"Have you guys gotten your christmas shopping done?" Nazz asked Kevin a week later.

"Yeah, we did. But we didn't figure out anything to get for Nat. I mean, what can you get for someone who has everything?" Kevin sighed, he felt bad not getting anything for his best friend. He was more angry with himself than anything. Year after year, he had trouble getting a gift for Nat. But he always came up empty handed. And he hated it. He had hoped that this year would be different, but unfortunately, he was wrong. Not even Double Dee could figure out a gift. Or so he thought.

"But I think Double Dee might have something in mind. He wouldn't tell me though."

Nazz gave him a look. "Really? Double Dee doesn't really keep anything from anyone."

"He has his secrets. He also likes his privacy. It doesn't bother me that he doesn't tell me everything."

"True. But still. Nat is your best friend. You'd think he'd tell you."

"Eh. I'm sure it'll be great."

TWO HOURS LATER

"Naaaaaazzzzzzzz. Are we done yet? There're so many presents. Oh my god." Kevin whined. Nazz giggled.

"Dude. You've literally just sat there and maybe wrapped five of the twenty presents that are here. Quit your whining." She laughed at his horror stricken face.

"THERE WERE TWENTY PRESENTS IN ALL?!"

"No. There are more. Double Dee came by earlier in the week with the first half of the gift haul."

Kevin just stared at his best friend. "Kevin, your jaw is on the floor. Pick it up before you start drooling all over my table." Nazz giggled. Kevin snapped his mouth shut. "How in the hell did he manage to bring over that many presents without any of us noticing?! He is literally surrounded by all of us all the time. HOW?!"

At this, Nazz sighed and rolled her eyes. Sometimes her best friend was a little dense. "He snuck them out four or five at a time. Why do you think his clothes were so bulky? Or why he was suddenly carrying a backpack and not a messenger bag? Double Dee is smarter than we give him credit for."

Kevin thought for a moment. "You know, that makes sense. We didn't understand why he was suddenly wearing more layers than usual. But, yeah, that uh, that makes sense."

After that, they sat down and talked for a little while longer, mugs of Nazz's special hot chocolate in front of them.

"Grandfather! Grandmother! You made it!" Double Dee said, delighted that his grandparents had finally come down for the visit. His father was standing off to the side and watched the joyful reunion between his son and his ex in-laws.

"Eddward! My dear! How you've grown. Oh, I've missed you so much." His grandmother, Marianne, said. She placed her hands on his cheeks, then arms, and brought him in for a tight hug. True, she hadn't seen him since he was a small babe, but she missed her grandson more and more with each passing day. She knew her daughter hated her father, but she never thought she'd cut all communication off with them. When she found out her daughter's number had changed and every other form of communication had been blocked, it broke her heart and shattered her soul.

"Hello, Grandmother." Eddward said fondly and returned the hug. He didn't know how much he needed this. "Willow, you're going to suffocate the poor boy. Let him go." Hugh, his grandfather, laughed. But he smiled all the same at the picture before him. His wife and grandson were reunited and he was happy that his wife was no longer upset. It made his heart happy and full. He only wished his daughter would have been happy being a mother.

"Oh, Hugh. I know. But, I've finally got my little boy." Willow cried. And then cried some more when Double Dee drew her into a hug and wouldn't let go of the tiny woman. After the small reunion between grandmother and grandson, everyone walked inside. Of course, Kevin was made to carry the bags and Double Dee was asked to carry his grandmother's small lugg

"Eddward, tell me. Have you figured out what your last gift to your friend will be? I remember you said you were having a bit of trouble." His grandmother said.

"No, unfortunately not, Grandmother. He's Kevin's best friend and he told me he was a hard one to shop for. He's gotten Nat the same thing every year. But, he did mention that his parents always take a vacation this time of year. So Nat is always left at home, alone."

"Hhmm." Grandmother Willow thought a moment. Her husband gave her a look and waited. Double Dee waited patiently for his grandmother to speak.

After a moment, she finally spoke. "You could get him nothing, dear." Double Dee promptly choked on his herbal tea and his grandfather only smiled.

"Grandmother!" He exclaimed. She merely smiled and put her cup of tea down on the table. She looked up at him and said, "He's rich enough to buy his own presents, wants, and needs. He's rich enough to afford most luxuries in life and then some. But, if what you say is true and his parents do leave him alone every holiday, then what he wants isn't something material. He wants companionship. He wants to be wanted at Christmas. His parents leaving him to his own devices, it can get...depressing. Sounds to me that the answer is clear, dear." She said. Double Dee stared at his grandmother. His grandfather merely chuckled and said, "Your grandmother has personal experience."

Willow shook her head in agreement. "Oh yes. My parents would leave me alone every holiday to go on either a vacation or a business trip or both. No amount of gifts or phone calls or 'I love you' could fill the hole they had left. I desperately wanted someone to be with me, to want me. Just for the one day. Just one person. I wanted someone to spend that holiday with me. It was terribly depressing and lonely." She stopped to wipe a tear from her face and to breath. Even after almost forty years, she was still upset.

