Array
(
[text] =>

A/N: Happy Holiday to all! Happy Christmas!

Chapter 26: Christmas Special

Daniel's P.O.V

Time flies really fast, at least in my own opinion. It feels like as if it was just yesterday when I made a deal with Alex to spend my whole life with an "angel". And at the same day at the same time when a guy named Angelo walked in (more like FELL literally from sky or should I say elevator).

It feels like as if it was just yesterday when I showcased my singing talent to the whole apartment building of Angelo just to impress the guy. It feels like as if it was just yesterday when I chose to love a guy like me more than my life and to make an oath to protect and cherish him all my life together with my son- our son. As if it was just yesterday when I fought for his love when his father tried to disapproved my feelings for him, or rather my social status.

Each and every day from the past was worthy to repeat over and over again in my memory because it was the only thing I could have if everything comes to an end. Faces change, people die, everyone will say good bye, but the memory remains.

Time flies really fast. My relationship with Angelo was now in three months and still counting. The longest relationship I've ever had. And I planned to keep it that way. He will be my longest and my last.

It was Christmas Eve later tonight and though the temperature was hitting 40 degrees every day, people were still keen and dynamic to celebrate the special holiday of the year. We Aussies don't have white Christmas at all, all we have during Christmas was sun, sun, and oh, did I mention SUN?

Actually, heat waves started early in mid- October this year. I remember how sweaty our little Jared was when he went trick or treating with his Papa Angelo wearing his Minion costume, while his Papa was wearing a Power Ranger Red costume. Though the temperature was pretty high even at night, Angelo and Jared's excitement about Halloween won over the crazy heat even if it means suffocation. It turns out that my boyfriend Angelo hasn't experienced to trick or treat during the Halloween, that's why when he mentioned it to us, we decided to let him give it a try. YOLO for my boyfriend and tooth decay and tooth ache for our son. LIFE IS HAPPY. YOLO!

It's one day before Christmas, Angelo, Jared and I decided to visit the WB Movieworld. Angelo and Jared wanted to see a snow, unfortunately it was summer season, and so I surprised them with a ticket to Movieworld's White Christmas. The program wouldn't start until 6 o'clock in the evening, but we decided to spend the whole day enjoying the amusement park since we have an unlimited pass to be used for a year.

Everything started alright until Jared decided to get lost in the massive theme park with thousands of people walking around.

It started when Angelo went to buy an ice-cream. Jared stayed with me while waiting in the line to claim the photo we had with Bugs Bunny, Batman, Green Lantern, Tweety Bird, and Wonder Woman. There were lots of WB character and the three of us didn't waste any time to have photos with them.

While I was on the line, a lady with a blonde hair, greenish eyes, wearing a skinny jeans and a tank top started to ask me some random questions about the theme park. She said she was not from local and doesn't have any idea where to go next. Since she looked nice and pretty, I acted as gentleman as I really was. Though I wasn't sure if what I was telling her was correct, she still seemed to believe it and simultaneously responded with an encouraging nod. Our little chat went from the theme park's rides and shows until we ended up in our hobbies as the line went on.

While in the middle of her telling me about how she likes extreme adventure, she suddenly brushed her hands in my chest to my arms. I felt a shiver run through my spine, not from pleasure but because I felt eyes boring holes in my back.

"So, what do you say we get out of here." The woman said, while brushing her hand on my chest.

I awkwardly stepped back from her before I bumped on a person in my back, and in an instant I knew who that person was because of the familiar rose scent. I didn't dare to look back though.

"Back off bitch! He is mine." Angelo's voice boomed from my back, each word spits venom. I winced and tried to flash an awkward smile to the girl in front of me. Her reaction was a mixture of shocked and confused.

The lady quirked her eyebrow. "Excuse me?" she put her hands on her hips. And then the blood on her face suddenly drained out. I knew exactly what happened next.

"If you touch what's mine again, I swear I'll hunt you down." Angelo said, while walking towards the pale face lady.

I hugged him from behind, sniffed his neck and kissed it. He sighed and turned to face me. His eyes were black as night, as I expected how the way it was. It sure was triggered by his emotion and I was sure that it was jealousy. "I like it when you're jealous." I whispered in his ear.

I could feel some strange stares towards us from the people in the booth but most of them were "awwwing" at us.

"I'm not jealous. I'm territorial. Jealous is when you want something that is not yours, territorial is protecting what is yours." He explained. His eyes were back to normal.

