“The world breaks everyone, and afterward,

some are strong at the broken places.”

~ Ernest Hemmingway

 

Christmas break rolls around, and the swelling and bruising on my eye has finally gone. Tegan, Chrissy, and Becca loved taunting me about it, but when they heard how I got it, they stopped, because God forbid, someone defend me the way Mason did. It caused something of a ceasefire, and they steered clear of me and Scottie for the rest of the term.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I’m finally helping Monica decorate our tree. Scottie volunteered to help, but all she’s done so far is eat half of the popcorn for the popcorn string we’re making.

“You guys really go all out for Christmas, huh?” She asks, looking around at the house. I never thought it was over the top; Monica loves Christmas so we’ve always made a big deal of it.

“Yeah we do. I love Christmas, so does Monica.”

“Kudos. I wish we did, I mean, Mom and Dad try, but there’s so many of us that the little one come first, ya know?” Scottie says.

She has six little brothers and sisters. I can’t even imagine a house that full.

“Well, we have more than enough if you guys want to join us, Scottie. The more the merrier,” Monica says, beaming. “We already have guests coming, so please don’t feel like you’re intruding.”

“Erm, sure. I’ll speak to my mom about it later.”

“Okay, sweetie. Let her know I’ll call her tonight to work out the details.” She smiles. “More hot chocolate, girls?”

“Yes please,” I say as she dances into the kitchen. Like I said, this is one of her favorite holidays.

“Are you sure it would be okay?” Scottie asks me.

“Oh yeah, Mon loves having a full house. It’s rare it happens these days. She’ll love it.”

“Awesome,” she beams, before starting on her popcorn string again. This Christmas is going to be amazing.

 

***

 

I’ve spent most of my Christmas eve helping Monica prepare for dinner tomorrow and wrapping gifts. I love doing it, there’s something calming about the precision of it all, tying the ribbon and fastening bows. Maybe I’m weird, but who cares. I get dressed, ready for midnight mass. The one thing about Uncle Jamie being the local pastor… Midnight Mass is a must.

I head downstairs, to see Monica asleep on the sofa. I shake her awake gently.

“Hey, sleepy head. You ready?”

“Sure am,” she says yawning and stretching out. “Been a long day!”

“Sure has, let’s go, then come back and sleep. We’ve got some time before people arrive in the morning.”

“Sounds like a plan, batman. Let’s go.”

We wrap up and climb in to the car. By the time we get to the church, the place is packed. We manage to park and head inside. I see Mason, Parker and Grams, waving them over as Monica speaks to Jamie.

“I didn’t know you guys were coming,” I say to Mason, smiling up at him as he reaches us.

“Grams dragged us,” Parker moans and Grams flicks his ear.

“Have some respect, boy,” she demands.

“Hi, Grams,” I say and she pulls me into a hug, squeezing me tight. She might be old, but you’d never dare say it to her face.

“Hello, sweetheart.”

“Put the poor girl down, Grams,” Mason jokes as she lets go of me.

“Hey, guys,” Monica says coming over with Jamie. “You all ready?” She asks.

Jamie makes his way to the front of the church and we all sit together like family.

 

***

After mass, we congregate outside while Monica talks to Grams, and Scottie’s mom about what time everyone is heading over in the morning, Mason wraps me up in his arms, keeping the chill away.

“Happy Christmas, Erin,” he whispers into my ear. He pulls back and hands me a small box. I just look at the black velvet box with a sense of both excitement and dread. I already know that it’s going to be too much.

“Open it,” he prompts.

I open it slowly and see a silver necklace sparkle in the light. At the bottom of it is an infinity sign, set with small crystals, they look like diamonds. It has the inscription, ‘Always and forever’.

“Mason, this is,” I say breathlessly, “this is beautiful. Thank you.”

He takes the necklace from the box and turns me around, before clasping it around my neck.

“It doesn’t even compare to you,” he says before leaning down and kissing me, taking my breath away again.

“I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, Mason Knight, but I thank my lucky stars every single day.”

“You kids ready to head home?” Monica calls out, and we turn back to her. I lift my hand to my necklace, I can’t believe he got me something so beautiful. So thoughtful.

