Part 4
Christmas Eve night
"Alright, I'll go first," said Kyle, standing up. The others looked at him. He picked up a present from under the tree and handed it to Isabel. "Merry Christmas," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"Now it may not seem like much but..." Isabel unwrapped it. "I heard you'd lost yours so..."
"Save Ferris CD," she smiled, "I did lose it, how'd you know?" Kyle gave a subtle look towards Max. "Thank you, Kyle," she said as she hugged him.
"You're welcome," he nodded. He walked back to the tree. Isabel looked to Max and when he looked back, she smiled to him and mouthed a 'thank you'.
'You're welcome,' he mouthed back. She set down the CD and the wrapping paper on a table next to her. She turned back to wait and see what Kyle had bought for Liz. Maria had told Tess and her about Kyle's visit, which left her anxious to see.
Kyle took a small box from under the tree and went to sit next to Liz. "For you," he smiled, handing it to her. She smiled back at him, unwrapping the box. She pulled off the top and her smile grew. "I was told that my present should come from the heart. I decided to go for a little symbolism... so I'm giving you the key to my heart. No doubles, just this one and it's yours. As for the chain... it belonged to my mom. One thing she gave me was this, telling me I knew who to give it to." Liz reached up to wipe away a tear.
"I love it, thank you," she said with a quick kiss. He helped her put it on. "It's perfect," she said, holding the small key in the palm of her hand.
"Well I'm glad you like it." She smiled once more before getting up.
"Okay, then," she said with a short laugh. She went to the tree, then took a thin box to Alex. "Merry Christmas, Alex."
"Same to you," he nodded. He unwrapped his present to find a black box. He opened it and brushed his fingers across the golden letters of his name in the corner of the sheet. "Liz, these are... wow," he smiled, leafing through the identical pages with his name in gold and the staves (??).
"I wasn't sure if this was okay, but..."
"It is, it's great. Thank you," he nodded.
"You're welcome," she nodded back as the two friends hugged.
"Can I see?" said Maria, sitting next to Alex. He handed the box to her. "Mmm... I feel some duets coming on," she winked to Alex.
"With you, always," he winked back. She grinned and turned to Liz.
"Go on," she whispered.
"Right," she nodded, going back to the tree. She picked up a semi-tall package and went to sit by Kyle. "I hope you don't mind I got you two things."
"Oh, I think I can get over it," he smiled.
"Okay," she laughed. He unwrapped it to find it was two boxes one on top of the other. He opened the first. "I think we both went for some kind of symbolism," she explained as he took out a beautiful frame, inside which she'd placed the picture from the Crashdown opening.
"This is great," he smiled to her.
"There's more," she said, indicating the second box. He put aside his first present and opened the next present. It was a box full of their oatmeal cookies.
"Jackpot," he laughed shortly, "Thank you." They had a quick kiss, turning back to the others afterward. "Who wants to go next?" asked Kyle.
"Uh, I will," said Alex as he stood. He went to the tree, retrieving a medium-sized package, along with a smaller one. He walked up to Tess and gave them to her. "Merry Christmas."
"Same to you," she smiled. She unwrapped the smaller one first. It contained a pen inside a tin box. It wasn't too expensive or too cheap looking. "Thank you," she nodded. To Alex, already guessing a bit what was the second object. She unwrapped it. "It has a key and everything," she grinned, picking up the diary.
"Yeah, I'd hide it if I were you," Alex nodded.
"Probably," she laughed, "With the kind of secrets we have..."
"Yeah, Liz," Maria winked to her friend.
"Hey!" Liz protested, her 'frown' disappearing as she laughed.
"Thank you, Alex... again," Tess said, remembering she'd already said it earlier.
"Alright," said Alex, turning to Maria.
"Ooh..." she said with a grin. He went to sit next to her.
"Your present doesn't involve an actual object... yet."
"Okay, confused... keep going," said Maria.
