Maria

Everybody had gathered in my hospital room to celebrate the New Year and it was heartwarming, really. They all came to celebrate with me specifically and Susan was in the room with me too so I was really happy, really really happy. We hadn't stayed up until midnight because I was too exhausted so we were going to celebrate today.

"Okay, guys!" Tori got the attention of everybody instantly. She held up a wrapped box, "We're doing Secret Santa now!" She ordered, "I have this for Miss Jane!" Jane and Thomas had come and promised not to get into any fights so I could have all my friends together. Tori hadn't gotten a slip of paper originally because of the odd number but she went and got a gift from the hospital gift shop for Jane.

Jane smiled and took the gift, I still couldn't believe how much she had changed. When I met her before she was out she was just helping me like a friendly person and now she looked like a totally different person! Her hair was longer and she had come here right after her chest surgery and was wearing a tight red dress to show it off, she was beautiful. Jane pulled the gift out and smiled, a small blue bear. Tori began apologizing because it was cheap but Jane shook her head, "I love him, I really do. I'll name him Evan!" She kissed the bear's forehead and leaned into Thomas who wrapped his arms around her waist.

"My turn my turn!" Alex yelled and we all turned to him. He grinned broadly, "I had Maria so I should go next because...well, yeah." He chuckled and handed a small gift to me. I looked at it nervously, "Something wrong?" He asked.

I shook my head, "No-No." I smiled and looked up at him, "No it's just you're the first friend of mine to ever give me a gift." I told him honestly. Alex looked surprised and I looked at Peggy, "I mean I wasn't counting you because you're my girlfriend." I told her quickly.

"Well don't leave us in suspense!" John whined and bounced up and down, "Open it! See what it is!"

I giggled and nodded, "Okay okay." I felt Peggy kiss the side of my temple and I opened the present with a smile. I pulled out what looked like a necklace and it took me a moment to            recognize it had a poptart charm on it and I grinned, "Oh my gosh look at this, Pegs?"

Peggy took a moment before nodding, "Now you won't steal mine!" She declared before kissing me before I could argue that statement.

I then felt guilty again as I clasped the poptart necklace around my neck, "Peggy was mine but I...I haven't been able to even leave this room yet so..."

I knew what she was going to say but I still wanted to apologize, "You're my gift, Maria." I kissed back when she kissed me, "Because you're here with me. You came back and I didn't have to be alone or worry anymore."

I didn't argue with her, I didn't want to. Thomas cleared his throat in the small silence that settled, "I know I didn't get a slip of paper like the rest of you but I did get something for the baby." He said and pulled a tiny bunny from his coat, he shook it to show it made sound.

I grinned and Peggy said, "She loves rattle toys, toys that make light, and toys that make music. Regular stuffed animals and dolls bore her though since they don't do anything." I laughed and agreed, Susan needed the expensive toys.

"Can I put this in with her?" Peggy told him he could and soon there was a soft rattling followed by Susan giggling, "Aw she's adorable." He looked into the cradle and watched him softly, "Not that I like kids or anything..." He stepped away and went back to Jane.

Jane poked his cheek, "Shut up you love children." She told him bluntly making us all laugh as Thomas argued against it.

"My turn! My turn!" John bounced excitedly before plopping a present into Nathan's hands, "This is yours!" He told him proudly. Nathan glanced at John before opening the gift, "It's a portable phone charger! Now your shit won't die on you." He told him.

"Oh, cool. It's pretty practical," Nate moved the charger from one hand to the other before taking a good look at the charger, "Oh by the way where's Angelica? She isn't here." He noticed as he looked around the room.

We turned to Eliza since she was the last one to talk to her but Eliza just shrugged, "I had her for my Secret Santa and I gave her a set of bows and matte lipstick." She answered honestly, "She left last night to celebrate the new year with friends."

"Oh well I got this for you, Liza," Nathan handed her a rectangular package, "It's heavy." He informed her so Eliza took it carefully. He waited for her to finish unwrapping before explaining, "It's just Pride & Prejudice with illustrations made by a traditional manga artist. I think it's amazing."

Eliza smiled, "Thank you." She flipped through it slightly and looked at the drawings, "I like that good, new book smelling." She commented.

"Um...I have something," Theodosia handed John a present, "I-I sort of don't know much about you but I thought you'd like it." She said a bit shyly.

John smiled brightly as he always did and tore into the present before pulling a turtle stuffy from the box, 'Oh my God it's amazing!" He jumped and hugged Theodosia making her laugh and hug him back, "Rebel now has a brother!" He declared.

Lafayette the spoke up after, "Oh and I 'ave this for you manquer." Laf handed Theo a present and she thanked him quickly.

Theo opened the package and burst into laughter, he had gotten her a few weird shaped candles. She held up a candle shaped like a flexing arm, "I love it! I love all of it!" She told him and hugged Laf, "I know you probably got it because you didn't know what to get me but it's so funny and great and I love it. Thank you." Laf brushed her thanks off and soon a silence lulled again.

"Uh my turn I guess," Peggy said after a moment. I turned to her and watched her hand Hercules a package which Hercules obviously took, "I was really like not there so I didn't really get a gift so I just got you some money." She explained sheepishly, "I was really scared for Maria."

"I understand," Hercules hugged her gently, "It's okay though. I can use this for my shop and rent so it's practical." Peggy hugged back and then Hercules spoke again, "Seems we came full circle because I have Victoria." He handed the present to Tori.

"Well ain't that a coincidink?" Tori asked sarcastically. She opened the gift and took a moment, "MEMES!" She screamed. it took me a moment before realizing she had received a box with 'The Meme Game' written across the top.

We all started laughing harder than what was probably needed and soon we all relaxed together and the night went on in much of the same way. Laf didn't get a gift though because through the process of elimination we figured Angelica had his name. I wonder what she was up to? And why wasn't Mr Washington here?