Chapter 21

My alarm is ringing. I turn off the alarm and jump from my bed and walk out from my room and walk downstairs in hurry. Today is December 23rd and it's officially my sixteenth birthday.

I walk to the living room and look at those boxes that dad already placed there. Yeah since I was born, and having my first birthday, I already made a list what I want and my dad will place the things I want under the christmas tree.

I look at these boxes and dad already marked it which is for my birthday gift and my christmas gift. Today is gonna be a day ever. I have my wishes come true.

"Can guess that you already there since your alarm ringing." Dad walks downstairs and grins at me.

"Aww thank you so much, dad. You make all my wishes come true." I run to him and hug him.

"Happy birthday, my princess." Dad hugs me back. "Now get ready, you still have school and you have a lot of time after school to open all your presents." Dad says to me.

"Alright, I'm gonna get ready." I smile at dad and walk upstairs.

I walk to my room and walk to my bathroom. Today is gonna be the best day ever. It's my birthday today and two days before Christmas. I always love Christmas.

After take a bath, I walked out from my bathroom and walk into my walk in closet and take my cheerios uniform. I wear my cheerios uniform and a long christmas socks and my cheerios jacket. I wear my santa christmas hat and then walk to my bed.

I take my ransel and walk downstairs. I cant wait until the time I can open all those gift. I walk to the kitchen and dad already make a special breakfast for me.

It's only a pancake but the garnish is really cute. He made a decoration of Santa Claus in my pancake and this pancake is too cute to be eaten.

"Why dont you eat your breakfast?" Dad walks into the kitchen and sit down opposite me.

"This pancake is too cute to be eaten." I said to dad.

"I made that one for you." Dad chuckles.

"Since when you can make beautiful garnish decoration like this?" I ask dad.

"You want to eat that pancake or starring at it until we both late for school?" Dad asks me.

"You dont wanna have breakfast?" I ask dad.

"I already ate pancake while making the breakfast for you." Dad rubs my hair. "Now eat that or both of us will be late."

"Alright." I sigh and take a fork then start eating the pancake.

Dad pour a glass of milk and place it next to me. Then he prepare for his lunch into a lunch box while I'm still eating my breakfast.

"Dad, wanna know the truth? This pancake is delicious." I said to dad.

"Really? Thank you." Dad smiles at me.

"I cant wait until the school is over and I can open all those gift." I said excitedly.

"Honey, you know what is inside those boxes since you were the one who made that list." Dad says to me.

"Mom didnt give me birthday gift?" I ask dad.

"Well, we divided the list you gave me. Everything you want is under the christmas tree but last night your mom left this when you already fell asleep." Dad says to me and give me a long square box.

I raise my eyebrows and open that box until I see two necklaces inside. One with paris word. Second with eiffel tower as the pendant.

"These are beautiful." I said and turn my face at dad.

"Yeah." Dad nodded. "Here let me help you to wear that." Dad says to me.

"I like the one with my name so wear that Paris word and I'll keep the eiffel tower one." I said to dad.

"Alright." Dad nodded and wear the necklace on my neck.

"Thank you. This is so beautiful, I like it." I smile at dad.

"I like that too." Dad smiles back at me. "Well, load up to the car now, we will be late for school if we still stay here." Dad says to me.

"Okay." I nodded and stand up from my seat and take my ransel and walk to the front door.

I walk out from my house and get into dad's car. I cant wait to open my gift and I hope that dad will give me a car but it wont be I guess since I dont wish to get a car and it's expensive.

"Alright, wear your seatbelt and we will go." Dad says to me and start driving.

"Dad, do you buy me a new car?" I ask him.

"Do you wish for a new car?" Dad turns his face at me.

"No." I shake my head.

"Then I didnt. I just bought the things you write in that list." Dad says to me.

"Oh okay." I simply nodded.

"Next year okay. You will get your license and you'll be legal. This time, I can drive you to wherever you want besides you still cant drive." Dad smiles at me.

"Thank you." I smile back at him.

