"Wow~"
While Mike was contemplating what car to buy next year, Regina, who was driving beside him, pulled the sports car over and exclaimed in surprise, "It's snowing!"
As if welcoming the arrival of Christmas Eve, tiny, sparkling snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
Before long, the sporadic snowflakes turned into large, goose-feather-like flakes.
The large snowflakes, dancing in the air, accompanied by the twinkling colored lights along both sides of the road, added a touch of hazy beauty to Medford Town.
"It's snowing… it's snowing…"
As her relationship with Mike deepened, Regina's lively side also began to show.
At this moment, she ran out of the car like a child, spreading her arms to embrace the falling snow, while letting out bursts of joyful cheers.
And in the residential area not far away, excited children occasionally rushed out of their houses, cheering and frolicking in the snow.
Of course, along with the children's cheers, there were also the scolding voices of concerned parents.
One must know, the outdoor temperature wasn't exactly high right now. If one didn't take good care to stay warm, they could easily catch a cold.
Mike, for his part, quickly called the excited Regina back into the car.
However, in just that short time, the girl's nose and the backs of her hands had already turned red from the cold.
After warming her hands, Regina, while the snow wasn't too thick yet, quickly drove Mike back to Connie's doorstep.
"Merry Christmas~"
As Mike was about to get out of the car, Regina gave him her Christmas wishes in advance.
Looking at the girl's charming appearance, Mike then gave her a sweet farewell kiss.
After getting out of the car, Mike waved, reminding the girl, "Be careful on your way back—!"
"Got it." Regina poked her head out of the car window and said with a smile, "Oh, Mike. Don't forget to come and play with me when you have time."
Starting from tomorrow, the school gave students a two-week vacation.
Adding in the weekend, the Christmas holiday was a total of sixteen days.
Such a long holiday was enough for those who liked to travel to go on two trips.
"I'll come find you when I have time." Mike replied, facing the girl's expectant gaze.
And after receiving the promise she wanted, the girl drove away contentedly.
At Connie's doorstep, Mike watched the sports car drive away before entering the house.
"Mike, you're back!" Accompanied by Missy's surprised voice, the little girl joyfully came to the doorway and helped Mike brush the snow off him.
Under the Christmas tree in the living room, there were many drinks and snacks, with two decks of Texas Hold'em cards scattered in the middle.
It was clear that Connie and the Cooper family had been having a family game earlier.
"Mike, want to come and try?" Connie, who was shuffling the cards, invited.
Texas Hold'em was originally a game of luck, but it was turned into a battle of wits by Sheldon, who had figured out the rules.
Snacks were used as chips; adults who ran out of chips had to drink alcohol, while children drank juice.
Before long, Mike, who also understood how everyone was playing, joined the game.
Then, this casual game quickly turned into a battle of wits between him and Sheldon.
For the others playing, two geniuses with super brain power and memory were a dimension-level attack.
"I really should take you two to a casino." Connie, who had run out of chips again, took a sip of beer and said sourly.
Indeed, being a gambling enthusiast, she was actually pondering how she could take Mike and the other to a casino to make a killing.
"Mom—" Mary, who understood her mother's nature, saw her thoughtful expression and spoke with a hint of warning in her tone.
She didn't want her little son to pick up bad habits because of Connie.
"Don't get excited, I was just joking." Connie quickly explained when she saw her daughter's overreaction.
Soon, amidst the fun, it was Christmas Eve.
It was time for friends to exchange gifts.
Christmas gifts are not about value, but about thoughtfulness.
Small gifts like hats, scarves, and gloves can bring warm feelings to people in the cold winter.
Mike received a scarf hand-knitted by Mary and a winter hat prepared by Connie.
In addition, he also received a self-portrait drawn by Missy for him, a handmade storage box made by Georgie, and more.
And he also prepared the same series of wool gloves for Connie and the Coopers. For Georgie, he gave a flashy red neck warmer.
As for Sheldon and Missy, these two children, Mike gave them the gifts they had "chosen" themselves.
"This is the latest Barbie doll from the mall…" Missy, who unwrapped her gift, saw the Barbie doll and happily kissed Mike's cheek as a reward.
Meanwhile, Sheldon, who received the hardcover edition of "A Brief History of Time," also showed a rare happy smile on his face.
That night, even Mary and George's relationship had eased.
…
The next day, Christmas.
Because of the heavy snow last night, there was a thick layer of accumulated snow outside.
After a simple breakfast, George took the Cooper family men and Mike to clear the snow in front of the door in the morning.
As for Connie and Mary, they stayed in the house, preparing the Christmas feast.
As it approached noon, Mike and the others had finished clearing the snow from the entrance and even built a plump, white snowman in Connie's yard.
Georgie stuck the broom in his hand into the snowman, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and looked at his dad expectantly, saying, "Dad, I want a suit."
To be more sure of getting this gift, Georgie had put in a lot of effort during the previous snow-clearing activity.
"A suit?" George looked at his eldest son, whose figure was gradually becoming more upright, thought for a moment, and said, "If you can change the snow tires on the family car by yourself, I'll grant your wish."
"Really?" Georgie said excitedly, "I'll go change the snow tires on the family car this afternoon."
A suit is a man's armor, and Georgie was determined to look cool.
"Very good, once you've changed the snow tires, I'll give you the suit." George patted his eldest son's shoulder, making a solemn promise.
A man's growth often happens inadvertently, perhaps at the very moment he desires a suit of his own.
Afterward, George and his son gathered again to discuss the specifics of the deal.
George taught his eldest son some tricks for changing snow tires.
And Georgie, for his part, explained to his dad the color and style of the suit he wanted.
By noon, when Missy came to the door to call Mike and the others home for lunch, George and his son had largely finished discussing their deal.
As everyone walked in, they saw that besides turkey and specially roasted beef, there were many other specialty dishes on the dining table.
"Let's raise our glasses and celebrate Christmas." When everyone was seated at the dining table, Connie enthusiastically greeted everyone.
"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses, celebrating the arrival of Christmas.