Chapter 113 A family Christmas!

Chapter 113 A family Christmas!
Chapter 113: A Family Christmas!

Christmas was near, and it would be the first one we would spend together as a family, and our baby's first Christmas.

Decorating the house was our first challenge, so we entrusted the task to Sofia. Dubois said it was too much work for Sofia since the house was very large, but she refused to have the task taken away from her. She promised to ask for help if necessary, and that promise was enough for Dubois.

She happily took on the challenge, saying she was rarely considered for such things, so she was pleased with the task. The first step was to get a Christmas tree, and she wanted to buy a very special one. For this reason, she invited Cristina to go with her, and when they returned, they told us the tree would be delivered the next day, and my little sister had already chosen the place of honor for it.

She also told us the time and day to decorate it since it was a family activity, and we all had to be present, including Alejandro.

The next day, she invited us all again and reminded us through text messages, so at the appointed time, we were all there, even the baby.

She had boxes of decorations, and Dubois was tasked with setting up the tree in a corner of the main living room. Once given the instructions, our Christmas decorator asked Dubois to put up the lights first, and then we all placed the decorations together. Those decorations made mom cry, and I understood why.

Without us knowing, Sofia had gone to our old house and brought back a box of our decorations, the ornaments we had made as children were there, very well preserved, as mom always took special care of them.

There were Christmas cards with my name on them, with words written by dad, wishing us a Merry Christmas and many other ornaments, which were other relics of mom's.

Mom was a specialist in keeping family mementos, and those ornaments were part of our childhood. It was also something we used to do with dad, so I understood what Sofia wanted: to recall that moment she had only heard about from mom and me, as she was very young when dad died.

The lighting of the tree was memorable. We gathered around the tree with Alejandro, counted to three, and the lights came on.

I admit the moment was beautiful and also entertaining, and it had been a long time since we decorated the tree, ever since mom got sick.

Dubois was also happy, as this was an activity he had never done before, and perhaps this was the first time he truly felt part of a family.

We also decorated the house together and bought Christmas plants for the entrance, which were beautifully arranged.

We placed wreaths on the doors, predominantly red and gold, and many Christmas ornaments. We also decorated our individual apartments, including mom's, ours, and Cristina's, but I didn't let her decorate my room or the baby's room.

I don't know where Sofia read that in other countries families bake cookies together, but she got us to bake as a family, filling jars with cookies. Mom, for her part, suggested making a traditional Christmas fruitcake for Christmas Eve dinner, but she didn't accept help from any of us.
Our Christmas Eve dinner was delightful, just us gathered together: Mom, Cristina, Sofía, Dubois, Alejandro, and me.

We set our table with my grandmother's china, and Dubois's crystal goblets and glasses. Sofía got us all Christmas sweaters and Santa hats.

We sang carols and Christmas songs and enjoyed our meal as a family. It was an activity we all loved. It was a magical night filled with joy in our hearts.

On the 25th, we woke up early and, still in our pajamas, went to see the presents under the tree.

There were many for Alejandro, as well as for Sofía, Mom, Cristina, and Dubois. We took turns opening them. Finally, Sofía received the tablet and new cellphone she had been longing for, and a laptop. She couldn't contain her excitement and started shouting.

I looked at Dubois. He had given Sofía the cellphone, the tablet, and the laptop. According to him, they were for her studies. I had already told him that those things only damage young people's minds. I don't want Sofía glued to a cellphone, but I do recognize that it's necessary.

He saw me looking at him and said, "She deserves it."

"Okay, Dubois, but don't give her anything else."

"Yes, my love."

I know it's not true, he won't keep that promise. He spoils Sofía, sees her as his little sister, but she needs limits, or my sister will turn into a zombie with all those gadgets.

As for Mom, she received clothes and a beautiful gold chain, just like Cristina.

I opened my gift and found a pendant representing the Holy Family. I looked at Dubois, and he said softly, "Our first Christmas together."

"Yes, my love," I replied. Dubois's charm gifts for my bracelet have become a tradition. This is another first for us and our baby, our first Christmas together.

We were all happy with our gifts, and when we finished, we went to have breakfast with pancakes and hot chocolate.

"Mom, isn't there anything else?" Sofía asked.

"Don't you like the pancakes, honey?" Mom asked.

"I want a ham and cheese sandwich."

"I'll make it for you, Sofía," I said.

"Thanks, Valeria. My stomach feels a little upset."

"Did you eat too much, honey? Does it hurt a lot?"

"A little, I've been feeling bad since early this morning."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to bother you, Mom."

"Do you want to go to the doctor, Sofía?" Dubois asked. "I can take you. We can also call the doctor, though I'm not sure because of the holiday, but I can try."

"I'd like that," Sofía replied.

"Let me see what I can do."

Dubois got dressed and said, "It's better if I take her to the clinic with your mom. You stay with Cristina and the security staff."

"Go ahead, Dubois, take care of her."

It's been quite a while since they left for the clinic with Sofía. The staff told me that Mr. White, Dubois's uncle, was looking for me. I didn't know what to do, but I made a decision to meet him. I told Cristina to take the baby and have a security staff member stay close to me but out of sight. That man still scares me.

"Good morning, Miss Rivas. Thank you for seeing me!"
"Good morning, Mr. White, and Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas."

"Dubois isn't here, Mr. White."

"I want to talk to you."

"Tell me, what do you need?"

"Michael has supported me a lot during my illness and my financial situation, something I never did for him. I recognize that I haven't been a good uncle to him, and yet, he has treated me very well and taken care of me."

