Coldest Christmas Ever

Coldest Christmas Ever
Logan


The days after Mrs. Patterson's surgery were hard for everyone. I talked to mom daily, making sure she kept me updated on the situation.

Apparently, dad was not going to back down on his lawsuit against mom. The only way that he would undo the whole case was if mom agreed to go back with him, which I don't blame mom for telling him off.

Derreck's office was not so far from the hospital, so I met up with him every chance I got to talk to him. It looks like mom may be able to win the case since dad had neglected to pay child support for us, and has not seen Ashley for over a year. She also had the upper hand since Steven and I had already witnessed them being lovey-dovey during the summer cruise.

He has no idea I have videos of him being a little too friendly with her. But that is a surprise I'm willing to wait until it's time for the court date.

Sophie has had it really hard. Her mom is agonizing because of all the radiation her body is receiving post-surgery. She rarely moves from her mom's side.

The thing that bothers me most is that stupid doctor. he seems to like pissing me off, being all friendly to Sophie, especially when I'm around.

I wanted to make them feel special today since it's Christmas eve and have Aaron and Jason go out for a little to ease their minds from all the tension in the air.

"Hey, how are my two favorite girls in the world this morning?" I asked as I knocked lightly on the door and went inside. Mrs. Patterson and Sophie turned towards me. Mrs. P sat up with Sophie's help as I went inside. I rushed over to help Mrs. P while Sophie fixed her pillows.

"Hi, Logan. How are you, sweety?" Mrs. P asked while Sophie smiled at me.

"I'm great. Not as great as you Mrs. P, you look beautiful this morning. The color in your cheeks is coming back," I said smiling making her blush. Sophie smiled nodding her head.

"You are such a sweet talker Logan. No wonder my daughter is in love with you." I looked at Sophie feeling warm inside by Mrs. P's revelation. We have been in this hospital for nearly a week and a half. Mrs. P has three more days to go before she is allowed to transfer back to Tennessee. Once home, she will have to follow up on her radiation and chemo for the remaining time.

"Mom, why don't I get you a cup of water, will you like that? I, uh, I'll be right back. ok?" Sophie said moving quickly towards the door.

Mrs. P and I smiled as she frantically walked past us. "Hi, daddy. Hi boys." She said quickly, moving past her brothers and her dad as they entered the room with flowers and a teddy bear for Mrs. P. "Hi, sugar bear. Where are outgoing?" Mr. Patterson asked without getting a response from Sophie as she continued to walk past them.

Mr. P turned back to us bewildered by Sophie's abrupt leave from the room.

Mr. P nods, gesturing to me to follow her. I glanced at the boys and Mrs. P who nod in unison. I quietly move past them, pursing my lips, and run out of the room once I pass MR. Patterson.

I walk towards the vending machine where Sophie likes to grab her now favorite chocolate chip cookies. She stands quietly against the machine with her arms behind her back, her head against the machine with her eyes closed.

"Sophie?" I call out to her quietly, startling her and making her jump in place. She quickly away, wiping her tears.

"H- Hi, Logan." She answers making my heartache. Though she has been trying her best to stay strong and put a brave face in front of her mom, I've noticed that she still struggles to hold back her tears now and then; hints- the reason why she sometimes leaves the room with an excuse to use the restroom or grab something from the vending machines to come and cry quietly where no one else can see her.

I sigh walking towards her, pulling her against me, and holding her tight. "Logan, why are you still here? I thought you would have left long ago when I told you that we needed a break. You are making me regret taking this break you know that?" She says through her tears as her hands trail around my waist.

"I told you, I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying by your side no matter what happens to us. I'm still your friend Sophie, and friends have to be there for each other. Now, come on, no more crying ok? I'm not going anywhere. so, get used to it." I said, taking her face in my hands and making her look into my eyes. I slowly wipe her tears away and kiss her on her forehead, pulling her against my chest again.

"Oh, I forgot. Come with me." I say pulling away from her and taking her hand to lead her to the sitting area.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Troy's number to face time with them.

The air was still pretty dense after the whole thing blew off. Sophie was pretty mad at all of us, and with good reason. She went off on us the first time we made a group call. But, of course, Sophie being Sophie, she forgave us after a while.

I had a big surprise for her this Christmas, but it would have to wait until tomorrow morning for her to see it.

"What? where are we going?" She asked making me smile and wink at her as I turned back to see her. "We're just taking a seat right here. oh, and, there are a few people that wanted to say hi to you this morning." I said putting up my volume and placing the phone in front of both of us.

I place my arm around her and kiss her temple, pulling her close to me.

"Hello, hello, happy Christmas eve my darlings!" Troy and Dylan say together as they come into view wearing matching Christmas sweaters. A big smile forms on Sophie's face as she wipes away a stray tear.

"Hi, guys. Happy Christmas eve. Any plans for tonight for you guys?" She asks making them chuckle. "Of course," they answer mischievously as Dylan pulls Troy and kisses him on his head.

"So, what are the plans?" Sophie asks. The phone notifies of someone trying to join the call since we were using the zoom app to meet up and talk. Soon after, Lexie joins the call, as well as Steven and Sam.

We all start joking around and saying random shit to make Sophie smile. It came to a point the doctor came by with an irritated expression asking us to keep it down.

We decided on going outside to continue with the call so we wouldn't bother anyone. I'm not sure how long we were there talking to our friends, but I was glad we met regularly to lift her spirit. Sophie always smiled and laughed when she was with us at that meet. Even on the days I spent working with Derreck on mom's case, I never missed the video chat with our friends to make her feel better.

