Author's Note:

This chapter is a little long since I have to cover the day before and the day of Christmas. The next chapter will skip into spring (Bo's new favorite season). I hope this chapter is good! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 13: Christmas

I ran around the house frantically cleaning and organizing everything while trying to roast a wild turkey.

Bo came in with the vegetables from the storage shed.

"Ariella. Calm down. Your parents won't be here until tomorrow." he said. "Stop dusting that shelf! That's the tenth time today! Everything's perfect. Don't worry."

"Sorry Bo. I guess I'm just nervous about my parents seeing our house." I said as I began to chop the vegetables.

"Why? It's not like their professional critics or anything." he joked.

"I know. I know." I said. "I just want to impress them."

"I can understand that." Bo said as he gave me a hug and kiss. "Just try to relax a little."

Luckily, Perry and Pascal wouldn't be back until lunch tomorrow.

He left yesterday to go get our gifts and my parents. He's supposed to be back tomorrow.

We had just finished dinner. Perry said he could take care of himself tomorrow.

I was especially nervous on how I was going to break the news to my parents that they were going to be grandparents.

Mom use to make me pluck gray hairs out of her head.

She also smothers her face with "wrinkle free" cream twice a day.

Dad says he'll never get old.

And that he'll be feisty and energetic until the day he died.

I finished chopping the vegetables and stuffed a few in the turkey.

"Man. You're killing me Ariella." Bo said as he sat on the couch. "That turkey smells so good. It's tempting."

I laughed and told Bo, "Well you better not lay a hand on this turkey until my parents get here. Or else."

He laughed, "I should be telling that to you." he joked.

I took a look at the turkey, and then went to the coop to feed my chickens.

I have four now. Nikki, Laura, Tommie, and Sara.

Now I'm able to give Perry eggs, so that he can make breakfast. But he's still invited to come over whenever.

Pascal eats with us since he lives with us. But like I said, he wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow.

He left yesterday to go get our gifts and my parents. He's supposed to be back tomorrow.

Ow! They baby has been kicking a lot lately.

Perry thinks it will be a boy since it's so active.

I don't care either way. I'll still love it no matter what!

Once I finished feeding the chickens and collecting their eggs, I went to the barn to take care of Bear.

I gave Bear a few sugar cubes and brushed his soft brown mane.

He nipped my arm playfully and I kissed him on the nose.

I went back inside and found a huge surprise waiting on me. My parents…

***

"Mom… Dad… You're here early!" I exclaimed, trying not to yell.

"We wanted to surprise you!" mom said as she gave me a hug and kiss. "What a beautiful island this is! Your doing such a great job!"

Dad looked around the house and mom talked about how beautiful it was.

Then Bo walked in, and he dropped his armload of firewood the moment he saw my mom and dad.

I guess he wasn't expecting them either.

"What kind of would did you build this out of?" dad asked.

"Palm. Only kind they have a lot of here." Bo said.

"Interesting. Unique." Dad said as he gave Bo a nuggy. "Definitely you!"

"Mom. Dad." I interrupted. "Bo and I have something to tell you."

Dad loosened his grip and he and mom listened carefully.

I took a deep breath.

"I-I'm pregnant." I said.

Mom started crying with joy and Dad playfully wrestled with Bo.

"I'm gonna be a grandma!" Mom said as she hugged me.

"YOU MADE ME A GRANDFATHER!!!" Dad yelled at Bo. "You tiger! I never pictured you as a father. Or for that much, my son-in-law giving me MY grandkid!"

"Neither did I!" Bo exclaimed, as he broke free of Dad's grip.

"When is it due? Will it be a boy or a girl? Have you decided any names yet?" Mom asked.

"Slow down!" I joked. "The baby's due in the spring. No, we don't know if it will be a boy or a girl. And yes we have decided names."

Mom laughed. "Your father and I guessed that you were pregnant, but we didn't want to let you know we knew until you told us."

It didn't make since at first, but then I understood what she meant.

"Have you had dinner yet?" I asked.

"Yes. Pascal gave us something on the boat ride here." Mom confirmed.

"I don't know about you kids, but I'm tired!" Dad said as he stretched.

He laughed and then said, "Man! I must be getting old!"

I showed them to the guest room and then decided to go to bed.

Bo laid down next to me and gave me a kiss.

"Hehe. Some day huh?" he asked.

"Yeah." I answered.

"Good night." he said after a few minutes.

"Night." I said back.

Then we both drifted to sleep.

***

I woke up early the next morning and quickly cooked up the rest of the food.

Pies, cakes, side-dishes, etc.

I also finished cooking the turkey.

Everything was ready by lunch. And everyone was starved since they hadn't had breakfast.

Perry, Pascal, Mom, Dad, Bo, and I all sat around our table and had Christmas dinner (or lunch).

After lunch, we all exchanged gifts.

Perry got medicine and furniture for the clinic.

Pascal got a new fishing hat and net and other things for his boat.

Bo got a new ax and a book on plumbing, electric wiring, heating and cooling, and other housework stuff in a big book called "Building".

Mom got a new knitting set, and a cookbook.

Dad got a book on "Grandparents 101" and a new ax.

I got baby stuff, money (for me and Bo of coarse), and… a surprise.

"Ariella. Come with me." Bo said as he led me to the barn.

Inside were a calf and a lamb! I ran up and hugged them both.

I named the black and white spotted calf Bettie; and the fluffy white lamb Felicity.

I kissed Bo and thanked him for my gift.

When I went back inside, mom said there was one more surprise.

She walked in her room, and brought back a small border collie puppy!

It began to lick me furiously. I laughed and petted him.

"Tonya had a litter of puppies just a few days ago, and I knew how much you love dogs." Mom said.

The puppy stopped licking me, and then ran to Bo and started licking him.

I had never asked Bo if he liked dogs, so I was a little nervous about the puppy.

"Good Boy!" Bo laughed. I sighed. Thank goodness.

"What are ya gonna name him?" Pascal asked.

"Jack." I said as he ran back to me.

I laughed as he began to lick me again.

This had been the best Christmas ever!

Once everyone had left and gone to bed, Bo and I snuggled on the couch by the fireplace with Jack.

Bo put his arm behind me, and held something above my head.

I looked up and saw mistletoe.

I smiled and laughed. "You didn't need that if you wanted a kiss, silly." I joked.

I gave him a kiss and we sat on the couch and eventually fell asleep.

What a great day…