"Dubois is a good and decent man, but you should thank him, not me."

"I haven't seen him again, and I'm embarrassed to talk to him. Besides, I was resting, and I didn't want to call him, even though I know he calls Williams, my son, and asks about my health."

"I repeat, Dubois is a very decent man, concerned about everyone."

"I haven't been a good relative to him, I admit it. I turned my back on him when he needed me most. At that time, I was an arrogant man who only thought about money. That was my mistake, and maybe I've learned to rectify too late."

"It's never too late, Mr. White."

"Now it is. I just came to apologize for my atrocious behavior and to congratulate you on the birth of your child. I understand if you don't want to forgive me, but I'm doing it from the heart."

"For me, there's no problem, Mr. White, don't worry."

"Thank you very much, Miss Rivas. I truly regret all the inconveniences I caused you. I know I shouldn't be in your lives, but I needed to apologize." The door opens, and Dubois enters with Mom and Sofia, so I go to meet them. "Excuse me, Mr. White."

"What are you doing here, Uncle?"

"Hello, Michael. I came to apologize in person to Miss Rivas and to thank her for helping me when I felt unwell here at her house."

"How are you feeling?" Dubois asks.

"Much better, thank you. I won't bother you any longer. I just came to apologize. I know you don't want us in your life, so I have nothing more to do here."

"I'm sorry, Uncle. The past can't be erased just like that. Besides, right now, it's your children I don't want in my life."

"I understand perfectly, and I know why you say that. So, since I've done what I needed to, I'll leave. Thank you for everything, Michael, and forgive me for not taking care of you when you were a child and not giving you the security you needed."

"Good luck, Uncle," he says in farewell.

...

"What happened, Mom? What's wrong with Sofia?"

"Just a stomach upset, it might be viral. She already has a treatment."

"But is it serious? What is it?"

"No, honey, it's not serious. It's just something that didn't sit well with her."

"How are you feeling, little sister?"

"I'm fine, Valeria. I have my treatment, and I'll get better quickly."

"You scared me a lot, Sofia."

"I'm sorry, sister."

"Well, I'll let you rest. I'm going to get the baby. Mom, call me if you need anything."

"Alright, honey. Tell me... What did Dubois' uncle want?"

"To apologize to me."

"So, he really changed. Illness changes people."

"Yes, Mom. Besides, he says Dubois helped him a lot with his health situation and financially despite their differences, and he's sorry for not paying attention to Dubois when he was a child."

"That's unforgivable. He left him adrift. Thank God Dubois wasn't affected by that abandonment."

"Yes, he was, Mom. He has felt alone his entire life. Luckily, there was no permanent psychological or physical damage."
"Mom, listen, I need to tell you something. Dubois bought the shares that my uncle had in the company for double their worth and saved him financially. Also, there's something I haven't told you, Dubois put those shares in my name, according to him to protect me, since the company is his children's inheritance."

"You hadn't told me that."

"I didn't pay attention to it. Dubois practically manages them; I don't know anything about it."

"Well, dear, he must have his reasons for giving you those shares."

"He didn't even ask if I wanted them."

"Well, you said yourself that Dubois does what he wants," Mom smiles.

"It's true, Mom. Anyway, I'm going to check on the baby. Call me if you need anything."

"Alright, sweetheart."

"Should I tell Cristina to come keep you company?"

"No, my love, she's busy. I'll stay here with Sofía."

"Mom, really, it's nothing."

"No, dear, our moment of happiness has come. Nothing bad is happening. You can't get upset every time we feel unwell. You need to change that."

"I know, it's just not easy."

"Go find your child, he must be wanting his food."

"I'll be attentive, Mom. I love you."

"It's strange, isn't it?"

"What, Mom?"

"How our lives have changed? I felt so secure with Dubois by my side in this emergency. I felt that security when your dad was alive."

"Yes, Mom, I feel the same. Having the support of my child's father is invaluable. I feel so secure. Well, see you later, Mom."

...

When I return to the living room, Dubois is sitting on the couch, contemplating the tree. He looks at me and smiles as he senses my presence. I go to him and sit on his lap.

"How's Sofí?"

"She's fine. What exactly did the doctor say?"

"It's something viral in her stomach. With treatment, she'll get better."

"Thank you for being who you are, love, for supporting us. I feel more secure with you by my side."

"I once told you I would be your refuge in both warm times and storms."

"And you have been, love," I tell Dubois.

"I'm the one who came out winning."

"What do you mean?"

"I have Mom Rosalía, I discovered I've always had another mom in Cristina, I have a little sister, and I have my woman and my child. In other words, I have a family and a home."

"I understand."

"If you look at this house, look at this tree, it has decorations Sofí bought, but she brought many family memories. The cards you made, others she made, memories of Mom Rosalía... as my baby grows, he will appreciate these things, and his memories will be different from mine. He will remember the joy of his childhood, he will have traditions because his aunt, mom, and grandmother will show him."

"And his dad?"

"I didn't grow up with traditions, but I'll follow yours and teach him basketball. I've realized that family is support at all times. Having someone also represents a series of traditions to follow, happy memories, and some not so happy."

"You're right, my love."

"Valeria," Cristina's voice calls, and I hear the baby crying, "Oh God, my baby is hungry."

"Let's go," I tell Valeria. She runs to attend to the baby, but I stay for a moment contemplating the tree. "Definitely my best Christmas because I'm with my family."