Long-lost cousin

Spending the holidays with your family is the best as that's where memorable memories are made. Like when my younger brother got mad when me and my sister got a playstation for Christmas. Ah, good times. But, sometimes unexpected gifts or guest's come along the way.

••••••••••

Christmas is in two days. The stress and hectic is there. You can feel it in your soul as you have to plan so many things like what food are we going to have, whose present is whose, how do I wrap this, or did I get their present. There are so many things to do in less time. You didn't want any more distractions as you had to get things done, but sometimes fate isn't on your side.

*knock knock*

You weren't expecting any family or guest to come over as they were getting their things done as well. You stopped what you were doing which was gift wrapping and walked to the front door. You didn't just want to open the door without knowing who it was since so many horrible things can happen since it's the holidays. Through the peephole was a woman standing there. You cautiously opened the door slightly to poke your head out.

"Hello, can I help you?" You asked 

The woman turned to face you and you immediately thought of your uncle as she has the same smile as him and the mole by the counter of her eye.

"You must be confused as to why I'm here, but I'm your cousin. I know you won't believe me, but I found you online and saw you were close to my dad, so I wanted to visit you and ask if I could come for Christmas as I haven't seen my father in a while or since I was little," She explained, a hopeful smile on her face 

"How can I be sure what your saying is true?" You asked, cautious 

"I can tell you everything if you let me inside. It's a bit chilly out here if not we could meet up at a cafe to talk," She suggested

"Come on in. I don't have that much time on my hands," You said, stepping back, opening the door wider 

"Thank you. I'll make sure to tell you everything," She stated, walking inside, her cheeks rosy red from the cold air

"Well, you still haven't told me your name, but I think you know mine," You said, closing the door behind you

"Oh, sorry. I'm Mikayla Moore," She announced, looking around as if asking if she could sit down

"You can sit down anywhere. Do you anything to drink?" You asked, walking to the kitchen 

"Water," Mikayla said, a small smile on her face 

You nodded and walked into the kitchen, pouring water into a glass and dumping in an ice cube or two. You walked back in and set the cup on the cable in front of her.

"Thank you," She grabbed the cup and took a sip 

You sat down on the opposite couch, watching her then you looked at the photo frame that encased the family photo from a family trip. You grabbed it and held it to Mikayla.

"If you don't mind, can you point to your father, so I can see if your telling the truth, sorry," You said

"Yeah, I know you don't mean to be offensive, I understand, so I'll do anything to gain your trust," Mikayla grabbed the frame and looked at

A smile appeared on her face when she saw her father, smiling with his arm draped on another man's shoulder.

"He's right here with his arm around a man," Mikayla said, pointing to him

You looked closer and saw it was the uncle you were thinking about. 

"Do you by any chance know his name?" You asked, testing her

"Aiden Garza," Mikayla said, looking at you

"You really know him. I just want to ask why didn't your mother tell my uncle, I mean your dad?" You asked, curious 

"I asked my mom that too, but she told me that she didn't want him in my life. I do remember particular memories that I've met him, but I was too young to remember. He did pay child support, but I never got to spend time with him. His name is on my birth certificate," She told me, reaching into her purse and taking out a paper then handing it to you

"It's alright, I believe you. I d-"

"Please, just look," She shook the paper

You grabbed it and looked at it. Your eyes landing on the father's name section. 'Aiden Garza.' He really was on it and he even signed it. You looked at the birth date, seeing that she was the same age as your sister. 

"My uncle didn't tell us about you, but I remember seeing a photo of him holding a little girl. I'll bet he'll be happy to see you if you came christmas," You said, handing her back the certificate 

"Really, you'll let me come," Her eyes gleaming 

"Yeah, I think my uncle deserves some happiness in his life. Even can I know more about this whole situation?" You asked

You couldn't believe that you had a lost cousin, but you were so excited since you had a female cousin and who was close to your age.