"It's so good to see you guys. I can't wait for us to be home again. Thank you so much for this. I really needed to hear you guys. It always makes me forget everything that is going on. . . . at least just for a little. " She says, as she looks away, and closes her eyes. Tears roll down her cheeks to hide from her friends.

" Oh, baby girl. We are all here for you Sophie. We'll see each other soon, I promise. Please, don't cry baby girl?" Troy says as he chokes up as well and tears roll down his eyes.

Everyone goes silent. I put my arm around her shoulders and pull her against me slowly. She lays her head on my shoulder while everyone stays silent for a bit.

" Hey, Soph. why don't we make plans? This Spring break, we all should get together and go to your parent's house in Quintana Roo, what do you guys say? There's this beach close by, with killer waves. I hear Logan is an awesome surfer, maybe you can teach Sophie how to surf Logan? Doesn't that sound nice honey?" Lexie suggests making everyone rattle up in excitement.

"I, um, I don't know. Mom will probably need me, I'll think about it, ok?"

"Nonsense. That sounds like a perfect idea." MR. P says startling Sophie and me, turning to our back and seeing him standing by the doorway to the outside sitting area.

It was fairly cold outside, and lightly snowing, but we didn't care. "Dad, no. it doesn't. Mom needs me, I-"

"It sounds like a perfect idea. You have always wanted to learn surfing, and Logan can teach you. RIght, Logan?"

"Umm, of course, I'd love to teach her," I answer feeling awkward.

"Then, it's settled. I will call Armando, our house agent to make sure the place is clean and ready for you guys to arrive there in the spring," he says with a smile on his face.

"Dad, can we talk about this?" Sophie says standing on her feet. She looked a bit irritated, making me feel unease. I knew that look awful too well, I hate making her mad or making her feel pressured. It wasn't pretty. Never cross a pissed-off woman.

"Sweetheart, I think it's a great idea. You need to have fun and get your mind off of all the pressure we have dealt with lately. Mom will be just fine sweetheart, she has your brothers and me to look after. besides, since we will soon be home again, Mrs. Michaelson will also be available and your aunt Kelly as well. Your aunt will not mind one bit to help out, you know that. There is nothing to worry about baby. Ok?" He says making her groan in irritation.

"So, it's settled. You guys are free to go to our house for spring break. I trust that all of you are mature and will be responsible?" He asks, glancing at the screen on my phone.

"Yes. yes sir." they all answer in unison making him chuckle.




Sophie

(Ten P.M.- New York City)


My brothers played around as we walked through one of the streets of New York City.

It was lightly snowing, but it was pleasant nonetheless.

Logan had talked me in to go walking for a bit while mom and dad rested after a long day of radiation.

Mom was my wonder woman.

I don't think I would have been able to survive all that she has these past few months. I have attained a much greater even of respect for mom and dad.

The love they have for each other is worthy of admiration. One that I hope one day I will be able to find as well.

"What are you thinking of?" Logan's voice brought me out of my trance.

A part of me wanted to feel the joy and happiness of the holiday spirit. But, a big part of me was bitter and angry.

This is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, yet here we are, spending almost all our day and night in a hospital.

"I, umm, nothing. It's just. . . a little cold, you know?" I answered with a half-smile.

He sighs and turns towards me, pulling me in for a hug and kissing the top of my head.

"Sophie, I know it's hard. But your mom is doing so much better. Don't worry about it ok?' He closes the gap between us, rubbing his nose against mine in a feather-like motion.

It'd be a lie if I said he didn't give me butterflies in my stomach anymore.

He still makes my knees feel weak, I still blush when he looks at me, and I constantly have to fight the urge to kiss him. He's perfect, I know that.

And, the past few days- he's proved to me that he's trying real hard to make things work.

I laugh a little at how jealous he gets around mom's doctor. Though by the way- is married to a really nice physician named Amelia. But- Logan doesn't know that, so I get a kick out of seeing him jealous.

" I guess you're right. Logan?" I say slowly making him lock eyes with me.

"Yeah."

"Thank you. For being here for me, for all the support, and for making me laugh when you know all I feel inside is the urge to cry. For wiping my tears, and telling me things will be ok."

"Sophie, I told you, I'd do anything for you." He whispers, holding me closer.

"I know you will. That's what I don't understand. You could have stayed back home, and enjoyed your winter break. Stayed to hang out with your friends, your mom, and Ashley miss you. I'm sure you're missing them. Yet you came here to spend a sad Christmas with us. Not once have I heard that you complain to me about being tired or telling me that you'd rather go do something else. You have been going back and forth from the hospital to Derreck's office helping your mom's case."

"Soph, it's the least I can do. You, your mom, my mom, . . . and Ash, are the most important people in my life. I would do anything for you guys."

I smiled and leaned my head against his chest unwilling to part from him.

"Hey, love birds, come on, I want to go ice skating," Aaron calls out throwing a snowball at us, hitting Logan and me right in the middle.

I gasped at the feel of the cold snow on my neck and cheek. Logan chuckled, breaking our hug and grabbing a big handful of snow, throwing it at Aaron.

"Oh, you're dead Aaron!" He calls out making Aaron laugh.

Before we knew it, I got caught in the middle of a snowball fight between the three of them. For the first time in so long, my little brother Jason was smiling and having fun.

And I had one person to thank for that- Logan Spencer, my once fellow prankster, and now, the man I was madly in love with.


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