Chapter 11: Priceless
Violet work up the next morning and looked at Bryce. He had his arms around her stomach, keeping her close. She snuggled deeper into his arms. He let out a contented sigh. She laughed, waking him up.
"What's so funny?" Bryce asked, still holding her.
"You were cuddling me." She responded.
"…and you had a problem with it?" he asked.
Violet shook her head. "It just didn't seem like something you'd do."
He was still holding her. "Granted, it may seem embarrassing, but…" he readied himself "… I can make the best of that situation."
Just as he finished his statement, he began to tickle her. She started laughing, begging him to stop, but he kept at it. Eventually she was able to tickle him back. Violet and Bryce's game of tickling turned into a playful wrestling match. She eventually pinned him to the bed, sitting on top of him.
"I win." Violet said.
"Consider that one of my three presents." He said, looking at the calendar on the wall. "Merry Christmas."
She let him up. "So what are the other two?"
Bryce got up. "Well, the second one is under the tree."
Bryce followed her into the living room. All of the other presents were already gone. *Typical, my mom wanted to be left alone and my dad still manages to have work even on Christmas.* He smiled. * At least I have Violet.*
He considered several options for her present, but the one he chose he knew was perfect. Violet finished taking off the wrapping paper, leaving a small black box. She opened it slowly. Inside was an amethyst stone in the shape of a heart. The candlelight reflected the jewel and its light bounced off all the walls.
"It's beautiful…" she said in awe. "How did you afford this?"
He shrugged. "All of my Christmas and birthday presents are all cash. It wasn't great, but…"
Violet didn't let him finish. She hugged him so tight that he couldn't breathe.
"It's wonderful! I love it!" she said, her tail wagging.
*Man, even her tail is cute. How can I not like her?* he thought.
"Even my tail, huh?" Violet said. He blushed, but then laughed with her. She held Bryce tighter.
Bryce was turning the color of her eyes. She let him go. "Sorry. It's just no one has ever given me something like this. I wish I had known about this. I could've gotten you something."
"Just having you here is enough of a present for me. This is the first year I've ever got to spend Christmas with someone." He said.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Violet asked.
"Your third part of the present is doing whatever you want."
She smiled at him, wagging her blue tail. "You're the best friend I could ever have."
He smiled back. "I'll be right back. Want anything to drink?"
She shook her head.
"She really is a great friend." He said softly to himself as he momentarily left.
Author's Notes: I know it's short, but it's still a favorite chapter of mine.