"I made some phone calls, a few arrangements," he started, seeing she was still confused. "I got you time inside a recording studio, so that you can... well, record some songs, all the equipment at your disposition and you'll be able to come out of there with your own 'album'. I'll help designing a cover and all..." She grinned, putting a hand to her mouth as she felt her cheeks get red. "Unless you don't want to, of course," he said, joking.
"Oh I want to," she nodded quickly.
"Are you sure?" he smirked. She took his face, a slow kiss following. "I'll take that as a yes," he laughed.
"Oh, this is great," she said, getting excited. The others laughed shortly. "Okay!" she said, standing. "My turn now." She went to the tree and picked up a large box. She walked up to Max. "This is yours. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," he repeated. He removed the wrapping paper to find a large cardboard box covered in red and white squares. He opened it and smiled.
"Everything you need to start using essential oils for health and relaxation," Maria spoke out, in a 'game show host' voice.
"Thank you," said Max.
"You're welcome. You use them and I swear you won't regret it," she said with a wink.
"Alright," he laughed. Tess picked up one of the small bottles and opened it. She took in the smell and smiled.
"Smell this," she told Max, holding the bottle under his nose. He smiled as well. She closed the bottle and put it back before Max put the present aside so that they could continue with the exchange.
"Okay, now..." Maria whispered as she retrieved another present from under the tree. She sat next to Alex and gave it to him. "Hope you like it..."
"From you, I'm sure I will," he assured her.
"Okay." She watched as he unwrapped it and broke into a grin when he went wide-eyed.
"Maria, how did you get this, I've been looking for..."
"Years, I know," she nodded.
"How..."
"I have my sources," she winked. Alex looked back down to the computer game disk in its box. "So you like it then..."
"I love it," he smiled. She returned it and they kissed. "This is amazing..."
"Does that mean I won't see you for a while, too busy with your new 'toy'?" she fake-pouted.
"I can show you how to play it," he suggested. She thought for a few seconds.
"Deal," she said, holding her hand out to him before he shook it. "So who's next?" said Maria.
"I'll go," said Max.
"Okay then," said Maria, sitting back on the couch. Max stood and walked to the tree, picking up one of the presents and turning back to the group, walking to Maria.
"Merry Christmas," he wished her again. She laughed.
"So we got each other, uh?"
"Looks like it." She smiled and unwrapped her present.
"Oh, wow," she said, holding up the photo album. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Looks like I have some pictures to take... I know exactly what I'll be putting in here," she grinned.
"What?" asked Liz.
"You'll see," Maria nodded.
"You and your secrets," Isabel rolled her eyes with a short laugh.
"What about them?"
"Nothing, nothing." Max went back to sit with Tess and turned to her.
"Close your eyes," he instructed. She hesitated for a few seconds before doing what he'd asked. Max signaled for the others to keep quiet as he went to get something outside the room. Tess could hear some 'aww' sounds from the other girls. Then she felt something move in her lap. She opened her eyes and looked down, a small white kitten looking back up at her. She smiled with a 'aww' of her own.
"He's so cute..." she whispered, picking it up carefully.
"Actually, it's a girl. I didn't know that... the clerk told me..." Max explained. Just then, Tess noticed something shiny dangling from the cat's neck.
"What..." she whispered, setting the cat back in her lap, taking the object away from her. "Max..." she said, turning to him with a smile once again. She kissed him before looking back to the gold locket on a chain. Turning the heart-shaped object around, she could see an inscription... 'M+T'. "Thank you... I love it... and her," she grinned, scratching the kitten's back gently, causing her to let out some quiet 'meow's.
"Can I hold her?" asked Liz.
"Sure," said Tess as she stood, handing the kitten to Liz before turning to Michael. "My present for you, Michael, it's a bit different... it's not an actual thing," she explained.
"Okay..." he said, unsure where she was going with this.
"Well, we've lived together now for... three months."
"Just about, yeah..."
"I know we've had some good times and some bad times... My present to you, I guess you could call it... freedom..."
"Uh?"
