guarding my angel || "guardian angel" sequel

18

**Kayla's POV**

I wake the next morning happily against Soda's chest. It's Christmas Eve! Today's the big sleepover at the Curtis house that the gang has every year, and we're all very excited. I jump out of bed and run into the bathroom to get ready for the day. After applying a little bit of makeup and loosely curling my hair, I put on a red christmas sweater, some ripped jeans, and fuzzy socks. When I go back into Soda's room, he's slowly waking up.

"Merry Christmas Eve!" I say and climb on top of him. He laughs tiredly and kisses my forehead.

"You look pretty, did you already get ready?" he asks.

"Yes, and you have to get ready too. I'm determined to make this the best Christmas ever, and that means we're going to take a ton of photos," I say and climb off of him. I extend my arms to help him up, but he instead pulls me beneath him and tickles me.

"Soda, stop!!" I yell through giggles. He finally stops and holds himself so he's hovering above me.

"You used to do that all the time," I say quietly. "You haven't done that since before last Christmas."

He leans in and kisses me passionately.

"I love you, Kayla Jackson, with my whole heart. And I promise you, this will be the best Christmas ever," he says. I wrap my arms around his neck and he stands, holding me up around his waist.

 When we reach the living room, everyone is already awake. Darry is making chocolate chip mickey mouse pancakes. I walk into the kitchen, and for the first time all year, most of the gang is home instead of at work.

"Good morning," Lauren says and as she sips her coffee. "Your pancakes are on the table."

I smile and join Victoria and Ponyboy at the table and begin eating breakfast. As I pour myself a glass of chocolate milk, Soda sits next to me.

"Smells like something died in here," he jokes.

"I'll happily eat your pancakes," Ponyboy says and rushes into the kitchen for more.

"There's plenty for everyone," Lauren says with a laugh.

"What time will the rest of the gang be here?" I ask.

"Jessica has to go to a Christmas Eve dinner thing with her family, so she'll be over around 6," Ponyboy says.

"Johnny is going to get Bailey and bring her here before lunch," Victoria adds.

"And Mr. and Mrs. Winston?" Soda says with a laugh.

"They just reunited, do you think they'll be here anytime soon?" I say jokingly, though everyone knows I'm not joking.

"Oh, and me and Ponyboy need to run an errand, but we'll be back before dinner," Soda says, giving Ponyboy a look. Ponyboy nods, so I know he must know exactly what he's talking about.

"I don't care what everyone does today, but everyone must be here by 7 for dinner, got it?" Darry says. Everyone mumbles "yes" in between bites. Soda and Ponyboy finish very quickly, clear their plates, and prepare to leave. Soda runs back over and kisses me quickly before he leaves.

"See you tonight, Beautiful," he says and runs out the door behind Ponyboy.

I smile and continue eating my breakfast and Victoria taps my shoulder.

"Aren't you curious about the errand he's running?" she says mischievously.

"Not really, they probably just forgot about their Christmas gifts and are going to buy them now," I say, sipping my chocolate milk.

"Did you ever think that maybe Soda is out buying a special gift, maybe one that comes in a tiny box?" Victoria adds, causing me to choke on the chocolate milk.

"Come with me to the guest room," I say as I stand up quickly and race out of the kitchen, careful to wash my dishes first.

I reach the guest room, Victoria coming in shortly after.

"Are you saying you think he's going to propose?" I say.

"All I'm saying is that there was something suspicious about that errand they were running," she says with a smile.

"Oh my god," I say slowly, sitting on the bed.

**Soda's POV**

"How was he?" I ask Tessa as she hands me the baby, as well as all of his stuff.

"He was perfect! He's welcome here anytime," she says with a smile.

"Thank you so much for doing this," Ponyboy adds and kisses Tessa on the cheek.

"Of course! Have a great Christmas you two!" she says before we walk out the door.

"Alright, so what now?" Pony boy asks. I look down at the child and he smiles up at me.

"The next train back to Tulsa leaves in 30 minutes, but that would get us home by 3:00, and I don't want to hide a baby any longer than I have to," I tell him. He nods in agreement.

"Let's go buy him a cute Christmas outfit!" Ponyboy says, getting really excited. I laugh and we enter town, trying to find a baby store.

**Victoria's POV**

"Since its already 6:30pm, let's start dinner, Lauren," Darry says. They go into the kitchen.

Now that almost everyone is here, the tree is beginning to overflow with presents. We did a secret santa so we wouldn't have to worry about getting a gift for everyone, and everyone got something for their significant other as well.

"Finally, there's the Winstons," Ponyboy remarks as Alex, Dally, and Aliyah walk through the door.

"Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!" Alex says as she hugs Kayla and sets their gifts under the tree. She then goes over to hug Bailey.

"How are you!?" she asks happily.

"I'm good," Bailey says with a smile.

After not much longer, dinner is ready. Victoria and Lauren get a picture of Bryce, Alex gets a picture of Ellie, and Soda gets a picture of Steve. They light candles and place the pictures in frames on the mantel in between the dining room and the living room.

We sit down and all enjoy ham, rolls, beans, and mashed potatoes. When we finish, the boys clear the plates. Lauren begins to decorate the dessert while Darry makes so much hot chocolate we could feed the whole neighborhood.

"It's good to have everyone together," Darry says. Everyone agrees.

After a while of talking as a group, we decide it's time for bed. Darry and Lauren head to their room, Alex and Dally take Ponyboy's room, Soda and Kayla take the guest room, Bailey gets the couch, and everyone else finds a spot to set up a cot. We're all so excited for tomorrow I'm sure no one sleeps, but no one says a word after 10pm.

I'm so sorry it's been so long, i just moved across the country and haven't been in a very good mental state, hope you understand ♥︎