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Chapter 9- Not The Last Time

"This whole time I thought you were a plain mad scientist who only drank black coffee and loved minimalist style." I said, dropping my jaw for the full effect.

"I may be a mad scientist with the minimalist style and black coffee addiction but I'm still young. Just a few years older than you guys." Ackerman answered, plastering a flat grin on his face.

Meanwhile, Nate was busy trying on his new shirt. Tara handed Cedric a red and green wrapped box. 

"Too bad I'm not Irene. She totally helped me on this one though." Tara chimed in.

"Darn I did hope it was gonna be Irene." Cedric replied, tearing into his gift.

Inside the box was a Washington Capitals jersey--what nice humor Tara had--and an assortment of candy.

"Wow. I really like it."

That's all he had said before he began to devour the stash. Next, Nate handed a pink wrapped box to Mairi, who opened it right away. Inside was a card, a Fuji instax camera, and a tiny potted cactus.

"Holy crap. Artsy gift here." Tara said.

Mairi launched herself at Nate and hugged him. "Thank you thank you thank you!" She said excitingly.

"No problemo!" Nate replied when she pulled away.

Michael passed his bag to Ackerman and we waited for him to open it. It was a red bag with holly leaves printed over it. Inside was a book called "Programming for Dummies" and some other small items.

"You should try it sometime. We'd make a great team." They high fived.

"Merry Christmas!" Cedric chimed, passing his bag over me to Jason.

Jason reached in the penguin print bag and pulled out a hot chocolate set and a classic Beatles vinyl.

"Damn. How'd you know?" Jason asked, admiring the gift.

"I got help from Irene." Cedric answered.

"Okay it's your turn!" Nate said, pointing at me.

I handed my Christmas holiday bag to Tara and she cautiously pulled out the contents as if she were a magician pulling a bunny out of his hat. I had gotten her a fancy fruit infuser water bottle and some mascara.

"You are fancy." She said, beaming.

She crossed the circle and hugged me, a touch too tightly.

"You're strangling her..." Michael informed Tara, causing her to let go.

"Haha oops."

Mairi passed me her gift, which looked like a small rectangular box covered with shiny red wrapping paper. I tore into the wrapping and unveiled a box with a collection of different items. A note lay at the bottom.

I didn't know what exactly to get you since we're on a tough mission to save Karina.

A bag of mini sized 3 musketeers (aka your favorite since the first grade)
Flowery hairpins and hair ties because your hair needs to look on point even if you've been kidnapped.
And finally, a pair of headphones to jam out with your music when you're not on aux cord duty.

"Wow. This is amazing." I said, hugging Mairi.

"So, wasn't this secret Santa thing a good idea? You'd better give me credit." Tara joked.

"Yeah. Me and my food baby are about ready to pass out over here." Nate replied, patting his stomach.

I picked up all of the wrapping off the carpet and put it into the trash bin while Cedric swept the pine needles from the Christmas tree into his palm.