Page 14 of The Gift of the Maltipoo

“A little bit at a time over the past few days. I wanted this to be a celebration,” she said before hugging first him and then Anthony. “Now put your presents under the tree and come in for breakfast. I made pancakes, bacon, and eggs.”

“You didn’t have to do all this,” Tyler said.

“You can stop treating me like an invalid and sit down to breakfast. I’m feeling more like myself.”

“Well, let me get the food,” Tyler said and got his mom to sit down. Then he dished up everything and brought it to the table. There was nothing like his mother’s cooking. She just knew how to make things tasty. Once everything was set, he joined them, and they all had an amazing Christmas breakfast before moving to the living room.

Tyler sat in the chair nearest the tree and began handing out gifts. There were some for everyone, including Daisy, who tore into her present to get the chew bone. She settled and worked on it while Tyler handed his mother his gift.

“You didn’t need to get me anything,” Mom said as she opened the small box.

“I didn’t know your size, but there’s a gift card to your favorite boutique for new clothes, and you have an appointment on the twenty-seventh for a facial, manicure, and massage at the Downtown Spa. I thought it was time you started looking and feeling more like yourself.” He smiled, and she lightly kissed his cheek.

“Thank you,” Mom said and handed him a package. “I know you don’t need much.” He opened the box and grinned when he pulled out a new game console and controllers. “But I always know you wear these out.”

“Thanks, Mom. It’s perfect.” He hugged her and then passed Anthony his gift, only to get one in return. They had agreed to small gifts, so he was surprised when he opened the box. “Oh my God… how did you get these?” It was two tickets to a sci-fi convention. “I tried to get them, but they were sold out in minutes.”

“A client got them months ago and couldn’t use them. I sort of figured I’d go to check it out. But….” Anthony shrugged as though this was no big deal. Tyler stared at the tickets, unableto believe his luck. “I figured you and I could go and make a weekend of it.”

“And all I got you were a couple of ties for work,” Tyler said as Anthony opened his gift and grinned. They had dogs that looked like Daisy on them.

“Now I can take her to work with me,” he said as he gently petted Daisy, who barely looked up from her chew bone. “Thank you.”

Tyler was still looking at the tickets, and then he leapt at Anthony and hugged him tightly. “These are perfect.”

“I’m glad you like them.” He hugged him, and they sat together as Mom went to the kitchen to make coffee. “Did you enjoy your Christmas, sweetheart?” Anthony had called him that before, though Tyler smiled at the endearment just the same. It was too early for huge declarations, but he knew he was growing to care, and Anthony showed his feelings every day.

Tyler nodded as Daisy hurried over to join them. He lifted her, and the three of them sat together. “I did.” Then Daisy kissed him, and Anthony laughed before nosing her out of the way.

“He’s mine, girl.” Anthony kissed him hard enough to curl his toes. A boyfriend who liked and understood him for who he was, a dog who loved them both, and Mom on the mend. Best Christmas ever.