I also noticed that the had girl disappeared. I wondered if she was swallowed by her own shadow or disintegrated into dust.  Either way, I don't care at all.

I buried my face back in Angelo's neck to savor his intoxicating scent. "Daniel..."

My face was still on his neck. "Hmmm?"

"Where is our son?"

I froze like a statue.

"Daniel! Jared is not here!" Angelo's voice was worried. That was just the time when I came back to my senses.

Jared is missing. He was just standing beside me before the bitchy lady started talking to me. It was my fault. Where did the boy gone to?

"Okay.okay. Don't freak out." But I was starting to freak out myself. "Let's separate and find him. I'm sure he's just around here somewhere." I calmed Angelo before the both of us exited the photo booth.

Angelo agreed to take the other left direction where the mascots danced around while I took the right direction where the rides were in. I told him to give me a call when he found Jared and tell me where they are. He nodded and rashly went away to the sea of people.

I fished out my phone to get Jared's photo and to show it to people around if they have seen him by any chance. Unfortunately, the odds were never in my favour that day. The stupid phone decided to die on me. I thought I charged it full night last night, but as it turned out I might not had switched on the electric plug of the power outlet. I cursed myself. I started to walk around hoping to find Jared.

Angelo's P.O.V

I couldn't believe Daniel got distracted by the stupid flirty girl and forgot that he has a hyper active son on his watch. My heart was beating fast as I walked through the crowd of people, quietly praying that our little Jared was alright.

I wasn't angry at Daniel because I know he would never flirt just with somebody else. However, I was upset about him being irresponsible in watching Jared. I know the kid couldn't stay in one place for a very short time, but he was the father and he should watch over the kid, perhaps entertain him with funny jokes or toys.

TOYS.

Why didn't I think about it? I've been to where the mascots were dancing but the boy wasn't there. Then I remembered him telling me that he'd like to get a stuff toy of Bugs Bunny and Scooby-doo. I quickly stirred to the souvenir shop where they usually sell items like the stuff toys.

I entered the shop as soon as I got there and asked one of the staff if she had seen a kid. I described what Jared looks like- blonde hair, blue eyes and pinky cheeks. She thought about it for a second then she remembered that he had been there. In fact, the boy wanted to buy the stuff toy but when he got into the checkout, the checkout boy told him that he needs money to buy it. The guy on the checkout asked where his parents where, Jared told the guy that his daddy was talking to someone outside. The checkout guy then told him to bring his daddy and buy the stuff toy. The staff told me that Jared exited the shop with a gloomy face and in the verge of tears.

I thanked the staffs and quickly went over outside to find him. I tried the ice cream shop but he wasn't there, if he was, he doesn't have money to buy stuffs he likes. What if he was hungry, or thirsty? What if someone took him? I was starting to panicked when a familiar tiny voice called me from somewhere.

"Papa!" Jared's voice echoed through the crowd. He was been carried by a man wearing Batman costume, Wonder Woman trailing behind them.

"Jared. Thank goodness." I quickly ran towards them and took Jared in a tight embrace. "Don't do that again, okay. Daddy and I were so worried." I whispered on his ear while hugging him.

"Sorry Papa." He answered. "I saw Batman and I followed him. Then I saw stuff toys, but the guy said I need money to get it. So I walked back to Daddy but I don't know which way it was. Then I saw Batman again. He helped me find you."

I turned to Batman guy and Wonder Woman and  thanked them. They left us right after they said goodbye to Jared and walked around the park for the kids who wanted to get a photo.

Jared and I went back to the souvenir shop and bought the stuff toys he wanted. After a while, I sent Daniel a text message saying I already found Jared and to meet us at the fountain in front of the park. After a couple minutes of no reply from Daniel, Jared and I started to walk towards the fountain, his stuff toys on his hands and smiling and waving to people walking by. I really love this kid.

Daniel's P.O.V

I didn't stop swearing myself from being irresponsible and stupid at the same time. How could I let my son gone from my sight and got distracted knowing that he was a hyper active kid. I swear if something happened to him, I wouldn't forgive myself.

I started searching for him by asking stranger by passers if they've seen my son. I tried describing him to them but to no luck at all. I searched the entire section of rides and even the rides itself. I searched the Roller Coaster, the Car Drifting show and the 3D show, but no Jared at all.

I've been searching for about an hour now. My heart pounded hard on my chest and I was getting worried in every minute that passed. I couldn't even call or text Angelo because my phone's battery was dead. It wasn't a good day for me.

