Chapter 37 – Christmas

"Last time I checked Christmas was a joyous holiday," I remarked, "Gabi, don't start." My dad said as he flipped through the paper. "This wasn't ideal Gabi," my mom said bouncing Cameron on her hip. "Ideal," I snorted as my dad shot me a look. "You did this."

"I wanted to stay home."

My mom's eyes shot to Alex before to mine. "Alex," she hissed, "She is the pissed off one, I am not taking the blame for this one." My dad's eyes never left the newspaper as my mom rolled her eyes. "Gabi, this is to ensure you can come home next Christmas."

"I don't want to stay with Aunt Macy."

"Gabi, that's enough." I collapsed down into the chair as I groaned; I didn't want to go to Rhode Island. I didn't want to leave Troy on Christmas. I just wanted to be here.

I blinked my eyes as I got my phone out to text Troy. We had talked for most of the morning, he didn't understand why this was such a big deal. He loved going out of town but as people like me, who traveled a lot, staying in one place for Christmas, waking up in my own bed would be awesome.

"Can I just stay here?"

"No," my parents said together, "Gabi, the faster you get together and just do this, it will be over." I rolled my eyes as Troy called, his bright face showing up on my phone. I stood up as I walked over to the glass to answer it. "Hey,"

His laugh echoed the phone, "You sound miserable!"

"I am."

"Brie, come on, we can talk every night for hours if that makes you feel better. When you get back on the 26th, I will greet you with a perfect gift okay?"

"I want to be here with you on Christmas."

"I'm sorry doll,"

I grumbled, "You are no support."

"You'll have fun."

"I have to stay in Marissa's room."

"Bunk on the couch."

"I don't think they have a couch,"

"You love your aunt,"

"I do but that's not the point."

Troy snorted, "You only want to stay here for one reason."

"And that reason is what?"

"Me."

"Somebody is awful sure of themself."

"Of course." I rolled my eyes, our flight was called and suddenly staying right here in this airport seemed like the best idea of them all. "I have to go," I said with a soft sigh. "Have a safe flight, I love you."

"I love you too Troy,"

My dad came over as he told me it was time to go, I said bye as I slipped my phone into my pocket. We boarded the plane as I ignored both of my parents because I wasn't happy. I wasn't okay with this and I feel like as my last year living with them, I should have a say but I guess my say comes next year. That's just wonderful, right?

My seat buckled together as I threw my head phones on, turned on my Taylor swift and jammed out for what felt like the entire plane ride.

Once we landed in Rhode Island, I was already texting Troy. My fingers zapping away as we were communicating back and forth, "I would say something but we did take her away. It's only fair." My dad stuck up for me as I rolled my eyes. I was probably being the teenager my parents feared I would one day I would be but they knew how much I liked going there.

"Gabi, can you please put a smile on your face or act happy to be here?" my mom asked nicely, "No." I said with a glare before my phone buzzed, a smile popped on my face, "That's it," my dad said as he said with a laugh, "Just have Troy keep texting her."

"Mom, Dad, I know you want this to be fun but fun as left. I am not interested in fun. I am interested in getting in and out as fast as possible." My parents blinked as my dad sighed, "Gabi, please, will you just make sure your Aunt Macy knows you are welcome."

"Sure, as long as I don't have to sleep with Marissa."

"What's wrong with Marissa?" my mom asked, "She is wired and Troy and I are going to Face Time."

My mom said a prey to the lord as I couldn't help but laugh, "I'll talk to your aunt."

"Fair enough." I declared my dad pushed the twins stroller as he was bummed on leaving his family his parents were okay. We were going to celebrate the day we got back which was the day after Christmas.

My fingers twisted into my phone as Aunt Macy and Uncle Mark was waiting. I hated that we weren't getting our own car. I hated how I didn't know anybody here and I hated that Troy and I were across the country from each other. I scolded myself, as I knew I had to get used to this. I knew we weren't going to the same school and if he does get drafted then being close is just out of the question.

I felt like a needy child after everything my dad put us through but I would get through it. I would be fine like I have told myself before. I hugged my Aunt and Uncle as I climbed into the back. "So Gabi, we have invented a new rule for the next few days." My lips frowned, as I did already not like this.

