“What did he say, Emma?” my mother asked as she stood there, watching me closely.
Grams looked at me and smiled. “Watch her closely and the shot should work here pretty quick. Keep her calm, and that will help her breathing return to normal.”
Everyone stood there and stared at me for a few minutes. I wanted to laugh, but then I caught a glimpse of my mother’s shirt.
“Mom…” I whispered.
“Yes, baby. I’m here.”
“Please go shower. That is so gross, knowing my puke is on you.”
Luke made a gagging noise. “Oh God!” He quickly ran by and went into the bathroom.
Colt busted out laughing, and so did my dad.
Daddy turned to my mother. “Ells, baby, go take a shower. She’s already breathing better. Grams, will you get some ice? It looks like she’s been stung three times, and that’s it.”
I looked at my father. “That’s it? Like three times wasn’t enough?”
“I know, baby. Let’s get you some ibuprofen, and I think once you lie down for a bit, you’ll feel better.”
I nodded my head and glanced over to Colt. He had been so worried, but now, the little bastard was laughing his ass off.
“Colt, get out of here, you ass!” I barely shouted.
He held up his hands and made his way into the kitchen.
An hour later, after my parents had made sure I wasn’t going to stop breathing, I made my way upstairs to my room with my mom following behind me.
Some Christmas this is turning out to be.
“Don’t let me sleep for long. I want to be up when everyone starts getting here,” I said.
My mother helped me get comfortable enough to rest, and then she put the ice under my ass and leg.
I shook my head. “I can’t believe it. My ass. Why my ass?”
My mother giggled, but then she quickly stopped when I shot her a dirty look.
“I’ll wake you up in a bit, Alex. Just rest.”
As I lay there in bed, I tried to relax, but all I could think of was the pain. I was almost positive the pain in my heart outweighed the pain in my ass. I giggled at my thoughts. I closed my eyes and pictured Will. I made myself believe that when I woke up, he would be here just in time for Christmas. I opened my eyes and felt my tears running down my face.
Worst. Christmas. Ever.
I opened my eyes and stretched at the same time. I reached behind me and felt the cold bag of water. I pulled it away and sat up. At least my ass wasn’t in so much pain. I stood up and walked to the mirror. My face looked normal, except for the dried streaks on my cheeks from where I’d cried myself to sleep. I walked into my bathroom and splashed my face with water.
That was when I heard Libby yell out something.
I walked back into my room and looke
d at the clock on my nightstand next to my bed.
“Damn it, Mom! I didn’t want to miss everyone getting here,” I said to myself.
I started making my way down the steps, and I could hear everyone going on and on about something. I rounded the landing, and Grace was about to start running up the stairs.
“Hey, Merry Christmas,” I said with a smile.