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It was early December, not too cold but just cold enough that the winter clothes started coming out.
And kids were ready for winter break to finally start.
That was how Craig felt, sitting at his desk working on a midterm project for one of his classes while Jason sat on Craig's bed reading a science textbook.
"Ugh," Craig groaned, "The teachers who still want essays written by hand deserve to have their right to teach revoked."
"I'd let them keep their jobs if it meant we could stop taking science classes after sixth grade," Jason countered.
"I cannot wait for winter break to start," Craig wished.
"Agreed," Jason commiserated.
As Jason looked back at his book and realized how little of the information is actually sinking in, he decided he couldn't keep going on like this.
"I think it's time we take a break," Jason thought out loud, "We've been at this for a while now."
"Yeah," Craig agreed, "How do teachers expect us to do all these projects and study for all these tests at once?"
"I know," Jason agreed, "I have two pages of math problems I have to get done, but I'm still trying to figure out how to draw a Lewis Structure."
"Just a few more weeks," Craig longed, "And we won't have to worry about any of this until next year."
"Yeah," Jason commiserated, "A break would be nice."
And one more thing this part of December was kids really starting to think about Christmas.
"Man," Craig lamented, "I've been so busy with all this work, I haven't even really thought about what I want for Christmas."
"Oh," Jason responded.
"I mean," Craig added on, "Obviously, my number one priority is the new Slide the Ferret racing game, but I'm not really sure what else I would want."
"I saw this one picture a while ago where someone found a Slide the Ferret bikini," Jason joked, "Maybe you could ask for that and give it to Vanessa."
"Yeah," Craig laughed, "I know you're joking, but Vanessa would kill me and get Cheesesticks to bury me in the Creek."
As nice as moments like this were, they sometimes made Jason wonder why he could never have moments like these when he was younger.
At least he had Craig and his family now.
"What about you, Jason," Craig questioned, "What do you want for Christmas?"
Obviously, Craig knew about Jason's poor home life, but he thought surely Jason must get one or two gifts for Christmas.
"Yeah, I gave up on that a long time ago," Jason brushed off, "I haven't gotten a gift in years."
"Wha-," Craig stuttered, "Seriously?"
"My Dad used to give me some gift that had to do with sports every year that I had to pretend to like," Jason explained, "Then when my Mom left, he didn't even bother acting like he cared and just stopped getting me gifts altogether. He and my Stepmom barely even decorate, they just buy a little pre decorated tree to put on the coffee table."
"Oh, Jason," Craig lamented, "I'm sorry. I should've known better than to bring it up."
"It really is ok, Craig," Jason reassured, "I'm used to it by now. It doesn't even really bother me anymore."
Jason certainly remembered going to bed crying on Christmas Day, wondering why he could never have one Christmas like the ones he saw on TV or in the movies. But now, going to bed on Christmas Day, he just felt numb, ready for the holiday to be over so he could go back to the Creek.
"But that's not right, Jason," Craig countered, "Every kid deserves to have a good Christmas, no matter how old they are."
Jason just seemed to start getting sad at that statement when Craig had an idea.
"Are your parents actually going to be home on Christmas," Craig asked.
"Yeah," Jason explained, "But Dad always just drinks beer and watches the 24 hour Christmas Story marathon while my Stepmom tries to teach her chihuahuas to bark Christmas carols."
"Well, sneak out as soon as you can," Craig ordered, "Because you're spending Christmas here."
"What," Jason questioned, "Craig, I can't just come over to your house on Christmas. That'd be way too intrusive."
"Come on," Craig pleaded, "You know we all love you, and Bernard's already bringing Alexis, so you won't be the only guest."
Jaain really did think about it, whether he wanted to or not. It did sound nice, actually getting to spend Christmas with a family that cared about him. But, as always, those fears that he was being too much of a burden crept in.
What finally got Jason to say yes was when he asked himself if Nicole and Duane would let him in if he showed up at their house on Christmas Day, and he honestly thought they would.
"OK," Jason agreed, "If your parents are fine with it, I'll come."
"Great," Craig cheered, "Just you wait, this is gonna be your best Christmas ever."
"Well, no offense," Jason half joked, "But that's not really a high bar to pass."
And that was that. Jason was coming to Craig's house for Christmas. And he thought that was the last he would hear about it until Christmas. He would probably get a small gift from Craig and his family because they actually cared about him; maybe JP and Kelsey would get him pity gifts from the trading tree since they'd been trying to be friendlier towards him.
