Page 139 of Let's Get Textual

For Christmas, I had Zoe order them all matching Ryan Gosling pajama sets, and now we’re all wearing them for our “Christmas” morning.

“Who’s ready to open presents?” Rose asks.

The guys dive for the wrapped gifts under the tree like they’ve never experienced this before.

Us ladies sit back and shake our heads.

Jack hands me a gift. “Delia, this is for you from me and Rose.”

“What? You guys didnothave to buy me anything.” I take the box from him. “Thank you.”

I sit there gaping at the gift in my lap, so happy to have this secondary family. They’ve taken such great care of me after the whole debacle with Shep and have supported me and any actions I wanted to take against him.

When I glance back up, everyone is watching me.

“Well, open it, silly!” Rose says.

“Oh!”

I peel back the paper and lift the lid to the box.

Pulling out the material, my eyes scrunch in confusion: it’s one of those creepy neon green bodysuits you see people wearing at sporting events.

“Uh, thank you…I think.”

“It’s to wear when you do your next photo shoot,” Rose explains.

My eyes move between them and the garment, confused.

“Photo shoot? What photo—”

It clicks.

And I start laughing hard.

The naked photo I sent Zach.

Smiling, Rose lifts her brows and says, “You know, just in case.”

“Thank you both.”

“That’s not all,” Jack says. “Look at the bottom.”

I pull out an envelope and open it. The card is simple and sweet. On the outside is a picture of a snowman family and the inside, in what I assume is Rose’s handwriting, says,We care for you. We’re here for you, and so is she.

Tucked inside the card are two plane tickets to Kansas…where my mom lives.

My eyes are shining with tears when they find theirs.

“Are you two serious?”

“Very. We know this past month or so has been tough on you, and nothing makes that better than family. So, we bought you and Zach tickets to visit your mom over your spring break.”

I wipe at the single tear that manages to streak down my cheek. “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you guys so much. This means more to me than you could ever know.”

Rose comes over and wraps her arms around me. “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

Jack simply nods, but I can see his eyes are red from holding in tears of his own. He busies himself grabbing another present from under the tree and handing it to Zach.

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