Always and Forever.

 

***

 

The knock on the door comes before we realize the time, and it’s not long before the house is full of life and laughter. The women are all in the kitchen with Monica, drinking egg-nog. Parker brought over his Xbox, and he’s at war with Scottie’s two little brothers, her dad, and Jamie. I’m not sure exactly what they were playing, but it looks energetic, that’s for sure. Presents are waiting until after dinner, which caused major groans and tantrums, but they died down pretty soon.

I’m sat in the garden with Mason and Scottie, who is loving the swing on the oak tree back here.

“Have you guys thought much about what you’re going to do after high school?” Scottie asks.

“I’ll probably just start working, and keep helping Grams with Parker,” Mason says. The sadness in his voice hits me.

“What would you do if you didn’t have to do that? If you could do anything?” I ask.

“I’d travel, and I’d sketch. There’s so much out there I want to see, to explore – to experience,” he says wistfully.

“I didn’t know you drew,” I say, surprised.

“What can I say, I’m a man of mystery,” he jokes.

“What about you, Erin?”

“I always wanted to help people. I got early acceptance into pre-med at UT, so I guess that’s me. What about you?”

“I got into Julliard,” Scottie says quietly.

“Holy shit, Scottie! That’s amazing! I didn’t even know you wanted to go.”

“That’s because I didn’t tell anyone. I’ve always danced, it’s something I always wanted to do, but it’s not really a thing here. That’s why you guys hardly see me. I’m always in Austin, dancing. But I got early entry on a full ride. I’ve still got to tell my parents, but I don’t know how to.”

“Are you kidding? This is amazing! You need to tell them; they’ll be so proud of you!” I squeak, jumping up and hugging her. “Just like I am.”

“I applied to Curtis, too, I didn’t think I’d actually get in.”

“Dude, this is amazing! Gah, I am so happy for you!”

“Maybe I’ll go tell my folks; it’s a better present than I got them already,” she laughs and heads inside.

“So, travelling huh? Have you ever thought about heading out and going?”

“Maybe, once upon a time, but it’s just not possible now, not with Grams and Parker needing me. Especially not when my girlfriend is going to be some big-time doctor. I’m pretty sure she’d miss me if I was gone,” he says, nuzzling into my neck.

“Miss you? Someone’s full of themselves,” I joke and he starts to tickle me. “I’m joking, mercy!” I squeal and he stops his assault.

“You know, that’s the first time you’ve called me your girlfriend,” I say shyly.

“It is?” He looks surprised. “Well then, I’m obviously and idiot for not declaring it to the world before now.”

I laugh at him and turn in his lap to kiss him.

“Apparently so,” I giggle, pecking his cheek. “So, I’m going to give you your present now, before everyone else,” I tell him, reaching into my back pocket and pulling out his present.

It took some working with Monica, and with Grams, but Monica said I could dive into my trust fund early. I didn’t even know I had one until she sat down and told me the reason her and Jamie could live the lives they wanted is because their family came from money.

Trust fund babies she called them, apparently when their parents left, it was all left to them, and one day, it will all be mine. I didn’t ask many questions, I was too busy being shocked, and then super excited that I could do this for him.

I hand him the A4 envelope and sit back and watch as he pulls the map out of the envelope, along with the note telling him about our trip across the USA; tickets to all sorts of gigs from our favorite bands, a route all planned out across the summer before I head to UT.

“Is this real?” he asks me, his eyes wide. The look on his face is enough for me to know this was a good idea. He pulls me into his lap and hugs me, before standing and twirling me round.

“Erin Michaels, you have the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. This is beyond perfect, but how can we do this? It costs so much, and Gram’s and Parker will need me over the summer. I don’t know if I can do this – no matter how much I want to,” he says, looking solemn as he puts my feet back on the ground

“Mason, your heart is so selfless, which is exactly why you deserve this. You do so much for everyone else. Let us do this for you. All of the details are sorted, everything is in place. All we need is you and your Camaro, and we’ll have the best summer of our lives.”

“I think I might just be falling in love with you Erin Michaels.”