"We decided it should be pure family time for the next three days so we are taking all cell phones, laptops, iPad, iPods, none." My mouth gaped, my dad chuckled as my mom slapped his shoulder. "Macy, I really don't think that is going to work." My mom said, "What do you mean? I came all the way out here for this?" I exploded in the car as I went on and on.

My dad was rolling in laughter by the end as we pulled into their driveway. I was still ranting as we walked into the house, "Gabi, that's enough," my mom said, she was tired as she set the twins car seats down. "Macy, Gabi gets to keep her cell phone. She will put it away during dinners and any other meals like she always does but you cannot take her communication from her boyfriend. She came out here and is going to put on a happy face for all of us even though she really doesn't want to be here right now. Do you remember falling in love and having nothing else to but love somebody? Yes, well Gabi is going through that right now and we have talked about this."

Macy huffed as I crossed my arms; my dad tugged my elbows as I glanced at him. He had a big smirk on his face as he bent over to get Lilly out of her car seat. "Alright, well now that we got that out of the way. I have dinner set up at the tables," she cleared her throat, as I couldn't suspense my giggles much longer as my mom huffed. "I sometimes wonder how we are related." My mom said shaking her head, "I just do."

"Rebel," I said under my breath, she sent me a smile as we all followed into the kitchen. I shut my phone up like I was told to for dinner as we ate our first meal together. Chatting and talking about recent events, "So Gabi have you gotten any letters back yet?"

"One and it was a rejection," I said with flat lips, I couldn't believe myself when I got it back. "You did not. You got put onto a waiting list." I rolled my eyes, "might as well be a rejection in a nice way," I flipped my fork around as I sighed, "I only sent applications to five schools and if I don't get one back, I don't know what I will do." I stressed as I suddenly lost all appetite.

"Honey, you will get into a college."

"I think I need some air." Just the thought about it made me nervous, "I am going to go on a walk if that is okay?" I said as I let out a long breath, my dad gave me a look, as he knew how much anxiety I was having over such a thing. I was nervous as I didn't know how much longer I could do this, how much longer I could wait for the letters to come.

I took a risk going to big major universities, my stomach twisted as I took steps outside. Sliding my winter coat over my shoulders. "Gabs," I turned around to see my dad shrugging on his coat and then running to catch up with me. "Hold on," he caught up with me as he rubbed his hands together as it was chilly. "Are you okay?"

"Yea, I am perfectly fine. My aunt thinks I am a spoiled brat, who I am not saying I am not spoiled but yea, you know what I mean. Then I have only heard back from one college which is a rejection letter to me so I am just peachy."

"Ouch." He said with a small laugh, "You still have four options. It's Cal's fault you weren't accepted, they lost a bright student."

"I'm not that smart dad."

"You are smart enough to be ready to graduate high school a year early."

"I didn't though."

"No, you want to enjoy your senior year and you did have that English class you had to take."

"If I wanted to like some students, I could have taken it over the summer and been done." I mentioned, "True, very true but Gabi some colleges are just looking for somebody not that bright. They might get more money for grabbing dumber students, I don't know but you have to look up at the four colleges that are left."

I sighed as I leaned into my dad, "I will miss you."

"Honey, I miss you all the time but you will be home all summer and you can travel."

"I just won't get to see you during your off season,"

"It will be my turn to take trips to see you."

I laughed as I nodded, "True," we walked as the cold air whipped around us, "The twins are going to need you though."

"You will need me more."

"Dad,"

He laughed, "Gabi, I am just saying. Keep your head up, your faith strong, and your attitude positive." His baseball voice seemed to escape, "Once you do something great will happen. Just because the one letter you have received wasn't what you hoped, doesn't mean that you will have to face a tough decision of which college to go to."

"I know, I know, I just, I seem to get down so easily." He shrugged, "It's natural. We all do it. I think you are just a nervous wreak and somewhere you don't want to be right now. It will all be fine."

I stopped as I hugged my dad, my arms slipping around his waist as I tucked my head into his chest. His frame to tall for me, "I love you daddy,"

"I love you too Gabs," we walked further into the cold air as we didn't say much, then little twinkles of snowflakes began to fall. I laughed as I then stopped as I leaned my head back.