"So, let's see. I wanted to know more about my dad, so I kept pestering my mom, but she would tell me to stop asking about him. I didn't have a great childhood. I have 5 half siblings, the youngest was older than me by 3 years. I didn't live in a great neighborhood, I lived in a house for 13 years then moved into an apartment and lived there until I was 19. I couldn't bear to live there anymore as my mom gave me trouble every single time and I wasn't doing good. So, I worked until I had enough money to get an apartment or stay in a motel, but now I'm here to get to know my dad and be in his life if he wants me too," Mikayla reminisced, an annoyed look on her face

"Sorry for asking about something so personal," You apologized, not knowing she had a rough childhood

"It's fine even though I can't change it, but it's a part of me," Mikayla stated, shrugging her shoulders

"But I can see you grew up well despite how you lived," You said, a small smile resting on your face

"Thank you, but I think I should get going as you probably have many things to finish," Mikayla said, standing from the couch

"No problem and thank you for coming to share the news that you've been hiding. I know this Christmas will be perfect for my uncle," 

"I do hope so, but can I have your number so you could tell me when to come like when my dad has arrived," Mikayla asked

"Yeah, give me your phone,"

Mikayla gave you her phone and typed your number in it, sending a message to yourself. Your phone ding. You handed Mikayla her phone back and took yours out to save her number.

"Thank you, Sam. I'll see you Christmas eve," Mikayla said, waving and leaving through the front door

"Bye, Mikayla. See you Christmas eve," You said, waving at her.

You watched her get into her car and drove off. 'This Christmas is going to be something.'

••••••••••••••

"Hey, why do you keep looking at your phone?" Your uncle asked, not Mikayla's father 

"Oh, I'm just waiting for my friend to text me so I can give her her present," You told him

"Oh, okay," He walked off

Mikayla's dad was already here, you texted her once he arrived and she said she was on her way. You were worried that she would bail, but were hoping that she was on her way or she was stuck in traffic. You just waited, talking with your family and playing games to pass the time. You left to the restroom to do your business and once you were done, you heard talking.

"So, your Sam's friend?"

"Yeah, I came to talk to her about something," 

Mikayla was here. You quickly walked to the living room and saw Mikayla standing there by the christmas tree by my family surrounding her. 

"Mikayla, why didn't you call or text me that you were here?" You asked, worried as you walked to her

"Sorry, Sam. I forgot, but I'm here," Mikayla said

"Mikayla?" My uncle, Aiden, said, staring at her

"Yeah, that's my name," She said, but you could tell she was scared and nervous 

"Is your last name, by any chance, Moore?" My uncle asked

"Yeah, how'd you know?" Mikayla asked, trying to act like she didn't know

"Can we talk privately?" He asked her, nodding to the front door

"Yeah," Mikayla followed him outside 

Everyone watched them leave then they looked at you.

"Who is she?" "Why is Aiden acting like that?" 

"She's my long lost cousin and Uncle Aidens long lost daughter," You stated

Everyone was shocked and started talking, wondering how nobody knew and why he never told anyone. So, time was the essence as everyone waited for the both of them to come back inside to know what was happening. 

Soon, the both of them came back in. You could tell that they were crying as they were sniffing and their eyes looked a little red and swollen.

"Everyone, I know this is confusing, but I want to tell ya that I've been hiding that I have a daughter, but she's right here," He looked at her, hugging her from the side, "Mikayla,"

"Aiden, what the hell! You hid that I had a niece. Why couldn't you tell us?" My mom asked, shocked 

"You hated her mother, Lydia, even I couldn't see because of her, but now we can see her whenever," My uncle said, upset

"Okay, I understand, but I have a niece," My mom went over to Mikayla, "Let your favorite aunt give you a hug," 

My mom hugged Mikayla, who was awkward and shocked, but she hugged her back. Everyone started a conversation with her, telling her every memory that would make her laugh and smile. It's not so bad having a long lost family member come back into our lives.