Dad rubs my hair and still driving until the car enter McKinley parking lot. I walk out from dad's car and walk to McKinley building.

~~~~

Everyone in the choir room and we are decorating the christmas tree include the choir room with christmas ornament.

"You know what? I woke up through my alarm this morning. I ran from my room to downstairs and saw all my birthday and christmas gifts under the tree. Then my dad made me a breakfast with pancake and Santa ornament then my mom gave me this necklace." I grin at them.

"I forgot that today is your birthday." Mercedes chuckles at me.

"I'm officially sixteenth now." I grin at her. "Since I was five, I always made a list with everything I want for my birthday and my christmas gift and my parents will put those things under the christmas tree." I giggle.

"Sometimes I wish I could be the only one child in my home so I could got those things without thinking about my sister." Tina says to us.

"But trust me being the only child will makes you lonely." Rachel simply said.

"I couldnt agree more especially since your parents divorced. You have to stay in two different house in a week doing the custody. And since I dont have any siblings to be disturb so my only one friend and someone that I always disturb is my dad." I chuckle.

"And Mr. Schue is okay with that?" Quinn asks me.

"Oh trust me, his weapon is tickling me. Especially when I mad at him then I ran to my mom's house and skipped school then when I went out from doctor appoinment with my mom, dad stood in front of the hospital. Hold a bouquet of roses, pink teddy bear, and a box of chocolate so I would forgive him. For a second I though it was valentine and he became sweeter than Mike." I chuckle.

"Mr. Schue is such a sweet father." Mercedes chuckles.

"He is. And the best one. Sometimes that I just my parents will getting back together." I half-smiled at them.

"Christmas always have it owns miracle." Brittany smiles at me.

I smile back at them and keep decorating these christmas tree as the boys are decorating the choir room.

Paris (New Directions Girls):I don't want a lot for ChristmasThere is just one thing I needI don't care about the presentsUnderneath the Christmas tree

I just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come trueAll I want for ChristmasIs you

I don't want a lot for ChristmasThere is just one thing I need(And I) Don't care about presentsUnderneath the Christmas tree

I don't need to hang my stockingThere upon the fireplace(Aah) Santa Claus won't make me happyWith a toy on Christmas Day

I just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come true

(with New Directions Girls: All I want for Christmas is you)

(You baby)

Oh, I won't ask for much this ChristmasI won't even wish for snowI'm just gonna keep on waitingUnderneath the mistletoe

I won't make a list and send itTo the North Pole for Saint NickI won't even stay awake toHear those magic reindeer click

Cause I just want you here tonightHolding on to me so tightWhat more can I do?Baby (with New Directions Girls: all I want for Christmas is you)

You (You, baby)Oh, yeah

All the lights are shining so brightly everywhereAnd the sound of children's laughter fills the air

And everyone is singing, I hear those sleigh bells ringingSanta won't you bring me the one I really need (Hey, oh)Won't you please bring my baby to me

Oh I don't want a lot for ChristmasThis is all I'm asking forI just want to see babyStanding right outside my door

Oh I just want you for my ownMore than you could ever knowMake my wish come trueBaby (with New Directions Girls: all I want for Christmas is)

You (You, baby)You (All I want for Christmas is you, baby)Ooh, woah, woah, ooh (All I want for Christmas is you, baby)Wooh, wooh, wooh (All I want for Christmas is you, baby)

(All I want for Christmas is you)All I want for Christmas is you

I smile at Mike and put my hands around his shoulder and he put his hand around my waist and smiles back at me and kisses me softly. This is the best christmas ever.

"You dont give me any list for your christmas present or something?" Mike asks me.

"No, my parents made my dreams come true. What about you?" I raise my eyebrows at him.

"All I want for christmas is you. Just like the song." Mike smiles at me.

I smile back at him and pushes my face closer to him and kiss him softly as Mike kisses me back and then we both hugging each other and looking at the christmas tree.

"We might have spent entire decorating budget for the whole year, but with something that looks as absolutely fabulous as this, I have to say, brav-ho-ho-ho." Rachel chuckles as she looks at the christmas tree.

I chuckle and shake my head then sit down on a seat next to Mike.

"Hey, everybody, listen up. My man, Rory Flanagan here, wants to say a few." Finn says to us and points at Rory.

"Thanks, Finn Hudson." Rory says to us and standing in the front. "So, guys, my mummy was going to come visit for the holidays, but plane tickets are expensive, so it's my first Christmas without any family. I'd like to cheer myself up by dedicating this song to them and to the King."

"Jesus?" Kurt frowns.

Rory:I'll have a Blue Christmas without youI'll be so blue just thinking about youDecorations of red on a green Christmas treeWon't be the same, if you're not here with me

Rory with New Directions harmonizing:And when those blue snowflakes start fallingThat's when those blue memories start calling

Rory (New Directions):You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of whiteBut I'll (I'll have a blue) have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas

Rory with New Directions:Ah-Uh-uh-uh-uhAh-Uh-uh-uh-uh

Rory:Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree

Rory with New Directions harmonizing:Won't mean a thing, if you're not here with me

Rory with New Directions harmonizing:I'll have a Blue Christmas that's certainAnd when the blue heartache stops hurtingYou'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white

Rory (New Directions):But I'll have a blue blue Christmas(Uhhhh) Uh-uh-uh-uh

"Gosh, that song was so depressing. I may actually be dead right now." Santana simply said.

"I-I think, what Santana means is, although that that was mournfully beautiful, now that the whole glee club is back together, I think that we should focus on the more joyous and the pageant aspect of this holiday season." Rachel says to us.

"Rachel's right. Last Christmas was super sad. Kurt was at another school, Coach Sylvester trashed everything, and Artie got a pair of magic legs that broke the next day." Tina says to us.

"We were the island of misfit toys. This year is going to be this year, it's a whole new sprig of mistletoe." Rachel says to us.

"Guess who's not getting coal in their stockings foonce us." Dad suddenly walks in.

"What?" I frown.

"Rory, have a seat. Just got off the phonebwith Don Borowski, the local station manager at Lima's PBS affiliate. Turns out that their annual broadcast of the Yule log burning has been canceled." Dad says to us.

"The hell?" Puck asks.

"Yeah, they can't afford the licensing fees anymore. But thank you, Scrooges who own that copyright, because Don came to Sectionals, he loved what we did and he is offering us..." Dad got cut off.

"A Christmas special featuring all of us? Okay, please say you said yes." Rachel says to dad.

"Not only did I say yes, but when Don said that they were looking for a director for the special, I nominated you, Artie." Dad says and points at Artie.

"Me?" Artie frowns.

"Yeah. He saw West Side Story, loved your work, and he wants to take a meeting." Dad says to Artie.

"But I-I swore I would never sell out and do television. I'm really going to have to think about this, Mr. Schue." Artie says to dad.

We all just being quiet. I want to do something more spiritual than this one actually. Maybe something like charity. I dont know.

