Grandpa's Christmas Treat
Chapter One
As he clicked on confirm on his laptop, Bill allowed himself a smile and a sigh of pleasure. The last few Christmases he had struggled to find Christmas presents for his son, Dave, and his daughter-in-law, Chelsea. In the end, he had just given them a cheque to enable them to buy something that they wanted rather than risk buying them a white elephant. This year, however, was different. Since he received his inheritance from his wealthy uncle, he had money to burn and he had known immediately what he was going to treat them to.
He closed his laptop and walked to the window, whistling as he looked out at the falling snow. He loved this time of year; he loved any time when the family got together but Christmas was always his favourite. His phone pinged and he opened his emails; it was an email about the gift he had just purchased with confirmation of delivery the next day. He smiled again; he enjoyed treating his family to presents but his finances of late had been tight. Now, he could buy them all expensive presents without leaving himself short of money for his daily needs.
Before he could put his phone back in his pocket, it rang. He looked at the caller ID and saw that it was his granddaughter, Lily. He accepted the call and listened to her excited voice as she spoke.
"Hey Gramps, how are you? I'm just out Christmas shopping and wondered if there was anything you particularly wanted this year? I've already got one idea for you, but I am struggling for other ideas and would appreciate some hints."
"Lily, you know you don't need to buy me anything -- just seeing you and Rose is present enough for me. But if you insist, a nice bottle of Rioja would go down well -- as long as you promise to enjoy a glass with me."
"Okay Gramps -- when will you be arriving at mum and dad's this year?" she enquired, the eagerness in her voice obvious to Bill.
"That hasn't been arranged yet honey. I'm speaking to your dad tomorrow to finalise the arrangements this year," he was trying very hard to keep the excitement from his voice.
"Okay Gramps, speak again soon," Lily ended the call and put her phone back in her coat pocket. She looked at the shop plan on the leaflet in her hand and located the nearest wine store, heading towards it determinedly as she pressed on with her Christmas shopping.
After exiting the wine store with her purchase, Lily smiled to herself. Her shopping finished she made her way to Victoria's Secret and browsed the lingerie, selecting a red lacy bra and thong set.
After completing her purchase, she took her phone out again and dialled her twin sister, Rose.
"Hi, sis, where are you?" she asked, when Rose answered her phone, "Uh huh -- I'm finished so I'll come and meet you there," she continued, after learning of her sister's location. Putting her phone away again, she made her way to the shop where her sister was still busy shopping. It was no surprise to Lily when she approached the cosmetics counter to find her sister finding new lipsticks and nail polish for herself. When Rose saw Lily approaching, she almost leapt at her, showing her the new mascara she was buying herself as well as the bright red matching nail polish and lippy she had chosen.
"Great sis, did you manage to get presents for mum, dad and Gramps as well?" asked Lily.
"Oh shit, I forgot" said Rose "I got a bit carried away with the sale in Zebras and Cheetahs" she continued, as she showed her sister the three carrier bags with clothes in.
Lily rolled her eyes "Oh Rose, why is it you only think about yourself? Have you any money left?"
Rose quickly took her cosmetics purchases to the till, "Not much after I pay for these," she said, as she handed her money to the cashier.
Lily shook her head. "I suppose you can share what I've got for them all. It won't look very impressive coming from both of us but I guess they know you well enough by now."
"Thanks sis, you're a life-saver. I really needed everything I bought if Chris and I are to have the festive season I've got planned," she responded.
Lily shook her head. She had little time for her sister's boyfriend; in her opinion a layabout who relied on his good looks to get by in the world. She even doubted whether he kept himself exclusive to Rose, but Rose wouldn't have a bad word said about him and Lily had long ago stopped trying to open her sister's eyes.
They walked in relative silence to Lily's car, placing their respective bags in the boot before getting into the car and driving back to their parent's house.
"So, what are your plans over Christmas, sis," asked Lily, "I take it we can expect you to spend some time with your family?"
"Sure, I'll make some time for the boring family stuff," responded Rose, "I need to check with Chris when he wants to see me but I'm sure I'll squeeze you and the old folks in."
Despite the fact that she was fuming inside, Lily kept her peace. Her and Rose had fallen out far too often of late about her sister's behaviour and Lily wanted to avoid, as far as possible, any rows in the lead up to Christmas. The drive home continued in silence apart from the odd reference to Christmas displays in the houses they passed on the way.
When Lily pulled into the drive, they were greeted by the sight of their dad halfway up a ladder, adding decorations to the exterior of the house. She honked her horn and almost instantly regretted it as she watched her father, in an attempt to acknowledge her, almost fall from the ladder. Once she had parked up, she ran to the foot of the ladder to apologise to him while Rose gathered up her bags and made her way into the house.
Once inside Lily was almost instantly called to her sister's bedroom where Rose insisted on modelling all of her purchases for Lily's approval. Lily watched the "fashion show" with an air of resignation as her sister paraded her latest, what Lily considered, slutty outfits to her. She had to admit that Chris would, no doubt, approve but then again, Chris would approve of anything that showed the amount of skin that Rose insisted on being on show when she was going out.
With the fashion show over, Lily went to her own bedroom to wrap the presents she had bought, ready for Christmas. Once finished she entered the living room where her sister, mum and dad were all sitting around, watching a Christmas movie with the tree twinkling in the corner of the room.
"You've done an amazing job again mum," said Lily.
"Hold on young lady," said her dad, "How do you know I didn't do the tree?"
Lily laughed, "That's easy dad," she responded, "It looks nice!"
Her father laughed with her, "Okay baby -- you got me there I spose."
"Baby, it's your turn to put the angel on this year," said her mother, holding the final tree ornament out to Lily.
Her father got the foot stool for her and held it steady as she climbed on to place the angel on the tree. He avoided looking up her skirt although the temptation was almost too much for him, instead concentrating his gaze on the face of his wife.
"I still miss the days when I used to lift you girls up to place the angel on," he stated, as he waited for Lily to complete the task.
"All done dad," said Lily as she stepped off the stool.
"You should go on top of the tree Lily," said her dad, "You are far prettier than the angel."
Lily laughed at her dad's comment, "You are so silly father," she retorted, "but thanks for the compliment."
"Yeah, thanks pop," remarked Rose, "If that applies to Lily, I guess it applies to me too."
Dave looked at his twin daughters, identical in looks, apart from their hairstyles, but chalk and cheese as far as their characters were concerned. He loved them both dearly but, truth be told, Lily had a special place in his heart; she was more considerate, did more to help her mother around the house and was, generally, more trustworthy -- Rose was very selfish, if there wasn't something in it for her, she wasn't interested. He wondered briefly what had made them so different to each other as he put the stool away and returned to his seat, taking a swig from his beer.
"So, Grandpa tells me you are sorting out the Christmas arrangements with him tomorrow, dad," said Lily.
"Yeah, he's being a bit strange for some reason. As far as I'm concerned, he is turning up here on Christmas Eve as usual and leaving sometime in early January -- I really don't see the need for a call, but he insisted."
They spent the evening watching tv before finishing up with a game of scrabble -- well, three of them played as Rose went to her room to chat with Chris.
The home phone rang shortly after breakfast the next day. Lily rushed to pick it up, "Hi Gramps -- yeah, I'll just take the phone to him," she said, as she walked to the living room to find her father.
Taking the phone from Lily, Dave listened to his father's voice; his eyes getting wider as he listened to what he was being told.
"Wow, dad, really? But it costs so much -- wow, I don't know what to say," pulling his mouth away from the phone, he told Lily to get her mother.
When Lily returned with her mum, Dave handed her the phone, "Listen to this honey," was all he said.