Title: Christmas
Disclaimer: I do not own Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys or the opening line which comes from Reba.
Note: These chapters aren't really related in any way to one another. Unless I decide to mention something from a previous chapter in one of the future chapters. In which case, I'll try to warn you!
Summary: When it comes to the McGowans, it really is the thought that counts.
XXX
"Caleb, put down the baby Jesus. The Lord is not a toy!"
Megan bit her lip to hide her laughter.
Caleb pouted but at his mother's stern look he replaced the little porcelain baby in the manger scene set up on the coffee table.
Megan patted Caleb's head as he left the room and bent down to grab two more ornaments from the box.
It was Megan's first really cold, legitimate Christmas in years (considering she lived in Texas for the last few of them) and she was both excited and nervous.
Her excitement came with the season itself.
The McGowans went all out with their decorations. John and the older boys were outside loading the house up with Christmas lights while Regina, Megan, and the younger boys stayed inside for their decorating. Megan had spent the morning hanging up stockings and arranging various festive knick-knacks around the house. And despite Megan's lack of interest in shopping, she had fun picking out her new winter clothes.
Megan climbed up on one of the kitchen chairs to place more festive balls on the tree.
Yes, it was all very exciting. But then came the nervousness. Now that Megan was living in a house with nine other people instead of just her parents, she had to worry about the all-important—
"Dude!" Doug burst through the front door, followed by his father and his brothers. They all dragged their boots across the rug and shook snow from their clothing. "Can my present to dad this year be all of this manual labor?"
—gift giving.
Regina rolled her eyes. "How is that a present?"
Doug grinned. "'Cause all a this extra work is going to win him the lighting contest fo' sure!"
Megan shook her head, tuning out the argument.
She had no idea what to give as gifts and Christmas was only a week away. She wanted to give them all something special, but she also didn't like the idea of going broke to do it.
"Hey, Megan?"
Megan looked down to see Ian tugging on the end of her sweater.
"Yes, Ian?"
He looked down at his feet and Megan thought his ears looked a little pink as he mumbled, "Uh…what do you want for Christmas?"
She suddenly noticed how quiet the room had gotten and glanced up. All of the McGowans were staring at her with rapt attention. You would've thought she knew what was hidden in Area 51 or something.
She cleared her throat. "Uhm…you really don't have to get me anything, Ian."
"But I want to!"
Megan blinked at his sudden outburst. His face was full of determination as he looked at her.
Part of her thought that he was being incredibly sweet. But the other part was itching to be out of the spotlight.
"Uh…well…I like playing soccer. Why not get me a soccer ball?"
Ian puffed out his cheeks. "That's stupid. You already have tons of them!"
She stared at him as he stomped down the hallway, muttering about figuring it out on his own.
Her cheeks colored when she realized that everyone was still staring at her.
John cleared his throat. "I uh…I think the boys are having trouble deciding what to get Megan for Christmas."
Megan looked at the boys. None of them met her gaze, trying to look nonchalant and uninterested.
She found it sweet that they all wanted to do something nice for her like giving her Christmas presents. But at the same time…
"Guys, really. I don't need anything. You welcomed me, a stranger, into your home. If anything, I really need to be repaying you."
Regina was by her side in an instant, putting her hands on Megan's shoulders. "Megan, you don't owe us anything. I don't want you to feel like you're indebted to us."
"I do!" Doug said. "What kind of payment did you have in mind?"
Every person in the room gave him a dry or irritated stare. Doug quickly slinked out of the room and into the kitchen.
Regina turned to Megan. "Really, honey. Don't worry about gifts."
The McGowans went back to their preparations. But Megan was now more determined than ever to obtain the perfect presents for the McGowans. And her wallet was going to hate her for it.
XXX
"Tell me again, why are we here? I mean, not that I'm complaining or anything."
Megan and Aimee stood in the middle of the food court of the crowded mall. Everything was decorated for the season, people were bustling about doing their last minute shopping, and kids were getting their pictures taken with Santa.
No matter what time of year it was, Megan still despised going to the mall. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
"I need to get presents for everyone and I need your help."
They made their way towards the side to avoid getting bumped into by a woman with a twin stroller.
"Why do you need my help? You live with the McGowans, so you know them better than I do."
Megan sighed. "Yeah, but I want to get them something special. You know, thoughtful."
Aimee shrugged, casually looking at a blouse hanging in one of the store windows. "Well, I've already got my present for Miller."
Megan stared at her. "…You got him a Yankees jersey, didn't you?"
Aimee blushed. "Yes! What's wrong with that? He loves the Yankees!"
