Chance Encounter - Jerry Cole Page 0,28

was over, and Hayden met some fans. He beamed when everyone told him that he was a natural up there, as well as how much they loved the play. We enjoyed our late meal, getting Gram home to bed as soon as we finished. Jackson and Amy joined us in my apartment for some beers, sitting on the couch with Becca and Mari. We caught up, laughing as they told us stories from Florida about their jobs.

Amy gushed over our tree as she had with Gram’s tree. I could tell that she loved the holidays from both times I met her, knowing that it was perfect for Jackson. We were raised by Gram to value them and the family time that came with it.

She stayed with the girls, with Jackson deciding to join them. They changed into pajamas and set the alarm to be up for Gram, but they wanted to continue to hangout while we went to bed. Hayden was starting to come down from his adrenaline of the play, needing his sleep once we made love. We all had the following day off since it was Christmas Eve, but Gram cooked an early dinner for family and friends. It was more casual than her Christmas meal but still very important to her. We spent the day baking cookies with her for the evening, and Gram made her famous eggnog to go with the dessert. Several of her active friends stopped by with gifts for her and more desserts, filling the apartment with laughter and love.

Hayden and Becca took it in with awe in their eyes. Mari had family in California that she was relatively close to, and this wasn’t her first holiday. She just needed to be with Becca in her element this year.

It was late when everyone left. Gram had a huge smile on her face as we cleaned up for her, grinning across the kitchen at each other. When we finished, Jackson pulled Amy to the tree for a gift he wanted her to open. Gram still celebrated Christmas morning the same as she had when we were kids with our help, but we opened some gifts the night before.

“What is it?” Amy asked with a curious look in our direction. He reached behind the tree, pulling something off before dropping to his knee on the hardwood floor. Amy gasped, and we all stared as Jackson presented one of the best proposals I’d ever seen. He told her how much she meant to him, asking her to be his forever before she dropped into his arms, sobbing her yes. He slipped the ring that he hung on the tree upon their arrival, and we hugged them as Amy kept crying.

It gave me ideas that I held in as we made our way home.

The following day started with breakfast and gifts. We brought our gifts over from the night before, as well as Becca and Mari. Gifts surrounded the colorful tree, and several photos were taken of it. I was all too aware that Gram was getting older, and this wasn’t always going to be part of the holiday.

We opened presents as a group. There were thoughtful gifts for everyone, including Kindles for the girls from me. I bought a new laptop for Hayden. I bought Gram a beautiful electric kettle for her tea as well as framing some photos taken on Thanksgiving of all of us. She cried as she looked at them since the frames included one of my grandfather, and her with Jackson and me in a picture from a few years ago.

We all pitched in to make breakfast together, joined by some friends that brought their contributions to the meal. It was crowded but fun with chatter and laughter filling the room. Amy showed them all the platinum band set with small diamonds and a good-sized solitaire that was perfect for her small frame.

After breakfast, we started dinner and welcomed the people that dropped by. That meal consisted of turkey and prime rib along with several sides and desserts. Everyone gathered together, opening more gifts, and going between apartments for conversation and tours.

We stumbled home after the night ended. We felt stuffed, and the floor was piled with gifts from everyone. We chose to open most of the gifts at Gram’s house.

Chapter Twelve

Hayden

I felt overwhelmed with the holiday. Many friends stopped by with food and small gifts for everyone. Everyone chatted and laughed, even walking to the other apartments to see them.

The proposal