A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

If Only In My Dreams

Chapter 82
Evie's POV // If Only In My Dreams

I wake up to the sound of little fists beating against Niall and I's bedroom door at his mum's house.

Greg, Denise, and Theo stayed the night at Maura and Chris's as well last night so we could have one big family Christmas. Bobby and Aoife will be coming over in a little while so everyone will be together.

The hope was that they would be able to arrive before Theo woke up so that everyone was able to watch him open his presents, but it appears Theo has other ideas.

I open the door to see Theo's eyes sparkling with excitement as he 'whispers' an enthusiastic 'Merry Christmas auntie Evie!' to me, which makes my heart melt.. I scooped him up and wished him one as well as he plants a kiss on my cheek. Niall being the heavy sleeper that he is, is still sound asleep and none the wiser to our early morning guest.

"Mummy and daddy said I can't go downstairs alone, but I didn't want to wake them up...can you go wif' me?" He asked.

"I think we should wait for everyone else to wake up...just to be sure Santa is gone." I tell him in an effort to keep us all out of trouble and to avoid ruining his Christmas surprise.

"Awww...." His face falls in disappointment as he realizes that his trick to wake us instead of his parents didn't work. I bet his next stop will be Maura and Chris, so I think quickly and come up with a distraction plan.

"Uncle Niall is still fast asleep...Don't you hear him snoring?" I ask in a fake whisper before making dramatized snoring noises which make Theo giggle, and still neglects to disturb Niall from his slumber.

"He doesn't snore...You're making those noises!" Theo giggles, pointing a very tiny accusatory finger in my face.

"He says the same thing." I laugh to myself, knowing that the truth is if Niall is tired enough he does indeed snore although not as loud as I tease him for.

"Do you want to go wake him up?" I ask with a mischievous grin on my face and Theo nods wildly.

I set him down and nudge him over to Niall's side of the bed. We're both a fit of giggles as I quietly hold my fingers up and count to 3 before scooping him up and tossing him on top of Niall.

"Wake up sleepy head!" Theo giggles, playfully smacking Niall repeatedly on the head.

"I'm awake, i'm awake!" Niall protests groggily, with his eyes still closed in contradiction to his words.

"No your not!" Theo says, attempting to pry his eyes open.

Sharp as a tack this one....

"Shouldn't you be asleep? Santa can't come if you don't sleep." Niall tries to convince him, while I'm trying to control my laughter.