Memorable Holiday - Self Para
Lachlan wasn't the type of person to be sentimental. But there was something about the winter, the anticipation everyone had in the mansion about the coming Christmas, that made Lachlan think back to what he felt like an actual Christmas.
It was a couple of years ago, Lachlan was fourteen years old and on his third foster home. It was the week before Christmas, and he was heading back home from school when his phone rang in his pocket. He rummaged his pocket for it until he felt its familiar square-ish structure.
Laura was an old friend, way older than any other he'd made. In fact, her mother was what made Lachlan's foster home escapes possible, but that story is for another time.
He answered it and put the phone on his ear.
"WHADDUP, L?!" a hight pitched female voice came ringing from the phone. Lachlan made a face.
"Nothing much, Laura, just crossing the road while my ear bleeds from the screech."
"Yeah, whatever. Hey, Christmas is a week away. Mom wants to invite you over."
Going over to the Taylor's house hadn't even been an option for Lachlan ever since he'd run away. The invitation was treated as an unexpected surprise.
"Won't I get caught?" he asked, hoping there really was a way he could go through with it.
"Mom says she's got it covered." and Lachlan's heart leapt with excitement.
"Oh, Great. Alright then."
A week later, when Christmas arrived, Lachlan was spending it at Laura Taylor's residence. Familiar faces bombarded Lachlan's view, the faces of people he'd seen frequently growing up as Laura's friend. They were practically his second family. Laura's relatives were Lachlan's relatives. The night was filled with laughter and the spirit of reunion.
After a hearty Christmas dinner, the gathering was transferred to the living room, where the presents lay. It was time to open the gifts.
The night went on, laughing would start every five minutes, the oldies talking to one another, giving remarks about how grown up the two kids had become. Lachlan had never felt so at home in a long time.
"Now, who's this one for?" Aunt Rebecca held up a thin box wrapped in Christmas paper.
"Oh, that's for Lach!" Laura exclaimed, she got up, dragging her mom with her at the center of the pile of gifts. She took the box from Aunt Rebecca, and then held it out to Lachlan. He got up and took it out of her hands.
"That's for you. Mom and I thought we'd give you one so you don't forget about us- or yourself." Laura's eyes were opened wide and she was trying(and failing) to hold back a smile.
Lachlan unwrapped it and opened the box. He pulled out a metallic necklace with a 'T' shaped pendant. T for Taylor, and for Thomas, he thought and chuckled.
He smiled at Laura and Aunt Sarah, who smiled back at him.
He ended up grinning wider than he wanted to, "Ugh, you guys..." he leaned in to give them a tight bear hug. The crowd of relatives clapped and 'aww'-ed around them. The three of them were left huddled together and laughing at the moment.
The Christmas celebration continued well after the unwrapping of gifts. Laughter wouldn't cease for a long time, and the spirit of celebration and unity remained among them all. Lachlan could remember how much his cheeks hurt from smiling during then, he'd never in his life felt everything so at peace and joyful.
Being together with the people you love. Enjoying, poking fun at one another without a care in the world. It was Lachlan's definition of Christmas, and never has that moment been replaced in his heart.
