-Chapter 48-
-Judy pov-
"It's coming down pretty hard huh?" The girls nod and I sigh "I guess No school huh?"
"Our honeymoon plans are ruined!" Janine pouts "We were gonna do something wonderful today!"
"Well the girls are on Christmas break anyways" Shelby cringes when she's met with some glares "Well some of the girls are on Christmas break"
"You know I have a game" A empty water bottle is sat down on the coffee table "This will spin and if it lands on you...you have to give a Christmas story or a reason you have a goal! No escapes!"
"That sounds like a good game Sam" The girls crawl over and we all sit so runs the table "Why don't you start?"
She nods and spins the bottle. It spins for a bit before landing on Shelby. Her eyes go wide and I can see the thoughts going. Which is she gonna choose?
"I know someone here wants to know about Beths first Christmas" Lucy nods shyly "Well it was a very fun time..she was very cranky though"
-Beths first Christmas-Shelby pov-
"Beth come on!" I look down at the little girl that's still crying "I've fed you and everything! I don't know what else to do...This is why I should not have contacted Rachel! I am not a good mom!"
Beth whining keeps going and I start to cry. I was so stupid to do this. Why would I think I could be a mom? I mean it was a dumb thing to do!
I stop crying when I hear a giggle. I look up confused and see Beth smiling. I also notice a photo in her hand. I lay down to see who's in it.
I smile when I see who's in it. It's a baby Rachel dressed up. She's got a star on her onesie. Beth giggles again and I smile wider. She's such a perfect little girl.
"I will raise you to prove I can be a mom" I pick her up and take her over to the Christmas tree "I think you're ready to finally open up your presents with me"
The rest of the day was spent with laughter. It was a good first Christmas I think.
-Current time-Judy pov-
"It made me want to come back for Rachel" Shelby smiles "I didn't think it would ever bring us to this at all"
"Great story" Shelby smiles and I point to the bottle "Your spin shelb"
She nods and spins it "This is a good game" We all nod in agreement as the bottle stops "Looks like it's Sam"
"I've not had too many good Christmas's" Sam looks at the bottle "But I've got one goal..Grace doesn't like me talking about it though"
"What is it?" Grace leans into Sam with a pout "What?"
"I wanna be a female Sergeant in the army" Sam smiles "I think it would be a great thing! Show women can do anything a man can! Add on top of it that I'm a lesbian woman! So many people would have fits and I'd love overcoming it"
"Well we support you in everything" Sams smile falters "We just hope you come back home ok? Do everything in your power to make it back"
"Of course" Sam spins the bottle "Home will always be my goal! If I don't end up doing that I'll be a teacher"
"I will admit I like that idea better" The bottle stops and I see it's at me "Well I have a Christmas story! It takes place a long while ago!"
-Judys 13th Christmas-
"Mommy!" I smile and look up at my mom "Can I do the traditional song?"
"I think that would be good" Mom leads me to my bedroom and closes the door "Don't disturb the guests!"
I sigh and sit at my piano. I hear the song begin downstairs and begin to cry. I'm never allowed to sing to them. I didn't even get a gift tonight.
"Hey doodlebug" I turn and see my uncle George "I see you got the piano! Why don't you sing me the family song!"
"Really?" He nods and I smile "Ok!"
I turn to the piano and press some keys. I'm not the best but I'm good. I find the right notes and hum the tune. I'm going to do this right!
-Judy singing-
Oh, holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angels' voices
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh night divine
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'
Fall on your knees, oh, hear, hear the angels' voices
Oh, night divine, yeah, oh, night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine, oh night divine
Oh, night divine
It is the night when Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh, night divine
Oh, night divine holy night
"That was beautiful" I smile and uncle George picks me up "You are getting so big!"
I laugh as he spins me around. He always made Christmas a better holiday.
-Current time-Judy pov-
"What happened to George?" I frown and Emma crawls into my lap "Jude?"
"He went back into the military" I smile remembering back to him "He came home eventually but...he wasn't the same"
"He changed" I look up and feel anger boil "I told you she didn't wanna see me"
"What is that bitch doing here?" I stand up and look at my mom beside Mary "She doesn't even deserve to breathe!"
"Judy!" I glare as everyone gets between us "Your mother has been sending letters since you left!"
I roll my eyes "I know" I point toward a trash can "They end up in there most of the time"
"You asked once if I ever knew what you wanted for Christmas" My mom holds out a wrapped box "Open it"
"No" I shake my head "You tried separating me from them! Don't we have you on a restraining order?!"
"Judy" I look over at Shelby "Just open it"
I sigh and grab the box. I peel the paper back and see it's a box. I open it up and pull out a music box. It's got my name engraved on the top.
I open it and tears fall as the music plays.
-Music box-
Happy Christmas, Kyoko
Happy Christmas, Julian
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (war is over)
For weak and for strong (if you want it)
For rich and the poor ones (war is over)
The road is so long (now)
And so happy Christmas (war is over)
For black and for white (if you want it)
For yellow and red ones (war is over)
Let's stop all the fight (now)
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas (war is over)
And what have we done (if you want it)
Another year over (war is over)
And a new one just begun (now)
And so happy Christmas (war is over)
We hope you have fun (if you want it)
The near and the dear one (war is over)
The old and the young (now)
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over, if you want it
War is over now
Happy Christmas!
"You listened to it when he died" I look up at my mom who's got teary eyes "Your police friend helped me see I was wrong...losing you helped me see I was wrong..I'm so sorry to all of you for what I did! I can never express how truly sorry I am"
"Work on it" I close the music box "But don't think you can buy your way into my heart"
"It's never been that easy" Mom turns toward Mary "I'll be at my hotel...thank you"
"Mom" I look at Lucy who nods "Be bigger"
I sigh and look at my mom "Wait" She turns confused "We have a guest room...why don't you...why don't you stay with us for the holidays? You can make up for being a terrible mom and grandmother...maybe finally be both for once"
"Thank you" Mom smiles the truest and biggest I've ever seen "Thank you"
I nod and feel a weight lifted. Maybe this year can be a good one.