Megan held her hands up defensively. "There's nothing wrong with that! You're right, he does love the Yankees, but I want to get him something…you know, different. Unexpected. He has all kinds of Yankees gear, so I want to get him something that he might not have."
Aimee sighed, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. "Well, I don't think we'll have much luck. Maybe you should've asked one of the guys to come with us."
Megan opened her mouth to retort, but stopped. She grinned widely at Aimee's look of confusion and pulled out her cell phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling in reinforcements."
XXX
"Yo, why are we here again?"
Doug walked sluggishly behind them. Megan wondered if it was a good idea to bring Doug along, despite their newfound friendship.
Megan opted to call Miller and Finn as well. Finn was by far her favorite McGowan, not to mention the most reliable of them, and she adored Miller. Not to mention he and Aimee maybe-sort-of had a thing.
Aimee answered, "We're looking for presents for you guys and your brothers. Who better to help pick them out than you?"
Finn lightly nudged Megan with his elbow. Her skin set fire beneath her sweater.
"Wouldn't it spoil the surprise if we pick out our own gifts?" Finn asked.
Megan shrugged. "I'll get them when you aren't looking."
He grinned at her and Megan quickly averted her gaze over to Miller, lest she get caught blushing.
"Anyway," Megan started. "I have a few ideas for some of you but there are others that I'm completely lost on."
"Well, why don't we start with the ones who you already know what you're giving them?" Finn suggested.
Megan smiled and glanced at a semi-complete shopping list she had started on her phone.
"In that case, let's go to Sears."
Her group of helpers all gave her confused looks.
"It's for Sean. I was helping him work on his bike a few months ago and he really needs a new wrench set."
Aimee nodded in understanding while the boys seemed to avoid her gaze.
"Okay, what?" She asked.
Doug rubbed the back of his head. "Is it kinda pathetic that we ain't gonna know nothin' about which kinds of tools he needs?"
Megan smirked. "Don't worry, I already know exactly what he needs. You can, however, pass me your man cards at your earliest convenience."
XXX
Two hours later, Megan was quite proud of her progress. Some of her gifts would require some creative work on her part to complete them, but she was willing to put in the effort knowing that her goal of giving meaningful gifts to her pseudo-family would be accomplished.
She looked over at her crew. They were currently taking a break, having stopped at a smoothie stand. Miller and Aimee sat on a bench across from her while Doug was pointing something out in a shop window to Finn.
Megan glanced down at her shopping list, clicking through what she had. All that was left was Finn.
She glanced cautiously up in his direction, watching him laugh and playfully punch his brother's arm.
She didn't want to get him just some random art supply, he probably had them all, and she thought it would be lame to get him some piece of Red Sox gear. She thought highly of Finn and really wanted his gift to mean something.
Megan suddenly sat up straight, an idea occurring to her. It might not even make any sense to him, but to her it felt appropriate.
She got up and came over to Aimee and Miller.
"Hey, can you guys cover for me? I'll be right back, I just have one more gift to find and I can't let those two see me."
Miller glanced nervously at his siblings but nodded. Aimee gave her a thumbs up and Megan took off at a brisk walk.
She awkwardly held a shopping bag up to hide her face when she saw Doug glance her way.
XXX
On Christmas Eve, Megan sat down on the floor in front of the couch, leaning her back against it. The McGowan clan was all decked out in their holiday sweaters (a tradition that Regina enforced despite every male in the house groaning) and they were set to open one another's gifts.
Megan's leg bounced with anxiety. She was ready to give her presents to the boys, but she was also tempted to go into ninja-mode and try to sneak them away without anyone noticing.
"Okay, everyone! Find your seat while I pass out the gifts. No one open them until we've handed them all out!"
Regina proceeded to pass the gifts around, calling out names. Megan stiffened a little every time she saw one that was wrapped in her paper, the name tag boldly declaring, "From: Megan."
Finally, Regina sat in her spot by Megan and clapped, announcing, "Everyone, dig in!"
The boys whooped and hollered and the paper immediately started flying. Megan blinked but really couldn't help but smile.
"Megan, go ahead." Regina said with a smile.
She picked up a present listed as being from Sean, slowly peeling the paper away. She wanted to see the boys open her gifts but didn't want it to seem like she was hesitating.
She peeled the rest of the wrapping paper off and grinned at the content. She lifted up a motorcycle helmet, painted with hot pink flames and the word "Kicks" written on the back. She turned to Sean who was already shooting her one of his rare smiles.
"I know you're not one for pink, but it seemed fitting."
"Are you kidding? I love this!"
He chuckled and held up her own gift to him. "You are the only person in this house that has ever given me the correct set of tools."