~~~~

I'm sitting down on the carpet floor of my room and open my gifts one by one. Yeah my parents always tried to give me everything I want especially during christmas week and how stupid is I might already have some of these stuff but then I asked mom and dad to give me that again.

"Hey, what daddy's princess doing? I saw all the boxes under christmas tree is gone." Dad walks in.

"Open my gifts and this year I feel different." I said to dad.

"Like what, honey?" Dad asks me and sit down on the sofa.

"I dont know why I asked you to bought me gift that mostly I already have. I was thinking that maybe can I donate some of these gift?" I turn my face at dad.

"Of course you can. Those are yours. What I was doing is only want to make my daughter happy." Dad smiles at me.

"Thank you, dad." I smile back at dad.

Suddenly the door bell is ringing. "That must be your mom. I'll take it okay." Dad says to me and walk downstairs.

It is the second year for me to have christmas and birthday after my parents divorced. But I'm happy now. I got everything what I want and it's like everything seems better.

"Hey, what's my beautiful daughter doing?" Mom smiles at me and bring some boxes.

"Mom!" I smile back at her and hug her. "I really love this necklace you gave me."

"That's really pretty on you, sweetheart." Mom says to me.

"Well, what are these?" I ask mom and points to the boxes.

"Things for your birthday gifts and your christmas present." Mom says to me.

"But dad said he already put everthing under the tree." I frown at her.

"Yeah but that wasnt enough." Mom simply said.

"How many gift I asked?" I ask them.

"About twenty five or thirty." Dad simply said.

"Oh man, what am I gonna do for these stuff?" I let out a sigh.

"You said that you wanna donate it." Dad says to me.

"You wanna donate things? Well, I have some stuff that I also want to donate. You can also take mine if you want, honey." Mom says to me.

"Terri, you dont need to. Just let her do the things she want by herself." Dad says to mom.

"And I'm teaching her how to do that, Will. Right?" Mom smiles at me.

"Okay stop debating. Today is my birthday." I roll my eyes.

"Alright. Just do anything you want to do. Your mom and I will support you." Dad smiles at me.

"Thank you." I smile back at them.

