Rm w/a Vu(112)

“Oh, Juliette,” she says, flipping through the pages of the scrapbook I’d put together for her. “When did you find the time to do this?”

“Well, I’ve been working on it for the last year, but knowing I wanted to give it to you for Christmas, I really pushed myself to get it done these last two weeks.” I pause, slightly nervous, even though the look on Gran’s face tells me I shouldn’t be. “Do you like it?”

The album contains all sorts of family photos, and when I first showed Greyston the finished product, he seemed completely captivated by the stories they told.

Behind me, he rests his hands on my shoulders and kisses the top of my head. I sigh, bringing my right hand up and placing it over his, and he gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“I think she likes it,” I tell him, shifting and lifting my left arm to rest on his lap. Greyston’s hand moves up and down my forearm, making me sigh.

He laughs. “I told you she would.”

Gran sets her scrapbook aside for later so Greyston’s parents can open their gifts next. Like my dad, Daniel gets a set of season tickets. Apparently this isn’t too much of a shock to him; he gets the same thing every year. Greyston even foresaw our dad’s maybe wanting to go to games together, making sure the seats were close.

Jocelyn beams when she opens the envelope containing the donation that Greyston and I made to a children’s charity. Greyston explained to me that his mom has always been heavily involved with a lot of charities in the area, ever since he was little.

“Thank you both,” she says, her eyes

I’m about to let Greyston open his present, but before I can say anything, he hands me the present from the top of my pile. Not one to refuse the chance to open my gifts, I accept, tearing the paper from the box from Gran.

It’s a beautiful present, but also a bit confusing considering I live in Phoenix. “These are lovely,” I assure Gran as I pull the hand-knit scarf from the box and wrap it around my neck. There’s a matching pair of elbow-length mittens that are made out of the softest wool I’ve ever felt. “Thanks, Gran.

“You’re welcome, dear,” Gran replies sweetly. “I was glad to have something to busy myself with for the last several weeks.”

I pull the gloves off, but keep the scarf on, loving how warm and cozy it is, but I find myself worrying about Gran’s possible senility. “Here’s hoping Arizona experiences some kind of cold snap so I can make proper use of them,” I joke.

I don’t miss the strange look exchanged between everyone on the couch, but I don’t know what to make of it either. I pick up the next box from the pile. It’s from my parents.

Usually, my parents are really good about getting me something I desperately need—a new computer for school, clothes—but what lies in this box is even more bizarre than my gran’s gift.

I pull the parka from the box, the tag catching my attention immediately. “Down-filled?” I look at Mom and Dad. “Is Arizona expecting sub-zero temperatures sometime soon?”

Mom grins, the sparkle in her eyes telling me she’s keeping something form me. “Always best to be prepared.”

I remove the snow pants from the box next. “Snow pants, Mom. You bought me snow pants.” I run a hand through my hair, seriously confused about what’s going on. “I’ve never even seen snow before.

“What?” Greyston chimes in from behind me. “Never?”

I shake my head, the confusion starting to clear after his reaction. Does he have something up his sleeve? “Well, not really. I mean, there was that one time years ago where it snowed here, but it melted before it even hit the ground.”

Still confused and now questioning everyone’s motives, I reach for the plain envelope that sits on the last box. Greyston snatches it up before me, confirming my suspicions. “This one is actually to be opened last, sweetheart.”

I arch a brow suspiciously. “Okay.” I grab the final box and open it. “Winter boots.” I nod, pulling the gorgeous white boots on and loving how the fur cuff around my calf looks. They’re really quite beautiful, even if extremely unnecessary.

I’m quiet for far too long, and everyone is staring at me, probably expecting me to say something, but all I can do is wonder where we might be going that I’ll use all this stuff. Colorado? Montana?

“They’re awesome, but I have to wonder if you’re all insane or expecting some kind of ice-age apocalypse, or…?”

Laughing, Greyston hands me the envelope. “Here. This one’s from me. Maybe it’ll help clear everything up.”