"I found a home of my own, so... I'm moving out." He looked a bit taken aback, almost sad. He stood and hugged her.
"I'm actually going to miss you," he said.
"Hey, I'll still visit," she said with a smile, "Besides, it's kinda close to your place."
"Alright," he said as they separated. She went to the tree, picking up Max's present, exchanging a look with the other girls. As she sat down he spoke.
"Your present to Michael had a lot to do with the cat... didn't want you to feel lonely there," he explained, now that she'd told Michael.
"Thank you," she smiled. She looked down to the present, then handed it to him. "I saw this and well..." She couldn't say more. He wondered why she had that look on her face, then put the thought away as he unwrapped the present. It was a small book. It felt old, but still looked good... He turned to her, knowing there was something more to it. "Page 224..." she whispered. He turned to the page and after reading the title, he looked back at her. She simply nodded.
"Read it, Max... out loud," said Isabel. He looked to his sister, then did as she'd asked.
The Destined Two
Long ago the two came from afar,
Flying past star after star.
Hidden in darkness deep,
The two were fast asleep.
Time passed and it happened,
He was suddenly awakened.
But when he turned and looked around,
His love still in a slumber was what he found.
Confused and feeling lonely,
The boy turned to a new family.
And even then in this kind of offset,
His sleeping love, he wouldn't forget.
But his love hadn't yet come,
And years later from his memory she was gone.
The boy found a new love in his heart,
And from her he never wished to part.
Until suddenly, without a clue,
A mysterious girl appeared out of the blue.
The boy felt a rise in his desire to know,
Who was this person who made him feel so?
He tried to remain true to his new love,
Until the girl was revealed to be his first love.
He felt as though he could now unlock
This secret door to his heart's block.
She spoke of a destiny foretold,
A distant promise to love and to hold.
He refused to accept it, as expected,
Till by his new love he was rejected.
Lost in a well of grief,
He never expected relief.
Yet when she arrived at his door,
His first love made his heart soar.
The boy suddenly found a connection
To this girl's continuing affection.
He had been set before her fears,
The very things that caused her tears.
Ended was their time of separation,
As their new beginning had come into action.
The boy and girl, the destined two,
Together again, as they were meant to.
"Woah..." said Kyle.
"That's kind of..."
"Creepy?" suggested Maria.
"Yeah," Alex responded.
"Still gives me chills," said Isabel. They were silent for a minute. Finally Michael stood up.
"Guess I'll go next." He walked to the tree and took a large and thin present, turning to Liz. "When we took a few months ago... I started working on this. I want you to have it." She took it from him, puzzled a bit. She unwrapped it and gasped.
"It's beautiful... you painted this?" He nodded. "You've really outdone yourself, but... I can't take it from you..."
"I want you to have it," he insisted.
"I..." she started before Max interrupted her.
"Don't try to argue with him... won't get anywhere..." Liz laughed.
"Alright then," she said, then turning to Michael, "Thank you."
"You're welcome... Merry Christmas."
"You too," she smiled. She showed it to the others. She'd handed the kitten to Maria, who'd happily taken her.
"This is really great... and at least now we know you've moved on from domes," said Alex.
"Very funny," Michael answered.
"Yeah, I know," Alex shrugged. Michael went back to the tree and took a small box. He sat next to Isabel and handed it to her. She smiled and unwrapped it. She opened the small box, gasping at what she saw.
"Michael Guerin, king of gasps," Tess whispered to Max and he smiled. Isabel took the small golden heart and its chain out of the box. The diamonds lining the heart glittered in the light.
"Michael... this must have cost a fortune, how..."
"Do you like it?" She kissed him gently. When they parted she had a few tears and a smile on her face.
"I love it." Michael helped her put it on, as Max had done for Tess with her locket.
"Looks great on you," Michael whispered in Isabel's ear. She smiled.
"Thank you... How long did you save for this?" she asked, still amazed.
"Couple months," he shrugged.
"Is that why you didn't buy the..."
