Maxi wanted to be excited about the Christmas season, but the closer they got to the holiday, the more difficult it became. It would be the second year without her mom, and if last year was any indication, would be a bit of a somber day. The last thing she expected on Christmas morning was the doorbell ringing.
She looked to her dad in the kitchen, who shrugged in response. Renny, at the kitchen table, looked as confused as she felt. Gabi, in the living room watching Rudolph, didn't seem to notice. Maxi went over to the door, opening it to find Jamie Grant standing on her porch, shivering.
"Finally! I thought you'd never answer." Jamie said, coming into the warmth.
"Merry Christmas to you too." Maxi replied, still confused.
"Oh God, right." Jamie said, launching herself onto Maxi and giving her a huge hug. "Merry Christmas, best friend of mine."
"That's more like it." Maxi responded, hugging the other girl back.
"So here's the sitch." Jamie said, pulling back and holding Maxi at arm's length. "I know Christmas was super tough last year, so this year I thought I'd surprise you. The whole gang is in the car outside to help celebrate with you guys. But like, they're totally cool if you want it to be a family thing. But I thought maybe having a few friends around might make today a little more bearable. And don't worry about presents, we just brought ours, so there's no awkward we-got-you-gifts-but-it-didn't-go-both-ways thing."
Maxi was speechless for a moment. Usually she was the one taking care of everyone else - she never wanted for people to take care of her. But here was her best friend, wanting nothing more in the world than to share this holiday with her and make her have a good day.
"Oh my God, of course, bring them in!" she said after a moment (and a nod from her father). Jamie's face broke into a huge smile, and she opened the door back up to gesture wildly to her family. The whole Grant clan piled into the Taylor house in a flurry of excitement and Christmas cheer. The twins ran over to Gabi, bringing their new game system from grandma that she just had to try (Jamie assured Maxi that the boys were pretty bad at the new games right now, so they weren't going to try and demolish Gabi). Mrs. Grant said hello to the family, then immediately went to the kitchen to unload her armfuls of groceries and help Mr. Taylor cook. Jeremy wandered in last, tossing a lacrosse ball at Renny before greeting his friend with a manly handshake.
"Seriously. The whole gang." Jamie said as Maxi greeted each member of the Grant family. The house, which had previously been pretty quiet, was suddenly a flurry of activity. An hour later, the kitchen island was covered in plates of food, and everyone carried their very loaded plates to the Christmas tree for some presents. Maxi looked around at her family and friends, her heart spilling over with the joy she felt. Jamie was also smiling at her, slipping a small gift onto her lap. She gave the other girl a shocked look, before giving a mischievous grin and pulling a present out from behind her back, handing it to her.
Yes, this Christmas had turned out much better indeed.