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Blaine:He came into my dreams last nightA great big man in red and whiteHe told me that it's gonna beA special year for you and me

Underneath the mistletoeHold me tight and kiss me slowThe snow is high, so come insideI wanna hear you say to me

Rachel with Blaine:It's a very, very, merry, merry ChristmasGonna party until Santa grants my wishes

Got my halo on, I know what I wantIt's who I'm withIt's an extraordinary merry Christmas

Blaine with Rachel:It doesn't come as a surpriseWho's been naughty, who's been nice?There's someone here for everyoneAnother year has just begun

Silent night, none in sightSleigh bells ring until the lightHearts explode, here we goIt's all right there inside your eyes

Rachel with Blaine (New Directions):It's a very, very, merry, merry Christmas (Even better than the one before)Gonna party on until Santa grants my wishes (Think he's knocking on my front door)

Got my halo on, I know what I wantIt's who I'm with (It's who I'm with)It's an extraordinary merry Christmas

Blaine with Rachel:Won't you meet me by the tree?Slip away so secretlyCan't you see how this could be?The greatest gift of all

Rachel with Blaine (New Directions):It's a very, very, merry, merry Christmas (Even better than the one before)Gonna stay with you 'til Santa grants my wishes (Think he's knocking on my front door)

Got my halo on, I know what I wantIt's who I'm with (It's who I'm with)It's an extraordinary merry

Very, very, merry, merry Christmas (Even better than the one before)Gonna party until Santa grants my wishes (Think he's knocking on my front door)

Got my halo on, I know what I wantIt's who I'm with (It's who I'm with)

It's an extraordinary merry Christmas (Even better than the one before)It's a very, very, merry, merry Christmas (Even better than the one before)It's an extraordinary merry Christmas

I'm applauding as Blaine and Rachel ended up their song. I'm still havent figure out about stuff that I'm going to donate. I mean, to where? I want to do something different for this year christmas.

"I bow to you." Artie simply said.

"Oh, God." Rachel rolls her eyes.

"Gold. Gold! That's what I'm talking about! I see Cheerios behind you, kind of a dancing Santa thing." Artie says to Rachel and Blaine.

"Just as long as they don't upstage us." Rachel simply said.

"Yeah, as long as they don't upstage us." Blaine simply said.

"Good. Look at you do-gooders. Hard at work." Coach Sylvester suddenly walks in.

"Coach Sylvester, we're in the middle of rehearsal." Artie says to her.

"Yeah, and I think it's great you're working so hard on your performance. And I'll tell you what. Everyone at the homeless shelter is really looking forward to the show. I just wanted to confirm with you, Artie, that we're on for Friday night." Coach Sylvester says to Artie.

"Oh, Friday. It's a no-can-do on Friday. We're taping our Christmas special for the Lima PBS." Artie says to her.

"You told me you were in." Coach Sylvester frown at him.

"This is a huge opportunity for us. Can we just do it another night?" Artie asks her.

"Homeless will be homeless for a while. That's sort of the problem. I promised them. You don't want to disappoint these kids." Coach Sylvester says to us.

"Hmm, like your behavior has disappointed us for years? Last Christmas, you cut down our tree, you stole our presents and you made Becky dress up like a reindeer." Artie protest.

"So you're gonna walk away from people who have nothing?" She asks.

"No, not at all. We're just gonna distract them from their plight and the smell of urine and make them happy with our glamorous Christmas cheer." Artie grins at her.

"The homeless don't have TVs. So you're all agreed on this?" Coach Sylvester asks us and nobody answer. "Fine. Merry Christmas." She simply said and walk away.

"Let's take it from the top, guys. And remember, smile." Artie grins at us.

