“Yep!” Ellie beams up at her. “Did you bring me a present?”
“Ellie!” Nya’s cheeks turn beet red. “What have I told you about asking people to buy you things? That is not what Christmas is about.”
“It is when you’re eleven. Chill.” Hannah waves an arm, dismissing her friend. “Does a zebra have stripes? Of course, I brought you presents. Got a little something for Kennedi, too. Will you give it to her next time you see her for me?”
“Sure.”
Nya’s parents arrive just in time to put an end to the cat fight about to break out between the women in the kitchen. They’re sporting Santa and Mrs. Clause outfits and lugging crock pots filled to the brim with chicken tortilla soup. Yumm.
“Buenos noches.” I kiss Sofia’s cheek then pat Carlos on the back in lieu of a handshake since he’s presently got his hands full. “You can just set that on the counter in the kitchen.”
My parents’ rental car pulls in right behind them, so I wait in the doorway to see them in.
They trudge through the door, each with a Santa sack slung over their shoulder.
The grandparents seem to have confused pajamas with costumes, but it’s all good.
“Bethany and Uncle Luis, so glad you could make it…come on in.” Immediately I recognize them as two of our favorite characters from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
“Best damn Christmas movie ever.” Pops gives me a one-armed hug, his face radiant with satisfaction at their own creativity.
The movie has become a family staple, regularly quoted year-round. Ellie and I watch it at least three times a season. “Damn straight it is.”
“Would it be indecent to ask the grandparents to stay at a hotel?” My mini-me quotes the daughter Audrey from the movie when she barrels in, gliding across the wood floors in her socks.
I swear, my dad is so proud he looks ready to burst into tears. “You’re a true Watts, Ellie, my girl.”
By the time Sofia, Carlos, my parents, and Hannah Banana have added their gifts to the stash, it’s evolved from a circle surrounding the bottom of the tree to taking over half the room.
“All right,” I announce, rubbing my hands together after we’ve all stuffed ourselves on soup and tamales. “Who’s ready to open some presents? We need to clear up some space so Santa can pass tonight.”
Nya and I decided we’d do all of the presents that weren’t from Santa on Christmas Eve… a new tradition for us, maybe? Hopefully I’m still here to find out if it sticks next year.
“Wait,” Hannah says, “we’re expecting one more per—”
As if on cue, the doorbell rings.
“Ahh. That must be him now.” She sends me a wink and points me toward the door.
Confused, I head back into the foyer. “Chance,” I groan when I pull the door open and find him standing there in gingerbread pajamas. “What the hell are you—”
“It’s okay.” Nya comes up behind me and places a gentle hand on my back. “It’s Christmas. A time for family. Even annoying, pain in the ass—”
“Ohh-kay.” Hannah rushes over, her eyes narrowed at Nya as she gives Chance a hug in greeting. “Merry Christmas! Excuse my best friend here. She’s a shrew by nature and can’t help herself.”
He laughs it off, but I can totally hear his discomfort as he laces his arm with Hannah’s and allows her to lead him from the room.
“You’re really okay with this?” I wait to ask the question until we’re alone.
She nods. “Hannah made me realize that it isn’t fair of me to cut your best friend out of your life. He’s been there for you and Ellie all these years. He’s as much a part of your family as Hannah is mine. So, yes… he’s welcome in our home, as long as he doesn’t show up with plans to purchase a strip club, or an ice cream truck, or—”
“I get it,” I say, cutting her off with a kiss. “Thank you. This means more to me than you realize.”
“I’m trying to let go of the past and make a fresh start.”
“You’re succeeding,” I assure her before taking two hands full of her ass, backing her against the wall, and kissing her senseless. “Love you so much, babe.”
“Te amo,” she murmurs into my mouth, twirling her tongue around mine.
The sound of an exaggerated gag breaks up our moment. It’s like this kid has a fucking radar sending her our direction every time our lips touch. “You’re kissing again?” Ellie groans. “Can we go open presents? Everyone’s here now.”
It takes every bit of an hour for Ellie to get through opening her gifts. She receives clothes and jewelry from my parents. A nail kit and drawing supplies from Sofia and Carlos. Really expensive makeup and more clothes and hair accessories from Hannah. And from Uncle Chance she gets a portable basketball goal and ball. They used to play at the townhouse we shared with Chance; I guess he noticed she was lacking one here.
Ellie picked out identical presents for her grandparents, and Chance and Hannah as well.
“Here, y’all open the big one first.” She tosses a sloppily wrapped blob to each of them.
They all start ripping into the paper at the same time.
“A fuzzy blanket….with your face printed on it.” Mom looks to Sofia and they share a smile. “I love it.”
“It’s the perfect gift, nieta,” Carlos beams. “A priceless treasure.”
The rest of their gifts: coffee mugs, pillows, T-shirts, and socks, all have various snapshots of Ellie’s face printed on them. Whoever said pre-teens were self-absorbed wasn’t lying.
From Nya and me, the adults receive gift cards to their favorite shops and restaurants.
My wife and I are the last to exchange presents. I have seriously been sweating bullets and on the edge of exploding with excitement over my gift for her.
“Open yours first,” she says, handing me a large rectangular box from her and El.
“It’s heavy.”
She shrugs, not giving anything away. “Don’t drop it.”
I pull the bow then tear the paper off, revealing a framed photograph—the one we took at the wedding parade with Diego beside us and our bride and groom puppets behind.
“Now you can hang it above the fireplace like you wanted.”
That sure sounds like an unofficial invitation to stay permanently! “I love it.” I grab her chin, pulling her face to mine. “Thank you,” I say against her lips before melding them with my own.
“Ahem.”
We break apart, and she rests her forehead on mine as we share a frustrated laugh at our daughter’s interruption.
I twist in my seat, grab Ellie’s arm, and tug her over to my lap to kiss the top of her head before scruffing my fist in it. “Thanks to you too, Squirt.”
“This one is only from me.” My wife shoos our daughter away before handing me a smaller rectangular box, the wrapping covered in miniature tacos. She’s got the hugest grin on her face.
I can’t help but smile to myself at the sentiment. Taco Tuesdays were serious business when we were in college. We had a standing date at a little hole in the wall, Paco’s Tacos. Immediately I’m taken back to that place. To the dingy booths and garish décor. Funnily enough, they even had one of those Asian cat statues in the mix—the ones you find on the counter of nail salons and Chinese restaurants. I can’t help but wonder if the place is still standing… maybe we’ll take Ellie one day soon and show her our old stomping ground. I can practically smell the cheap beer and sizzling meat.