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Chapter 24: Christmas

Scarlett P.O.V

It's been three weeks since Sapphire's funeral and it's my routine to leave the office by 3:00pm and pick Dante up from the daycare and bring him to my house, then by 7:00pm my boss will come to my house to pick him up. That is our routine for the week and when it is weekend it depends on who Dante wants to be with as he usually likes to be with both of us everyday.

Even though it has been three weeks since Sapphire's death, I still cry myself to sleep every night thinking about her. I could not get over the fact that I would never be able to speak are have with Sapphire again.

It was worse when I had to tell my parents the news of Sapphire's death. I have never heard my mother cry in hysteria before. The were on a vacation over seas with the ticket I gave them for their anniversary present when I called them to tell them the news of Sapphire's death so the were not able to make for Sapphire's funeral but as soon as I went to pick them up at the airport they demanded me to drive to the cemetery where Sapphire's buried.

When my mother saw the tombstone with Sapphire's name on it she break down sobbing and I had to support her so that she didn't fall down. Me and my mother pretty much cried for god knows how long staring at her grave. My mother must be in so much pain from not being able to see her daughter anymore and not able to apologize for upsetting her daughter.

While me and my mother cried, my father just stood still staring at his daughter's grave with tears trickling down his face. My father is a stern but loving father and I have never seen him shed a tear before. My father later said that he cried because he did not part with Sapphire in good terms and he would do anything to make things right again between them.

I assured him that Sapphire does not hold a grudge against him after all these years. He hugged me and whispered thanks at my ear and I could feel tear drops falling on my shoulder, that made me want to cry.

These past three weeks I felt like I cried a river as I feel like my eyes are so dry of any liquid. But the one good thing that happen these past two weeks is when my parents met their only grandson Dante.

When we got home from the funeral I explain everything that happen and how Sapphire has a three year old son who is living with his father. My parents demand that I take them to Dante or tell them where to find him so I call my boss to tell him that Dante's grandparents wants to see him. when he agreed I breathe a sigh of relief and told my parents that I will take them to see Dante in the morning. My mother nodded please and went to go and sleep in my bedroom with my father.

The next day my impatient mother who is itching to meet her grandson waked me up from my sleep. To appease her I got ready as quick as possible and went to the car grabbing a banana on the way out. All the way to my boss's house, my mother keep on asking questions about Dante until my father ask her to calm down and let me concentrate on driving before I get into an accident.

My mother huffed at my father but she stopped harassing me with questions so I sent a grateful smile at my father. My father just smile for the first time since I pick him up at the airport. My heart swell, that my father is starting to stop beating himself up about not being able to make amends with Sapphire. We reach my boss's house within 30 minutes and the gate automatically open when my car was five feet away from the gate.

I drove the car slowly and stop when I am directly in front of the door. Before I can close the engine my mother is already opening the door. I quickly close the engine and open the door. By the time I caught up with my mother she was already in the house following the maid. We walk down a short hallway until we reach the spacious living room where I can see my boss sitting by the fireplace playing with Dante on the floor until he heard us come in and lifts his head.

He stands up and warmly welcomes my parents to his house and introduce a shy Dante who is hiding behind his father's legs to his grandparents. My mother's mouth wobble as she tries to stop herself from crying when she saw her grandson. Dante looks hesitant to come to his grandparents so my mother got on her knees and hold her arms out like she wants a hug.

When Dante sees that she is friendly he began to slowly walk towards her and jumps into her arms to cuddle her. My mother was a lost cause then as she cries while hugging him back while whispering to him.

She is rocking him while she is whispering something to Dante and I saw that Dante nods his head. After a few minutes she gave him a kiss to his cheeks and introduce Dante to his grandfather. Dante looks scared but when my father smiles at him and open his arms he hugs his grandfather. Few teardrops fell from his eyes when he hugs Dante for the first time.

After the emotional first meeting, my mom talk with my boss about them wanting to visit Dante. My boss promise my mother that she and my father can come anytime they want to visit Dante. The security guards will let them in the house. My mother nodded satisfied after she heard that then went to play with Dante while my father talks with my boss about sports.

I was surprise how pleasant my boss could be when he wanted to. He genuinely sounds like he wants my parents to there at his house. I judged him to harshly without knowing who he really is as he is a caring person to those he cares about. Since my parents are his son's grandparents, he makes an effort to make sure my parents feel welcome.

So for the past three weeks my parents has been coming to visit Dante almost every other day to make up for the three years that they missed out in his life. Dante always looks so happy whenever my parents pays a visit.