"Yeah..."
"It's so..." she said slowly. He put his arm around her shoulders, taking her closer. She stayed for a minute, then looked up at him. "I have to get up, now."
"Okay," he said, kissing the side of her head. She smiled and stood. She walked to the tree and took the last box from under the tree.
"Merry Christmas, Kyle," she said, handing it to him.
"Same to you... again." He unwrapped it and opened the box. "Wow..." he said, taking the jersey out, unfolding it.
"Turn it around!" the girls called out together. He gave them a look and did as they asked.
"Alright..." he grinned, seeing his name and his number.
"I hope the team I picked is okay... I wasn't sure..."
"Dallas Cowboys? Of course it's okay," he grinned.
"See?" Liz told Isabel.
"Good..."
"Thank you, Isabel."
"You're welcome."
"Put it on," suggested Liz. He smiled and slipped it on, standing and taking a few steps around. The girls clapped, even whistling at him.
"And now I'm sitting down," Kyle said, taking his seat again. After they'd stopped laughing, Isabel finally went back to Michael.
"This is going to sound a bit redundant, but my gift isn't an object either."
"Oh?" he asked.
"I was thinking about what I could get you, and nothing sounded right... and then I had an idea."
"Okay..." he said, nodding.
"I thought a little... 'romantic getaway' could be interesting."
"Did you, now?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," she smiled.
"So where are we going?"
"Sorry, not telling," she shook her head, "It's a surprise."
"Well whatever it is, it'll be great."
"Just what I was thinking..." He kissed her.
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
"Alright, come on," said Maria as she stood, "We have to take a picture." She set up the camera on automatic as Tess picked up her new kitten, setting her on her lap as she sat next to Max and the others grouped around them.
"So what are you gonna name her?" he asked.
"I don't know..." said Tess.
"Alright, smile!" said Maria, running to take her place just in time as the flash went off.
End of part four of the Destiny Series
*So what will be the kitten's name? ;) I'm taking suggestions...
Christmas Eve night
"Alright, I'll go first," said Kyle, standing up. The others looked at him. He picked up a present from under the tree and handed it to Isabel. "Merry Christmas," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"Now it may not seem like much but..." Isabel unwrapped it. "I heard you'd lost yours so..."
"Save Ferris CD," she smiled, "I did lose it, how'd you know?" Kyle gave a subtle look towards Max. "Thank you, Kyle," she said as she hugged him.
"You're welcome," he nodded. He walked back to the tree. Isabel looked to Max and when he looked back, she smiled to him and mouthed a 'thank you'.
'You're welcome,' he mouthed back. She set down the CD and the wrapping paper on a table next to her. She turned back to wait and see what Kyle had bought for Liz. Maria had told Tess and her about Kyle's visit, which left her anxious to see.
Kyle took a small box from under the tree and went to sit next to Liz. "For you," he smiled, handing it to her. She smiled back at him, unwrapping the box. She pulled off the top and her smile grew. "I was told that my present should come from the heart. I decided to go for a little symbolism... so I'm giving you the key to my heart. No doubles, just this one and it's yours. As for the chain... it belonged to my mom. One thing she gave me was this, telling me I knew who to give it to." Liz reached up to wipe away a tear.
"I love it, thank you," she said with a quick kiss. He helped her put it on. "It's perfect," she said, holding the small key in the palm of her hand.
"Well I'm glad you like it." She smiled once more before getting up.
"Okay, then," she said with a short laugh. She went to the tree, then took a thin box to Alex. "Merry Christmas, Alex."
"Same to you," he nodded. He unwrapped his present to find a black box. He opened it and brushed his fingers across the golden letters of his name in the corner of the sheet. "Liz, these are... wow," he smiled, leafing through the identical pages with his name in gold and the staves (??).
"I wasn't sure if this was okay, but..."
"It is, it's great. Thank you," he nodded.
"You're welcome," she nodded back as the two friends hugged.
