I know...I know...I know...I know you all want Piage to hurry up and be in the story. But like I said at the beginning, Alex has to go through some growing first. But don't worry because she is almost done. There are only a few more things Alex has to deal with..but don't worry...I'm going to start getting ready for Paige to enter the story. At the moment Paige really only has a minor role..but I will be building her character up for a more major role.

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Chapter 15:

I actually found myself wide awake at 5:00 A.M. sharp Christmas morning. I didn't get up right away. I just lied in my bed savoring the moments. Everything was so quiet and peaceful. I knew that no one was up yet. Not this early, not even Mrs. Michalchuk. They wouldn't start to stir until about 6:00. The only thing I could honestly say that could make me feel bad today was thinking it was going to end. I had left my curtains open the night before so the sun would be sure to shine in. I didn't want to miss a moment. I put my hands behind my head and stared at the ceiling for awhile. It didn't feel like Christmas, though I didn't exactly know what Christmas was suppose to feel like. It also didn't feel like any normal day. Something about it felt special. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Slowly the sun started to light up the room. I didn't mind. I could see the dust particles dancing in it's rays. I thought it was both disgusting and beautiful. I thought back to my old room where no sun light ever entered. It was always so dark. I was glad it wasn't ever like that here.

I laid still in bed for over an hour. I closed my eyes for a second thinking about my life before. How lonely and angry I had been. How I had never know how it felt to be truly loved. I found myself afraid to open my eyes again for fear I would find myself back in my old room. My mother in my doorway again, with a beer can in her hand. With my eyes closed, I slowly moved my hand across my night stand in search of my camera. When I felt it, I knew it was safe to open my eyes again. I knew I was still here and still happy.

Slowly energy started to take hold of my body. I felt restless like I need to move or stretch out. I no longer felt content lying in bed. I tried to fight it, but it over powered me. I finally gave up. I swung my sheets off me and got up. It was so cold. I quickly ran and grabbed one of Paige's old robs from my closet. I had stolen a lot of her cloths since I had moved in. I was still shivering but I didn't mind. I felt nothing could dampen my mood today. I also grabbed the presents I had gotten for the Michalchuks. I left my room and went into the bathroom. I decided today was special and I should at least comb my hair before going downstairs.

I took my time down the stair case. No rush. It was so quiet. I was careful not to disrupt the peace. Everyone was still sleeping. I finally reached the bottom. I decided to go take a look at the tree. I just wanted to admire it by myself a little before everyone else got up. I went to the corner to plug in the lights. It instantly light up. It was so beautiful. I placed my gifts with the rest of the presents Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk had placed under the tree the night before. As I leaned down to neatly add them to the pile I noticed a tag on one of the presents that had my name on it. I smiled. It felt so good to know that someone had been thinking about me. I took a few steps back to admire the tree in it's entirety. I was completely in aw. I had been so memorized by the sight of the tree that I hadn't noticed Mrs. Michalchuk coming down the stairs.

"Morning dear." She smiled, "And Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." I said. I don't think anyone ever really says Merry Christmas and means it. I had.

"Hmm.." She said now gazing that the tree, "I love that tree. It really is one of the best ones we have ever had."

I smiled at her.

"Common, let's make breakfast. Then we can go wake up to boys."

"Sounds good." replied.

I helped Mrs. Michalchuk make a huge breakfast. We made everything: eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, sausages, ham, hash browns. Sometime during our cooking Mr. Michalchuk and Dylan had found their way to the kitchen.

"Is it time to open the presents?" Dylan asked finishing up his breakfast.

"Not yet." Mrs. Michalchuk must have had told him that for the umptheenth time.

"How are the waffles?" Mrs. Michalchuk asked me

"Wonderful, like always." I replied finishing them up. Dylan's constant persistence with opening the presents were making me excited.

I glanced at Mr. Michalchuk, who seemed to be enjoying his eggs. He looked over at me and smiled and I returned it with a goofy face that made him laugh. Dylan must have noticed my face because he too had started laughing.

"It's such a shame Paige couldn't be here." Mrs. Michalchuk said. Her face was sad. "Our first Christmas without her."

"Don't worry mom. Alex is here to replace her." Dylan joked

I didn't know how to react. Mrs. Michalchuk cast Dylan a stern look but said nothing.

"Well then. I guess it's time to open our presents." Mrs. Michalchuk finally said. She hadn't sounded all that enthused.