But he actually found that reminders of Christmas kept coming up.
Like when he got home after staying the night at Craig's and found a Christmas sweater had been slipped into his overnight bag that looked rather similar to the sweaters Craig's Grandmother always wore.
And when Jessica asked him to come over to help her make a gingerbread house and ended up staying to watch Jingle Jangle with the rest of the family.
And the night he drove around with them looking at different Christmas light displays.
And now, he was at a Christmas tree lot, helping them pick out a Christmas tree.
Jason was certainly happy to be included in these activities, but he couldn't help but feel like he was intruding on their family traditions a bit. None of them seemed to care though and Jason was just happy that someone cared enough to include him, so he didn't say anything.
After about twenty minutes in the car, they arrived. Craig and Jessica ran in with Bernard in tow, leaving Jason, Nicole, and Duane behind. Jason assumed picking out a tree wouldn't take too long, but...
"What about this one," Craig asked.
"Too short," Jessica rejected.
"OK," Craig shifted, "This one?"
"Too spindly," Jessica rejected.
"Just pick one, Jessica," Bernard interjected, "We've looked at almost every tree in the lot."
"This is going to be our Christmas tree," Jessica countered, "We're going to see it every day. It has to be perfect."
While the three siblings had their disagreement, Jason was wandering around the lot with a cup carrier holding four styrofoam cups of hot cocoa. He kept wandering until eventually Craig spotted him and waved him over. Jason eventually noticed Craig waving and walked over, giving each of the siblings a cup and taking the last one for himself before putting the carrier in a nearby garbage can.
"Thanks, Jason," Craig thanked.
"Yeah, thanks," Jessica added on.
"You should be thanking your Mom," Jason corrected, "She's the one who paid for them."
"Wouldn't have gotten here without you," Craig disagreed, "Just take the credit, man."
Craig always pushed Jason to advocate for himself and look out for himself more.
"Jason," Bernard questioned, pointing to one of the trees, "What do you think of this one?"
"A little spindly, don't you think," Jason questioned.
Jessica opted to not say anything and instead smugly sipped her hot cocoa.
"Oh, your parents ran into one of your Mom's work friends by the gift shop," Jason explained, "They said we can pick out a tree, but we have to wait for them to cut it down."
"Then we need to find the right tree before they get back," Jessica proclaimed as she ran off to look at other trees.
"Jessica, wait," Craig called out as he tried chasing after her. Bernard simply rolled his eyes as he and Jason slowly walked after them.
"Hey," Jason inquired, "There's something I've been wanting to ask you."
"Yeah," Bernard questioned.
"I want to get Mr and Mrs Williams sonething for Christmas since they're letting me come over," Jason admitted.
"Ah," Bernard responded, "Good for you."
"So, do you have any suggestions for what I should get them," Jason asked.
"You've spent time with them over the years," Bernard countered, "You should know what they would like."
"But I don't know them as well as you, Craig, and Jessica," Jason argued, "I just want to make sure I get them something nice to make sure they know how grateful I am for everything they've done for me."
Bernard cast a glance down at Jason and was immediately reminded of whenever Craig or Jessica would come to him for advice. Even if he didn't show it too often, he genuinely did care about Craig, Jessica, and Jason.
"Look," Bernard opened up, "I'm gonna tell you something that I would never tell Craig. No matter what you get them, they're going to love it because it came from you and it shows you care. 'Cause that's what family does."
That sentiment, that Bernard also considered Jason family, put a genuine smile on his face.
"Thank you, Bernard," Jason thanked, "But, seriously, do you have any ideas what I can get them? I'm stumped."
"Alright," Bernard thought out loud, "Well, do you have any money saved up?"
"Yeah, I have about $80 from some odd jobs I've done around town," Jason answered, "I spent the rest when me and Craig went halfsies on a vintage Power Punchers figure."
"Alright," Bernard acknowledged, "Well, I know Mom likes scented candles to help her relax, there are some places I know that offer cheap spa days, or I could take you to the mall and you could look there."
"You would do that," Jason questioned.
"Yeah, sure," Bernard answered, "Plus, Craig and Jessica have been bugging Mom and Dad to take them to see the Christmas displays there, so I could bring them too and solve all our problems."
"Well, thanks Bernard," Jason thanked.
"Don't mention it," Bernard brushed off.
