They surveyed the scene in front of them, both with arms crossed, and slowly, as if in sync, they turned their heads toward each other.
"I think all of the kids had a great Christmas," Andy said with a small smile and a nod to Sharon.
"I found two candy canes hidden under Emily's pillow," Sharon informed him, as she studied his face and tried not to change her blank expression. Andy knew it wasn't exactly blank, but she was void of emotion as she explained that. He started to shake his head and chuckle. As he did, Sharon continued, "Both were out of the wrappers, sticky," she enunciated, "because Emily had been licking them. Bottom line is I'm going to have to wash her sheets in the morning because she'd created a sticky mess back there, and I am now concerned that her hair will be sticky too."
At that description, Andy broke out into a full-blown laugh. Sharon tilted her head slightly to look at him and did the same. The two stood there laughing, looking at the gifts they had stacked back under the tree. They'd thrown out the bags and bags of shredded wrapping paper. They'd watched all of the kids, Andy's included, smile and giggle all afternoon. They'd watched some fighting over toys, but all in all, it had been a wonderful Christmas, and the group still had their overnight trip to the zoo coming up soon.
As they laughed, movement caught their attention, and both turned to find Ricky wandering toward them, rubbing his eyes. The toddler, not even two, had on his Santa pajamas. Sharon's eyes widened, and she quickly moved to scoop up Ricky.
"Ricky, you got out of your crib?" Sharon spoke to him, her voice sounding almost terrified. She turned to Andy with a horrified expression, and he shook his head and chuckled, this time at the sight of Ricky.
"Oh, I remember Nicole used to do that, flip herself over the side of the crib. She was my little monkey. Looks like you have Monkey Boy on your hands," he nodded in a small gesture to Ricky.
"Mama, play," he said sweetly, putting his head on her shoulder as he yawned. Sharon sighed and rolled her eyes. "Santa," he said and yawned again.
"Santa has already come, my sweet boy," she nodded to the tree. "You opened all your presents. Now, it's time to go back to bed."
"No bed," he said and shook his head. "Mama bed."
Sharon groaned, and Andy just watched. She kissed Ricky's head, "Ricky's bed," she told him. She glanced to Andy and spoke quietly, "I was hoping to wait until you moved out to put him in a bed. I was hoping that he could wait it out with the crib. Emily never climbed out of her crib. I might have to come up with another idea."
Andy put his hands out, "Why don't you let me put him back in his bed, hmm? He might not fight me as much. Please?"
Sharon glanced down to Ricky who was burrowing his head into her shoulder, and she bit her lip as she nodded. She started to pull Ricky from her shoulder, gave him a quick kiss, and she handed him to Andy, "Thank you. I appreciate it."
"No problem," he smiled kindly at her and accepted Ricky into his arms. "Hey there, Monkey Boy," he said quietly.
"Andy, play," Ricky said in his little voice. He tried to kick at Andy, but Andy put his hand on Ricky back and started to pat it as he moved down the hall. Sharon could hear him as he walked, "Give your mom a break, little guy. You can play with the toys in the morning."
It took a few moments for Andy to return, but when he did, Sharon was standing there, arms crossed in an almost nervous stance. He gave her an odd look, and she gestured toward him, "Thank you for helping with Ricky. I do appreciate it. Jack was never much for helping."
"Anytime," he said quietly. He stopped by the counter and started to sit down at the counter stool. Sharon waved her hand at him.
"Look, I, umm," she rolled her eyes and sighed. Andy gave her a puzzled look, and she continued, "This is silly. I don't know why I'm nervous. I guess I hope you like it."
"Sharon-" he started to say. She continued right over it.
"People get each other Christmas presents each day. I wanted to give you one," she said with a firm nod.
Andy chuckled and looked to his feet. He slowly gazed up at her and flashed a small smile, "You interrupted me, but all I was going to say is that I got you a Christmas present too."
"Oh," her eyes widened, and then, her expression changed. "You did? You didn't need to get me one."
"Right," he said sarcastically. "So, you got me one, but I shouldn't get one for you?"
Sharon started to speak, but she stopped herself. Instead she sighed and rolled her eyes, turning her head slightly. Andy jumped in again.
"Let's open presents," he said rubbing his hands together. He started toward his room.
"Where are you going?" Sharon asked, finally rejoining the conversation. He hooked his hand over his shoulder.
"To my room," he told her and continued, "to get the present."
"Right," she said as if realizing she'd asked a ridiculous question. "Me too-I mean, to my room."
"Great minds think alike," he grinned. He stepped out of the room and down the hall. Sharon stood there a moment and did the same, going to her room, making sure she was quiet as she didn't want to wake the kids. She'd thought a lot about what to get him, wanting it to be something he might like or need, but also something special. She knew he'd had a rough year; they both had been through it. She retrieved the gift for him and gingerly carried it to the living room. She was glad he hadn't returned yet, and Sharon put the gift by the Christmas tree.
Andy returned, and Sharon felt herself scanning him, looking for the gift. She barely saw it; it was a small box he had in the palm of his hand. She met his gaze, and he gave her a strange look, nodding to the gift she'd placed.
"So, I'm already feeling like I didn't get you the right thing," he said with a small frown as he made his way to the recliner next to the sofa. Sharon sat down at the far end of the couch, close to the tree and the gifts she'd placed.
"Size doesn't matter," Sharon said rather quickly. Andy chuckled and shrugged. He nodded toward her, the gift in his hand.