"Oh, I remember doing this with you." My dad said as he did the same thing. We spun around and both stuck out our tongues. Trying to catch all of the snowflakes onto our tongues. As each one hit my tongue laughter bubbled from my throat as I felt a smile cross my features. "I miss this," my dad said, "Us time."

I pulled my head forward, "I know, I miss it too."

We both became cold as we ran back to Aunt Macy's house into the snow. We laughed and tried not to slip the entire time. He gripped my hand as I almost fell backwards, laughs spilling from my throat as we ended up both falling to the ground.

We burst into laughter as I then heard others; my mom was standing on the porch as we both sat up. The cold ground making my butt numb. My fingers were icy and my cheeks were pink. "You two, were made for each other." She said shaking her hand, my dad and I looked at each other before we laughed.

"No, we had a grand ol time," my hair was still wrapped in a towel as I was buried under a sweatshirt and a pair of yoga pants as I looked at Troy through my iPad. "Hmm…I bet you did. I miss snow."

"I don't. It's to cold for me."

"And you want to go to NYU?"

I blushed, "I like what I like." I admitted Troy raised his eyebrows as he laughed, "Okay, fair enough." I rolled onto my back as I let out the towel and I tossed it to the living room floor. My mom and dad had already gone to bed and of course my aunt and cousins were gone to bed. My Uncle Mark was the only one awake.

"Troy, do you know," he glanced my way as he was playing video games to, "Troy," Troy rolled his eyes as the door slammed open, I heard Emily's voice, "Cody is here, he just pulled into the driveway."

Troy popped up, "I'll be back, video game date." His Mac seemed to flatten against his pillows as I got up to grab another blanket as I then ran into my uncle. I screamed as he scared me and then I laughed. "Uncle Mark, oh man, you scared me."

"Sorry," he mumbled, it was rare to hear him talk sometimes but he then shuffled up the bedroom. I raised my eyebrows as I went back to see Troy still wasn't back but I heard noises.

"Hi Gabi!" I jumped five feet in the air as Cody sat on the other side of the screen. "Hi," I said with a laugh, "Do you mind not scaring me like that?"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Where is Troy?" I asked, "Chad pulled in behind me and they are grabbing food."

"Figures." Cody smiled as I he reached for something; I leaned back against my pillows on the couch as I played on my phone. "Ready to blow some shit up," I rolled my eyes at Chad's voice. Call Of Duty buddy,"

"Not so naughty language," I said, Chad's feet jumped, he then lowered down as he pressed his face into the camera. "Oh hi Gabi," I laughed as I tried not to just poke at his nose. Troy sat back down as he placed his Mac back onto his lap. "We are having our Face Time date," Troy stated with a wink towards me, "I can go," I said as I looked at my iPad.

"No, no," Troy said as he moved his laptop again, "I just hope you are in the mood for lots of cursing and chopping of food."

"I think I'll pass."

Troy frowned, "Just for a little bit?" I yawned as I shook my head, "Sorry buddy, I think I am going to crash. They wake up way to early here, so I am going to hit the…couch." Troy smiled as he nodded, "I'll call you when I wake up okay?"

"Okay, I'll call you at 6am here."

"Hell no…wait, I might still be awake." I rolled my eyes as blew him a kiss. "Love you."

"Love you too," he waved as I then ended the call, I snuggled up with all of the blankets.

I pushed open the door slowly as I tiptoed into my parent's room. It was snowing outside, the trees were white and it was Christmas morning. I slept in Marissa's room to make Santa a bit more surprising for them, not that I didn't believe in Santa. That just meant more presents, right?

I picked up the twins, as they were both awake. We had to teach them how to wake up mom and dad the right way. "This is how we wake up mommy and daddy on Christmas." I whispered to the two of them. They were both hungry and disinterested in being in my arms. I set them both down onto the ground as they were sitting up on their own.

I then jumped into my parent's bed, "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" I yelled, "It's Christmas!" my dad moaned as he pressed his face further into the pillow, "Go back to bed, you are going to wake the twins," my dad said flipping his wrist. His eyes were closed as my mom shifted but didn't get up. I then got up off the bed as I grabbed Cameron who had fallen to his back.

