Chapter 3

Luca took the box where all the gifts were and put it on the table in the yard. For a while, Chris and Street felt a little uncomfortable to be seated here. Last time they were at this place, they had slipped and kissed. Even if they both agreed it was a moment in the past between the two of them, they couldn't stop thinking about it right now. They both lowered their eyes to avoid looking at each other in the eyes. Hopefully, Luca was there to divert them from old memories.

"Time for gifts, guys! "

All tapped against the table to imitate drums. "Best moment of the year!" Tan yelled.

"Who wants to go first?" Luca asked.

"Go Hondo! You're the boss after all, it has to mean something. "

"Ah ha ha! Very funny, Chris!"

Hondo stood up and grabbed his package he handed to Tan. "From me to you, happy holidays!"

Tan unwrapped the package and uncovered a new pair of baskets. "OMG, boss, they are gorgeous! I love them!"

"Glad you enjoy, bro!" Tan stood and hugged Hondo, tapping him on the back. "I'm gonna rock on my future dates with Bonnie." He kept looking at his gift. They are perfect!"

Tan couldn't stop looking at his new shoes with big eyes. Hondo had found the perfect idea for him. He smiled, happy of his idea?

"Who's next?" Luca was very excited about this moment. "Let's do this!"

"Deac, my bro, be my guest."

Deac got out a green package from the box and gave it to Luca. "For me? Thanks, bro! I guess it was Annie who wrapped the whole thing."

"You guess well, she's pretty good at it." He let out a laugh.

"It's so huge ! What is this?"

"Open and you'll know, dumb."

"Ah ah ah Tan, shut up."

Luca focused on the package and opened it pretty quickly. "Oh damn, a new frying machine! That's awesome!"

"Annie got the idea when she saw the one in the food truck that was kind of old and smoking. She gets all the praises! I just went to buy it."

"Thanks Bro! And thanks Annie! I can't wait to use it. I may make you donuts next week."

"Maybe next month instead. We're in the middle of celebrations, and I've eaten for already more than a whole month."

"Then, it's a deal, Victor."

They shook their hands. "And now who didn't have his gift yet?"

Chris raised her fingers. "Let me offer mine!" She got her package out of the box and handed it to Deac. "Merry Christmas, Deac!"

"Thanks Chris!" He took the package and uncovered a large book. He opened it. "OMG, how did you do this?"

"Annie! She helped me a lot. I've just made the edit ant put all the pictures in the right order!"

"What is it?" Hondo asked hastily.

"She made me a photo book with my entire SWAT picture to celebrate my 20th year in the force. That's'… Awesome!"

Deac kept browsing the pages and laughing at some pictures. She was glad he liked it so much. She liked Deac like a big bro, some times like a father figure who knew how to tell her he didn't agree with her life choice but still respect her choices. As he did for her love story with Ty and Kyra. Most of the time he was not wrong but she always needed to experience bad choices to conclude they were actually bad ones.

"You lend this book after to us, I want to see 90s Deac when he was a rookie!"

"Hold on, Luca, you don't have a gift to offer. Don't remember you give yours to someone."

"Well done, Deac but I don't forget. I'll see these pictures, you like it or not!"

Luca took his package from the box and offered it to Hondo. "Merry Christmas, Boss!"

"Hey Luca, thanks! You were the one picking my name and now I'm scared." He laughed loudly, opening the envelop Luca just gave it to him. "Luca, Bro, you're crazy! "

He showed the two tickets for the Dodgers game from next month. "Lucky guy." Street yelled at him.

"One for you and one for Darryl."

"Thanks a lot! We're big fans! But it's really too much."

"Don't talk to me about money, I'm glad I've spent it to offer you this. My way to tell you thank you for saving our asses on the ground."

"Appreciate Bro."

Hondo lowered his head, probably a little embarrassed by Luca's gift which really moved him. Deac noticed the place where he was and immediately changed the subject.

"Hey Street, you haven't had your gift then! If I'm guessing well, Tan is your secret Santa!"

"Hey, hey! You're right, Deac. And this is for you, Bro. "He handed a package to Jim. He removed the paper to reveal a videogame box with a big car on the jacket.

"OMG, the original version of Grand Theft auto for Playstation! Where did you find this, Tan? This is very rare."

"You know I know a guy who knows a guy and so on!"

"Wow, that's amazing! You'll come to play with me one of these nights."

"With pleasure, bro!" Jim remained some moments amazed in front of his new videogame, sparkles in the eyes. He came back to reality when Luca called him.

"So Street, this one is for Chris, if we're ok?"

Street nodded and gave a small smile to Chris. "Yes. Merry Christmas, Chris."