Naia's POV
Christmas was coming up really fast. Back when I lived with the Samuals, Christmas wasn't a big thing but Ellie and I still tried to make the boys excited for Christmas.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Gabby asked me one day while she was on shift. Looking up from the book I was reading a book, which I had gotten for my birthday from Stella, I shrugged and dog eared the page.
"I don't really have anything more I could ask for." I said honestly. "I mean, come on. This is the life." I leaned back against the couch and propped up my legs, putting my hands behind my head. I grinned at Gabby who shook her head at me. She was smiling though.
Herrmann chimed in on our conversation having overheard it. "Come on kid. It's Christmas time. You can ask for whatever you want from Santa."
"Naia?" Little Thomas asked me, pulling on my hand. It was cold in the basement, especially since it was December. We were all being punished again because Mr. Samuals was drunk.
I nodded, pulling Thomas closer to me. "Yeah? What's up little guy?"
"Were we bad this year?" Thomas asked me, snuggling close.
I wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close. "No, no. We weren't bad this year."
"So will Santa come this year?" Thomas asked. "Will he? He didn't come last year."
Ellie and I looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
"Naia?" Stella's voice snapped me back into reality.
I looked up at her, "Huh? Sorry, yes. I mean, sorry, what did you say?"
"You okay? You look a little pale." Stella said, taking a seat next to me. "Do you want some water?"
I shook my head, "No, I'm okay. Thanks though." Stella looked at me, clearly concerned.
"You wanna tell me what's up?" She asked but I shook my head and Stella didn't push me any further and I returned to my book.
"Do you have a shift on Christmas?" I asked Matt and Gabby. We were on our way to get a Christmas tree with Shay and Kelly.
Matt shook his head. "No, but we have a shift on Christmas Eve until Christmas Morning"
"Sorry Naia," Shay said from beside me, "You're stuck with us."
I laughed, "I'm okay with that."
It was a cold Sunday, that was for sure. It was far to cold to go outside and the city was issuing warning about the cold so Matt and Gabby pulled out a box and told me help them assemble the Christmas tree. It was the 13th after all. Going against the warning to stay inside, Shay and Kelly came over anyways to "help", even though three people was plenty.
"There. Now we can start decorating." Matt said after he clicked the last branch in. "Do you wanna put the first ornament on Naia?"
My mouth dropped. I was never allowed to go near the Christmas tree, never mind putting the first ornament on. "Really?" I asked, shocked. Matt nodded and I squealed happily.
Gabby pushed over a box of ornaments with her foot towards me and and I looked through for one that I liked. Finally, I found the perfect one. It was a firetruck with the number 81 on it and I wondered if it was custom made.
"Nice choice." Matt said. "It was a gift from Chief last year. Everybody on Truck 81 got one."
Kelly grinned, "And everybody on Squad 3 got a truck with the three on it."
I looked over at Shay and Gabby who were sitting on the couch together. "Let me guess, you and Brett got an ambulance with 61 on it." I then turned to Shay, "And you and whoever was with you on 23 got an ambulance with 23 on it."
Gabby laughed, "Touche."
"Who was on 23 with you?" I asked Shay.
"Jillian Carter, she got transferred to Firehouse 14." Shay answered.
Matt ruffled up my hair, "You ready Munchkin?"
I nodded and looked at where the best spot would be. I decided to pick a spot splat center and hung the ornament. Everybody cheered and turned around to and bowed. Grinning, I went to the couch and sat down next to Gabby.
"You can help us decorate the rest of the tree you know." Matt said, "If you want to."
I jumped up, smiling. I raced over and started rummaging through the box again.
"Wow, you're like a kid on Christmas morning." Shay said.