I then got really close to my dad as I pressed Cameron close, as we were inches away. "Nope! They are already awake!" I said loudly, my dad jumped as he opened his eyes. "Jesus, Gabi," he said, I laughed as he was awake. "That's one way to get my blood pumping again."

My mom had sat up as Lilly cried out as I picked her up and I placed them both into my lap. "You two ready for Christmas!" they both gave dead looks as they all began to cry. "Let me feed them and then we can start." I jumped up as I reached for my phone to call Troy, knowing I couldn't though. It was only four thirty. I sighed as I got up to walk down as I made a video for him wishing him a Merry Christmas as I sent it to him.

My dad came tumbling down the stairs as he rubbed his eyes, his feet moved as I wondered if we had to wait for Aunt Macy and them to get up. I sure hope we didn't have to because they made their kids sleep and I just wanted some family time. "Are we doing this with Aunt Macy?"

"No." he said as he kissed the top of my head, "We are going presents with your grandparents later tonight at their house."

"Oh."

He made a batch of coffee, "Your mom asked to have this room for the morning. They are going to do there stuff upstairs or after we are done, which ever."

"Okay." My mom came down stairs in a pair of sweats with a t-shirt on and the twins on both sides of her hips. I licked my lips as my dad brought me a thing of hot chocolate as they placed the twins in little seats as my dad played Santa. Passing everything out to other people. Multiple gifts were placed in front of me, so many different ones in different colored packages. "How did you get all of these up here?" I asked, "Mail." My mom said rolling her eyes, "A pain in my ass."

My dad started as we opened one gift at a time, Lillian and Cameron didn't have much as my mom didn't want to hassle but enough to know that we care about them, just a present to my ever five probably. We had gotten my dad polo for golfing season and a club card to his favorite golf course.

"Fantastic. I'll never get to use it!" he cheered, "Dad, we live in New Mexico."

He laughed and nodded, "I got it." He winked as my mom opened up her new watch that my dad had bought her when he went on his shopping trip. I picked a box as I grabbed a thick one. I began to pull back the paper as my fingers slid underneath of the box; I opened it up as a box of clothes popped out.

Plenty from American Eagle, Abercrombie, Forever 21, Pac Sun, and Hollister. We went around and around, the twins getting a few new toys and clothes, as I was the only one with gifts left.

My dad had gotten more clothes, a few new suits for when they traveled, a new rope necklace and a few things here and there. My mom got mostly clothes, a new pair of boots with a nice pair of heels to go along. A new Coach purse and my dad had gotten her a thing for a massage and a babysitting pass for a day before spring training.

I had gotten plenty of clothes, a new Mac, a Yankee pull over, a few things that might be needed for college, and more clothes. Once everything was unwrapped and done, we all leaned back as I then frowned, "How are we getting all of this home?"

"Two new suitcases," my dad grumbled, "We are so doing Christmas at home from now on."

"Tell me about it. I am just glad we all got to be together." We all smiled as we began to clean up our mess and get ready for dinner tonight.

"Oh Gabi! I am going to miss you." My grandma said as she hugged me tightly, we were leaving for the airport first thing in the morning so this was our goodbye until my graduation.

That was a deal breaker in us coming to Christmas here. They all claimed they had to travel to New Mexico for my graduation so they wanted us to do part of the leg. My mom felt bad and well you know how the rest goes. "Grandma, it wont be that long. Just a few short months."

"And you will have grown and changed again."

"Well of course," my dad said as he hugged my mom's parents once more. The twins were somewhere in the bundle as my dad grabbed my elbow gently, "Come here," he said as he tugged me outside.

The snow had stopped falling but the streets were white. I stuffed my hands into my pockets as my dad let out a deep breath, "I wanted to give this to you in private, I mean I would have done it this morning but it didn't feel right." He fumbled with his words for a moment, "Dad, it's fine. I like having a surprise gift."

"Well here," he said sticking the gift out; I raised my eyebrow as I began to unwrap the ribbon from the box. I popped open the lid as a small gasp left my throat, "Daddy," I whispered, "If you don't like it we can return it and get you something you want,"

"No, its beautiful." I whispered my fingers didn't move as I was suddenly afraid I would break the whole box, like it was tissue and once something pressed against it, it would dissolve. "I love it, its just pretty."

