Fuentes Time
There's faith
Before I could walk inside the sitting room Dad covered my eyes. I sighed but let him guide me inside. "I won't peek." I complained.
"But I don't want to spoil the surprise." he explained.
"Did you get me a car?" I asked excitedly.
"You can't drive." he reminded me.
"What's your point?" I asked.
"That I didn't buy a car for someone who can't even drive."
"I get it." I grumbled. "Can I look yet?" I asked.
"Hang on." Dad told me. He took his hand away and stood in front of me proudly. I peered around him and gasped.
There were presents around the Christmas tree we decorated. The Christmas stockings hanging on the fireplace had been magically filled. I saw that on the coffee table there was a plate of half eaten cookies and a half drank glass of milk. I was made to put them out last night.
I looked back at Dad and he grinned at me. I threw my arms around him and he hugged me. He rested his chin on top of my head. I reached up to kiss his cheek. "Can we open presents?" I asked hopefully.
"Go ahead." he urged. Dad sat down on the sofa while I sat by the tree. I was looking through presents, sorting the ones for friends and family from the ones for Dad and I. I picked up the present I had brought Dad and handed it to him. He read the label and shook his head. "Effy, what are you doing buying me presents? I said no." he told me.
"But I knew you'd buy me some presents so I had to buy you one."
"I'm your dad. It's my job to spoil you at Christmas. Where did you even get the money?"
"I borrowed some from Mike to put with the money I got off of the last gig I did." I explained.
"You shouldn't have."
"Shut up." I stuck my tongue out. Dad opened it and his eyes brightened. It was something from a surf shop by the beach he's been eyeing all month.
"Effy, this is great! Thank you!" he exclaimed.
I turned back to the presents and started opening mine. He'd gotten me more than I expected. I had built up a little pile. I had clothes, expensive jewellery, an iPad, a giftcard for a music supply shop in town, shoes, books and subscription to Kerrang! magazine - which I miss immensely - all from Dad. I had a few other things too.
Tony had gotten me Love Before Glory clothes, Jaime had brought me some new, better quality head phones, the band had all teamed together to get me a microphone charm for my pandora bracelet. Fay had brought me something extra though because I'm closer to him than anyone else. A 'Drugs Not Hugs' tank top - he knows me. Nothing from Matt. Why am I even surprised? But Paris had brought me a charm for my bracelet and a few vintage British punk band t-shirts.
"You missed one." Dad said. I looked down at the envelope from Mom and sighed. I picked up the envelope and tore the seal. Inside a card slipped out. I looked through it quickly before I threw it carelessly to the side.
"Plane tickets." I muttered.
"Are you going to use them?" Dad asked.
"No." I shook my head. "I don't want to see her."
"You don't have to." he soothed. I went to the back of the tree and saw one present left. I picked it up and handed it to Dad. "What's this?" he asked.
"I got it for you." I said. Dad frowned but started to open it. "You might think it's stupid or lame. I don't know." I rushed. He tore the paper of and smiled warmly.
"Why would I ever think this is stupid?" he asked. I shrugged and he pulled me into a hug. I smiled and hugged him back. "This is the best present so far." he told me.
I had taken a photo of Dad and I to a place in the mall and had it developed onto a canvas. The photo was of just the two of us. It was taken when we were in the garden with the sun blaring down on us. I didn't look perfect, but it was a nice photo because we were happy and it was real. You couldn't see but Dad was sat on a garden chair. He had sunglasses on his head. I had my arms wrapped around his neck from behind. We were both grinning. That's what made it my favourite photo of the two of us.
"So you like it?" I asked.
"I love it." he beamed. "Go get dressed and I'll hang it up." he urged.
"Okay, and thanks." I told him.
"That's okay." he smiled back.
When we were both ready we drove to my grandparents house. I saw Mike's car parked in front of the house. Dad parked up and I got out of the car. Dad balanced presents in his arms and I went to knock the door. Before I could my grandma opened it.
"Happy Christmas!" I told her.
"Happy Christmas, sweetheart." she smiled. Behind her I saw my granddad. He grinned at me and I was pulled into hugs.
"Can I have some help?!" Dad called.
"You're fine, Victor." Grandma said dismissively.
"Mama." he groaned.
I walked inside and to the sitting room. Mike was sat on the couch. I sat down next to him and he looked up. I smiled widely and he pulled me into a hug. "I have your present." he told me. He reached for the floor by the sofa and handed me a small box. I looked inside and grinned. He'd given me my own pair of official PTV ear plugs.
"These are cool." I told him.
"That's more like a fun thing I got you. This is your real present." he told me. Mike reached in his pocket and handed me a small bag. I couldn't see what was inside due to it being concealed. But when I peered in I saw weed. "Don't tell your dad." Mike quickly said.
"Thanks." I told him brightly. I put the bag away and gave him a real hug.
"Let's open these then!" Dad declared and dropped all of the presents down onto the floor.
Notes
Hey! A nice Christmas Day chapter! What did you think? It was pretty sweet father daughter time again. Don't worry, more band stuff in the next one. Who's excited for the sequel? What do you want to see? :)
@Unicat
Wow thank you so much! That's a huge complement for me. I'm so happy you enjoy my writing. One of the reasons I write is to make people smile!
I dont want to say what happens and spoil it but there are definitely no plans for Effy to get pregnant. She's been through all of that once already. Effy is facing other things. I think a court case would kill me too! :p I have something all planned out in my head that will be in the next story that I just can't wait to write. Vic will have to face a lot of home truths involving Effy in the next story. There is a lot that she's hidden from him this last year. Effy and Fay's relationship is something really unique. I don't want to say where it'll go because I don't even know. Fay is very close to Effy, that's all I'll say!
Thank you so much! New story coming up soon! :)
2/5/14