"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
I felt a heavy weight jump onto my body, which caused me to jolt up from my sleep and hold onto my stomach. I curled up into a ball full of pain and scrunched my eyebrows together to try and ease the aching.
"It's Christmas Diamonds get the fuck up!"
I looked up from under my covers to see a huge smile plastered onto George's face at the thought of Christmas. I then smile myself and jump up in my bed with him.
"It's Christmas!" We both yelled in unison. Soldier barked in enthusiasm as well and we rushed down to the kitchen to make our Christmas breakfast.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need!" I sang as the song started playing.
"I don't care about the presents, underneath the Christmas tree!" George sang.
I mixed the batter and continued on making the chocolate chip pancakes while George made the omelettes. We had always made the same breakfast for as long as I could remember and it would always taste like the first time we ate it. Delicious and heart warming.
We continued to sing a various amount of Christmas songs around the house until we had finally sat down for breakfast.
"So, what are you making for dinner tonight?" George asked as he buttered his toast.
"Geez George, we're only eating breakfast and you're already thinking about dinner?" I teased.
"Hey, don't judge," he said as he put a hand over his heart dramatically.
"Shut up and eat breakfast. I have to pick my mom and Jared up in a couple of hours so chop chop," I chuckled.
Unfortunately, George and I had woken up at 10 this morning so I had to get ready to get them at three. I didn't want them getting lost in the forest so I had offered to pick them up or else they would've had a hard time.
George and I took our time finishing breakfast and I rushed up stairs to get myself ready. Since it was the middle of December, and I wasn't planning on freezing today, and I decided to wear something extra warm.
After my shower I searched through my walk in closet until I had finally found a pair of black jeans and my famous ugly Christmas sweater. It was tradition to wear these when it came to George and I, it reminded us of our childhood Christmas days. I slipped on a pair of my black converse and headed down stairs.
When I had made it down to the foyer I was met with a very cute Soldier in his own little Christmas sweater.
"Awe, does the big and strong guard dog like his ugly Christmas sweater?" I cooed. He barked and licked my face as a response and I laughed at his enthusiasm.
"Go and get them Almonds, I'll make sure everything is in place before you get back," George said as he entered in his own ugly Christmas sweater.
I bent back down to Soldier and scratched his head, "You can't come with me this time honey, you have to stay and help George, got it?" He whined but barked in understanding.
I headed to the garage to get the BMW so all of us could fit inside without a problem. I swerved out of the underground garage and headed out towards my mom's house.
_______________________
"Honey, I love your car!" My mom said as I held the door open for her.
"Thanks mama," I chuckled nervously.
I rounded the car just when Jared had settled in himself and made my way back to the mansion. I was kind of nervous about my mom finding out about the gang, she might ask a lot of questions and I was afraid that I might slip up. But Richard and Joe will probably help me out with this, they understand my situation and will probably help calm me down.
Calm me down. That reminds me of a couple of days ago when George asked me that certain question. After wards I had just stayed silent and I didn't talk for a few minutes, just to calm myself down. I had changed the subject quickly and he didn't ask about it anymore, we haven't brought it up and I was glad. He knows how much I despise that man.
We started driving deep into the forest and my mom quickly noticed, "Is this a cabin sweetie?" She asked confused.
"No mom, it's my house. You just know how much I don't like interacting with civilization," I lied. I never liked lying to my mom but this one, I had to spare her life. I couldn't risk anything happening and I was going to protect them at all costs.
I took the hidden turn and soon the iron Gates of the mansion came into view with the name 'Illium' on it. My mom sat up straighter and Jared leaned on the arm rest to get a better view. Both of their eyes were wide in surprise and they never left the house.
I put in my finger print scanner and I drove slowly up the driveway just for them to get a good look around at the exterior. The bare trees that lined up the driveway let us take a good look up at the grey sky and were decorated with the Christmas lights but I decided to light it all up later on in the night.
I parked near the front door and my mom and Jared got out slowly.
"This is your house?" Jared asked astonished.
"Hard work at a young age actually pays off," I shrugged my shoulders.
They both gawked at the decorations of the outside until we finally went back inside to the smell of cinnamon and vanilla. The Christmas tree shone beautifully under the golden light of the living room and it gave it a little glow.
"Mom!" George exclaimed as he saw us walk into the kitchen.
"George!" She yelled as she ran over to hug him.
George has been in our life so much that he calls my mom his own too. It's nice how we act like our own little family and it makes me feel content. Seeing all of us together again makes my heart flutter with joy and forget about all of the pain I had tried so hard to ignore this past week. This is all I needed for me to be happy; a family.
"How have you been?" George asked as he pulled away.
"Great, and you?" She asked excitedly.
"I'm doing great thanks to Diamonds, who's the lucky man?" He asked as he noticed Jared.
"My husband, Jared. Jared meet George, he's like a son to me," She introduced as Jared and George shook hands.
"Nice to meet you sir," George said politely.
"Nice to meet you too son, so how can we help with dinner?" He asked as he pulled away and stood by my side.
"Well we are making a lot for six people, so let's get to work!" I cheered.
My mom had forced George and Jared to stay in the living room instead so they could bond a little. And my mom helped me make our famous Christmas dinner.
"So who's the other two?" She asked as she started on the ham.
"My bosses," I lied.
"Why are your bosses coming over for Christmas? Don't they have families of their own?" My mom asked curiously. My mom never asks questions that she thinks are harsh, she just gets confused and curious.
"They don't, so I offered and they accepted," I answered.
