. They were going to see a movie and then help serve dinner at a local soup kitchen before going out to dinner at a new pub that had opened up the previous month.

They all had fun at the movies and really enjoyed helping out at the soup kitchen. They had even pitched in and helped to get presents to hand out. They also enjoyed the Christmas dinner at the pub. The Pub had a Christmas Carol theme dinner, which included roast duck, plum pudding and mince pies. They enjoyed their evening together and on the walk back to Cameron's place, they sang Christmas Carols as they walked. It had been a great night and Cameron didn't want it to end. As they were walking and singing, she saw someone with a cane walking down the street. At first she thought that it was House and then realized that it wasn't. She then hoped that he wasn't alone. "Hopefully Wilson is with him." She thought to herself. Then against her will, she thought about the kiss from last night under the mistletoe. Cameron shook her head to clear her thoughts and tried to get back into the singing. Brian noticed that she had gotten quiet and put an arm around her and asked, "You okay?"

"Oh yeah. I just saw someone walking with a cane and thought of House. I was just hoping that he wasn't alone. I think that everyone deserves to be with someone on the holidays." Brian squeezed her shoulder lightly and said, "That's why I love you. You're so caring, even to people that don't really seem like they may deserve it. You see good in everybody. I'm sure that he's fine."

"Yeah. You're probably right." Brian then kissed her head and took her hand in his. They continued on with everyone and the singing. When they got to Cameron's they all said good bye. Brian went to his car and drove off and then Jenn and Von left to walk to Von's apartment. Gary and Cameron walked into to her apartment. After taking off their jackets and sitting on the couch for a minute, Cameron asked, "So feel like some cocoa and schnapps?"

"Sounds great to me!"

Cameron got up and made the drink for them. She sat back down on the couch and her brother put an arm around her and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Brian is a great guy and I'm really happy that you met him. But at the risk of sounding like an overprotective older brother, I don't want you to rush into this. That's why I have to ask if you are sure about the engagement."

"Hey, you are an overprotective older brother. And I understand fully. I'm not rushing this. I really care about Brian and I think that this could work. He and I already talked it over and we agreed to have a year long engagement."

"Okay. Just as long as you're sure."

They drank their cocoa in silence and then got ready for bed. As Cameron was getting under her covers, she couldn't help but wonder if she was as sure as she said she was.