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Christmas was right around the corner. The city was covered with beautiful lights, Christmas music was playing in every store, families were coming together from near and far, there was magic in the air.
Clark and his father were at the mall. He was determined to find the perfect gift for his Ree. He knew exactly what he wanted to get her, finding it was the hard part.
“Where is the music store, dad?” Clark asked his father.
“It should be around here somewhere. It’s hard to think with all these people. Was the mall always this busy?” His father mumbled.
“It’s almost Christmas, dad, of course the mall is going to be busy.” Clark said as his eyes searched the store fronts. Finally he saw what he was looking for.
“There! That’s it!” he cheered as he dashed off into the store.
“Clark! Don’t just run off like that!” his father said as he chased him into the store.
Clark looked around until he laid eyes on what he wanted. The past few months he had been saving up his allowance to buy this gift. At first he was saving to get himself the new Zelda game that was coming out but that all changed a few months ago.
“That’s it dad. That’s the one.” Clark said, pointing at the display.
“Are you sure Clark? Didn’t you want that game?” His father asked.
“I’m sure dad. It will be worth it to see her smile.” Clark said with a warm smile.
“Alright then.” his father picked it up and they walked to the register.
“Well hello! Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Did you find everything alright?” the woman at the counter asked.
“Yes ma’am. Just this for today. Would you be able to wrap it? It’s a gift for someone.” Clark said as he put his money up on the counter.
“Ah and a very good gift indeed. I’m sure the giftie will love it. Especially coming from a cutie like you.” She said with a wink.
Clark blushed and she’d away a little. “I hope she does like it.”
The woman gushed over his blush as she finished ringing the item up.
“Alright cutie, I’m going to go wrap this up for you. Be back in a moment!” she said as she rushed to the backroom.
“Well aren’t you a little heart stealer.” his dad chuckled.
“Shut up dad!” Clark yelped embarrassed.
“I’m just kidding, kid. Want to go get a hot chocolate before we shop for the old farts?”
“Yeah! Thanks dad!” he grinned eagerly.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,
Rena’s grandmother had left without a care,
Leaving poor Rena in a lonely snare.
But her friend Clark had other plans,
He rushed over and took her hands.
Saying “Come on now Ree, this is no place to be!”
She couldn’t refuse when he smiled so bright,
He was her northern star, her shining light.
Clark walked hand in hand with Rena as he brought her over. He was so excited he almost didn’t want to wait until morning to give her the gift. He was smiling so big Rena was worried his face would split. As they dashed through the snow she couldn’t help but giggle. Hearing her laugh made his stomach flutter.
They dashed in the door, huffing and puffing. Clark’s grandma smiled as she heard them from the kitchen. Her smile grew as she rounded the corner, hot chocolates in hand, when she saw how they were looking at each other.
“Ah young love.” She whispered
“Mom! They are only 7!” Clarks father whisper-yelled.
“And? Love can show up at any age. I’m telling you, they will get married someday.” she grinned.
“Here my lovelies! Have some hot coco to warm you up.” his grandma cooed.
They took the mugs and moved to sit in front of the fire. As they sipped the coco, A Wonderful Life was playing on the TV. Soon they drifted off to sleep on the floor, snuggled under a soft warm blanket.
The grandparents smiled at the adorable scene. She was about to make another comment to her son about the two but he was sprawled out in the recliner asleep as well.
“What a sight.” The grandma whispered as they rose to retire to their own bed.
Soon the sun was shining through the windows, reflecting off the freshly fallen snow. The smells of bacon, eggs, and coffee flowed through the house. It stirred the three who were still sleeping.
Clark was the first to wake up. He glanced around, surprised he was still in the living room. He looked to his side and turned red when he saw Ree sleeping softly next to him. Sure they had fallen asleep together before, they were only kids, but something about the way the golden sun was shining directly on her this morning was breathtaking. He gently shook her to wake her up.
“Ree, wake up. It’s Christmas! We have presents to open!” He whispered.
Rena slowly woke up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Oh, good morning.”
“Alright kids! Come eat breakfast before presents!”
Clark and Rena made their way to the kitchen to eat. Their plates were full of eggs, bacon, and toast. Two big glasses of orange juice next to them. The kids hurried down the food before the adult could even start.
“Can we open presents now!?” Clark gleamed. Rena frowned a little thinking that she shouldn’t be here during their special family time. She wouldn’t be getting any gifts so she was a little disappointed.
“You really can’t wait can you?” His grandma chuckled.
“Nope, I’m too excited. Come on Ree! Let’s go!” Clark said grabbing her hand and leaving her back into the Livingroom.
“Wait for us Clarkie, we want to see. Oh and wake your father up before you open anything!” she yelled after the kids.
Clark shook his dad awake. “Dad! Dad! Come on! It’s finally time!”
“Urgh, five more minutes please.” he grumbled.
“No dad! I’ve been waiting weeks! Come on!” he pleaded.
“OK, OK, I’m up. Ma’ could I have some–” before he could finish, a mug of steaming hot coffee was shoved in his face. “-coffee. Thanks!” he trailed off.
Clark reached for a large gift next to the tree and placed it in front of Rena.
“This is for you, Ree.” he said with a smile brighter than the sun.
“W-what? For me? But..”
“No buts. Clark here went and got that on his own. Paid for it and everything.” Clark’s dad said as he sipped his coffee.
Rena just stared at the gift in front of her. She was awestruck. A gift for me? But why?
“Come on Ree! Just open it!” Clark said, bouncing up and down.
Rena slowly pulled the wrapping paper off. As she saw the image on the box she looked up at Clark. He gave a nod and a smile. She looked back down as a tear slid down her face.
“T-this is for me?” she asked softly.
“Yeah! Of course it’s for you!” he grinned.
“You got me a keyboard?” she smiled as another tear slid down her face.
“Do you like it?” He asked, worried that she didn’t since she was starting to cry.
She looked down at it again before tackling Clark in a hug.
“Like it? I love it!” she cheered.
He just smiled as he hugged her back.
“Good, I’m glad you do.”
“Oh! but I didn’t get you anything!” she said sadly as she sat back down.
“Oh that’s OK! Dad and my grandparents got me stuff. You didn’t need to get me anything. Just play me something later?”
“Of course!” she smiled.
The rest of the morning she watched Clark open his other presents. He felt a little bad he was opening them all in front of her but she assured him it was okay. The keyboard was beyond what she expected, considering she didn’t expect anything at all. This was the happiest she had been since her mother passed away and it was all because of him.
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