Chapter 5 – Christmas Day

Zander’s POV

After my shower, I noticed a missed text on my phone. It was a group chat from my best friends, Tony and Xavier.

Tony: Hey, stranger. Whatcha been up to?

Xavier: He’s probably enjoying all the socialites, if you know what I mean ;)

Zander: Mostly recuperating. Heart surgery, remember.

Tony: Do you want to hang out for a few days?

Zander: Sure, but we’d have to do it at my grandfather’s. Is that ok?

Xavier: I didn’t know you had a grandfather still alive

Zander: I’ll explain it when you get here. Let me ask him tonight, then I’ll let you know.

Tony: Sounds great. TTYL

Zander: Bye

Xavier: Laters.

I got dressed and headed downstairs. We opened gifts with Amelie, Nathan, Grandfather, and the evil witch, also known as Vivian. I didn’t like her one bit. Mainly because I got a feeling she was trying to sabotage Nathan and Amelie’s relationship, but also because of the way she looked at me. It was actually quite unsettling. She stared at me with pure hatred. Like I was the plague, she wouldn’t acknowledge me in a room unless it was to sneer at me.

Right now, she’s giving Amelie the death stare because Grandfather just gave her an antique jewelry cabinet. Inside are all the Michaels' family jewels. There must be millions of dollars' worth of jewelry in there. You can literally see the steam coming off Vivian’s head.

The last present given was from Nathan to Amelie. Oh, my gawd, it’s a dog! I’m so happy for Amelie; she has always wanted a dog. I’ve always wanted one too. I’m so glad she married Nathan. They seem to love each other genuinely.

“Zander, do you want to play with Biscuit?” Ame asked.

“Absolutely,” I said, smiling.

We played for over an hour, tossing the ball back and forth, then playing tug-of-war with Biscuit and other toys. I love this dog already. Grandfather took me aside and let me know we’d be looking after him while Amelie and Nathan were on their honeymoon. I was really excited to look after him.

“Ame, I think he needs to go outside,” I said as I noticed him sniffing around.

“Ok, let me grab my coat,” Ame announced.

We headed outside and ran him around until he did his business. Nathan had thought of every type of supply for Biscuit, including dog poop bags. Ame and I laughed our heads off searching the snow to find where he had gone. It actually felt like we were bonding even more as siblings because of this little furball.

“Ame,” I stated. “I love spending time with you. It feels like old times before you had school, work, and everything.”

“I love it, too,” Ame said, smiling at me.

“Ame, can I ask you a favor? Hear me out before you say no,” I explained.

“Zander, you know nothing good comes after ‘Hear me out,’ right?” Ame giggled.

“Can you please get me Isabella’s phone number?” I asked, followed by puppy dog eyes.

“Zander, you’d be playing with fire, worse yet, the mafia,” Ame said, crossing her arms.

“I know we can’t be romantically linked. I just want to talk to her,” I declared. “If I can’t be with her, I want to be her friend.”

“Are you sure you can keep it on that level?” Ame asked.

“Yes, that’s the only choice I have,” I responded.

“Ok, let me see what I can do,” Ame stated.

“You’re the best, Ame,” I grinned. “Now, let’s get inside. Biscuit looks like he’s exhausted.”

We headed inside, and Nathan was waiting for us with a towel for Biscuit. We dried him off, and he headed straight to his dog bed in front of the fire.

All of Nathan and Amelie’s friends arrived at the same time. They are an eclectic bunch, but really good people. One of them is the Hollywood star Dante Berkley. Dante is my favorite action star.

“Zander!” Dante exclaimed. “Don’t I owe you a beating in Mario Kart?”

“You wish, old man,” I scoffed.

“Oh, it’s so on,” Dante replied.

“Yes, it’s on like Donkey Kong,” I chuckled.

We disappeared into the media room, and I proceeded to hand Dante his butt at video games.

“What the heck!” Dante exclaimed. “Do you and Amelie have a video game and foosball gene?”

“We’re just really competitive,” I stated. “In fact, Amelie can get scary competitive, don’t get on her bad side.” I laughed.

“Point taken,” Dante smirked.

“Supper is ready, boys,” Morgan said, walking into the room holding Biscuit.

“You really like him, huh?” I asked Morgan.

“Yes, can I take him for part of the time while Amelie and Nathan are away?” Morgan replied.

“I’m sure that would be possible,” I told her.

We all headed to Christmas dinner in the dining room.

“Welcome, everyone,” Grandfather said. “I’m so glad everyone could join up for Christmas dinner tonight. We consider everyone sitting at this table to be part of our family. It is so special to be able to share the love and joy of the holidays with you all.”

Vivian was acting like a fool, flirting with Nathan’s assistant, Samuel, but I just ignored it because all I wanted to do was eat.

“Where is Biscuit?” Ame asked, looking around the dining room.

“He’s passed out in his kennel sleeping,” Morgan responded.

“He’s staying here with Zander and Grandfather,” Nathan advised.

“I was hoping I could have cute little Biscuit for some of the time, while you are gone,” Morgan said. “Auntie Morgan wants him to be my muse for the new couture doggy line I’m making in his honor.”

“Do you want us to have a bougie dog?” Ame giggled.

“Only the best for my furry nephew,” Morgan beamed.

“You can have him for the first week if you want, Morgan,” I expressed.

“Really?” Morgan said excitedly.

“Absolutely,” I replied. “I was going to ask Grandfather if a couple of my friends could come and stay.”

“Of course they can, Zander,” Grandfather replied.

“Cool! I’ll text them after supper,” I grinned.

“Now that everything is planned,” Grandfather said. “Merry Christmas, everyone! Let’s eat!”

“Finally!” I exclaimed, and everyone laughed, except the evil witch who was glaring at me.