"About time Maggie." Mr. Michalchuk jested.

Dylan was to first to shoot out the door towards the tree and we all followed in his wake.

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"Alright now...let's see..." Mr. Michalchuk said as he was examining the presents. He grabbed one, "Alright Dylan, here is one for you." He said handing it to him. Dylan took it eagerly and began to unwrap it.

Mr. Michalchuk took another present from the tree, "Ah...Alex. Here you go." He said as he handed me the medium size box. I began to open it carefully. I don't know why, but I never liked to just rip something open. I would always take my time and try not to damage the paper. I finally got it all off. Underneath the wrapping paper was a brown box. I opened the box to find a green sweater.

"Do you like it?" I heard Mrs. Michalchuk say. "I picked it out myself."

"Yes, I love it." I replied. "It's great, thanks!" I said embracing her in a hug.

Mr. Michalchuk was still handing out presents to everyone. We spent a good half hour opening them. Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk really seemed to like their presents for me. They both gave me a big thanks. So did Dylan. He said something about needing something. I didn't quite understand him. In the end I had gotten from them more gifts than I had expected. I got a few more articles of clothing, some gift cards, new earrings, camera film, and some nice picture frames. I had in one day gotten more presents from the Michalchuks than I had in a lifetime from everyone in my life combined. It was truly an amazing feeling. Mr. Michalchuk was searching through all the wrapping making sure we weren't missing an presents when Mrs. Michalchuk spoke.

"Oh wait honey. I think I have one more present for Alex." She said. She was searching around the tree. "Ah, here it is." She pulled out a small present. It was wrapped in silver wrapping paper with little glittering stars. Attached to it was an envelope. She handed it to me.

I graciously took it and inspected the small box. I then slowly pealed the envelope off the present. I opened it and drew out the card. I recognized the handwriting immediately as Paige's. I read it slowly taking in every word.

To Alex,

I hope your holiday's are full of cheer and love.

I hope you have a good Christmas and I hope you like the gift.

Love,

Paige

I knew the first part was just printed on the card, but the second part. That was what Paige had written. I read it a few times. I hadn't expected this. I looked at the present wrapped in silver paper. I slowly and carefully unwrapped it. It was a black velvet box. I looked at it for a moment before opening it. Inside was a small golden heart shaped locket. It was similar to the one my mother had given me years ago. I removed the necklace from the box and held it up. It was gorgeous.

"Wow." Mrs. Michalchuk said, "Very pretty. Paige can pick jewelry."

"Yes she can." Dylan said looking the necklace too. "It's nice."

I smiled. It was nice. It was very nice. I couldn't believe Paige had done this. I felt a sudden burst of happiness. I tried not to get to over excited. Mrs. Michalchuk looked as if she were going to say something when the phone rang. She made a quick dart to the kitchen.

"Hmm...Now lemme see here." Mr. Michalchuk knelt down to inspect the necklace. I felt suddenly awkward that Paige's present was drawing more attention than any other gift.

"Hmm...You know, this looks like it might have some real gold in it." He finished giving the necklace back to me.

I didn't know how to respond. Thank goodness Mrs. Michalchuk interrupted when she did.

"Common Bill, your turn!" She called him in to the kitchen. I hadn't noticed Dylan had even left the room. He came back out looking at me. He had a wide grin on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing." He said. There was silence. Dylan walked over to his new hockey stick Mr. Michalchuk had bought him. "This was a good Christmas. Don't you think?"

"One of the best." I replied.

"Alright…Alright...Alex!" I heard Mrs. Michalchuk calling me. "Kitchen please."

I carefully put the necklace back into the velvet box. I kept it in my hand as I walked into the kitchen unsure of what Mrs. Michalchuk wanted. Mr. Michalchuk was one the phone.

"Oh, here she is." He said. He was talking to whom ever was on the other line. He quickly handed me the phone.

"Hello?" I said instinctively as I put it up to my ear.

"Hey. Merry Christmas Alex." Said the voice tenderly and I smiled.

"Merry Christmas Paige."

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I know Paige is only having minor roles right now...but I'm getting ready to bring her in full force..I'm not sure exactly what's going to happen in the next chapter. I'm gonna start bringing them into spring and Alex is going to go to school and I got a few other things planned. I am really trying not to rush the story...so I'm sorry for all those who desperately want Paige to be in it...all I can say is soon.