“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah…oh shoot…I gotta go…I hear Clay yelling downstairs…but you’re coming over for Christmas right?”

“Yeah I’ll be there…”

“Okay…see you then..”

Ashley sighed as she hung up.  She had also spent the past two weeks trying to figure out what exactly to get Spencer for Christmas.  She wanted something that said “I love you” but not in a cheesy Hallmark-y kind of way.  It wasn’t until that phone call that she had the perfect gift.

*********
KNOCK KNOCK

Spencer opened the door to find Ashley standing there loaded down with gifts.  I guess when you have money its easy to make a good impression…although Spencer knew her family liked Ashley enough but still…she was glad Ash made the effort.  She pulled her inside and gave her a quick kiss before helping her with the stuff.

“Playing Santa this year?”

“Well my mom always told me gifts are the easiest and way to spread holiday cheer…”

Spencer laughed as she took Ashley’s hand and led her into the dining area.  Glen and his new girlfriend Stephanie were there along with Clay and Chelsea and even Aiden and Jamie were there.  Arthur was busy in the kitchen carving a huge turkey and he smiled warmly at Ashley when she came in.  Dinner was great and afterwards they all sat around the living room talking and sharing holiday horror stories.  Ashley was unusually quiet and she just soaked up the situation for all the comfort and love it provided.  She wasn’t used to family stuff like this and she really loved it when she got to be a part of it.  This was something she was really going to miss when Spencer was away at college. 

“Okay guys…for those of you who don’t know it’s now Spencer’s favorite time of the night…”

Ashley looked at Spencer’s face and burst out laughing at the embarrassment written all over it as she listened to Arthur continue.

“As with Carlin family tradition since Spencer was little we get to open one gift each…Spencer could never wait til Christmas morning and so to this day we have to open one gift or I swear she won’t let anyone leave or anyone go to sleep.”