Sorry for the delay. It's a new chapter and hopefully I can continue this story.
Chapter 27: I Learned This From You.
Ronnie turned off the television in the den. She was quite happy with the way dinner had turned out earlier. The family had enjoyed having new people to talk to over a great meal. She was quite surprised that her brother and his girlfriend had helped make such a wonderful meal. The conversation was always interesting; learning new things from the ones she loved and beginning to love. Gabe had taken Alyson home after cleaning up the kitchen. He had returned about an hour later. Shane had stuck around for about half an hour before leaving. Mom and dad hadn't really questioned her relationship with Shane. They only gave her a warning to be careful and to take things slow. She had agreed to that and her mom stated that she was quite happy with her decision.
Ronnie had looked at the clock on her phone. It was past midnight; which was late for her. She looked back at the last text message Shane sent to her just a few minutes ago. He had wished her a lovely night and great dreams. This brought a smile to her face. She sat up and stretched; placing her bare feet on the floor. She stood up and walked quietly to her bedroom. The rest of the house was dark; her parents went to bed an hour or so ago. There was a light on in her brother's room but the door was closed. She was conflicted on whether or not she should bother him.
She gently knocked on the door.
There was some movement on the other side of the door. Apparently, her brother hadn't been sleeping.
"Hey sis; what are still doing up?" Gabe motioned for his sister to come in.
Ronnie smiled. "I was up talking to Shane. We had been watching the same movie." She entered his room as Gabe shut the door behind him. Ronnie hopped on his bed and Gabe took the seat next to his desk. "What are you still doing up?"
Gabe moved away from his desk. Ronnie got off of the bed and moved closer to the desk. She saw two devices that sat on his desk. There was some kind of solution in the containers. In the solutions growing were two beautiful crystals.
"I've been working on this for Alyson for the last few weeks. I hope that she'll like them."
Ronnie looked at her brother in utter surprise. "You're making crystals for Alyson?"
Gabe nodded with a huge smile on his face. "Yeah! We were checking out this metaphysical shop downtown a few weeks ago. Alyson was complaining how much these crystals were and the quality of them were just crap." He turned back to the devices. "I decided that it would be easier to make her some crystals and have her hold on to her money."
"Could she just buy them online?" Ronnie asked innocently.
Gabe turned back to her. "The funny thing is that I asked her that as well. Alyson gave me this look and explained that it's the same idea; just more of a risk."
"Yours could end up badly as well." Ronnie merely suggested.
"I thought about that as well." Gabe smiled. "I think that either she'll not use them or enjoy them and use them a lot. I've been following the instructions and been on some sites on how to make them better. I think that I've got it down pat now."
Ronnie smiled back at her brother. "I think that she'll love them. It comes from the heart." She fidgeted for a moment and continued. "Can I ask you a question about Shane?"
Gabe nodded. "Don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll do the best that I can." He turned and faced his sister.
"Shane disappeared for about half an hour today." Gabe nodded as she continued. "He didn't say what he did or anything but he seemed guilty about something."
"You two were at the bookstore?" Ronnie nodded at him. "I'm sure that you spent at least three hours showing all of the rare and first editions then."
"It was only an hour." Ronnie glared at her brother. Her glare quickly turned to shock and surprise. "Oh no!" Ronnie hung her head. "Now I feel terrible. I have a feeling that he picked up one of them. Now I feel really bad."
Gabe shrugged. "What's done is done. You have an idea what you're getting for Christmas from Shane then."
Ronnie looked at her brother anxiously. "Gabriel; some of those books were expensive. What do I do? I feel so dumb."
"Stop it." Gabe grumbled at her. "What's done is done. Knowing Shane like I do; more than likely he probably would have gotten you some kind of book. Now; at least, you know that he got you something that you've been looking to get yourself."
Ronnie mulled this over for a moment. Gabe was right about this. She knew that Shane wouldn't disappoint her at all. He wanted her to be happy.
"And before you ask me; no, I have no idea on what he wants. You actually have to play the part of attentive girlfriend and see what he wants."
"I was afraid of that." Ronnie groaned. "You can't help me?"
Gabe chuckled at his sister. "I love you Ronnie but I choose not to help you. I know what I'm getting my friend; your gift should mean a little more."
Ronnie nodded to her brother. She hopped off of the bed and hugged her brother good night. She left the room and closed the door behind her. She walked across the hall to her room and closed her door. She stripped out of her regular clothes and put on her sleep clothes. She plugged in her phone and then crawled into bed. She lay her head down on the pillow and stared at the ceiling. Ronnie spent the next half an hour racking her brain; trying to figure out what to get her boyfriend. She saw the light in her brother's room turn off and worried a bit. She knew what he was into and wanted to get something that she knew that he would like. As she slowly started nodding off to dreamland; inspiration kicked in and she was wide awake. She shot out of bed and went to her phone. She clicked on a couple of applications and found what she wanted. She placed the order and smiled when she completed her transaction. She put the phone down again and smiled as she crawled into bed.
She was glad that she made her choice and knew that this could be a great holiday.
So it's been a while. I've been meaning to get this up, but lost the inspiration half way through the chapter. I finally finished this today. I hope that you guys enjoy this and if I don't get another chapter up beforehand: Merry Christmas!