We left the restaurant and went back to Mama’s house to collect our crew and solidify the wedding plans. As Sophia was the de facto project leader, she told Mama everything we discussed. In the end, Mama convinced us we should have a destination wedding in Tartosa. She described it as the wedding capital of the world. With so many wedding venues available, finding a last-minute location wouldn’t be a challenge. Speaking of notice, it was all going down in three days! That was really close to NYE, and I hoped our friends could make it. But if not, at least my family would be there. How did Sophia feel about being the bride without a family to celebrate her? She didn’t have any siblings and was adopted. And judging from the lack of stories about her life, I got the feeling she wasn’t on good terms with her parents. Like, she literally never mentioned them. Ever. They could have died, but I had a strong suspicion they were very much alive. One day I’d get the courage to ask, but that is not this day.
She woke me up very early, grinning and giggling like a child wanting to open presents before dawn.
“Merry Winterfest, baby!”
I was very much asleep at the time.
“Wh-huh? What’s going on?”
We were never those kids. We woke up at our normal time, ate breakfast, and did presents later in the day, so I was genuinely confused about her urgency. Sophia laughed at my ignorance.
“I have a gift just for us! We should open them now.”
I wanted to decline and get back to my dream, but she was so excited. Though the room was dim, I could see the glee all over her face and got up reluctantly. She placed a gift bag in my lap and dug into her own. We pulled out…I didn’t even know, but they were big, colorful, and fuzzy.
“Let’s put them on!”
Being completely lost, I unraveled the fuzzy blanket thing and found out it was a onesie. My style was chill and comfortable, but not that comfortable. The giant baby look was not for me, but she spent her hard earned money on this thing. Even if I never wore it again, I had to at least try it on for her. I only had on underwear, so I slipped the thing on. The color was one I wore occasionally, so that was nice. I had no clue who I was supposed to be, but hers was a Freezer Bunny.
“Who even am I?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Some void critter.”
She got me looking like an oversized toddler and didn’t even know what character I was? Maybe she was more excited about us having matching outfits. It was very comfortable, though. I gave her that.
“Do you like it??”
“It’s cozy.”
“It’s our first Winterfest, Luca!”
I could hardly believe it. It seemed like winter had only just begun a few days ago and now we were about to close out the year. Where did the time go?
“Merry Winterfest, Sophia,” I said in a cheerier tone.
She leaned over and gifted me those sweet lips, and the rest of me started waking up.
“I have another gift I’d like to unwrap,” I said, pretending to reach for her zipper.
She slapped my hand.
“You open that and we’re gonna be late. Father Winter will be handing out the good gifts by the time we get there!”
I failed to see the issue.
“I mean…”
“Luca! We have to be at your mother’s house by noon!”
“Okay! Okay!”
“I can’t believe my dad agreed to come,” I said.
“Why?”
“Dwayne is gonna be there. I know they’re in a better place, but…that’s really huge.”
“Ohhhh. But your sister is home, right? He probably just wants to see her.”
“Probably.”
She was really cute in her fuzzy pink getup. That zipper teased me. Everything I wanted was inside, and I had to get her out of that suit.
“Can I just unwrap you a little bit? We can be quick!”
She gave me a hard side eye.
“When have we ever been quick?”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I said, waggling my eyebrows.
She rolled her eyes.
“You better be glad it’s still early!”
“Awww yibbs! Merry Winterfest to us!”
