So this is Christmas

 

Tony was happy that Ting hit it off with Dakota. They'd had some enjoyable times together, from going to the movies to even Christmas shopping at the mall. Even if they really didn't spend all that much.

It was good being Kevin's friend. He could see now that Kevin didn't think anyone took him seriously. But Tony did. He thought he was smart and always on time. He really did know the ins and out and who to chat and not chat with at the grocery store. Honestly, it was becoming a sweet holiday, having a friend like Kevin.

Tony's folks lived back in Minnesota. They'd moved there after he started college. His mom was taking care of his dad's mother. They enjoyed the cold and the snow. He and Ting did some facetime. His parents even talked to Ting's Mom. Really, he couldn't ask for more. They were even going to Kevin's house for a pre-Christmas Eve Dinner. Kevin and Dakota were doing the cooking. It was pasta. Tony said he always had room for pasta and of course, the French bread from the deli. 

Ting had taken Dakota underwing. She even got her signed up as a junior friend at the museum. Dakota would likely have a job there by the summer. She helped with the book saleroom and was even being groomed to help with those Saturday morning guides with students at the museum. Oh, the new year was looking up. Yes, Tony never thought he'd have Christmas this good, away from his family.

OK, so Koda and Vanna were being snubbed by her mother now. She didn't want Vanna to get married, evidently.

Oh, they went through the 'don't cha' phase on the phone with her mom. Apparently, Vanna's mom thought she should be dating a doctor or something. This led to Vanna shaming her mom. "Well, Dad was never a doctor. I don't see you dating a doctor."

Bad attitude on both ends, Koda guessed. Yes, it was a bit of the dumps for the two of them. But then there was Slater to the rescue.

"Don't let her rain on your parade," he told them they could get married without their parents and their blessings. "This is about you two. You just have to make the most of this together."

He told him it was best this way. They were focused on the future. They were doing OK. They had each other. And they were both going back to the University in January. 

It could be a white wedding, after all, there was snow. They were going to have a winter wedding and Slater said he would do the honor of walking Vanna down the aisle and officiate it too, even if it was in the picnic area between the buildings in the apartment complex.  Yes, it was their Christmas present to each other, and it was happening on Christmas Eve.

It wasn't exactly a Christmas present, but Alfie's mom called. "I want you to meet your brother."

"What brother?" Alfie winced hard, thinking his mom must be sloshed.

"Your little brother."

"Huh?" He didn't think she could explain it, but evidently, it was a secret she never wanted to tell. It was about the time she almost got back together with Alfie's Dad but didn't. She'd given up a baby for adoption instead and now he was about to go to college, but wanted to meet his real family first.

It was like a mental flu of some kind. Or a bad taste Alfie didn't want to have a thing to do with.

"Why me?" He practically flinched in a dance while on the phone with her. How could she? "It wasn't all that great being left behind with you." He found himself saying. She was always off doing something. Evidently, having his brother she didn't want him to know about.

His heart ached. He didn't know what he was supposed to do.

"Well, I'm in Hawaii," his mother said.

"And he can't come to see you?"

"Well, Boone lives in Lincoln."

"Does Dad know?" It felt strange to use this sentence since he'd never ever spent a holiday with him.

"Well, of course, he does." Now he felt this Boone probably knew his dad better than he did. After all, he lived in Lincoln too. Although it was only an hour away, Alfie had never been to Lincoln and he didn't really feel like going now.

"I guess they'll have a good Christmas together." Alfie left it at that. Yes, it was definitely time to fall off the wagon.