Ahhhh. This has been so so much fun!!!! I’ve enjoyed this month and this was the first writing challenge I’ve succeeded in completing!!!!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! I’m working Christmas morning because my job sucks but I’m still excited and very fortunate to be spending the holidays with my family.
Maudie walked in early in the morning to come wake up Tyler and Ozzie.
“Come on, I’ve been waiting for the both of you, it’s Christmas time.” She said laughing. “Presents and then breakfast.”
Tyler rushed up, grabbing tightly onto Ozzie’s hand to drag them to the living room. The small living room now had a tiny decorated Christmas tree with stockings hanging on the window ledge and some little Christmas decorations about the room, a fake fireplace was on the television along with Christmas music playing on the speakers. Creating a cozy Christmas atmosphere.
Maudie handed them each a gift to unwrap. Ozzie opened his gift first, tearing up when they got to the penguin plushie wrapped inside. He had lost his original one back in the forest after diving in to save Tyler, as the penguin had been in his pocket. Ozzie hugged onto the penguin tightly.
“I love him…” Ozzie muttered quietly in a soft tone. “This is my baby now.”
Tyler smiled at Maudie, happy she was able to find the perfect gift based on Tyler’s suggestion. Tyler opened their gift up to find a remote control race car inside. Their eyes lit up with excitement, looking around the living room as if planning out the track. “This is going to be so awesome…” They said laughing.
Both Ozzie and Tyler tackled Maudie into a hug, she gently embraced them back. “Careful on that leg.” She said with caution to Ozzie.
“Sorry it’s not much, this was all a little last minute but I wanted to make it perfect.” She said smiling.
“You did make it perfect, this is all that we needed.” Tyler said smiling.
“There’s steamed eggnog and cinnamon rolls on the table for breakfast, as well as some oranges because even though it’s Christmas, you two could use some fruits and veggies still today.” Maudie said smiling back, directing them both over to the table for breakfast.
Ozzie and Tyler quickly ate down breakfast before Tyler led Ozzie to the closet to dig for a sled, wanting to take Ozzie sledding down the street hill.
“This is going to be so much fun.” They insisted, taking Ozzie outside with Maudie carefully supervising them.
Tyler helped Ozzie to get situated on the sled, sitting down behind him and launching the sled down the snow covered hill. Both Tyler and Ozzie were screaming with laughter the whole way down. They took a few more rounds down before moving on to building a snow people village, making the biggest snowman possible at the center of them all, and then making snow angels on the ground.
As the night started drawing to a close, Maudie brought them inside and handed each of them a warm mug of caramel apple cider, turning on the television to a Christmas movie to close off the day.
“Which one you want to watch Tyler?” Maudie offered.
“Arthur Christmas…that’s a really funny movie. We can watch Happy Feet tomorrow, Ozzie will like that one.”
Maudie nodded and turned on Arthur Christmas and sat down on the couch with Ozzie and Tyler. The three of them sat closely together like a family, sipping on warm cider and snacking on Christmas cookies. Ozzie had only known Maudie for a day but already knew that he was attached to her, she already took better care of him then his mother ever did. Maudie and Tyler were all he ever needed to feel safe and comforted, this was his family. Things weren’t ever going to be perfect, but this, this was close enough.