A couple of his family members protested but for the most part were laughing and grinning, continuing with opening their own gifts.
Megan continued opening presents, her nervousness fading quickly.
Her next gift was from Miller. She laughed when she opened a Bath and Body Works soap basket containing the coconut scent that she liked to use. She hugged Miller who surprisingly hugged her back and said, "You are a really observant guy." Miller beamed at her and marveled over the caricature of Derek Jeter she gave to him.
It continued like this and for the first time in her life, Megan knew what it was like to have a big holiday-card-family. As corny as it sounded, this was like family gatherings she saw on old sit-coms.
Doug was surprised to open a sketchbook and art markers from Megan who said, "So you can draw your anime characters on something other than your clothes." He tried to look mad but couldn't quite keep his smile down. In return she opened up a pair of earrings from him with a surprised expression on her face. Doug's cheeks were a little pink.
"I didn't know if that would be too girly for you or not."
Megan's answer to him was a big hug to which all of the boys yelled an exaggerated "Awwwwwww!" to.
Regina teared up when she opened the photo album Megan had assembled for her and Megan just about melted when she opened Regina's present of a family photo of the McGowan's and her.
John gaped at Megan when he opened a pair of Red Sox opening game day tickets (to which all of the boys immediately started vying for the spot of who would be going with him). When questioned she simply said, "My parents are in the military—you get some perks sometimes."
She raised an eyebrow at the scented candle she opened from Evan who exclaimed, "I thought all girls liked that stuff!" He was a little more impressed by the new lacrosse racket she presented him with.
Ian and Caleb loved the Mach Box and Lego sets Megan had wrapped up for them and tackled her with hugs simultaneously. Megan though, was almost brought to tears herself when she opened their presents for her. Ian gave her a small plaque, probably meant for her door, shaped and painted like a soccer ball with her name written on it in his handwriting. Caleb gave her a framed drawing of his that seemed to feature her and all of his brothers.
Megan grinned at them both, held her arms open, and said, "Come here."
Both boys took off running while the family laughed when Megan gave chase.
She snatched them both up in the kitchen doorway to which Regina laughed and said, "Wrong move, boys."
They only blinked until she pointed upwards and directed their gaze to the mistletoe pinned there.
Megan grinned viciously at them before planting a huge kiss on both of their cheeks.
"Ewww!"
"No, stop it!"
This was one of the greatest nights Megan had had in a long time, and she felt more grateful than ever that she had been welcomed into this family. She leaned in the doorway for a moment, watching them when she saw Finn pick up his package from her. She watched as he slowly pulled it from the box.
She tried to lean around to see his face as he looked at it but still couldn't quite tell what he might think of it.
It was a small print of a painting with a white mat around it. It featured a tree, but what made Megan pick it out was the swirling colors. Different shades of green, red, and orange all flowed together to create a beautiful image that reminded her of the colors and the strokes that Finn used in his own portrait of her. Megan couldn't look at it without smiling and thinking of him.
Finn looked up now, spinning around to find her. When he did, he held it up and shot her a smile that was a mixture of confusion and appreciation. Megan opened her mouth but wasn't quite sure she wanted to explain it in front of his family. Instead, she pulled her phone out and showed him. She smiled as he nodded in understanding.
Megan typed:
Megan M. The colors and the brush strokes made me think of your work. Made me think of you.
She blushed a little as she hit send.
She looked back up to Finn as he checked his phone. She saw his eyes move as he read her text, then he looked up at her with that same expression that she saw once, right before he had kissed her. Her heart pounded.
He quickly started typing on his phone and a minute later her own phone buzzed.
Finn M. You're amazing. I have a present for you too, but I didn't wrap it. Can I give it to you later?
Megan looked up to him watching her and nodded. Finn beamed at her and waved her back over.
Grinning, she came back over and sat on the floor beside Finn, Sean, and Miller, and as she laughed at a ridiculous Harley Davidson knit sweater that Sean held up, she felt a hand slip over hers and give it a squeeze. When she turned, Finn was staring at Sean but had a soft smile on his face.
XXX
Megan slowly blinked awake, noticing how dark it still was. She glanced at her clock. 5:30 AM.
She rolled around for another few minutes but resolutely decided to just get up and wait for everyone else to waken. Given Ian and Caleb's protests from last night when their mother sent them to bed, she figured they would be up soon to see what Santa had brought for them.
She slid out of her bed and crept cautiously into the hall and down the stairs. She reached the bottom and was stepping into the doorway of the kitchen when she heard a thump.
Megan spun just as a lamp in the living room clicked on. Finn stared back at her with wide eyes.
She breathed out a sigh and mimicked, "Okay, life flashing before my eyes."