"Jessica," Bernard and Jason heard Craig call out, "You need to stay where I can see you." Bernard and Jason followed the sound of Craig's call to find him trying to coax Jessica out from under a tree.
Jason was about to try and help, but he then started taking a closer look at the tree Jessica was under.
"You know," Jason observed, "This one's actually pretty nice."
"Oh yeah," Craig noticed, "Good eye, Jason."
"Why do you think I'm hiding under it," Jessica questioned, finally coming out from under the tree.
"Hold on," Bernard interjected, having started to circle the tree and inspect it, "There's a big bald patch back here."
"Oh," Jason blushed, looking a bit embarrassed, "Sorry. I usually try to be more observant than that."
"It's alright," Craig reassured, "That's why we always check them first."
"These lots always try and hide stuff like this so people who are careless or in a rush won't notice," Bernard added on.
"It's just," Jason explained, "This is my first time Christmas tree shopping. My Dad and my Stepmom only ever use fake plastic trees. I think Boris' family uses a real tree, but I don't know anyone else who does."
"Oh, you definitely do," Craig countered, "JP, some of the Horse Girls, the Junk Lord, I mean he makes his trees out of branches from the junk pile, but they're still technically real trees."
"Oh," Jason responded. He never knew how many people still used real trees.
"And yeah," Craig continued, "It can be a chore sometimes cleaning up the needles and giving it water, but it looks so much better than a fake tree and it feels better to gather around a real tree on Christmas morning."
Jason admired how passionate Craig and his family were about what they did. He found Craig's boisterous attitude about whatever he was doing a bit much when they first met, but now, it was one of his favorite things about him.
"Alright," Bernard interjected, "We still need to actually find a tree."
"Maybe my problem is that I'm too small," Jessica thought out loud, "Bernard, put me on your shoulders!"
"You don't need to go on my shoulders, Jessica," Bernard rejected.
"Oh," Jessica manipulated, "So, do you wanna be the one to tell Dad we couldn't find a Christmas tree 'cause you were selfish."
"Ugh," Bernard groaned as he leaned down to let Jessica onto his shoulders.
"Hee hee," Jessica giggled from her new vantage point, "Onward, brother!"
Bernard begrudgingly walked forward with Jason and Craig slowly trailing behind.
"So, you guys have always done real trees," Jason asked.
"As long as I can remember," Craig answered, "It was always just more special than if we bought a tree in a box."
"I will say," Jason added on, "It does certainly seem more special."
"Well, I'm glad you could be here for it," Craig smiled.
"Yeah," Jason thanked, "Thank you, by the way, for letting me be a part of your family's traditions. Not just today, but every other time you've included me. It really does mean a lot."
"Jason, you are a part of this family," Craig reassured, "And I know Mom, Dad, Jessica, and Bernard feel the same way. You wouldn't be here if they didn't."
Jason started to feel a few tears start to well up before he wiped them away.
"Craig, Jason," Jessica called out, "Over here! I found it!"
The two boys followed the sound of Jessica's voice to find her and Bernard standing in front of a lovely seven foot tree.
"Isn't it perfect," Jessica questioned, "It's just the tree we've been looking for!"
"I checked it," Bernard confirmed, "No bald spots, there's a good amount of space between the skirt and the ground, it actually is perfect."
"Teamwork," Jessica cheered, requesting a high five from Bernard that he reluctantly gave.
"I think it's great," Craig agreed, taking in the tree's scent.
"Text Mom and Dad," Jessica asked Bernard, "Tell them we found our tree."
It took about ten minutes for Nicole and Duane to get over to their kids. After inspecting the tree and confirming that it was the perfect tree for them, Duane brought out the rental saw and got to work cutting the tree down. While Bernard and Craig helped hold the tree steady for Duane, Nicole and Jason took Jessica took Jessica to the gift shop to look at the comemorative ornaments and winter gear.
After the Williams boys got the tree secured on the roof of the car, Jessica brought Nicole and Duane into the gift shop to get her a plush fuzzy monster wearing a winter coat.
Craig and Jason were browsing some of the other things the gift shop had to offer when they heard a familiar voice behind them.
"Well well well," JP called out, "If it ain't Craiggy Boy and Golden Eagle."
The two boys turned around to see JP and Kelsey walking towards.
"Hey JP," Craig greeted, "Your family picking out a Christmas tree?"