"I'm glad," he gave me a smile as I stared at the diamonds that glistened, it was in the shape of a heart with a little tiny key hole in the middle as the paths of the heart crossed and folded. The little patterns danced out as he reached forward. He took the box gently from my hands as he took the necklace out and then I pulled back my hair as he placed it onto my neck.

The small weight of the necklace felt heavy as a huge responsibility was now on my shoulders. Taking such great care of this would be difficult, my fingers went up to trace over the small shape as I looked up at my dad. "You look beautiful,"

"Thank you," I said bring him into a hug. "You are all grown up and I want that to resemble that I am always thinking about you and that you can always trust me."

"I can't believe you got me a Tiffany and Co necklace."

"Neither can your mother." I smiled as I hugged him once more as we walked back to the house.

Gabi's POV

"I'll see you guys in about two hours!" I said as my parents dropped my at the curb of Troy's house. I ran up to the door as it opened quickly and I bounced into Troy's arms.

"Hey there," he said, his arms squeezing me tight against him. I kissed the outer edge of my jaw as I pulled back. "Whoa! What the hell is on your neck?" my eyes glanced down as I looked back up as I smiled at Troy. "Do you have some really rich boyfriend you forgot to tell me about?" his fingers went to the necklace as I pulled away.

"No." I squeezed his hand; "My dad got it for me." His jaw dropped, "My dad got me customized jersey and a few gas cards." I shrugged, "What more would you like from me?" I asked, "I just got a lot of clothes and a Mac."

"Another one?"

"Remember my old one broke," Troy rolled his eyes, "You are such a spoiled child." He said as he kissed me gently, "I know I am also highly spoiled." He laughed as he picked up my hand as I held my gift to him in my hand. He grabbed something from under the tree as we both went outside, the lights hung around everywhere.

"It snowed up in Rhode Island, it was good."

"Well I think that I love only wearing a jacket with a pair of jeans." He teased as we sat down outside, Troy then shook his head, "Come here," he pulled me up as he stashed out gifts in the back of his truck.

"What time do you have to be home?"

"I don't know, midnight?"

"Call and see how long you can get," he said, he was pushing stuff into his truck as I called me dad. "Yes?"

"How long can I stay out with Troy, he has something up his sleeve and I don't know what."

"Let me talk to him," my dad grumbled, he sounded tired and ready to pass out. Troy said several things before he handed me my phone, "Be home by six am." He grumbled and then the dial tone.

I glanced at Troy, "How did you just change my curfew to six am,"

"Ouch, I was hoping for more of a eight am but oh well. I guess six will work too."

"Do you mind telling me what we are doing?" I asked, "Just get into the truck, its nothing we haven't done before, just longer and not so tiring."

I climbed into the truck as we talked easily until I realized where we were going. "You are taking me back to that one place."

"Yes, I am."

"And we are staying the night aren't we."

"Yes,"

"You had already talked to my dad, hadn't you?"

"Yes," I laughed as I leaned against the window, "That was my trial run of this whole thing, which isn't as fun but I had to. I didn't want our date to go wrong."

"You had this planned, you ass." He laughed, "I did have this planned."

He pulled up to a spot as he turned off his truck and then he leaned over. "Come on," he said, he grabbed some stuff from the back and we then went to the tailgate. He lowered it down as multiply blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, and more blankets in there. It looked so comfortable as the night was nippy, the stars were bright and I smiled.

We both climbed into the bed, as there had to be twenty different blankets with an air mattress. "You will protect me right?"

"This is a camp ground," Troy said, "I am paying for this spot."

"So we have national security?" Troy laughed as he reached over for a thing of Hot Chocolate in the holiday Starbucks cup. A smile crossed my lips as I took it into my hands, "Hey," he said, he then handed me my gift. "No." I said, "Open yours first."

Troy smiled as he reached over for it, he began to unwrap it as he then took a hold of an envelope, he raised his eyebrows as he pulled out a piece of paper, he read it over and his eyes grew. "You are paying my way to do this?"

"Yes," I said with a smile, "It was my money too,"

"Brie," his eyes looked into mine, "No, I am doing this for you." He leaned over as he pulled me into a hug. "You are the best girlfriend ever." In his hands were his passes to go to another big league scout camp in March.

