When the song ended Lena had managed to regain her composure and smiled genuinely when everyone surged forward to collect the presents with their name tags. However, Lena hung back, not expecting to be given anything – well, maybe from Kara but not from anyone else. She was, however, surprised and stunned when not only Kara turned to her with a radiant smile on her face, holding out a package but ALL the others stood facing her too, smiling and offering various items to her.
"What?" she stuttered, "What's going on? Are those…for me?" Lena stammered, scanning all the faces and seeing everyone nod.
"Of course they are for you, silly!" Kara chuckled, launching herself at Lena and giving her a hug before pressing the little package she was holding into her hands.
Lena was utterly perplexed and before she could do anything but stare, the others were there too, shaking her hand or hugging her and handing over their gifts. A few moments later Lena was standing there with her arms full of presents.
"Thank you", she breathed, "Thank you all so much! This is…incredible!"
She just managed to force out the last word before her throat closed up and she could no longer hold back the tears that had been forming behind her eyes from the moment that Kara had approached her with her present.
Everyone stopped their happy chatter, totally nonplussed by why Lena would be crying over being given presents. Lena realized this and her flight reflex was triggered immediately. Not only had she let her guard down but she was crying in front of others, of people some of who she didn't even really know. Placing her wonderful gifts on the kitchen island next to her, Lena breathed, "I'm sorry", and walked quickly to the door, opened it and stepped into the corridor.
To be continued…