I can't believe how smart Dante is compared to other three year olds, I mean he can dress himself without help and eat by himself although he does tend to make a mess on his clothes. However, when my boss explain why reason he knows to do this things is because of that Sapphire's stalker punishing Sapphire whenever she helps Dante in front of him. so he learns to do things himself to avoid his mother from getting hurt.

My heart breaks when I heard that. A kid his age should not be worried about anything but having fun and living a carefree life but because of that guy, Dante is forced to grow up early. He looks happy and having fun but my boss told me how Dante would cry himself to sleep every night asking for his mother to come back because he misses her so much.

I didn't know what to say by that point as pain took over my emotion. Thinking about what Dante has to go through at such a young age. The only good thing is as he grows older it will be easier for him to forget about his time with that stalker as he is still very young. However, he would never get to really know what an amazing and kind mother he has.

I promised myself that I would tell about his mother often so that he knows everything about her. Though my parents brings Sapphire and my album whenever they visit him. My mother also wants Dante to know how his mother was when growing up. It is embarrassing whenever she show our photos when me and Sapphire were small as my boss is also there.

I could feel my face heats up whenever there is a picture of me doing something embarrassing. My boss didn't say anything but I had a hard time looking at him when we are at work as I feel like he is smirking at my discomfort.

I am brought out of my reverie when I hear the sound of Bethany's voice asking me something. I look at apologetically and ask her sheepishly, "Could you repeat the question?" She looks at me exasperatedly and said, "I ask, what are you going to do for Christmas Eve tomorrow?" I look at her stunned. I completely forgot that tomorrow is Christmas Eve with all that has happened this past three weeks.

"Hmm, I am not sure. I'll probably go and spend time with Dante and my parents at my boss's house if he agrees," I said to Bethany. She nods her head and I ask her "What about you? What are you going to do?" "Oh you know. The same old same old. Going to my parents house to have dinner with the family, and I'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning" she answers.

"Well tell your folks that I said hi," I told her. "Will do!" she said and excuse herself to sleep as it is pretty late and she needs to wake up bright and early tomorrow. I don't know how she is going to wake herself up as she is a heavy sleeper. I had to pour water on her a few times because she stubbornly refuse to get up. Of course every time I pour water on her she would curse me and not talk to me for a few hours before she is over it.

I chuckle thinking about it. Then I remember about Christmas being tomorrow so I call my boss hoping that he is still awake. On the fourth ring my boss picks up and said "Hello," in a slightly annoyed tone. I cringe thinking that I did woke him up from his sleep but he told me he was just reading the newspaper when I called. "About tomorrow, can my parents and I celebrate Christmas Eve at your house or if you don't want we can celebrate at my house," I rush through the words.

"No it's fine. Ask your parents to come celebrate at my house since it is big enough to accommodate everyone," he said in a stern voice. "Yes sir," I answer meekly, and as soon as I finish speaking, he bid me goodnight and end the call. I breathe a sigh of relief then I call my parents to tell them of the plans tomorrow.

My mother is excited to spend Christmas with her grandchild for the first time and told me that she will be there at 5:00pm sharp, then end the call mumbling about what to bring tomorrow. I chuckle a little and shook my head. My mother is very into all these holidays as it is her chance to bring all the families together. That thought made sad as I would never be able to celebrate another holiday with Sapphire again. It will feel like something is missing whenever there is a holiday.

I shook the depressing thoughts out of my head as I'm sure Sapphire would not have want for us to be sad about her and to enjoy life. So with that thought I close my eyes and force myself to sleep.

The next morning I am woken up from my sleep by the annoying alarm on my iPhone. I blindly search for the phone and swipe the screen to the right to switch the alarm off and go back to sleep. After the fifth alarm ring is when I wake up fully, stretching myself before getting off the bed and trudge to the bathroom to get ready for today.

Once I finish showing I brush my teeth then blow-dry my hair before walking to my closet to pick out my outfit for the day. I decided to wear a greyish blue sweater with a tight black leggings. Then after I finish getting dress I spray deodorant and some perfume before leaving the room to make myself some breakfast or brunch seeing as it is already 12:45pm.

By the time I finish my breakfast it's already 1:20pm so I quickly got out of the house to buy the presents for everyone at the mall. I usually don't buy last minute gifts but this time I completely forgot so I have to make do with the time that I have and find suitable gifts for everyone.

