chapter forty-seven
"Sam, just stop complaining." Freddie groaned as he sets a present that is wrapped underneath the Christmas tree.
"What?! She is already the perfect daughter while I'm here being an ordinary college student with no life." I defended while sitting on the couch watching Freddie fix one of the ornaments on the tree.
"She's still your sister and your twin. You can't just kick her out of a family event." He said as he turns his head facing me, raises his left eyebrow, giving me a look.
Ugh!
Today is the day where we get to enjoy spending time with our friends and family, eating tons of food until we puke from our stomachs, opening presents our loved ones have given us and celebrating the day Jesus Christ was born.
Christmas.
Right now, I am not in a good mood because my twin sister, Melanie, texted me last night saying that she was coming today to spend Christmas with us while my parents are coming later. She always has something to say when she comes to visit about her school and crap. She doesn't get time to call us now and then because her school is very strict about using cell phones during the semester; however, when she comes to visit, her mouth is like an annoying song going on loop.
She's so annoying.
Even though she's a stuck up, she's still my sister and I love her. I don't want to punch her face in like I do to other people when I despise them. She just needs to figure out how to care about other people than herself for a change.
"Look I know that, but for once can she just talk about something else other than her perfect school?" I waved my hands defensively.
Freddie walks over to the couch and sits next to me as he pats his lap wanting me to lay on him. I get in position, laying my body on the sofa with my head resting on his comfortable lap. His hand makes its way to my hair and strokes it softly calming me down. "It must be annoying, but you can't fight with her, especially today since your parents are coming over. And my mom."
I sighed enjoying his hand rubbing my head. He's right. I just need to keep my cool today because today is Christmas and I don't want anything to happen that will cause a major fight later. "Fine... I won't do anything."
"Thank you," he grins and leans down closing his eyes as his lips brush mine. I took no further to wait as I pressed my lips against his and kissed him passionately. I love the way his gesture is making me feel warm of importance, his soft hand sliding on my head, his moist lips dancing on mine gently.
It's been a week since Freddie and I started dating, and I can't express how amazing he is. We do hang out together like we've always done, but this time is different because now everything between us is filled with affection and love. Again, Freddie is the definition of a gentleman. This past week we've gone everywhere we could go, and he has been nothing but a man when it came to opening doors for me and etcetera.
I don't usually care about that stuff, but when it comes to Freddie, he's the man to do it all. He's also the man who knows how to make me happy and I don't regret one bit to how it brought us to this stage of going out; friends with benefits, having that fight, me confessing to him in public, us making love. Everything we've been through, I don't want to trade anything for it.
I pulled away from his lips and opened my eyes seeing his beautiful face in front of me staring back at me. "Ugh... I guess I just have to deal with it."
"I think that's for the best." He smirked and I rolled my eyes hitting his arm playfully.
The doorbell rings, echoing the whole house causing us to make our heads turn to the direction knowing who's behind the door. "Well, speak of the devil. They're here." I sat up on the couch and pushed myself off, standing on the ground. I extend my hand out to Freddie offering him to take my hand to help him up; he takes my hand, and I pull him off the couch with his help.
"Party time." He smiled as he makes a beeline for the door, opening it showing the people I call my family. "Hey guys, Merry Christmas!" He greeted them, opening the door wide for them to walk in.
My mom walks in first with a smile on her face hugging Freddie by the door. "Merry Christmas, Freddie." They pull away, and she turns her head darting her eyes at me. My mother, Pamela Puckett, is the woman who gave birth to Melanie and me on a public bus. Ever since then she has been nothing but a hard worker to provide us for me and my sister no matter how hard it could get. Her appearance remains the same with her style of clothing which she is wearing a red plaid shirt, blue jeans, and combat boots since it is chilly outside. And her hairstyle is dirty blonde, short â like it has been after we were born. She's the most stubborn person in the world, but she knows how to be a mother.
"Sammy!" My mom cheered as she walks over to me and wraps her arms around my body, hugging me.
"Merry Christmas, mom," I smiled hugging her back. Her height is what makes us different, she's about 5'8 and I'm 5'3, so that's one of the things we don't share as mother and daughter.
"Where's my hug?"
My mom and I pulled away from each other and saw my dad behind her with a playful, angry look on his face. My father, Jeremy Puckett, is the man who you would call... a trouble maker. Sure, he gets into fights with certain people, but he has a reason for those times. He hasn't been to jail or anything, but he does get in trouble somehow like my uncle Carmine, aka his brother. My parents didn't have the best relationship after we were born so they got a divorce when Melanie and I were fourteen. Even though they're not together anymore, they still interact for our sake and try to get along.
"Hey dad," I smiled, walking towards him, and snaked my arms around his shoulders giving him a bear hug.
"Merry Christmas, Peanut." He hugged me tightly as I smirked at the nickname. "So, what did you guys do this morning?"