"Can I see?" said Maria, sitting next to Alex. He handed the box to her. "Mmm... I feel some duets coming on," she winked to Alex.
"With you, always," he winked back. She grinned and turned to Liz.
"Go on," she whispered.
"Right," she nodded, going back to the tree. She picked up a semi-tall package and went to sit by Kyle. "I hope you don't mind I got you two things."
"Oh, I think I can get over it," he smiled.
"Okay," she laughed. He unwrapped it to find it was two boxes one on top of the other. He opened the first. "I think we both went for some kind of symbolism," she explained as he took out a beautiful frame, inside which she'd placed the picture from the Crashdown opening.
"This is great," he smiled to her.
"There's more," she said, indicating the second box. He put aside his first present and opened the next present. It was a box full of their oatmeal cookies.
"Jackpot," he laughed shortly, "Thank you." They had a quick kiss, turning back to the others afterward. "Who wants to go next?" asked Kyle.
"Uh, I will," said Alex as he stood. He went to the tree, retrieving a medium-sized package, along with a smaller one. He walked up to Tess and gave them to her. "Merry Christmas."
"Same to you," she smiled. She unwrapped the smaller one first. It contained a pen inside a tin box. It wasn't too expensive or too cheap looking. "Thank you," she nodded. To Alex, already guessing a bit what was the second object. She unwrapped it. "It has a key and everything," she grinned, picking up the diary.
"Yeah, I'd hide it if I were you," Alex nodded.
"Probably," she laughed, "With the kind of secrets we have..."
"Yeah, Liz," Maria winked to her friend.
"Hey!" Liz protested, her 'frown' disappearing as she laughed.
"Thank you, Alex... again," Tess said, remembering she'd already said it earlier.
"Alright," said Alex, turning to Maria.
"Ooh..." she said with a grin. He went to sit next to her.
"Your present doesn't involve an actual object... yet."
"Okay, confused... keep going," said Maria.
"I made some phone calls, a few arrangements," he started, seeing she was still confused. "I got you time inside a recording studio, so that you can... well, record some songs, all the equipment at your disposition and you'll be able to come out of there with your own 'album'. I'll help designing a cover and all..." She grinned, putting a hand to her mouth as she felt her cheeks get red. "Unless you don't want to, of course," he said, joking.
"Oh I want to," she nodded quickly.
"Are you sure?" he smirked. She took his face, a slow kiss following. "I'll take that as a yes," he laughed.
"Oh, this is great," she said, getting excited. The others laughed shortly. "Okay!" she said, standing. "My turn now." She went to the tree and picked up a large box. She walked up to Max. "This is yours. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," he repeated. He removed the wrapping paper to find a large cardboard box covered in red and white squares. He opened it and smiled.
"Everything you need to start using essential oils for health and relaxation," Maria spoke out, in a 'game show host' voice.
"Thank you," said Max.
"You're welcome. You use them and I swear you won't regret it," she said with a wink.
"Alright," he laughed. Tess picked up one of the small bottles and opened it. She took in the smell and smiled.
"Smell this," she told Max, holding the bottle under his nose. He smiled as well. She closed the bottle and put it back before Max put the present aside so that they could continue with the exchange.
"Okay, now..." Maria whispered as she retrieved another present from under the tree. She sat next to Alex and gave it to him. "Hope you like it..."
"From you, I'm sure I will," he assured her.
"Okay." She watched as he unwrapped it and broke into a grin when he went wide-eyed.
"Maria, how did you get this, I've been looking for..."
"Years, I know," she nodded.
"How..."
"I have my sources," she winked. Alex looked back down to the computer game disk in its box. "So you like it then..."
"I love it," he smiled. She returned it and they kissed. "This is amazing..."
"Does that mean I won't see you for a while, too busy with your new 'toy'?" she fake-pouted.
"I can show you how to play it," he suggested. She thought for a few seconds.
"Deal," she said, holding her hand out to him before he shook it. "So who's next?" said Maria.
"I'll go," said Max.
