Open-Hearted

   Light sheets of powder and glistening snowflakes drifted down from the sky. The light blue sky covered by clouds welcomed a new day. Christmas.
   After finishing the brownies from last night, we packed them up in a basket woven by Evelyn. We walked back to Sam's house with Rotchi so we could spend Christmas morning with Sam's family before the big town party.

   The fresh smell of gingerbread and light stomping of feet woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes to see Vincent at the foot of the bed.
"Get up! Get up, it's Christmas!" Vincent exclaimed. "Santa came!"
   Sam stirred against me. We slept in his bed after watching Christmas movies until 2am.
   "Come on, wake up!" Vincent tried to shake Sam's back but couldn't reach all the way. He drummed his hands on Sam's back instead.
Sam grunted to show he was awake, but kept his eyes closed. He yawned, then snuggled back into the pillow.
"C'mon, Sam! Get up, mom made breakfast!" Vincent yelled. He looked at me when I sat up. "Olivia, can you get him up please?"
I smirked at Vincent, and he grinned back. I shook Sam's shoulders lightly as Vincent drummed on Sam's back again.
Vincent and I chanted in unison, "wake up, wake up!". Sam groaned, trying to push me away. He finally opened his eyes and gave me a pouty look.
Sam rolled over and grabbed Vincent by under the arms. He sat Vincent on his lap and started tickling him.
"Stop it, help me Olivia!" Vincent giggled as he tried to escape Sam's torturous tickles. I laughed and lightly pulled Vincent away from Sam, letting him keep hold of Vincent.
   "Noooo stop!!" Vincent yelped. "Olivia please save me!"
   Laughing with them, I helped Vincent escape Sam's 'torture' and he ran out of the room. Right before closing the door, he left a quick reminder.
   "Mom says breakfast in five minutes!"
   Sam then tackled me on the bed and started tickling me.
   "Since the little one escaped, I'll just tickle you instead!" He smirked. I tried to fight back, but he wouldn't let me go.
   "Sam! Stop it!!" I yelped, still giggling.
   Sam sighed, still smirking, and flopped down onto me. "I'm going back to bed."
   "Nooo, we have to get up!" I tried pushing him off. Sam just hugged me tighter, restricting me to the bed. "Saaam," I groaned.
"Whaaat?" He groaned back.
"Let's go eat, I'm hungry!" I complained. "We can sleep all we want after today."
"Deal!" Sam exclaimed, rolling off the bed and grabbing my hand, pulling me with him. We landed on the floor, but at least we were out of bed.
"Really, Sam?" I was on top of him now. "Let's go!" I got up, and tugged on Sam's arm until he got up.

"Good morning, you two!" Jodi exclaimed. The kitchen table was full of fresh breakfast foods, like a feast.
"Merry Christmas, Jodi! The food looks amazing," I exclaimed. I hugged Jodi before finding a seat.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Olivia. Eat up, we might not have time for lunch!" Jodi said as she placed the last few pancakes on a large stack she prepared.
"Mmm, it smells so good," Sam was practically drooling at the sight of all the food.
"Mom, can we open presents soon?" Vincent asked impatiently. He had been staring at the tree in the living room all morning, tempted by the pretty packages.
"Let's focus on filling that stomach of yours right now," Jodi responded.
"Okay," Vincent frowned. "Hey, save some for me!" He yelled at Sam taking a few pieces of bacon.
"I took three! There's like twelve!" Sam exclaimed. Vincent snatched a few pieces of bacon and but then before setting them on his plate. I laughed at them.

I helped Jodi with some of the dishes while Sam cleared the table after breakfast. Vincent was in the living room probably peeking inside his stocking.
"That should be the last one. Thanks, you two!" Jodi exclaimed.
"No problem! Thanks again for inviting me," I responded.
"Oh, Olivia. You're welcome here any time!" Jodi patted my shoulder and smiled.
I hadn't spent a Christmas with anyone like this in a few years, so this was pretty special to me. I really felt like I belonged here. Usually, I would send gifts to people through the mail. I think I prefer this Christmas over any other one.
   "Merry Christmas, Mom," Sam hugged Jodi, and she kissed his hairline.
   "Merry Christmas, Samson," she responded.
   "Hey, don't call me that!" Sam stepped back, cheeks turning red. Jodi laughed at him.
   "I don't get why you're so embarrassed about being called Samson," she responded.
   "It just sounds weird," he turned to me. "Let's go open presents, I think you'll like what I got you!"
   "Okay, Samson!" I smirked.
   "Ugh, you too?" Sam face palmed, cheeks dusted with red again.

   The smell of pine, mixed with a warm vanilla candle scent and the bright string lights really strung in the Christmas mood. Carefully wrapped gifts under the tree, five stockings hung together, all but one filled with goodies and candies.
   "Wow, it's all so pretty!" I exclaimed, admiring the living room. I didn't really notice it earlier since I was too focused on dragging Sam out of his room.
   "Look, Santa came! Santa came!" Vincent pointed to the presents under the stockings with his name on them.
   "He sure did!" Sam exclaimed. "You must've been good this year."
   "Alright, lets take a picture before there's trash everywhere," Jodi said, holding up her phone to us. "Get together and smile!"
Us three stood in front of the decorated tree and smiled for the picture.
   "Perfect!" Jodi exclaimed. "I think Kent will love this picture."
   "Kent is my dad's name." Sam whispered to me. I nodded. I never heard much about where Sam's dad was. I assumed he was doing alright since Jodi talked about him like that.
   "Okay, you can open those presents now, Vincent," Jodi pointed to the gifts presumably from Santa. Vincent grinned and tore through the three little boxes.
   Sam grabbed a blanket and sat me down on one of the two couches. He sorted out the presents labeled for us two and brought them next to us, then sitting next to me.

   While Vincent opened his new toys and clothes, Sam and I took turns opening various little gifts from his family and our friends.
   "This one's from Abigail," Sam handed me a small purple box. I carefully undid the ribbon and took the lid off. Inside was an amethyst necklace with a note.
   'I know you probably don't like rocks as much as me, but I thought matching necklaces would be cute!~ Abigail'
   "Aww, that's so sweet!" I exclaimed. Sam undid the clasp on the necklace and helped me put it around my neck.
   "That looks cute on you," he grinned. I felt my cheeks heat up a little as I reached for a gift to give to him.

A/N: helloooo!! every time i say im gonna update soon, it turns out to be months later lol
there's gonna be a part two to this chapter, im just tired of writing rn
i hope i actually continue this story haha, i still have many ideas for it!
thanks for all the support :)

also, i changed the cover! i think it looks nicer