Just as I used to be at their age, my little cousins are very excited to open their gifts. As Ma calls them out, I finally learn their names. Kyra and Jackie open theirs first and are very happy with their new toys.
Kyra: If we share our gifts, we’ll have triple the gifts.
Jackie: Yeah, totally. Let’s do that!
Blaze takes his time opening his gift. I’m guessing he wants to savor the moment.
Maia is shocked when Dad calls her over and gives her a wrapped box.
Maia: Oh my, is this one for me?
Kai: No one gets left out during Winterfest around here.
Maia opens her box and her eyes light up. I can’t see what it is, but I can tell that she loves it.
Maia: Thank you so much! This is very kind of you.
Kai: You’re welcome.
Ma calls me over and gives me a box with my name. I open it up and see a piece of paper with the words ‘Real Estate Deed’ at the top. At first, I’m unsure what it is because I’ve never seen one. Then I realize what I’m holding. I walk over and give Dad a big hug.
Wade: Is this what I think it is? Did you -?
I’m at a loss for words, but Dad fills in for me.
Kai: – sign the house over to you? Yes, Ma and I decided that it was time.
Wade: I asked Maia to move in with me this morning, and I was worried because I hadn’t run it by you and Ma first.
Kai: It’s your place now. You can do whatever you want.
Wade: I’m shocked. I didn’t think I’d done enough to earn it.
Kai: You’ve done more than enough. Your Ma and I are very proud of you. We see how dedicated you are to your work. We know that you’ve been taking your college classes. And we also like who you’ve chosen to date.
Wade: So you like Maia?
Kai: We love her and hope she’ll be a part of our family one day.
I look over to where she’s sitting and realize I feel the same way. I think about Luca and his upcoming wedding. Maybe my big moves need to be just a little bit bigger. I turn back to Dad.
Wade: I can’t thank you enough.
Kai: No need for thanks. I can see the gratitude in your eyes.
The gift-giving continues, but my Ma and Dad have given me more than I could have asked for in a million years.
The party begins to wind down, and the guest count quickly dwindles as everyone starts to leave. Dray approaches me again.
Drake: I know you have Maia now, but don’t forget about us. We miss you around here.
Wade: Never, bro. You can come and see me whenever you want to.
Drake: Really?
Wade: Of course. And if you’re willing, maybe you can come along on one of the big trips I’m planning.
Drake: That would be cool.
It’s time for Maia and I to leave, but not before Dray and I finish the night with a selfie.
When the party ends, it’s too late to drive back to Brindleton Bay. Ma and Dad offer to let Maia and I stay there on the farm in the guest room, but I’m trying to get busy and wouldn’t feel comfortable doing it there in the house with them. Instead, I tell them we’ll get a room at the Henford Bed and Breakfast. Dad gets a funny look and tells me that he and Ma are very familiar with the place. I’m not about to ask how. I hurry Maia out of there before he starts reminiscing and telling me stuff I don’t want to know.
We arrive in Finchwick Village, which Maia says is the cutest thing. It’s too cold to look around, so we settle for a few selfies, then head inside the Bed and Breakfast.
We check in and find out that there’s only one room left. The B&B manager tells us it’s small, and only one shared bathroom exists. I guess that’s just how these types of places are. Maia seems to think it’s charming, so we decide to stay.
As we’re walking up the stairs, a thought occurs to me-
Wade: *to Maia* Is there such a thing as too much woohoo?
Maia: *smiles* I don’t know.
We test that theory a few minutes later in the shower. We haven’t come up with an answer to it yet, though.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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