"Okay then," said Maria, sitting back on the couch. Max stood and walked to the tree, picking up one of the presents and turning back to the group, walking to Maria.
"Merry Christmas," he wished her again. She laughed.
"So we got each other, uh?"
"Looks like it." She smiled and unwrapped her present.
"Oh, wow," she said, holding up the photo album. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Looks like I have some pictures to take... I know exactly what I'll be putting in here," she grinned.
"What?" asked Liz.
"You'll see," Maria nodded.
"You and your secrets," Isabel rolled her eyes with a short laugh.
"What about them?"
"Nothing, nothing." Max went back to sit with Tess and turned to her.
"Close your eyes," he instructed. She hesitated for a few seconds before doing what he'd asked. Max signaled for the others to keep quiet as he went to get something outside the room. Tess could hear some 'aww' sounds from the other girls. Then she felt something move in her lap. She opened her eyes and looked down, a small white kitten looking back up at her. She smiled with a 'aww' of her own.
"He's so cute..." she whispered, picking it up carefully.
"Actually, it's a girl. I didn't know that... the clerk told me..." Max explained. Just then, Tess noticed something shiny dangling from the cat's neck.
"What..." she whispered, setting the cat back in her lap, taking the object away from her. "Max..." she said, turning to him with a smile once again. She kissed him before looking back to the gold locket on a chain. Turning the heart-shaped object around, she could see an inscription... 'M+T'. "Thank you... I love it... and her," she grinned, scratching the kitten's back gently, causing her to let out some quiet 'meow's.
"Can I hold her?" asked Liz.
"Sure," said Tess as she stood, handing the kitten to Liz before turning to Michael. "My present for you, Michael, it's a bit different... it's not an actual thing," she explained.
"Okay..." he said, unsure where she was going with this.
"Well, we've lived together now for... three months."
"Just about, yeah..."
"I know we've had some good times and some bad times... My present to you, I guess you could call it... freedom..."
"Uh?"
"I found a home of my own, so... I'm moving out." He looked a bit taken aback, almost sad. He stood and hugged her.
"I'm actually going to miss you," he said.
"Hey, I'll still visit," she said with a smile, "Besides, it's kinda close to your place."
"Alright," he said as they separated. She went to the tree, picking up Max's present, exchanging a look with the other girls. As she sat down he spoke.
"Your present to Michael had a lot to do with the cat... didn't want you to feel lonely there," he explained, now that she'd told Michael.
"Thank you," she smiled. She looked down to the present, then handed it to him. "I saw this and well..." She couldn't say more. He wondered why she had that look on her face, then put the thought away as he unwrapped the present. It was a small book. It felt old, but still looked good... He turned to her, knowing there was something more to it. "Page 224..." she whispered. He turned to the page and after reading the title, he looked back at her. She simply nodded.
"Read it, Max... out loud," said Isabel. He looked to his sister, then did as she'd asked.
The Destined Two
Long ago the two came from afar,
Flying past star after star.
Hidden in darkness deep,
The two were fast asleep.
Time passed and it happened,
He was suddenly awakened.
But when he turned and looked around,
His love still in a slumber was what he found.
Confused and feeling lonely,
The boy turned to a new family.
And even then in this kind of offset,
His sleeping love, he wouldn't forget.
But his love hadn't yet come,
And years later from his memory she was gone.
The boy found a new love in his heart,
And from her he never wished to part.
Until suddenly, without a clue,
A mysterious girl appeared out of the blue.
The boy felt a rise in his desire to know,
Who was this person who made him feel so?
He tried to remain true to his new love,
Until the girl was revealed to be his first love.
He felt as though he could now unlock
This secret door to his heart's block.
She spoke of a destiny foretold,
A distant promise to love and to hold.
He refused to accept it, as expected,
Till by his new love he was rejected.
Lost in a well of grief,
He never expected relief.
Yet when she arrived at his door,
His first love made his heart soar.
The boy suddenly found a connection
To this girl's continuing affection.