My mom and I continued to make dinner and we were not even half way done when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" George offered.
I heard him run and open the door where I heard the familiar voices greet him, "Hey, I remember you! You were the kid sleeping on the couch at the-"
"At the office. Yeah, that's him," I interrupted.
Joe and Richard saw me enter the foyer and gave me confused expressions. I tilted my head towards Jared and my mom who was explaining who they were to him. They both gave me silent nods and entered the house after shaking hands with George. George just stood there a little scared but tried covering it up with confidence.
Joe was wearing a white ironed button up shirt with black jeans and dress shoes. Richard wore a black button up with black jeans and dress shoes as well. When they entered they saw my mom approaching with her blue skinny jeans with white sweater and beige heels.
"You must be my daughter's employers, I really appreciate the opportunity you have given her to pursue her passion," she said as she walked over to us.
"Of course ma'am, this is Richard and my name is Joe, you look quite ravishing this fine Christmas holiday too I must say," Joe said while shaking hands with my mom.
My mom blushed and I looked over to Jared who rolled his eyes. I tried stiffeling my laugh at his expression and turned back to my mom. She really was beautiful, people have said that I'll look just like her when I'm older and have even mistaken us as sisters.
"Hello I'm Richard, and your daughter really has made a big impact on our company and we love having her," Richard complimented as he shook hands with her.
"That's good to hear, please, call me Karen," she insisted.
They shook hands with Jared and sat the Christmas presents they had under the tree where the rest were laying. My mom and I continued on making dinner and by the time we were done, it was already 6pm, and the moon was starting to rise.
George helped set the table since the three men were busy discussing something about psychology and business. Once the table was set I decided to go out and call them in.
"Dinner's ready," I said as I entered the living room.
We all sat down at the table with me at the head of it. We held hands as my mother said grace and started digging into the delicious Christmas dinner.
"This looks absolutely amazing, you really did a great job," Richard commented as he started filling his plate. My mom and I thanked him and we continued to talk during dinner.
We cracked jokes and old stories of George and I when we were younger, and of course George had to pull out the Almonds story which made them all die of laughter.
"He threw almonds at you?" Jared asked between laughter.
"Ha ha ha," I said sarcastically which made them all clutch onto their stomachs.
"Tell us a story about Jewels," Joe insisted eagerly.
All four of us looked at each other warily before I replied, "When we were younger there was this big apple tree in our front yard. We had many other trees that held different fruits but this one was especially funny."
"Oh I remember this story," My mom cut in and I chuckled.
"Jewels and I had a plan to make money off of selling some fruit at the fruit market. We had a whole wagon filled with different fruit and we had to get the apples to finish the whole batch. He had climbed all the way to the top to try and grab a bright red apple but he slipped on a branch. And instead of falling, a branch caught his jeans and he hung from there until the firefighters came," I laughed.
They all laughed at the story and George spoke up, "I remember that day, he had his spiderman boxers on right?" George laughed.
"Yeah!" I said in between laughter.
After dinner my mom and I passed out the eggnog and gingerbread cookies as we sat around the Christmas tree. George had lit up the fireplace which really added to the mood and I loved it.
We started passing out our gifts to each other and we all took them gratefully. I had gotten Richard a new watch and George had gotten him a chain. I had gotten Joe a new handgun, but of course he didn't open it in front of my mom, and George had gotten him a new duffel bag along with a Versace cologne. I had gotten Jared new shoes while George had gotten him a razor shaver. He absolutely loved that apparently. George had gotten my mom a new set of heels and she immediately tried them on once she saw them.
"Ok, ok now my gift!" I exclaimed as I gave my mom the box.
She grabbed it gratefully and stared in awe at the gift. Tears welled up in her eyes and I held back my own. She covered her mouth with her hand and looked up to me in disbelief.
"Thank you so much Diamonds," she said as she picked up the necklace. It was a beautiful diamond necklace with a jewel hanging from the end of it. Jared helped her clip it on and she launched herself at me and gave me a bone crushing hug.
"You're welcome mommy," I whispered.
Once she had pulled away Joe and Richard had pulled out silver paper bags. I laughed at the irony and Richard opened the bag to reveal a doggy toy. Soldier perked up immediately and snatched the toy from Richard's hand and started playing with it. We all laughed at his eagerness and I turned to Joe.
"Merry Christmas boss," he whispered in my ear as I took the bag from him.
"You didn't have to," I said and he just shrugged his shoulders.
I opened the bag to reveal a small velvet box. The soft fabric brushed on my hands and I flipped the top open and covered my mouth with my hand. Inside was the most simple but beautiful diamond earrings I have ever seen. It was perfect since I could wear it everyday and keep it as a reminder of my gang. I absolutely loved the gift and it was more than what I would have wanted.
"Gold and diamonds," I whispered. I had known the message he was trying to tell me. He was reminding me of my fighting name when I was working for Williams, and he was reminding me of who I am behind all of the fake names.
The crown was to represent my leadership of Illium and I absolutely worshipped these.
"Thank you," I smiled at Joe.
He held his Champagne glass in the air as a response and my head snapped towards movement in the window.
George followed my gaze and his eyes widened, "Snowfall!"
We all gathered near the large window and watched the snow hit the earth. Richard and Joe stood by my side like always with Soldier in front of me.
"Merry Christmas Illium," I whispered as I placed the earrings on.
"I hope you like them, their from the both of us," Richard whispered.
"Thank you both, I love them," I smiled back up at him.