Finn let out a quiet laugh, remembering the phrase. "What are you doing up?"
She shrugged. "Couldn't sleep anymore. I figured everyone else would be up soon too."
He nodded and stood from the couch. "Christmas morning is about the only morning anyone in this house wakes up early for. Though, after presents and breakfast, everyone kind of passes out in different places."
Megan laughed and leaned her shoulder against the jamb, trying to imagine what sort of odd places she would find the sleeping boys in.
A small silence followed where they just stared at each other. Finn was the first to look away and she saw him avert his gaze to what looked like a book that he held.
She looked back up to see him rubbing the back of his head. "I wanted to give you my present, and I was going to give it to you last night. But I didn't know if everyone else would think it's weird, or how you would react, or…"
Megan smiled a little, hoping her pulse wasn't audible. "No, I understand."
Finn came over to her, standing with her in the entrance of the kitchen. She was hyperaware that they were less than a foot apart and she hoped that he felt just as electrified by it as she did.
He held the book up to her, opening and closing his mouth but settling on silence.
It was a sketchbook with a red Christmas bow stuck on the front.
Megan scrunched her eyebrows but accepted it from him. He said, "Take a look."
She opened it to the first page and saw several sketches of the McGowan boys. Side profiles of Ian and Caleb facing each other, eyes done in colored pencil that looked like they could have been Evan's. She continued to flip through the pages, seeing more quick sketches of the different McGowans, then she reached pages with sketches of her. Close-ups of her eyes, lips, her nose with the freckles meticulously done.
She looked up at him. He was looking to the side of her, his neck turning red. "I know it might be a dumb gift, but it kind of felt…right. I mean, I know my mom gave you a photo of all of us, so this is kind of a version of that, and it's just some of my work, but I wanted to get you something that meant something, and just…"
Megan couldn't speak for a moment, so she did exactly what she felt. She stepped up to him and hugged him tight, wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders. She felt him stiffen and worried that she crossed a line, but then she felt his arms come around her middle and hug her back, holding her tight.
"It's absolutely perfect, Finn." She whispered.
He pulled back from her, not releasing her but enough to see her face. He opened his mouth, got the beginning of a word out, but suddenly his gaze travelled upward. Megan tilted her head and followed his gaze. She felt her heartbeat stop.
She thought back to the night before, when she caught Ian and Caleb beneath this same doorway. The mistletoe still hung there as she remembered.
Their gazes trailed back down to each other. She saw his hesitation and her heart slipped. She didn't want to worry about this anymore, about where they stood with each other. She didn't want her liking him to be nothing but heartache. Yet still he hadn't released his hold on her, and still her hands held onto his shoulders.
She watched him wet his lips, then he slowly leaned forward. He tipped his head, just a bit, and planted a soft kiss to her cheekbone. He backed away less than an inch and his voice whispered, "Merry Christmas, Megan."
She shivered as his warm breath touched her cheek. Then she leaned up onto her toes and placed her own kiss on his cheek. "Merry Christmas, Finn," she whispered back.
And something seemed to click in him.
Megan felt his hands grip her waist tighter, and he turned his head and she gasped as his lips brushed hers, his breath stirring the air with her own.
Still he hesitated and his eyes met hers, searched hers. And she knew then, nothing really had strained or changed between him. They still understood. He needed to know what she felt, what was okay, if the disaster that followed their last moment of bliss had crushed anything she felt then.
She had her answer for him.
She leaned in that small distance and resolutely pressed her mouth against his.
Finn's response was immediate. He returned her pressure and she felt her back press into the door jamb, felt his hand slide around to brace against the small of her back as the other came up to cup her cheek.
They slowly parted and she realized her arms were wrapped around him, realized how close they were.
He briefly kissed her lips once, twice more, and he set his gaze on hers. He smiled that smile that was small but as bright as the sun and she felt her own lips curl up.
They heard a sudden bang from upstairs.
"Mom, dad, get up! It's Christmas!"
Megan glanced up at the stairs, then back at Finn, knowing they had maybe a minute before someone came down and saw them. But Finn held onto her for a moment longer, his smile unperturbed, his eyes never leaving her.
He moved his arms away and slid his hands down her arms to grip her fingers.
"Want to help me start breakfast? I bet we can figure out how to make pancakes shaped like Christmas trees."
She could only grin. "I'm sure for an artist like you, it'll be a breeze."
His own grin grew and he pulled her into the kitchen.
Caleb burst into the doorway a minute later, his Hot Wheel pajamas rumpled and his hair sticking out in all directions. Megan wondered if he even noticed the flush on her cheeks or the way Finn's hand still held hers.
"Merry Christmas!"