After a while of circling back to the section, I decided to go towards the direction Angelo took. When I came to the fountain, I heard Jared's voice shouting. "Daddy! Daddy! Look here!"

My face snapped towards the voice's direction to see Jared on Angelo's arms. I ran towards them and gently took Jared from Angelo. I hugged him so tightly and kissed his temple several time. "I'm so worried buddy. Do not let go of me again, okay?" I said.

"I'm sorry daddy. Papa found me."

I looked at Angelo and held my hands to him. "Thank you." I pulled him gently to me while Jared on my other hand. I kissed his forehead and he hugged me in response.

"We've been waiting for you here for half an hour. I sent you a message like 50 times." He said.

"My phone died. Sorry." I brought Jared down and fished out something from my bag. "Here, I bought this while I was looking for the little muffin here." I said, showing them what I got. "Jared, come here."

I put on the monkey strap I bought over Jared's back like a backpack. The monkey's tail was long and it was tied on my hand like a leash. So whenever Jared goes, he's not gonna get lost again. I actually found it funny the way how Jared tried to chase the monkey's tail. On the other hand, Angelo thought it was stupid and said that if I wasn't got distracted over some random girl, Jared would never have gotten lost.

I didn't try to argue with him anymore because deep inside, I know he was right. But I did the natural thing a good boyfriend would do if his partner is upset; I silenced him with a kiss of passion and love. The people around us stopped and clapped their hands while others were taking pictures of us. Jared was grinning wide at us saying 'Yay! Daddy and Papa kissing!'

After the sweet moment we had, Angelo bought an ice-cream again, but this time we all went together. He told me that he'd already asked Sebastian to pick up our photos in the photo booth. It was actually creepy and cool the way how his butler conceals his presence and reveals himself only to Angelo.

When we finished eating our ice-cream on the seat near the ice-cream shop, Angelo went to toilet to freshen up. While we were waiting for Angelo, something, more like someone caught Jared's attention.

"Uncle Alex!" Jared called out over to Alex and Dianne. The couple was taking photos together with Superman. Their head snapped towards our direction while Jared was waving his hands like there was no tomorrow.

Alex and Dianne walked over to us. Dianne gave Jared a kissed and the boy hug her in response while Alex gave me our special hand shake and gave Jared a messy patting on the head. We catch up a bit before the loud sound of siren from the speakers around us boomed.

"What is that?" I asked confused.

"It's the parade." Alex said, looking at a map. "It's says here that it's gonna start now and the float will be here soon...there!" he pointed at the float with mascots riding on it. Around it were staffs wearing sexy and colourful outfit while dancing to the music. What surprised me was a massive wave of people sweeping the entire way of crowd who wish to follow the parade.

I quickly carried Jared in my arms as the wave of people came sweeping over us.

"Let's go!" Alex shouted over the noise, Dianne was clinging on his arms.

"Angelo!" I answered back but I think he didn't hear me. The crowd went off and we got swept by it. The next thing I knew was that we were on the other side of the park, Jared was giggling on my arms while the crowd started to dissipate once again. Fortunately, Alex and Dianne was still in good piece.

"What was that you were saying before we got swept?" Alex asked me. Then  I quickly remembered my mate.

"Oh shoot! Angelo!" I freaked out. "We need to find him."

We separated to find Angelo. Alex and Dianne took the side where we ended up while Jared and I went back to the toilet. Dianne lent me her mobile phone so she and Alex could contact me whenever they found my boyfriend.

We didn't find Angelo. He was nowhere to be found. We've searched for the shops and rides but we didn't find him. I tried calling him but his answering machine was the only thing that answers. I was starting to get worried.

First, Jared got lost. Then I hate to admit it but I myself got lost too. And now, Angelo was nowhere to be found.

After an hour of searching, Dianne's phone rang in my hand. I saw Angelo's name on the screen and quickly pressed the answer key. "Angelo, where have you been? I'm so worried that...."

"Sir, this is Sebastian. My master is lying down here beside me, taking a rest." Sebastian cut me off from the other line.

"Sebastian? What happened to Angelo?" I asked. Alex and Dianne looked worried. Jared was still Jared.

"He's fine now sir." I heaved a sigh of relief. "We're in the lawn in front of Superman Escape."

I whispered to Alex and Dianne that Angelo was alright. "Okay, we're on our way there."

I told the couple what Sebastian told me and we quickly trotted to the place Sebastian told us.