"We just ate breakfast and now we're waiting for you guys," I answered as I pulled away from him and smoothed my shirt from wrinkles. "Freddie's mom should be here any minute."
"Sam!"
I froze, cringing at the sound of the voice that squealed inside the house. I turn to the door and met eyes with the girl with dirty blonde hair straightened, a red sweater with a Christmas tree stitched to the center of the fabric, black jeggings, black boots, and a Santa hat on her head. Also, has the same blue eyes with an identical face.
My sister...
Melanie dashes to me and hugs me around my shoulders since we're about the same height. "I missed you, Sam!" She squealed hearing a smile on her face.
I stand there with my arms on the side while I roll my eyes at my overachiever sister. "Missed you too, Mel," I muttered, politely pulling her away from my body with a fake smile on my face. "How was your flight?"
"It was great! The flight went by quicker than the last time I came to visit. Now I'm excited to spend Christmas with you guys." She smiled.
"Well, my mom should be here soon so you guys can make yourself comfortable in the living room." Freddie joined after he closed the front door. The Puckett family made their way to the living room and set the Christmas presents under the Christmas tree and then sits on the couch making conversation. "Good girl, you're making progress," Freddie said to me as he ruffled my hair, showing his big smile.
"Get off," I swatted his hand away from my head and fixed my hair in place, smoothing it out where it was before. "She's quiet now, but I know she's going to show off later," I mumbled crossing my arms over my chest, staring at him.
"And if she does, don'tâ" Freddie was interrupted by the doorbell ringing again. He walks to the front door and opens it facing the woman who gave him life, also known as the woman who is best friends with my mother. "Hey, mom!" He walks back to the side of the door to let Mrs. Benson inside holding two Christmas bags.
"Hi, sweetie." She hugs her son after Freddie closed the door and he hugs her back giving her a loving hug. "Merry Christmas," she kissed his temple and pulls away, smiling at him. She sees me and still has the smile on her face. "Hello, Samantha, I got you kids presents so hopefully you'll like them."
"Every year you never disappoint us," I chuckled. "You can join my family in the living room and we'll start eating dinner."
"Who made dinner this year?" She asked looking at the two of us.
"We both did," Freddie answered. "So, hopefully, it'll taste decent since Sam helped and won't make you guys throw up or have diarrhea."
I elbowed his stomach and he grunts as he doubled over a little, coughing casually. "He's kidding." I said glancing at Freddie and glared at him as he has a smirk on his face.
"You kids are just too much." Mrs. Benson shook her head as she turned to the living room and walked in there, greeting the rest of the gang.
I looked at Freddie and glared at him while he smiles innocently. "My food is not that bad." I hissed.
"I know, I just wanted to push your buttons a little." He shrugged, walking away from me and heads to the living room. I shook my head watching him sit on the couch next to his mom and my dad as I think about how much of a shithead he is.
I joined them a moment later meeting them on the couch.
Two hours later, my family, Mrs. Benson, Freddie, and I ate the food we made which were; chicken, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a chocolate cake for dessert. Freddie and I did a good job because we got positive responses from the family.
Right now, we're in the living room opening our presents that we gave each other. So far, my mom and dad gave me two gift cards for PearTunes and I thought I was going to heaven, Melanie gave me a new t-shirt that had a slogan on it which says, "Every Kiss Begins with Ass". I laughed aloud and was impressed by how she gave me an inappropriate shirt while she's all innocent. I'm probably rubbing my rebel self on her... I'm so proud.
Anyway, Mrs. Benson gave Freddie and me our presents since they're for both of us, and she gave us a set of "The Fast and Furious" series on DVD. We were excited because now we know what to watch later when everyone leaves. She always knows what to give us every year.
After everyone opened their presents that Freddie and I bought for them, Freddie and I haven't opened our presents from each other.
"Alrighty," Freddie picks up a small box that is, of course, for me, and walks back to the couch sitting next to me. "You're going to open your present last. So, it's my turn â finally, to open my gift." He smiles cheekily, and I laughed as he sounds like a five-year-old again.
I picked up a small sized box by my foot and gave him his present in his hands as he was extending them out. Everyone watched him as he didn't have time to waste unwrapping the silver paper with gold glitter on it. Once the whole paper was ripped, his eyes bulged out as he sees what I got him.
"You bought me a new phone?" He asked softly still looking at the new Pear Phone XT that is inside a white box packaging, with a cover of the phone, the color in silver, in the center, laminated in plastic to protect the case.
"Yeah, you always said how no matter how many times you tried to get your phone fixed it would still not work, so I thought I could give you a new phone instead," I explained, smiling at my accomplishment. "Also, your number one caller is me on speed dial already, so you don't have to worry about setting my number on your contacts."
He glanced at me and smiled with appreciation while his eyes are sparkling again. His eyes always show meaning when they sparkle and now I know what they mean and what they're saying to me. "Thank you..." he said softly. "Now my present for you might not top this." He said as he crumbles up the ripped wrapping paper.