His grandfather stepped in and told the rest of the story. "Your grandmother and I had been friends before our parents arranged our marriage. And during that time, she never told me what she went through every holiday. We all knew how much it bothered her but never the depth. It wasn't until our junior year of high school that I happened to find out why she despised Christmas. To this day, it still hurts me down to my core. So, I decided that that year would be her last year having to go through the holiday season alone. I planned it for weeks. I gathered as many people as I could and we all carpooled to her house at the edge of town. She didn't expect it."

Hugh looked at his wife with tenderness. Willow smiled. "Yes. I was very much surprised that everyone we knew had come over. Just to spend the holiday with me." She smiled and looked at Double Dee. "So, Double Dee. Have you decided what you're going to get your friend?"

Double Dee smiled and thought about what he could do to make what he was thinking about happen. "Yes. I think I do."

Over the next few days, Double Dee made the necessary plans to make Nat's Christmas the best Christmas he's ever had. He abhorred the idea that someone else was alone during such a special time of year. He especially didn't like that his friend had kept something from them all. He wasn't going to pretend that he understood, because he didn't. And he didn't think anyone else did either. He wanted to understand why his friend had deliberately kept something from them.

"Because. He knew you were going through something. He didn't think his situation was important enough when he knew his friend was having a rough time."

Double Dee jumped. "Oh! Oh dear. Kevin. You scared me. Where did you come from? And how did you know what I was thinking?"

Kevin chuckled. "Because, dork, you were talking out loud. Nat is sort of private when it comes to his personal life. He doesn't want anyone to know. I don't even pretend to understand why his parents would rather run all over the world than stay home with their son. I've tried to be there for him over the last few years though."

Double Dee only stared. "How long have you known?"

"Since sixth grade. I found out on accident. Went over one day and his house was empty. I found him in his room, crying. I brought him to my house later, when he had stopped crying."

"Oh." He said. "Well, maybe this year will be different. He has friends who care about him. That love him. It's a lesson hard learned, but a lesson nonetheless." Double Dee said with conviction. He only hoped that Nat would like what they were doing for him.

CHRISTMAS DAY

{ AN: Yes, we are skipping ahead here because I wanted to get this out. I'm currently writing out my farewell chapter to Queenie. I know! Totally sad! But, I don't see her making any more appearances in the story. Don't worry though; I'm giving her a good send off. :) }

Christmas Day brought almost the gang together. Minus a member. They all exchanged gifts with more to be welcomed later; in private for the respective couples of the group. They enjoyed a pancake breakfast that Double Dee's father and grandmother made for them. Complete with eggs, toasts, biscuits, bacon, and ham. Everyone is different.

"Okay, Double Dee, do you have everything you need before you leave?" His father asked.

"Yes, Father. I believe we do." He hummed to himself as he went through his mental checklist one last time. Once he was through, he ran up the stairs to grab one more thing. "Okay everyone! It's time to go!"

.

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Nat was still laying in bed when the door bell sounded throughout the house. He smashed his face into his pillow and groaned. "What could my darling parents have sent me now?" He asked no one in particular. He heard it go off again and got up out of bed, grabbing a pair of pajama pants along the way. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" He said as the ringing became incessant.

As he pulled open the door, he was met with a chorus of "Merry Christmas, Nat!" He stared at his friends standing on his porch. "Well, aren't you going to invite us in? It's freezing out here!" He heard Nazz say.

"Of course! Come in! I'm sorry! I just...I just wasn't expecting anyone to be here on Christmas." He said, dumbfounded.

"We know, dude. But, we figured you'd like some company." Kevin said, walking in and patting his best friend on the shoulder as he went past. The others followed close behind him into the house. They all made their way into the living room, after Double Dee made them all take their shoes off at the front door along with their coats and various accessories with them.

"Why are you all here?" Nat asked.

Everyone was quiet for a moment. "Because, no one should ever be alone."

Nat stared at the floor and then looked up at Double Dee. "Dude, Double Dee..."

"No one should be alone. My parents abandoned me; true, my father came back after a year, but that didn't lessen the pain. You're parents leave you every year. And you're always alone. I didn't like that and I thought that instead of giving you something material, something immaterial would be more appropriate. But, the others have brought something for you. This is my gift to you."

"Gift?"

"Yes, Nat. Us being here, right here, right now, in your living room, is my gift to you." Double Dee said as he teared up. Nat stood up and walked towards Double Dee. He brought him into a hug and held on tightly. The room was quiet, save for the light christmas music in the background.

"Thank you. I never...thank you, Double Dee." Nat said quietly.

"You're welcome, Nat."

Oh ho! Do you think this is the end of it!? No! What is the item that Rave had Kevin pick up? Do you have any ideas or speculations? I have one or two more chapters left. It's sad to think that my first fic is almost to a close. But, I'm sure you guys are sick of me updating so sporadically. I know I am. Anyway! I hope you guys have all stayed with me. And I'm sorry for the late (SUPER LATE) upload. As always, leave your thoughts!