Chapter 35

Christmas day finally arrived, everybody was happy most especially Jason and Anna, this is the first Christmas they are having as lovers. It's amazing almost unbelievable that they are dating but neither their parents nor the world knows. They stole glances from each other when opportune and give eye signals when no one is looking, they blew kisses when everybody is busy and they kiss each other when everybody was asleep.
Yes, it is a secret relationship but they are happy with it like that, to them it is better they date secretly than they don't date at all. They know that one day, it will be out in the open and the world will curse them, their parents will be angry with them and if possible separate them and refuse to forgive them for their sin but they love each other too much to care. One day it's going to happen but if only the world and their parents will know how much they love each other, maybe they won't blame them, maybe they might even support them.
But they know that is nothing but a wishful thinking for who will ever allow two siblings to be together in love? Their love is and forever will remain forbidden but they don't care for they are too busy enjoying which ever moment and time they can spend with each other now before the dreadful day that their love will be exposed. They await the day but it never stop them from telling each other they love each other with every single opportunity they get and also to steal a kiss.
As it is Christmas, they had traveled to their paternal grand parents' home, the house was full. Aunties and uncles came back, their maternal grand parents also came along because last year was in their own home that the Christmas celebration was held but unfortunately, Jason was not at home. The grandparents had been angry why he will miss spending Christmas with his family only to be told that he wasn't even around during the Christmas time the year before and the one before it.
They had lashed out at Veronica and Samuel for allowing him to miss spending Christmas celebration with his family for three consecutive years and they had defended themselves by saying that they asked him to come home but he refused to. Now Jason is around and in the midst of the grandparents, receiving lectures about the importance of spending Christmas time with family.
Jason listened carefully and was tempted times without number to reveal to them that it was because he was avoiding his sister in other for his feelings not to be known that's why he didn't come home during Christmas but he knew the things to say and the things not to. Anna watched him from the sides and made funny faces at him when she could which get Jason wishing he could just announce to the whole family that they are in love, but of course he can't.
"Mom, dad, that's enough. He has been listening to you four for like two hours nows, if you don't want him forgetting every thing you have been saying, you better release him now" Veronica chided her parents and parents in-law.
"But how sure are we that he will keep to it?" Grandma Petunia, Samuel's mother asked.
"Exactly, I wouldn't want to hear that you spent Christmas outside home again" Grandma Edna, Veronica's mother warned Jason who was kneeling before them as a way to atone for his sins.
"Yes Nana Edna, I will not spend Christmas outside home again. I promise" Jason swore.
"Well, since the boy has already agree, let's leave him to enjoy his Christmas" Grandpa Oscar, Veronica's father added.
"You are right Oscar, what is important is when the kids agrees they are wrong and they apologize for it" Grandpa Howie, Samuels father put in.
"Alright alright, since it's like that, then you may go Jason, just have it in mind, family comes first" Nana Petunia warned.
"Yes Nana, you have my word" Jason agreed.
"You may leave" they dismissed him and Jason got up, his knees hurt and he couldn't walk for a moment as he waited for the blood to circulate. He has been kneeling for two hours and his beloved did nothing but laugh at him. As the youngest in the house, everybody pampered her so he couldn't complain cause even if he do, no one will beat her nor caution her and neither will he himself allow anyone to hurt her.
"Finally, you have been released" Jack, his cousin, same age with him, the first son of Uncle Sean who lives in Austria, grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him to the lawn.
"Well, you can't just walk away from the elders can you?" Jason replied as he let him drag him to the lawn.
"Well, why didn't you come home for three years? Do you know how boring it was last year without you around?" Jack asked him with a frown.
"I'm sorry bro, I just had a lot to do that's why" Jason apologized "but why would it be boring? I'm sure Jimmy and Timmy were around."
"You know I don't get along with those twins."
"Me neither, sometimes I even forget they are twins."
"Yea, me too. They are so not identical, except for their personalities though."
"They should be turning twenty this year I guess?"
"Yea, and if you don't know better, you will think they are older than us with the way they behave" Jack rolled his eyes.
Jason chuckled "I thought I was the only one that find them annoying."
"Now you know you are two" Jack huffed before grabbing his snowboard "and what is worse is that Aunt Lucy don't care when you report them."
Jason grabbed his own snowboard "what do you expect from a single mother that is so in love with her boys?" He asked with a hidden meaning making Jack laugh out loud.
"You know I still find it strange. How can a woman throw away her husband from the house simply because she loves her sons more than him? It still sounds unethical."
Well, what will you say about a brother who is in love with his sister? Jason so wanted to ask but couldn't "I won't be going far and besides it's getting late. And if you don't want to be lost in the mountain you will say the same. I won't come out to look for you."?
"Ouch" Jack grabbed his chest feigning hurt "brother, you cut me real deep."
Jason rolled his eyes at his acting "you have always been a drama king, I know that, so you can stop acting now."
"Hey, you guys going snowboarding? Mind if we tag along?" They heard and Jack hissed.
"Speak of the devils" he muttered before turning to look at the approaching boys "sure why not, that's if you can keep up" he grinned.
"Of course we can keep up, we are better snowboarders don't you forget" one of the boys bragged.
"Yea, yea, yea, we know that" Jack rolled his eyes while they waited for them to grab their snowboards.
"Mind if I join?" Jason heard the voice he holds so dear and turned to look at the door.
Jason shook his head vehemently "no no, Anna, you stay here. Its boys thing, I don't want you getting lost in the mountain."
Anna pouted and faced Jack "please Jack, let me join?"
"Um" Jack looked at the frowning Jason before looking at her again "it's not up to me to decide Anna."
Anna huffed and faced the twins, she grabbed the arm of one of them and whined "please Jimmy, let me join, please, please, please."
"Sure, why not. It's Christmas, who knows, before we are back, dinner will be ready" Jimmy readily agreed, he has a sandy brown hair and brown eyes while his brother Timmy has a curly light brown hair and eyes, they are both 6 foot 1 while Jason is 6 foot 6 and Jack 6 foot 5.
Seeing Anna getting ready to join them, Jason shouted "mom, Anna is trying to go to the mountain."
Veronica immediately yelled from inside "Anna, get back in here!"
Anna glared at Jason and he smiled, he will pacify her when he get back but now, her safety matters most. Anna stomped into the house while the boys head to the mountain for their snowboarding.