Karen was the first parent to arrive at the school to pick up Cailyn. After the teasing incident, Karen, Stan and Will came to the decision that a transfer would be best for Cailyn. It was Cailyn's last day of school before winter break, and Karen couldn't wait to hear about her new school. The bell rang, signaling the end of classes and soon after, the doors opened, followed by dozens of children running out to their waiting parents.
"Mommy!" Cailyn screamed as she ran out of the building and into Karen's arms.
"Hi, honey! How was your day?"
Cailyn held onto Karen's hand as they started to walk back to the penthouse. "Mommy, it was so much fun. We had a big party with cookies and hot chocolate. And then we made reindeer out of candy canes. And then we got to color. And then we watched 'A Muppet Christmas Carol'."
"Wow. Sounds like you had a good day! Do you like your new school?"
Cailyn nodded. "It's nice, and the kids aren't mean here." They continued their walk to the penthouse, stopping every now and again to look at Christmas decorations all around the city. Stopping at the tree in Rockefeller Center, Karen couldn't believe that Christmas was only two days away.
Karen quietly tiptoed down the hall towards Cailyn's room. Walking inside, she saw that her daughter was still asleep. Karen sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked Cailyn's cheek in an effort to wake her up.
"Cailyn. Time to get up."
Without opening her eyes, Cailyn rolled over. "Mommy, there's no school today."
"I know there isn't, sweetie. But Dad and Daddy are downstairs with Aunt Grace and Uncle Jack, they're all waiting for you to open up presents."
Cailyn jumped up. "Santa came?"
"Of course Santa came. Now come on, let's go see everyone." But before Karen could finish her sentence, Cailyn was already halfway down the hall.
"Merry Christmas, baby." Stan said as he picked Cailyn up.
"Hi Dad."
"Ready for presents?"
Cailyn nodded, then ran to the staircase. "Come on, Mommy!"
"Hang on, I'm on my way." Karen hurried down the stairs and sat down on the couch next to Will and Jack. Cailyn sat on the floor in front of her and began tearing into her presents. Half an hour and yards of wrapping paper later, there was not a spot in the living room that was not covered by paper or ribbons or bows.
"Ms. Karen, breakfast is ready."
"Thanks, Rosie. C'mon Cailyn, you can play more with your toys after we eat."
"Wait, Mommy. I forgot gifts upstairs!" Cailyn realized as she ran up to her room.
Karen watched as her daughter ran up the stairs. "Which one of you took her out shopping?"
"I didn't." Grace and Jack said in unison.
"Neither did I." Will answered.
Karen looked at Stan. "Wasn't me."
"Well, I didn't. I wonder what she's got up there."
Cailyn came running back down the stairs with six rolled-up pieces of construction paper.
"Rosie! Come here!" she yelled as she began handing out her gifts to everyone.
Rosario walked back into the lounge and Cailyn handed her her present. "Okay, open them." Cailyn said as soon as everyone had their gifts.
The six of them opened up the construction paper and smiled as they each gazed at their gift.
"Do you like it?" Cailyn asked, biting her bottom lip.
Their gift was a drawing for each of them that Cailyn had spent hours on. Cailyn, Karen, Will, Stan, Grace, Jack and Rosario all standing together with the words 'My Family' in bold letters over the top.