"You go first," he said. "Merry Christmas. I feel like this isn't enough to say thank you for all you have done. You've been a great help to me, a good landlord, and most of all a reliable friend. I appreciate it all."
Sharon gave him a small smile, her eyes on his as she took the gift. She ran her hand over the nicely wrapped package, and her smile widened when she looked back at him.
"This is beautifully wrapped. I'm almost afraid to open it. Thank you. My parents sent me a few small things and a check," she nodded, "but aside from that, and of course, the homemade ornaments the kids made at church," she grinned, "I don't really get Christmas presents."
"Glad I could change that," he said with a quick nod. "Oh, and the wrapping-not my thing. I mean, I can't wrap anything. The store did that. I hope you like it."
Sharon nodded as she opened the gift, taking her time on the nice ribbon. She was careful, enjoying the moment, and when she finally had the lid off the small box, she looked at the gift, almost puzzled.
"What is this?" Sharon started to say as she pulled it out. "Oh, a gift card to a spa?" Sharon looked to him, that statement more a question than anything. Andy shrugged and gestured to try and explain.
"You do everything for your kids. You spend every last penny on them, and don't try to tell me it's not true. I've seen it. I've seen you scrape together coins so they can get an ice cream cone while out. I've seen you make sure they are fed even if it means giving them what you would like to eat. You're a great mom. I already told you how much I appreciate you being such a great friend. You just said it; you told me you don't get many gifts, and I know you would never splurge on a day for yourself, so I did. Enjoy it. I asked around. Provenza's wife, Liz, she recommended the place. Her sister works there. It's good for any day you want, but you have to use it before I move out because part of the deal is free babysitting," he grinned. "I thought maybe I could keep all four kids and have a fun day here. So, enjoy. It's for this whole package of services-nails, massage, facial," he continued to gesture as he spoke. Sharon's eyes widened.
"Andy, I can't accept this. That must have cost you a fortune," she said, putting the gift card in the box to hand back to him. He waved his hands at her.
"You take it and enjoy. That's the purpose of a gift. Hey," he winked, "if you don't keep it, I have to give it to Liz, and Provenza would never let me live it down that I gave her a better Christmas present than he ever did. Enjoy."
Sharon opened her mouth to speak, but she thought the better of it. She gave him another warm smile, trying to hold back her tears; he'd been very thoughtful. She put the gift on the coffee table and turned quickly to the gift she had for him. She stood, and Andy spoke.
"I'm almost afraid to ask what is wrapped up in something that big. I mean, it looks like a bag big enough for a bike, like Emily's bike."
Sharon turned and gave a playful shrug, "I may have used a bike gift bag for this."
"What in the world?" Andy asked, now standing to move toward her. Sharon gestured to the gift.
"Merry Christmas, Andy. I saw this and thought you would enjoy it, especially with your new apartment when you move."
"Okay," Andy said slowly, as he untied the ribbon. It took him a few moments, and while he unwrapped it, Sharon stood to the side, her arms crossed, almost in a nervous expression. Andy worked to pull the gift out of the bag.
"Oh, wow!" Andy exclaimed. "A lamp set!"
"Not just any lamp set," Sharon finally pointed to the gift as Andy examined it. He knelt down by the lamps, two of them, and before she could say more, he got excited and spoke.
"Wait, these are the lamps that I saw at that second-hand store that I really liked, right? They were way too expensive for me."
"You talked about how perfect they were with your furniture, and well," Sharon said as she cleared her throat, "I went back a few days later, and I was able to talk the manager into a deal."
Andy dropped his head and laughed, "You and your deals."
"I do not always work for evil," she grinned. Andy nodded and finished pulling the second lamp out of the wrapping. "I hope you like them, even if it means you are getting closer to moving."
"Really exciting to get some things that are mine," Andy smiled brightly as he stood. They stood there, almost in an awkward stance. They often stood next to each other, but this felt strange. Finally, Sharon cleared her throat, "Merry Christmas, Andy. It's been a wonderful day."
Andy nodded and smiled. The two turned slightly, and he opened his arms to give her a hug. As he did, he said, "Merry Christmas, Sharon. Thank you for welcoming, not only me, but my kids today. It's been a day I won't forget."
The two embraced for a few moments, something that they had not done much. Both felt their grips tighten for just a few moments. It felt like a perfect moment, just the silence of Christmas evening shared between two friends. Finally, they broke apart, neither pulling back quickly. Sharon dropped her gaze to the pile of toys at the tree, "It's been a great day."
"Yeah," Andy said, wiping his hand over his face, to almost wipe off the moment. "Looking forward to the zoo trip. Christmas for the books, this one is."
"Indeed," she smiled. She cleared her throat, "I am going to head to bed. Ahh, enjoy your evening," she said with a smile.
"I'm going to sit here and start reading this book my sister sent me," he said nodding to the book on the table. "Not sure I will be able to sleep."
"Enjoy your book," Sharon said with a nod. She leaned over to pick up her box containing her gift card. Andy stepped out of her way to allow her to pass. She reached out and squeezed his hand as she did, "I hope the coming year is even better than this one has been."
As she pulled her hand back, Andy squeezed hers. She looked up at him, and he smiled softly at her, "You deserve a better year. This one isn't over yet either; we still have a few days to have some great times with the kids."
"We do," she nodded. "Try to get some sleep." Sharon waved slightly as she walked down the hall. She closed her bedroom door and stood against it, where she discovered she was holding her breath. Sharon slowly let out her breath and clutched her gift to her chest. It really had been a special Christmas, and she couldn't put her finger on exactly what was so magical.