He had been set before her fears,
The very things that caused her tears.
Ended was their time of separation,
As their new beginning had come into action.
The boy and girl, the destined two,
Together again, as they were meant to.
"Woah..." said Kyle.
"That's kind of..."
"Creepy?" suggested Maria.
"Yeah," Alex responded.
"Still gives me chills," said Isabel. They were silent for a minute. Finally Michael stood up.
"Guess I'll go next." He walked to the tree and took a large and thin present, turning to Liz. "When we took a few months ago... I started working on this. I want you to have it." She took it from him, puzzled a bit. She unwrapped it and gasped.
"It's beautiful... you painted this?" He nodded. "You've really outdone yourself, but... I can't take it from you..."
"I want you to have it," he insisted.
"I..." she started before Max interrupted her.
"Don't try to argue with him... won't get anywhere..." Liz laughed.
"Alright then," she said, then turning to Michael, "Thank you."
"You're welcome... Merry Christmas."
"You too," she smiled. She showed it to the others. She'd handed the kitten to Maria, who'd happily taken her.
"This is really great... and at least now we know you've moved on from domes," said Alex.
"Very funny," Michael answered.
"Yeah, I know," Alex shrugged. Michael went back to the tree and took a small box. He sat next to Isabel and handed it to her. She smiled and unwrapped it. She opened the small box, gasping at what she saw.
"Michael Guerin, king of gasps," Tess whispered to Max and he smiled. Isabel took the small golden heart and its chain out of the box. The diamonds lining the heart glittered in the light.
"Michael... this must have cost a fortune, how..."
"Do you like it?" She kissed him gently. When they parted she had a few tears and a smile on her face.
"I love it." Michael helped her put it on, as Max had done for Tess with her locket.
"Looks great on you," Michael whispered in Isabel's ear. She smiled.
"Thank you... How long did you save for this?" she asked, still amazed.
"Couple months," he shrugged.
"Is that why you didn't buy the..."
"Yeah..."
"It's so..." she said slowly. He put his arm around her shoulders, taking her closer. She stayed for a minute, then looked up at him. "I have to get up, now."
"Okay," he said, kissing the side of her head. She smiled and stood. She walked to the tree and took the last box from under the tree.
"Merry Christmas, Kyle," she said, handing it to him.
"Same to you... again." He unwrapped it and opened the box. "Wow..." he said, taking the jersey out, unfolding it.
"Turn it around!" the girls called out together. He gave them a look and did as they asked.
"Alright..." he grinned, seeing his name and his number.
"I hope the team I picked is okay... I wasn't sure..."
"Dallas Cowboys? Of course it's okay," he grinned.
"See?" Liz told Isabel.
"Good..."
"Thank you, Isabel."
"You're welcome."
"Put it on," suggested Liz. He smiled and slipped it on, standing and taking a few steps around. The girls clapped, even whistling at him.
"And now I'm sitting down," Kyle said, taking his seat again. After they'd stopped laughing, Isabel finally went back to Michael.
"This is going to sound a bit redundant, but my gift isn't an object either."
"Oh?" he asked.
"I was thinking about what I could get you, and nothing sounded right... and then I had an idea."
"Okay..." he said, nodding.
"I thought a little... 'romantic getaway' could be interesting."
"Did you, now?" he asked.
"Yes, I did," she smiled.
"So where are we going?"
"Sorry, not telling," she shook her head, "It's a surprise."
"Well whatever it is, it'll be great."
"Just what I was thinking..." He kissed her.
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
"Alright, come on," said Maria as she stood, "We have to take a picture." She set up the camera on automatic as Tess picked up her new kitten, setting her on her lap as she sat next to Max and the others grouped around them.
"So what are you gonna name her?" he asked.
"I don't know..." said Tess.
"Alright, smile!" said Maria, running to take her place just in time as the flash went off.
End of part four of the Destiny Series
*So what will be the kitten's name? ;) I'm taking suggestions...
