Our First Christmas Read Online Free Page A

hockey stick. It’s larger than a hockey stick, and it has Sidney’s face on it, along with his accomplishments on the shaft. I know Levi will love it. 
    “ Will this be a Christmas gift?”
    “ Yes, could you wrap it?”
    The associate nods and takes it down. I pay for it and I’m very thankful he put it in a box so you can’t tell what it is. I also grab a gift card for Victor, because I know he needs some new hunting gear.
    Levi is leaning against the SUV, waiting for me. I put the stick in the back and when Levi asks me what it is, I just say it’s something Trevor wants.
    “ Where to next?” I ask.
    “ Let’s just drive and see where it takes us?”
    I nod, because I like that idea. Levi heads out onto the street. As he drives, I look out the window and see what a beautiful town this is. It makes me think of when I visited the first time when Trevor and Dad lived here. It seems like a lifetime ago and I can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’m in college and in love, and even though it’s not the same as being with my family during the holidays, I feel as home here with Levi.
    “What are you thinking about, Smarty?” Levi squeezes my thigh.
    “ Actually, I’m thinking how happy I am right now.”
    Levi smiles and I can’t help the butterflies I feel from being with him.
    He drives me all over town showing me places that were special to him. I can just imagine him running the streets, playing hockey, and being, well Levi. We finally make it home and we bring our bags in.
    Victor is asleep in his chair when we come in, and I can see some relief on Levi’s face now that we are home and he can see Victor. We take all the stuff upstairs and I flop on the bed. Levi laughs and lays next to me.
    “Did you have fun?” I turn over to look at him.
    “ Well, let’s see. I spent all day with you shopping and driving.” He thinks for a second. “Meh. Guess it wasn’t too bad.” He smirks.
    I slap his shoulder and laugh.
     

Chapter Six
    Levi
     
    While Presley was shopping alone, I managed to find her a present. I didn’t really know what to get her, but I think she’s really going to like the two things I bought. If all works well, I’m going to really like it too. She’s getting a gift card for some lingerie and another for shoes. I picked up a blank card too, so I can write something. Tell her how much she means to me. Tell her how thankful I am to know her and to have her in my life. Just a few simple words to let her know.
    “I need to go to the store,” Pops says from his recliner.
    “ Why?” He doesn’t need to be out and about, walking around for hours at a time.
    Pops glares at me. “Are you asking because you think I need your permission, Levi?”
    “No, sir,” I answer quickly.
    “ Good. I need to go to the store, so I can fix Christmas breakfast for Presley. We can go tomorrow.” There is a not-up-for-further-discussion tone in his voice.
    “ Yes, sir.”
    Presley squeezes my hand and Pops says he’s heading to bed. When I stand to follow him up, just in case he needs any help, he tells me to sit back down. I plop back down, straining my ears to listen. After a few seconds, I hear his door shut.
    “What else do y’all do on Christmas day? Besides breakfast, I mean. Do you do anything on Christmas Eve?” Presley asks as she moves to lay down with her head in my lap.
    “ We have dinner on Christmas Eve and usually watch movies all day. On the big day, we have breakfast, open presents, drink hot chocolate with little marshmallows in it, and hang out together. Nothing special. When I was little, even my parents had as many presents as I did. We would sit in a line on the couch with all our gifts at our feet and we would take turns, opening one present at a time. Every year, I begged Mom to let me start.”
    Presley turns to lay on her back, so she can look at me. “Did she let you?”
    “Of course. It was me, her, and then Pops. Holidays were always fun with Mom around.” I