I just being quiet and frown. I dont want entertaiment where Rachel and Blaine will be in the spotlight. I want to do something different and I guess I know how to do that now.

~~~~

"May I come, coach?" I knock coach Sue's office door and get in.

"What do you want Little Honey Badger?" Coach Sue asks me.

"I want to volunteer for homeless shelter. I also want donate all my birthday gifts and my christmas present to those kids." I said to her.

"But I though that you have record for that tv." Coach Sue frowns at me.

"Yeah but I'm not join to some kind of freak show where Rachel will be the main cast and rules us. I want this christmas to be different. Yesterday was my birthday and I just realized that every year I asked my parents to give me gifts with something I already have and yesterday when I opened all those gifts, I realized something that I want to give not only get."

"Well, I'll see you on Friday." Coach Sue smiles at me.

"Thank you, coach." I smile back at her and walk out from her office.

Tonight I will pack all those gifts back and being a Santa for one day. I know doing some kind of charity thing is good and makes me appreciate what I have now.

"Hey, do you already plan about the song we should sing for that tv?" Mike asks me.

"I'm not join." I shake my head.

"Why babe?" Mike frowns at me.

"I joinned to volunteer for homeless shelter. I dont want to join the tv show where Rachel will be the main cast and rules everything. I want to do something different." I said to Mike.

"But that's one of your dad's project." Mike frowns at me.

"No. Dad just choosed Artie besides this is what makes me happy so I'll do it. I'm sorry, Mike. I just want to learn how to appreciate the things I have." I half-smiled at Mike.

"I'm so proud of you. Maybe I can help too." Mike smiles at me.

"No. Dont. This is your senior year, make it bright. That's fine." I smile back at him.

"Well, I have this for you. As your birthday present yesterday also your christmas present." Mike says to me and give me a box.

"What is this?" I raise my eyebrows and open that box. "Wow, Mike this is very pretty."

"Just like you. I went to the mall with my mom then I saw this on jewelry store and I guess it will look beautiful on you." Mike smiles at me.

"Thank you, I really like this bracelet." I smile back at him. "You and I forever." I said as I read what write on that bracelet. "But isnt this too much?"

"No. It's not that expensive. I really like it since I saw it for the first time." Mike says to me and wear that bracelet on my right hand.

"Thank you so much." I smile at him and hug him.

"You're welcome. Just do your best for that volunteer okay." Mike smiles back at me and rubs my cheek.

I wrap his hand and smiling at him. I'm gonna go home after this then make little box for christmas surprise box for a game then volunteer myself in that homeless shelter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm sorry for five minutes late, Coach." I said to coach Sue as she is busy with handling the food along with Sam and Quinn. "I didnt know you guys here."

"We're volunteering here. What about you?" Quinn says to me.

"Me too." I nodded. "I also bring Christmas Surprise Box." I smile at them.

"What is that?" Coach Sue asks me.

"Stuff that I want to give for these kids as christmas present, the price arent much different but to make it fair, I put it in a box so they wont fight." I giggle.

"That's very sweet of you. Okay, back to work now." Coach Sue smiles at us.

I keep holding that box then take a table and place it in the middle. "Kids, do you wanna play a game with me? I have present." I shout and smile at them.

They suddenly run to me and standing around my table and look excited. I turn my face at Quinn, Sam, and coach Sue, and they just smiling at me.

"What game?" A little girl asks me.

"Well, I'm here volunteering as Santa today. So I have gifts inside this box and who wants gift?" I smile at them.

"Me! Me!"

"Alright. Now who can answer my question, get a prize to pull out one of these wire and pick up their gift. Ready? Alright, what is the day of today?"

"It's Friday!" A little blonde girl answer and raises her hand.

"Okay you can pick up your gift." I smile at her.

She pull out a wire and I just looking inside my box and then take the gift that she pull out and give it to her. "I got christmas hat!" She smiles happily.

I'm just smiling looking at them. I sold some of my gifts this year and last year gifts on ebay. Then I used the money to buy little stuff for kids so I can make this surprise christmas box. I'm really happy with this.

One Hour Later

My box is finally empty and glad that it's quiet enough for those kids and they look really happy because it was fun game. I move the table and my box to the corner then help Sam and Quinn with giving the dinner for them.

"You really did good things." Quinn says to me.

"I cant believe you dont wanna tape for that tv show." Sam says to me.

"Every year, I gave my parents christmas list and birthday list then they would give me and last time I realized that I feel like I didnt appreciate what I have so I sold some of them on ebay and use the money to buy gift for those kids. Besides I dont want to play for tv show which Rachel will be controlling and be the main cast." I said to them.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah! Portion control, Bee Sting. Come on. Guess you're just not used to being on this side of the serving line." Coach Sue suddenly standing in the middle of us.

"Seriously though, I don't think we have enough food for everybody." Quinn says to her.

"I think so." I nodded as agree.

"Yeah. Economy gets bad, people give less." Coach Sue simply said.

"Hey!" Suddenly someone open the door and the rest of glee club is coming include my dad.

"I know we're late, but we were all hoping there's still time to help. We brought the turkey from the special with all the fixings." Artie says to coach Sue.

"Yeah, it's a prop but it's real." Dad simply said. "Hey, are you doing good here?" Dad smiles at me.

"She gave all those kids a game and gifts, Mr. Schue." Sam says to dad.

"Why don't you put it on the table over there, kiddo." Coach Sue smiles at Artie.

"You guys finally me around." Sam says to them.

"Well, you can thank Rory for helping us see the light." Finn says as he brough a christmas tree with Rory.

"I was just following my Christmas sponsor's lead." Rory simply said.

"Would it be weird if I made myself a plate?" Puck asks quietly.

"We have a song, too. We were gonna perform it as our final number for our Christmas special, but we lost the final ten minutes of airtime when the station reached a last-second agreement with those Yule log people." Artie says to coach Sue.

"As long as it's not Jingle Bells. It seems it's the only song our janitor knows how to play, and I'm bleeding from the ears." Coach Sue simply said.

I take off my apron and walk to the corner as dad start playing the music on a tape and a song is begin. This is really the best christmas ever in my life.

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