“Don’t finish that sentence.” She jumps out of bed. When she sees the gift on the nightstand, her face lights up. “Aw, you shouldn’t have!”
“It’s Christmas! We all deserve a gift or two.” I hold open the box of bakery treats, different types of Christmas-themed donuts and pastries. “Hungry?”
“Mmm, those look delicious. Hold on, I gotta use the bathroom and get your gift, too.”
I sit down at the desk and lay out the food and coffee. When she comes back, she’s holding a big gift bag. My eyes widen. “Hey now, that’s way too big.”
“That’s what she said.” Maia grins, and we both burst into laughter.
“Open gifts or eat first?” I ask her.
“Eat!” she says as she sits on the bed closest to the desk. This room doesn’t have much space to eat. I stand and offer her the seat.
“Go sit. I already ate a couple.” I grin and pat my tummy. “I couldn’t resist while I was there. Everything looked like heaven.”
Maia giggles. “I bet. Thank you for going and getting these. Delicious.” She takes a big bite into a powdered jelly donut, one decorated like a snowman. Powdered sugar gets all over her face, and I can’t help but laugh as I sit down on the bed.
“What?” she asks innocently.
I almost choke on my sip of coffee.
“You’ve got a little something on your face.” I motion toward her cheek area, but when she goes to brush it off, it makes it worse.
I snort-laugh and fall back onto the bed, almost dropping my cup. I hold it high above me as I laugh uncontrollably. “Just go look.” I choke out between laughs.
Maia runs to the bathroom, and not even a second later, I hear her scream and laugh. “What the fuck type of sticky powdered shit is this?”
I’m rolling with laughter so hard I put my coffee on the nightstand so I won’t spill it. She’s fucking hilarious.
“Oh my God. Best Christmas ever.” My sides ache from laughing.
When Maia emerges from the bathroom with a clean face, I laugh again. “Adorable.”
“Very funny. I swear that donut injected powder all over my damn face. Now open your gift.” She hands me the bag.
“What could it be? What could it be?” I ask as I dig my hands inside. I feel a basket, and when I lift it out of the bag, I see it’s full of surfing gear. There’s wax, a surfboard leash, wetsuit cleaner, a surfboard bag, and the best thing- an electric fin.
“What…I mean…How…” I’m dumbfounded.
“I may have called in for a little help.”
I grin. “This…honestly, Maia. This is the best gift anyone has ever given me. I mean truly. Thank you. I’ve always wanted an electric fin, too.”
“I know.” She claps and dances excitedly. “I was so happy Walmart had everything. Because I was stressing.”
“Aw, you didn’t have to.”
“I know. I wanted to.”
“Open your gift!” I place my basket down gently and scramble to grab hers. I hand it to her and wait patiently, hoping I got just what she wanted.
I kinda had to call in some help, too, but it’s all good.
When she opens her gift, her eyes light up. It’s a complete beading tool set including a bead spinner and other various tools. There’s also a beading loom kit. How I got so lucky with Walmart’s selection, I’ll never know. But Maia got lucky, too, with my gift, so it worked out.
“Wow, Rhett. I’ve always wanted a beading loom. Thank you so much! I must agree with you and say this is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” She walks over to me. “Give me a hug.”
I stand and wrap my arms around her. She feels so warm and secure and smells perfect. Like home.