Merry Brees-mas

Christmas Day was finally here and that meant it was also my 16th birthday. I kept my reindeer pajamas on while we opened presents. But I would wear my beautiful dress my grandma bought me for dinner tonight. Everyone was coming over tonight. I loved having a birthday party the same night as Christmas. Alison said she was bringing her daughter, Quinn, over as well. I was excited to meet her. I don’t get a chance to interact with too many high school seniors so I’m sure she was the absolute coolest.

Mom had her North Pole train going around the tree when I came down. She had made a breakfast charcuterie board that was on the kitchen island. She had so many of my favorites stacked on there: scrambled eggs, cinnamon bread, bagels, chocolate chip muffins and fruit. It looked beautiful. I loved how talented my mom was when it came to things like this. She always made us feel so special. Baylen grabbed a pretty red box from underneath the tree. It had silver string beautifully laced around the whimsical box. The lights hit the silver bow and reflected the colors beautifully.

“This one's for you Squirt,” he said, bringing the present carefully over to me.

Baylen had learned his lesson from throwing boxes to people three years ago. My grandmother had gotten a glass snow globe keepsake that had our Disney Trip photo on the inside and the date of when we went. He shook it, said it was heavy and then tossed it to me while I was trying to pair my new headphones to my phone. The box didn’t open, but we all knew it had broken from the crash landing it had taken next to the couch. When I opened it there was glass everywhere. Mom forbade me to clean it and we had to all leave the living room so that she could clean it up and make sure there was no glass left anywhere. That was our last Christmas with my dad living in the house. It has been weird the last two years doing it without him. Getting to see him at a Christmas dinner isn’t the same as him seeing us open our presents. Dad told mom that all of his gifts to us would be dropped off every year and he has kept that promise. He refused to have us do two separate Christmases. Nothing about this morning feels normal. I sent my dad a text to wish him a Merry Christmas, but he hasn’t read it yet. He usually texts back, “Morning Squirt. It ain’t only Jesus’ birthday though is it?” Or something similarly corny like that.

I still had about five presents left to open when I heard a horn honking like crazy outside. At first, we didn’t pay it any mind, but as it got louder it seemed to be in our driveway. Baylen looked out the window and shouted, “No freaking way!”

I jumped up off the floor to go and see what he was looking at. When I got to the large bay window, I saw two vehicles out front. One was my dad’s pearl-white Lexus, but I didn’t recognize the Jeep Cherokee. We put our shoes and coats on and headed out so the honking would stop. My dad jumped out of the Wrangler and yelled, “This is for you my Christmas baby!” He swiped his hand across the hood of the jeep.

“What? You got me a jeep dad!” I yelled.

He nodded and I all but knocked him over running to hug him! He kissed my forehead and ruffled my hair.

“Get in the driver's seat kid!” he said, motioning towards the door.

I squealed an awful sound and jumped into the driver’s seat. The car smelled so good. Was this brand new? No way. It would cost way too much. It smelled new however. I looked at the mileage and it only had 14,000 miles on it. What in the world? It is basically new.

I poked my head out of the window so I could see my dad. He was handing Baylen an envelope.

“Dad, is this car new?” I inquired.

He looked over at Alison and smiled. Alison stepped forward into the headlights glare so I could see her better.

“Brees, my parents decided to retire in Grand Cayman in January. They have two vehicles that are fully paid off, but didn’t want the hassle of trying to ship them. As they barely drive now. So they gave them both to me. I gave Quinn one and we decided to give you one as well. I hope that’s ok,” she said, shielding her eyes from the light.

I turned off the car and got out. I ran over to her and hugged her. This was such a kind gesture, but I didn’t know if mom would let me keep it. I hadn’t earned this and she had only dated my dad for a year. I looked over at my mom and she put her hands up and backed away. She nodded as if she approved. I was so sincerely happy. Was this the surprise he was telling us about? But what about Bayl…

“Get the fuck out!” Baylen screamed. “Floor tickets and backstage passes to see Drake this summer?” Baylen hugged my dad so tightly.

“How did you get these?” Bay asked, searching for answers in dad’s face.

“Alison’s father has three law firms. His client base in California he sold to another firm and they compensated him with these after signing the contracts. Her dad said he didn’t know what a Drake was and Quinn had no interest, so I thought maybe you could take your sister and some other friends. There are four tickets total,” he said.

Baylen looked so stunned. He put his hands on top of his head and took deep breaths.

“Ok, bet. Brees, we can take Keegan and Casey. Does that sound fair? And we will ride in your new jeep,” he added, smirking.

I nodded, because hell yeah. We will have such a blast. This just became the best Christmas ever!