By 4:30pm I manage to find everybody's gifts except for my boss as I am not sure what should I get him that he does not already have. Also I'm confused on whether I should get him a Christmas gift or not. In the end I decided to just get him this black with gold strips. Satisfied that I got everyone's gift, I made my way out of the mall and walk to my car.

After I arrive at the car, I open the car before putting all the gifts I just bought for everyone at the backseat. Then I quickly drive to my boss's house as it is already 5:15 and I'm sure my parents are already there helping with the decorating. I hope my mother doesn't go over board and rearrange the whole house as she tends to want everything to be perfect especially since this is her first Christmas with the grandchild she always wanted.

I reach the house within 30 minutes since I drove as fast as I can without getting caught by the police. The gate automatically opens when I show my face at the security camera, then I drive until I reach the parking spot beside my parent's car. I wonder what kind of havoc my mother is causing since she has been here for about an hour or so.

I switch off the engine once I park the car then open the door to get out and retrieve all the wrapped gifts at the backseat. Making sure I have everything I close the door and lock the car before making my way to the front door. By the time I reach the front door it is already open and the maid who's name is Samantha greets me. She welcomes me and help carry half of the gifts into the house. I thank her before making my way to the living room.

The living room got a make over. I am shock that my boss lets my mother decorate the whole living room. The once neat and no decoration living room is turn into the typical Christmas holiday decorations. Dominating the left side of the living room is a big decorative Christmas tree with loads of wrapped gifts underneath it. On top of the tree is the big glowing star.

Along the wall there is pictures and strings, bells and other Christmas decorations that my mother somehow found. This living room feels homey now than it was before my mother decorate it. I am brought out of my inspection of the room when I felt a tiny body crash onto my legs while giggling. I look down and it's the cutest toddler I have ever seen.

"What are you giggling about," I ask him after I lift him into my arms. "Monster," he giggles and I see my father come into the living room acting like he is smelling for food. I smiled at that as he use to do that to me and Sapphire when we were little. It's good to see him back to his usual self and not making himself feel guilty for driving her away all those years ago.

I am brought out of my thoughts when I felt Dante is lifted from my arms and I hear Dante burst into laughter. I look and see that my dad is pretending to eat Dante while tickling him. I laugh as well as Dante's laughter is contagious and makes everyone who hears it want to laugh with him.

As I stare at little Dante laughing in my father's arm, I look t his clothing, he is wearing a very cute green elf costume with a cute little sharp, small pointy fake ears on his head. He is hands down the most cutest and adorable toddler I have ever had the pleasure to see in my life.

"Hi dad," I greet my father, still chuckling. He stops pretending to eat Dante and looks at me greeting me back with a familiar twinkle in his eyes. After a few minutes of catching up with my father I hear my mother calling everyone to the dining room as the dinner is finish. Since I am hungry I quickly made my way to the dining room for dinner.

I have to say that I thought it would be weird having dinner with my family and my boss but it went smoothly. There wasn't a time when there is awkward silence as there is always someone saying something and we laugh whenever Dante would something funny. He must have like the attention as whenever we laugh he would smile so wide.

Then after dinner is done my mother and I went to clear out the dishes when my boss told us to leave it and let the maids clean it. My mother wanted to argue but Dante is impatiently asking to open presents so she let it go and let my father lead her to the living room. We all file into the living room and sit down on the couch. I pick the couch that is farthest from where my boss is sitting. As it will be very weird if I sat next to my boss.

Once everyone is settle Dante runs to the tree and grabs all the gifts that is under the tree into the middle of the room in front of the fireplace. We all chuckle at his antics and let him scramble the gifts until he finds one that has his name on it. He gave a triumphant cry when he found a big rectangular box wrapped with red paper with a bow on top.

He shreds the wrapping paper and reveal a fancy remote control sports car. He squeals and run to his father to give him a big hug. Dante thanked his father for the gift before running back to the pile of gifts in the middle of the floor. The next gift he found is mine and he again shreds the wrapping paper before he squeals again. He shows everyone the very cute and soft teddy bear that I got him.

He hugs it tightly before running towards me to give me a hug and a kiss to my cheeks. In return I kiss both his cheeks and whispers "I love you." He smiles and whispers back "I love you too aunty." My eyes went a little misty hearing that and hug him one more time before letting him go so that he can open the rest of his presents.

So the rest of the night is spend with opening gifts and having a good laugh at the gag gifts that we got. This has been a wonderful Christmas Eve and I know that Sapphire is watching from above smiling at us.