Picture Perfect?

DEVLIN'S POV :

I wake up to the smell of bacon , and the sight of Ashley engaging in his usual morning pastime of watching me sleep . He never seems to get bored with it , I asked him once why he does it , and his response was , "You just look so peaceful and innocent that I don't have the heart to wake you up ." And I can't really give him any crap about it , because I've done the same thing a few times when I've been the first one awake , and I could say the same about him .
"Good morning , darlin' . Merry Christmas !" , he says softly , kissing the top of my head . "Something smells pretty good out there ."
"Merry Christmas to you , too ." , I say , nuzzling his neck .
There's a tap on the door , and Tony says , "Hey , Mom asked me to let you know that breakfast is almost ready , so you might wanna come get it while everything's hot ."
"We'll be there in a few , dude ." , Ash responds , and we force ourselves out of bed , and back into the Christmas pajamas my Mom gave everybody last night , just like every year . The only thing different is that this time , there was a pair for Ash , along with everybody elses . So I'm headed down in a fuzzy green shirt , and fuzzy pants covered with pictures of cats in red hats , and the phrase "Santa Paws" , while he's wearing a pair of flannel pajama pants emblazoned with pictures of Santa in Western gear on a horse .
We get to the kitchen , and Mom has just finished putting all of the food on the table . Apparently she must've gotten up pretty early , because we have scrambled eggs , bacon , biscuits , hash browns , and she even fried some chicken to make sandwiches of the biscuits , which is mine and Tony's favorite breakfast . And she surprises Ash by having some turkey bacon for him , since he refuses to eat red meat .
"Joanne , you didn't have to go to that much trouble ." , he tells her .
"Don't be silly , it's no trouble , Ashley . I always like to make sure my kids have their favorites on special occasions , so why wouldn't I make sure you have what you like ?" , she says , and sort of ruffles his hair as she sits down .
We eat until everyone is pretty well stuffed , and then everyone goes to the living room to open presents , including the dogs , who are ecstatic because they each got a whole slice of bacon as a holiday treat .
We all sit in a circle around the Christmas tree , and we each take turns handing out the gifts we've bought for everyone . Ash insisted on going shopping on his own , so I'm as surprised by the gifts he got everyone as they are , with the possible exception of Tony . I don't think it's possible for anyone to be any more shocked than he is when he opens his gift and finds an appointment card , saying that he'll be meeting his baking idol , and maybe get to demonstrate for him .
It turns out that he mentioned the guy when we were all together before the wedding , and when Ash found out that they had a mutual friend , he managed to set it up for two days from now .
Dad is thrilled with the ginormous German beer stein Ash gave him to add to his collection , and Mom , who is a massive Elvis fan , actually cries when she sees her authentic , framed
"Blue Hawaii" movie poster .
As she hugs Ash and thanks him effusively , the doorbell rings . Everyone looks surprised , and Tony asks , "Are you guys expecting anybody ?"
"Yeah , I actually am . I had to hide Dev's gift somewhere else , and Jazy is dropping it off on her way out ." , Ashley replies , disengaging himself from Mom and heading for the door .
"Merry Christmas , everybody !" , Jazy sings out , as she gives Ash a peck on the cheek and hands him a box , then bounces over to hug me .
"What was that for , anyway ?" , Tony asks him . "It was always me and Holli that tried to peek at our gifts , not Dev ."
"I wasn't worried about her peeking , it just wouldn't keep under the tree for a long period of time ." , he says , then walks over to me and hands me the box .
"I remember that you said you had one of these when you were younger , and I thought you might enjoy another one . Merry Christmas , love ."
I start taking the paper off , and there's suddenly a noise from the box . As I get more of the paper off , I see holes poked in the box , and when I open the flaps , I hear a small "Mew" .
I reach into the box , and pull out a small Siamese kitten . It looks at me , puts a paw on my nose , and starts to purr .
"Oh , my gosh , he's gorgeous !" , I shriek . "Thank you so much , babe !"
"He's actually a she , darlin' ." , he says ."The breeder said that a female is less likely to feel the need to mark things , and not as inclined to wander ."
"Well then , SHE'S gorgeous ! And since it's Christmas , her name is Tinsel ."
Jazy stays to chat for a few minutes , then leaves for whatever she has planned , and we go back to opening gifts , and watching Tinsel and the dogs check each other out .
Tony takes his turn next , and manages to surprise Ash almost as much as he was , when he gives him an autographed Dolly Parton picture , knowing that she's one of Ashley's favorite country singers . Apparently , she came into the restaurant where he works , and he managed to arrange for her to sign a picture he'd gotten online .
Then my folks give the three of us our gifts , and Dad says , " I'll be honest , we didn't actually spend money on these things , they're just things we wanted you all to have ."
Tony ends up with my paternal grandad's silver pocket watch , while I get my maternal grandma's opal necklace , which I always used to beg Mom to let me wear .
Then Dad reaches behind the couch, pulls out a large box , and puts it down in front of Ash . " Ashley , this belonged to my older brother , and my folks gave it to me when he passed . I've never had a clue what to do with it , but I'm pretty sure you won't have that problem ."
As soon as he says that it belonged to my Uncle Dave , I know exactly what it is , and I give Dad a huge smile and mouth ,"Thank you , Daddy ."
Ash unties the ribbon and lifts the lid off of the box , letting everyone see a rather worn guitar case . He pops the latches , opens it , and his mouth drops open when he sees a red - and - gold sunburst finish Les Paul guitar from the early 1960's .
"Holy shit , Rob , this is amazing !" , he exclaims . " But shouldn't you keep this in the family ?"
"That's exactly what I am doing ." , Dad informs him . "Family isn't just blood , and you're as much a part of this family now as these two , or Holli , or Paul . Just like Darcy became our daughter when she married Paul ."
"That's right , Ashley ." , Mom says . "We think of you as our son now , no less than Tony or Paul .As long as Devlin is happy , and you're treating her well , you're one of ours ."
He tries to respond , but he's actually too choked up to get any words out , so he just puts down the guitar and hugs them both , with tears starting to trickle down his face .
When he finally lets go of Dad , I slip my arms around his waist , resting my chin on his shoulder . "I told you , didn't I ?" , I whisper in his ear . "How could they NOT love you ? You're you ."

A / N : I KNOW THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF EXCITEMENT IN THE LAST COUPLE. OF CHAPTERS , BUT I DO HAVE SOMETHING COMING UP FOR Y'ALL NEXT TIME ! STAY TUNED !

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