"I doubt it, but I'll be the judge of that." I grabbed the small box from his lap and saw the perfectly wrapped red paper and grinned figuring out how long it must've taken him to wrap it. I rip the paper as I try to evaluate what he gave me. Once I have torn the paper, I saw a vampire red velveteen box with gold designs around it; at that moment, I knew that this gift was expensive. "What is this?"
"How about you open it and find out." He teased, looking at me.
I don't know why I'm getting nervous, my hands are shaking so much I hope Freddie doesn't notice it. I gripped my hand at the bottom of the box and used my other hand to open the top. I unsecured the top slowly and saw some type of silver jewelry halfway through.
I open the top all the way and see a necklace resting inside the beautiful box. Oh my gosh... the necklace looks extraordinary. I'm looking at a silver diamond necklace with a heart pendant attached to the little hoop, and some words carved on the back. But I'm just concentrating on how beautiful the necklace is. I rest the box on my side of the couch, and I look up at Freddie feeling overjoyed.
"Oh my gosh, that necklace is beautiful!" Melanie cooed next to me.
"Freddie, w-why," I stuttered trying to find a good choice of words. "How much did you pay for this?" I asked curiously.
He looks at me as he brings his hand to the nape of his neck and rubs it slowly. "Uh... you're not going to accept it if I tell you."
"Why can't you tell me?"
"Because I know you, Sam. Every time someone gives you something for no reason, aka me, you won't accept it." He said giving me a knowing look. He's right; he does know me so well.
"But this looks expensive as hell!"
"Ugh! It was four-hundred and sixty dollars, okay?" He groaned.
I just choked on my saliva. How much?! "Freddie!" I screamed. He flinched as with everyone else in the room, but I paid attention to him only. He puts a finger in his ear, shaking it trying to regain his hearing.
"Babe, I'm right here." He crooned.
"Why did you buy a four-hundred and sixty-dollar necklace?!" I exclaimed.
"Because I wanted to, and the money was no problem. The only thing I had to pay more was to have the heart engraved which cost sixty dollars." I look at him while my eyes are starting to brim with tears.
"How did you get the money to pay for this?" I asked with my voice shaky.
"The paycheck I've been saving from work. I got paid twice the amount I usually get last week and... I wanted to give you something special." He answered shrugging his shoulders. I stared at him while tears are pouring out, sliding down to my cheeks without me wiping them away. I can't believe he saved the money that he could be spending on himself to pay for this expensive necklace for me.
What is wrong with this shithead?!
"Sammy?" He asked sounding scared. He noticed that I started to cry while I'm emotional over this gift I've never gotten from him before. This is the best present he has ever given me, and I don't know what to do. "Oh my god, baby. Why are you crying?" He asked while getting closer to me. He caresses his hands on my cheeks and wipes my tears away softly with his thumbs.
"I... I feel bad." I whimpered.
"Why do you feel bad?" He whispered.
"Because... you dumbass, you could've bought yourself something nice but you've spent it for this necklace, and now I feel guilty." I whimpered.
"Hey... look at me." He demanded. I look up at him with tears still falling freely. "Don't feel guilty, okay? I wanted to spend my money on your Christmas present. So, don't feel guilty about this." He whispers trying to calm me down. I try to stop my whimpering as I feel his thumbs wipe away more of my strained tears.
"I'm sorry." I sniffled.
"It's okay. Wow... I've never seen you emotional over this." He said astonished. He knows certain kinds of gifts doesn't make me enthusiastic but his present this time is different because of our relationship. What we have is something special now and I feel like a part of me is in his heart that I don't want to get away from. And a part of him is in my heart that I hope he doesn't get away from. This moment means so much to me with or without his gift.
"Well... because this is different, Freddie. I don't know how to repay you for this." I whispered staring at his eyes.
"You don't have to pay me back or anything. You keep the necklace, please." He chuckled softly as he caresses my cheek.
I looked at the necklace one more time and turned the heart pendant around seeing the words engraved, it says:
You Are My World, Sam.
- Freddie Benson
My eyes are welling up again after reading this message. I can't believe he did this for me... I look up at Freddie and see him smiling softly as he looks at me and I just love him even more because he's being him.
I drop the necklace on my lap and caressed Freddie's face with my hands and pressed my lips against his, thanking him for the present. He rests his hand on my back and kisses me back softly.
After a minute, I pulled away from him and smiled not wanting to move from our position. "Thank you, I really love it." I whispered against his lips.
"I'm glad you love it." He smiled back with a gleaming look in his eyes.
"Ahem..."
We heard someone clear their throat and my heart began to pound, realizing that we're not alone. Freddie and I turn our heads to the love seat next to the couch and saw my mom and dad staring at us with a troubled look on their faces. As for Melanie sitting next to me with her eyes wide and her mouth open. And Mrs. Benson sitting on the single couch staring at us with a blank expression on her face.
Oh... chizz...
"What the hell is going on here?"