"Yup," JP confirmed, "I'd ask you the same question, but I think the answers' pretty clear. 'Less you're here 'cause you got a bad tree and you wanna sue."
"No," Craig denied, "We're just picking up a tree."
"Oh, good," JP sighed in relief, "Now I know we picked a good lot."
"What about you, Jason," Kelsey questioned, "You trying to prove former Junior Forest Scouts pick better trees than 'civilians'?"
"No," Craig countered, "I invited him and Jessica picked the tree."
"Well, good for her," JP cheered, "Give the children more power, I say."
"What about you, Kelsey," Jason asked, "I thought you were Jewish."
"Laura said I could chop down the tree if I came," Kelsey explained, "And I will always accept any offer to wield a mighty blade."
"You know they use saws here, right," Craig questioned.
Kelsey's face then froze before contorting into the coldest face Craig had ever seen her make.
"Excuse me," Kelsey coldly stated as she exited the gift shop, "I have to go have a talk with JP's sister."
"I should probably follow her," JP excused, following Kelsey, "My sister's strong, but I don't think she's 'fight an angry Kelsey' strong. Have fun with your new family, Jason."
Jason blushed. Craig had just said he was a part of the family, but it was OK if just Craig and his family thought this. If JP could see how close they were getting, then who else knew? Did someone who knew his parents know?
What would happen if Jason's Dad found out what he was doing with another family? Just the thought was starting to make Jason nervous.
Craig was able to sense Jason's nervousness, though, and decided to try and distract him.
"Hey," Craig stated, "I think I saw some wind up toys in a corner of the store. Wanna see how many we can wind up before we get caught?"
That sounded pretty childish and silly. A distraction Jason welcomed.
"Sure," Jason agreed.
After Jessica got her fuzzy monster plush, they all got back in the car and started driving back to the Williams' house. Thankfully, Jason was starting to forget how nervous he got after what JP said.
When they finally got back to the Williams' house, they all brought the tree into the living room and then went up into the attic to bring down the various boxes of Christmas decorations: lights, lawn decorations, garland, and ornaments. After about ten minutes, it was all downstairs in the hallway by the living room, waiting to be opened.
"Alright, y'all," Duane questioned, "Whatchu think we should decorate first?"
"The tree," Jessica shouted, "We need to do the tree!"
"Hold on, Jessica," Nicole halted, "Let your brothers have a say."
"I believe the lady has already spoken," Craig countered, "It shall be the tree."
So they got to work setting up the tree. It was actually a bit difficult to get the lights on the tree, so Jason stayed to help. When it came time to hang the ornaments, Jason thought about leaving. After all, this was surely too much of a personal family activity for them to still want him around for it.
But, before he could say anything, Jessica grabbed his hand and brought him over to the ornament box to help her decide which ornament to hang up first.
Then Craig handed him a little nutcracker ornament to put up.
Then Nicole and Duane took a picture of him, Craig, Jessica, and Bernard putting the first ornaments on the tree.
Before he knew it, Jason was putting up ornaments alongside the rest of the family.
Most of the ornaments were pretty standard: round ornaments that were one primary color, snowflakes, a little teddy bear. Jason thought the only personalized ornaments they had were the first letters of Bernard, Craig, and Jessica's names. Then he noticed the Christmas light with googly eyes glued to it that he couldn't help but find cute.
"I'm guessing Jessica made this one," Jason predicted, holding the ornament up so everyone else could see what he was talking about.
"That was Craig, actually," Nicole corrected, "Back in third grade, he made an ornament for class, he was so proud of it, excited to take it home and show us. But then his teacher took it and put it on the class tree. He got so upset he didn't get to take it home, so we said he could make an ornament out of whatever he could find in the house. And he made that."
"Aw," Jason cooed, "That's cute."
"I don't even know why I made such a big deal about that ornament," Craig countered, "It was just a painted golf ball."
"I remember in third grade," Jason remembered, "I had to make an ornament out of tongue depressors and pompoms. It didn't even make it home before it fell apart."
"I had to do the same thing at that age," Duane reminisced, "Only mine was made of those sequin and bead foam balls."
"I had to use quilted fabric," Nicole added.
"Molded clay," Bernard added.
"I drew a horse in a santa hat," Jessica added.
Everyone being so willing to share these kinds of stories with Jason, these kinds of activities, really did make him almost feel like he was part of the family.
