The first weekend of December arrived with cold, hot chocolate and emotion. No really heavy snow had fallen yet, so we decided we would go Christmas shopping. The girls were going together to the mall.
"We'll probably be back way after you guys are done shopping, so don't wait up for me," I remarked to Zac as I was putting on some earrings.
"Okay," Zac laughed. I smiled, knowing how Celine was with shopping. Zac came to my side and gave me a kiss. "You know we only have two more weeks together?"
"Zac, don't…please," I said. I gave him a hug and left the room.
All the shopping had been done. Gabby and I had shopped for everyone almost. Now we were left with the three hardest people…Celine, Zac and Ike.
"Think he'd like this?" I asked, holding up a bright orange shirt.
Gabby rolled her eyes. "Ellie, this is Christmas! Your last Christmas together."
"True. What was I thinking??"
Gabby laughed and then gasped. "Oh, Ellie, look!" I turned around and looked where she was pointing. It was a small baby shirt that said "Celine" on it.
"That's soooo perfect!" I exclaimed, grabbing the smallest shirt. "She'll love it!"
But Gabby wasn't listening. She was staring across the mall. Perplexed, I followed her stare and watched her begin walking. Hurriedly, I paid for Celine's gift and ran after her.
Gabby's eyes were fixed on the necklace in the display case. I gasped when I saw it was the angel necklace of Ike's. The price tag read $275.00.
"I can't believe he spent that much," she said. "What am I going to get him for Christmas that will top that?"
My eyes darted to the necklace beside it. "That…"
I wanted to stop time. Christmas was fast approaching, and I had no gift for Ellie and no way to stop the inevitable. I was going to leave and that was all there was to it.
"I found the perfect gift," Ike whispered that night.
"Ike, you gave her that expensive necklace…" Taylor whispered back.
"This doesn't have a price." Right now, Christmas gifts were the farthest thing from my mind.
I was all packed and ready to go. At 11:15, our flight was leaving for Tulsa. We wouldn't be staying for the Christmas Day celebrations. We had to get back to Tulsa for our annual New Year's Eve party.
I knew Zac wasn't happy about leaving, but Ike was the unhappiest. The Christmas season hadn't been to kind to him, I knew. But I had a feeling Ike had something up his sleeve.
Zac took Ellie out to the pond for a private goodbye, so I wandered into Gabby's room. "Hey, Gabby," I said.
"Oh, hey Taylor. I'm gonna miss you barging in on me like that."
I sighed. "I know the feeling. But, listen, the five of us are going to stay together, right? We'll stay in touch."
"Of course." Gabby paused. "Taylor, I have a question."
"Shoot." I plopped down on her bed.
"Um…that day when we…well…when…we…"
"Kissed?" I asked quietly.
"Yeah. Um…did you have a crush on me?"
"Gabby, for a while I did have a crush on you," I admitted. "But then I saw how you felt about Ike…truth is, I was lonely."
"Lonely?"
"Well, everyone has someone," I said dejectedly. "I don't."
"Taylor, I know the right girl will come along…"
"Maybe."
Gabby looked at me. "You'll always have me, Taylor, as a friend."
I smiled. "You're my best girl friend, you know?"
"Wow…that's a privilege," she joked. I hit her with a pillow good-naturedly.
"Zac, I don't know what I'm going to do," I said to him as we stood by the pond. I hated goodbyes.
"Ellie, I want us to stay together," Zac said suddenly. "I love you too much to let you go. We'll have the phone and e-mail…and when we go back on tour, I'm planning to announce that I have a girlfriend."
"Really?" I asked.
"Believe me when I say I'll love you til the end forever and a day," Zac sang quietly. He gave me a hug.
"I love you too, Zac," I choked. I pulled away and took off my well-worn bracelet. "This is so you won't forget me. I've had it for years, and I want you to have it."
"I'll wear it every day."
"Zac, I don't want you to leave!" I cried.
Zac leaned over and gave me a long kiss. "You know I don't want to see you cry," he whispered. "Come on. It's time to go." Zac took my hand and we walked away from the pond for the last time together.
A million thoughts were running through my head. In an hour, I'd be gone. I wouldn't see Gabby again. I was tempted to tell her I loved her, but the note would be enough.
I knew how hard leaving must have been for the Hansons, so I suggested we all go along to the airport. Zac and Ellie looked relieved to have more time together.
I looked at my living room as we left. We'd been so busy and so emotional that we hadn't even decorated for Christmas. It would probably stay that way too. I knew no one would feel good enough to decorate the house.
The ride over was silent. Zac and Ellie sat in the way back, holding each other for dear life. Taylor, Isaac and Gabby sat in front of them. They had all agreed to exchange presents at the airport and open them after leaving.