When we got there, I saw Sebastian giving Angelo a sip of water. I quickly ran towards him and checked on him.

"I'm going now master." Sebastian told Angelo. Angelo nodded in reply and whispered a soft thanks. The butler then walked away and disappeared in the crowd of people.

I leaned Angelo on my shoulder. "What happened to you?" I looked at his pale face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He heaved a deep sigh. "No more roller coasters." He said.

I quirked my eyebrow. "What are you saying? Are you drunk?"

He playfully slapped my chest. "No silly. I was swept by the crowd of people then got stumbled on Superman Escape. I thought it was the way out and I followed the line. I didn't know it was the way to the ride. And there I was strapped on the roller coaster." He explained. "I think I'm gonna be sick again thinking about it."

I tried not to laugh. "Here, take a sip." I told myself not to laugh.

Alex's laughed boomed behind me. He was holding his stomach as he slowly seated and rolled on the grass, laughing. His girlfriend was shaking her head while Jared was holding her hand, laughing at his godfather.

"Hi Angelo. Sorry for my bogan boyfriend here." She waved over Angelo.

After a while, Alex calmed down and said sorry to Angelo for laughing. Then he laughed again.

We decided to take a rest on the lawn for the rest of the time until the White Christmas program started. It was a great time as well to catch up.

6 o'clock came, it was time for the White Christmas. There were elves, Looney Tunes characters in Christmas attire and Santa Claus on Santa Mobile during the parade. On the other side of the park was the massive walk path showering an artificial snow. Angelo and Jared really enjoyed the artificial snow while dancing on the music. We spend the night eating ice Popsicle, taking a lot of photos and dancing to the Christmas music. There were also a group of children singing Christmas carols. Before the program had ended, there was a fireworks display that lighted up the sky. It was a wonderful night.

We went home together with Alex and Dianne. Since Alex's parents were on holiday vacation and Dianne wanted to give her parents a special night on their own, we invited the couple to spend the Christmas Eve in our place.

When we got there, we heard the clattering of plates and cutlers on the kitchen.

"Were home!" I boomed. My mum was talking with someone on the kitchen, and the voice was familiar.

Angelo threw me a knowing look and  we marched in to the kitchen together.

"Mama?" we said in unison.

"Oh dearies. You're back. We've been waiting for you." Maria put down the plates on the table and gave the both of us a kiss in the forehead.

"Mum? When--when did you get here?" Angelo asked his mother.

"Just this morning deary. I called Sonia to surprise you. We've been talking with each other for a long time now." Maria winked at my mum.

Jared then came running to the kitchen and was surprised just as we were when he saw Maria. "Grandma!" he leaped over Maria and clung to her like a koala. Maria gave our little boy a sweet kiss in the cheek. "I have two grandmas right now. This is amazing!" He then gave my mother a kiss.

The couple then entered the kitchen to know what was the commotion about. I introduced them to Maria and then we started preparing the dinner.

We left the girls in the kitchen while we, the guys, settled the table on the dining room.

It would be the very first time that our Christmas Eve would have a very lively night and big crowd in the house. Usually, there were only me, my mum and Jared every Christmas Eve and we don't usually stay up for the night. But when Angelo came into my life, he'd somehow changed the way how my life goes and same with my entire family and friends. My Angelo was indeed an angel and a life changer.

After the dinner, both the matriarchs shooed us to the living room when we insisted that we'd do the dishes.

Dianne and Angelo played Jenga Game together with Jared. It was actually funny how patient both of adults were, whenever Jared destroyed the whole tower with one shot. Meanwhile, Alex and I played COD in my PS3. I remember how Angelo always beat me with the game though he insisted that he doesn't know what was going on. He keep on insisting that he was just pressing random buttons on the joystick. I still don't believe him though.

Angelo's P.O.V

We spend the rest of the night with games, drinks and chatting. Sonia talked about Daniel's embarrassing childhood moments.  One story she told us was when Daniel was 5 years old. Little Daniel was in the bathroom giggling; the time when Sonia found him it was too late. Daniel had shaved his head clean by himself using a hair clipper. When she asked little Daniel what did he think he was doing, little Daniel answered 'I'm combing my hair'. Instead of getting mad, she and Daniel's dad laughed themselves off. The funny thing was little Daniel only did half of his head and he looked like a monk priest for a week.

Poor Daniel's face was pure red in embarrassment while his best friend Alex was rolling on the floor from laughter, especially when Sonia showed us the photo they took during that time. Sonia gave it to me and told me that I can use it to blackmail Daniel whenever he argues with me in the future. I accepted it with all my heart, of course.