"I worked it out with your dad and it's all set up."

"Okay, now you really need to open your gift." I sighed as I put down the coffee. I began to unwrap the present careful as I lifted the box. Inside, my heart melted, a smile spread across my face as I picked up the little ball. "Merry Christmas." I whispered I then grabbed the next item, as it was a framed picture of us sitting at the Pizza Place. I was placed in his lap, his chin resting on my shoulder as a smile crossed his features.

I then grabbed a small box; I opened it up as a small bracelet was inside. It had a single charm on it, a baseball. "Troy,"

"Don't even start," he then grabbed the bracelet before he clasped it onto my wrist as it fit perfectly. "I knew what your dad was getting you, I talked to him also." He said with a small laugh, "I just didn't know what that was going to be like though so I got something a little smaller scale, not from Tiffany and Co,"

"But just as beautiful." I whispered I let my hand go up as I brought his lips down to mine. My hands wrapped around his neck, "I think our parents know we are having sex. They have basically given up."

Troy laughed, "We do have more freedom don't we?"

"Knowing you, you told them."

"Hell no. There is one thing I don't talk about with my parents, that would be my sex life." I smiled as I kissed him as our kiss went further. We both got underneath the blankets as we shredded clothes.

I woke up the next morning, my eyes closed and the sun beginning to set high in the sky. It was only five thirty but it was just starting, my fingers laced with Troy's as I sat up carefully and I picked up a t-shirt. I slipped it over my head as I then straddled Troy's lap.

A smile spread over my lips as I bent down and I kissed his lips. He startled but only kissed back, "Good morning," I whispered, "Good morning," he said with a moan.

My laugh fell out of my lips as I wrapped the blankets around us. "We have to be heading back to my house."

"I know," he whispered, "I just have to inner channel your energy."

I hugged him, "Helping?"

"Maybe, mind taking the shirt off?" I smacked his shoulder lightly, "Troy," he laughed and then he sat up, running his hands through his hair. For sleeping in the back of his truck, it was surprisingly comfortable. He glanced around before a slow smirk crossed his features. "I think you stole my shirt?"

"What?" I said innocently, "I don't know what you are talking about." He shook his head as he gripped my hips. "I think you do."

"Lair," I whispered as I leaned forward to kiss his lips. "You are so lucky I love you."

"Or what?"

He raised his eyebrows as a challenge, "Can we finish this challenge later? I have to get home?"

Troy sighed as we both found our jackets and climbed back into the car. We stopped at Starbucks and then he drove to my house. Our hands connected the entire time as he pulled into my driveway. I pulled on my hoodie as I leaned over to kiss Troy's lips.

"I love you and thanks for a great Christmas,"

"No thank you," Troy said with a smile, "I was right, that spot was supposed to seduce me."

"You caught me." I smiled as I touched my necklace as I kissed him once more. "Love you," I yelled, "Love you too baby," I waved as I ran inside as I opened up the door. I snuck into the house, "Have a good time?" I jumped as I turned to see my mom, "Yea, we had a blast."

My mom gave a smile as Cameron was on her shoulder; "I am going to go crash for a few more hours though. I am pretty tired still, sleeping in a truck isn't all that great."

"Mhm…you have a few letters on the counter."

I sucked in a breath, as I didn't know what to do, go over there and look or put off what might be rejection for a while. I then decided what to do and I gave my mom a smile. "Make sure dad doesn't open them, I will when I come down after I sleep."

She gave me a smile as I went up and I collapsed onto my bed, snuggled up, and fell asleep.

Well there is your Christmas Chapter! I hope you all liked it! I may do a chapter next Sunday and then again on Christmas to celebrate! What do you all think? How are you liking this so far?

MLB won't be out today. :( I'm sorry! It's been a busy week and I went Christmas Shopping today so I never finished it! So I hope to have it out next weekend! I'm working on it though!

Also, Prayers to all of the victims from Sandy Hook Elementary, RIP Angels.

Hope you all have a great week! I know its finals week for me so I have a lot of studying to do! I hope everybody else does well that is taking finals and then enjoy Christmas Break!

Love you all!

PLEASE REVIEW!