Chapter 3

Serena was having a hard day too. Because it was Christmas Eve, truck loads of presents came in that needed to be wrapped. It seemed like the process would never end. "Serena, stay seated," Rae Henderson said as Serena started to get up to get more boxes. Rae was another employee at the department store. "We'll pass the gifts to you."

"She needs to stand up every once in a while," Amy Anderson the phone receptionist said. "It's healthy for the babies."

"I appreciate your concern guys," Serena said as she wrapped another present.

A knock came on the door and Lita Kingston entered. She worked at the bakery next door to the department store. "Hey girls," she said cheerfully. "I made you some special Christmas cookies. I'll set them at Amy's desk. I've gotta get back before it gets out of control." She left as quickly as she came as the girls dug into the cookies.

"That is so sweet," Serena said taking a few cookies and handing some to Rae. "I'm gonna miss this when Christmas is over. I love you girls so much."

"It's not like we'll move away anytime soon," Rae said handing her another present. "We'll definitely keep in touch."

"Absolutely," Amy said after finishing a phone call. "You're gonna need someone to babysit for you once the twins are born."

"Have you and Darien decided on names yet?" Rae asked.

Serena shook her head no. "We don't even know their genders yet. We wanted to be surprised. Brittany Nicole is cute though."

"You still need one more," Amy stated.

"And what if you have boys?" Rae asked.

Serena sighed as she wrapped another present. "Maybe Darien will come up with it."

They continued wrapping presents until the last few came around 430pm. "Finally, we're almost done!" Rae exclaimed. "I'm so glad this place closes at 5pm."

"Do either of ya'll have special plans?" Serena asked.

"My mother is coming to visit me and Greg," Amy said before the phone rang again.

Rae passed Serena another present. "Chad and I are taking Lexi to my grandfather's house tonight as soon as I get off. What about you?"

"Darien and I are just staying here enjoying each other. We can't really afford much else."

"Serena," Amy said suddenly after getting off the phone. "Beryl wants to see you in her office as soon as possible."

"I hope I'm not in trouble," Serena said as she stood up.

"Please," Rae said dismissively. "You're pretty much the best gift wrapper we've ever had and you've been nothing but sweet since you got here."

"Just be careful," Amy warned. "Beryl can have a bit of an attitude when dealing people."

Serena headed to the second floor to see Beryl in her office. She was greeted warmly by her assistant manager Mina Crown. "Hi Serena! How are you and the babies today?"

"We're great," Serena said happily. She noticed that Mina was packing to leave. "I guess you got done early today."

"Yeah, I had to request off by 4:30pm a month ago. Rachel and Jonathan are doing a Christmas play at 5pm. Andrew's coming to see them too. They're so excited about it!"

"I'll bet. You have fun. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too, Serena." Mina waved and went down the stairs as Serena knocked on Beryl's door.

"Come on in," Beryl said. Serena entered and took a seat across from her sitting behind the desk. "It's been so nice to have you here this year, Selena," Beryl said.

"My name is Serena, but thank you."

"Whatever. I just want to reward you with a bonus for your service."

Oh wonderful! A Christmas bonus should be enough money to buy Darien a present and pay those bills. Serena smiled in anticipation as Beryl dug something from under her desk. Serena saw the paycheck, but frowned once she saw the other thing in her hands.

"Have a fruitcake," Beryl said with a fake smile. "I'm sure you'll want it for you and the baby."

"Thank you," Serena said sadly taking the heavy fruitcake. She could have sworn it was stale. She looked at the paycheck and saw that it wasn't very much at all. "Merry Christmas, Beryl."

"Merry Christmas, Sabrina."

Serena headed down the stairs dejectedly and didn't even bother to correct her that time. Lita had come back and was talking with Amy and Rae as they packed up to leave. "What the heck is that?" Rae asked looking at the fruitcake in Serena's hands.

"It's a fruitcake," Serena said sadly.

"I could definitely make a better fruitcake than that," Lita said poking the hard substance. "Throw that thing away. I'll bring one specially made for you tomorrow." The four of them walked out of the store together. "Have a very merry Christmas, girls," Lita said as she ran to catch the bus.

"You too," Rae yelled. "Call me. I'll see you later." Rae headed in the opposite direction.

"Do you need me to walk you home today, Serena?" Amy asked.

Serena smiled. "I'd like that, Amy. I have to make a stop on the way though." They two of them walked down the sidewalk and into an antique jewelry/pawn shop. Serena headed straight for the pocket watch box that was on display. It was black with a golden embroidery around the edges and a glass opening to display what was inside. "I saw this and I wanted to get it for Darien," she explained to Amy. "It's not much, but I think he'll like it." Serena knew that Darien treasured the pocket watch his father gave to him before he died so this present would mean a lot to him.

"I'm sure he'll love anything you give him."

They came to the front of the line and the cashier rang it up. "$89.94, please."

Serena counted her money and panicked. I don't have enough Serena thought frantically until an idea came to her. She took off her mother's charm bracelet and looked at it longingly. It was a treasured possession since she died a few years ago, but Serena decided it would be worth trading for Darien's pleasure. "How much value do you think this bracelet has?"

The cashier examined it carefully and whistled. "Wow, this is a rarity. It's probably worth a good amount of money."

"Do you think it would be enough to buy that box?"

The cashier examined the bracelet again and smiled. "I think we can work something out."