Meanwhile, I could sense my mother getting awkward when the topic came about childhood. She might not be the best mother in town, she might not have stories about me when I was a kid, she might not know any embarrassing moments of me to tell to her grandchildren, but to me, she was the most divine and caring mother a child could ask for. After these past few years in Australia, I learned how much sacrifice she gave up for me to grow up as a responsible one. And for that, I admire her a lot.

She excused herself and went to the kitchen. Everyone glanced up at me with a knowing look before I followed my mother.

"Mum?" I called out. Her back was turned from me but I could see her wiping her tears away.

I walked towards her back and hugged her from behind. "What's wrong Mama?"

"I'm so sorry son. I failed as a mother to you. I just realise that I don't even know you completely and I missed a lot of memories from your childhood. I'm a bad mother." She cried, streams of tears flowing from her beautiful eyes.

"Mama." I wiped off her tears. "You didn't fail as a mother. You are my inspiration and I couldn't thank you enough from the sacrifice you have done in my whole life.  Now that I could understand everything, I am actually thankful to have a mother like you by my side. I love you. Always have, always will." She hugged me so tight but it was the best and warm hug of a mother that can give. I loved the feeling more than anything.

After a couple of games and drinks, 12 o'clock hit the clock.

Jared quickly ran to the Christmas tree . He was leaping and giggling from excitement to open his presents. He got one from me, two from Grandma Maria and surprisingly from my dad Nicholas, two from Nana Sonia, two from Uncle Alex and Aunty Dianne and one from his dad. All in all, he got eight presents. He didn't waste any time unwrapping it. I gave him a Leap Frog tablet, Alex and Dianne gave him Nerf guns and a tent, he got a gold necklace with his name written on it from my mother and a watch from my father, Sonia gave him a big teddy bear, and he got a whole collection of Harry Potter book series from Daniel.

Jared thanked us all and gave us his sweetest kiss and hugs.

It was my turn after Jared followed by Daniel, Alex, Dianne, Sonia and lastly my mum. I got 10 gifts; three of them were addressed for me and Daniel. While my boyfriend got 6 presents. I was so glad I got such number of gifts. Never in my life had I received such enormous amount of present on Christmas. Back in the Philippines, we usually celebrate the Christmas Eve with a little bit of foods like grilled chicken from Aunt Carol's pen, a fresh fruit dessert from Aunt Anna's garden and a fresh milk from Aunt Lisa's cow. When 12 midnight hit the clock, we would just pray and thank God for the good year we had and for his blessings. And then we'll eat our prepared foods and we would go to bed after the kisses and greetings.

Right now, it feels like a miracle to have such a big family considering that it happened in just a year, considering that I have been living in Australia for the past 3 long years. I actually miss my family back in the Philippines and it made me feel nostalgic, but at the same time, it feels good to do what I used to do from my previous status of life.

After we unwrapped our presents and thanked everyone, it was time to get a rest.

We gave Daniel's bedroom to my mother, even though she tried to insist that she could sleep in the couch. As if Sonia would let her. Alex and Dianne slept in Jared's room, well after a long oath taking about keeping it rated PG.

When everything was settled, I realised that we were the one who didn't get a space to sleep. Turned out Daniel planned a little surprise for me. He stirred me outside the house to the backyard. I didn't know how he do it but there was a tent in the lawn already built up.

"It's a pretty warm night tonight so I figured we might as well get a fresh air." He said, slowly putting his arms around my shoulder.

"Yeah, right."I faked huff.

He quirked his eyebrow and pouted. "You don't like it?"

"I don't like it." Silence fell. I counted from one to five. ONE...TWO..THREE..FOUR...FIVE... "Come on then, let's get us inside." His voice was sad.

He pulled my arms gently back to the house but I stopped on my tracks. "I don't like it. I LOVE IT!" I told him, leaping to him in the process. "This is the best Christmas Eve ever in my life." I whispered to his ear.

"Then I thought earlier this was really a bad day." He kissed me gently. It was a kissed that triggers everything sensitive inside me. From my eyes to my gut and to my soul. His body heat was warmer than the summer; it burns me outside and inside, and it feels good. I feel contented. "I love you."

"I love you too." I answered between kisses.

"I love you three." He put back his soft lips to mine.

"I love you four..." he raised his eyebrow in question. "Forever..." 

[text_hash] => e6ab7278
)