Our First Christmas (Penalty Kill 1.50)

“No, it’s not that, Smarty. I just don’t want to leave him alone.”

“Levi,” I rub his back. “He’ll be fine. We’ll stay in town and only be a few minutes away. Okay?”

He thinks about it for a few minutes, then finally nods.

After saying bye to Victor, we jump into the SUV and head towards town. Levi still looks sad and this isn’t how I planned our day together at all.

“Hey, why don’t we just drive around a bit and then head back?” I suggest. “This way we would’ve hung out and that will make your dad happy. Plus, we won’t be that far away from him and can go back.”

Levi takes a deep breath, slams on the breaks, and pulls onto the side of the road. He puts the car in park and looks over at me. I think he’s mad, but then I see his eyes are sad.

“I’m sorry, Smarty.”

“For what?”

“I’m just…sorry. Look, let’s have a great day together, okay? I think we both need it.” He leans over and kisses me. When he pulls away from me, he has that amazing smile that I love, plastered on his face. He puts the SUV into drive and we head off.

Our first stop is a shopping center in the middle of town. I’m still undecided on what to get Levi and Victor for Christmas and I’m thankful that we’re going shopping. Levi holds my hand the whole time and I can’t help but smile. I love spending time with Victor, but I want some alone time with Levi too.

“Hey, I’m going to head over to the sporting goods store.” We had been shopping for over an hour and I was looking for the perfect gift for Levi.

“Um, okay.” He turns and heads that way.

“No, I want to go by myself. I need to get a gift…for Trevor,” I stammer.

“And I can’t come? I thought this was a day about us being together.” He looks at me with a confused expression.

“Levi, please.” I pout slightly because I know that he can’t say no to it.

“Fine,” he huffs. “I’ll run over to the drug store real fast and we will meet back here.”

I give him a quick peck on the cheek and head across the street. I walk through the whole store to see what would be perfect for Levi. Then I find it. It’s behind the counter in a glass case.

“May help you?” the man behind the counter asks.

“I want to purchase that.” I point to the Sidney Cro

sby edition hockey stick. It’s larger than a hockey stick, and it has Sidney’s face on it, along with his accomplishments on the shaft. I know Levi will love it.

“Will this be a Christmas gift?”

“Yes, could you wrap it?”

The associate nods and takes it down. I pay for it and I’m very thankful he put it in a box so you can’t tell what it is. I also grab a gift card for Victor, because I know he needs some new hunting gear.

Levi is leaning against the SUV, waiting for me. I put the stick in the back and when Levi asks me what it is, I just say it’s something Trevor wants.

“Where to next?” I ask.

“Let’s just drive and see where it takes us?”

I nod, because I like that idea. Levi heads out onto the street. As he drives, I look out the window and see what a beautiful town this is. It makes me think of when I visited the first time when Trevor and Dad lived here. It seems like a lifetime ago and I can’t believe how far I’ve come. I’m in college and in love, and even though it’s not the same as being with my family during the holidays, I feel as home here with Levi.

“What are you thinking about, Smarty?” Levi squeezes my thigh.

“Actually, I’m thinking how happy I am right now.”

Levi smiles and I can’t help the butterflies I feel from being with him.