Once all the ornaments were up, the last touch was Duane lifting Jessica up to put the star on top of the tree. With this final step completed, everyone looked back and admired their handiwork.
"You do know we have three other boxes of stuff to put out, right," Bernard questioned.
"Don't ruin the moment, Bernard," Craig gently snapped back.
A few nights later, Jason was having dinner with the Williams family, ready to sleep over again. Jessica was telling everyone about her day while admiring a snow globe her grandparents had dug out recently and let her keep. There were a few interjections from others sat at the table, but it was mostly Jessica dominating the conversation.
While Jason was sure to pay attention to what Jessica was talking about, he couldn't help but notice Nicole and Duane exchanging these knowing glances at each other. Even Craig and Bernard exchanged glances at a few points. He thought about asking if something was going on, but he could never find a point to do it without interrupting Jessica or someone else, so he put it in the back of his mind.
In fact, he actually ended up forgetting about it by the time dinner was over. So, when he and Craig got ready to go back to his room and watch the Slide the Ferret Christmas special on his laptop, he was completely caught off guard by Nicole calling him over.
"Jason," Nicole gently called, "Could you come here for a minute?"
Jason was a bit confused as to why she was calling him, and when he looked to Craig for some clarification, he just got a nonchalant shrug in return.
"I'll go get the movie loaded up," Craig stated as he continued to his room.
"I thought you said it was just a special," Jason questioned, but Craig was already up the stairs.
Jason was a little nervous walking back towards the dining room, wondering what it was Nicole wanted. But, he noticed she seemed to be purposely trying to not sound mad when she called him, so he hoped that meant he hadn't done anything to finally wear out his welcome.
When Jason came back into the dining room, only Nicole and Duane were still sat at the table, Bernard and Jessica gone, and Nicole had two envelopes placed in front of her.
"Come sit down, Jason," Nicole offered, patting the seat next to her. Jason went over and sat.
"Alright," Nicole explained, "So, Duane and I had some Christmas cards made to send out to friends and family. And we ended up making two designs."
Now Jason was really confused. Nicole called him in here to show him her family Christmas cards? Maybe she wanted his opinion on how they looked, but Craig would be better for something like that.
Regardless, Nicole opened one of the envelopes and pulled out the card inside. It was a simple red card with text at the top that said "Happy Holidays From the Williams Family" and a picture of Craig, Nicole, Duane, Jessica, and Bernard in the middle. They were in the living room, wearing sweaters Craig's Grandma probably made for them, and they all looked happy. Jason couldn't help but smile.
"We made that one first," Nicole continued, opening the other envelope, "And then, we made this one."
Nicole pulled out the second card and handed it to Jason. At first glance, it looked the same: the same color, text, font.
Then Jason noticed the photo.
It was a group shot from when they all went to the Christmas tree lot.
And he was in it.
Jason couldn't believe it. He was too shocked to even wipe away the tears that were starting to form in his eyes. All he could do was look up at Nicole and Duane, who were looking at him with hopeful yet nervous smiles.
"Look, Big J," Duane took over, "We'd get if you don't want us to send these out, in case your parents see. But we'd only send them to family, some friends, and some people at work. And we're sure none of them even know your parents. But we just wanted you to know that we want to have you in our Christmas card this year."
The tears really started flowing down Jason's cheeks now. He couldn't even bring himself to say anything. Any nervous feelings he had about other people knowing how close he was to the Williams' went away. He just nodded and opened his arms, silently asking for a hug. Nicole and Duane responded by getting out of their chairs and wrapping him in an embrace while he wrapped his own arms around them as best he could.
"Thank you," Jason wept, "Thank you so much."
"Of course, Jason," Nicole assured, "We hope you understand how important you are to this family."
Jason didn't respond, just enjoying this feeling of closeness to the only two adults he's ever really trusted for as long as he could.
After the hug ended, Duane tussled his hair and he departed to go up to Craig's room. As Jason entered, Craig turned from his laptop and gave Jason a knowing look.
"So," Craig asked, "Whay did my parents want to talk to you about?"
"You knew," Jason accused, "Didn't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Craig brushed off, "Come on, I've got the special all queued up."
"So now it's a special again," Jason questioned as he joined Craig on his bed. He decided not to question Craig anymore about it.
While they watched the Slide the Ferret Christmas special/movie, Jason thought about how he honestly didn't really care how his actual Christmas went, because he'd already gotten the best gift he could ever ask for.
A family.