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MY PARENTS’ LIVING ROOM IS covered with gifts, discarded wrapping paper, and ribbons. Christmas music plays quietly in the background.
Jack and I are curled up on the couch as he tenderly runs his fingers through my hair. I had no idea being with him like this could bring me so much peace.
“Lola, I think you missed a gift,” Jack tells her.
She gives him a curious glance that morphs into a frown when she checks under the tree to find it empty.
“There’s nothing there.” She pouts.
“What about by the fireplace?” he suggests.
She spins around to find a pastel-pink-and-green package under the mantel. “There’s another present, and it has my name on it!” Lola exclaims after further examination.
“It’s from me and your aunt Presley,” Jack says. “Why don’t you open it?”
She eagerly tears off the bright wrapping paper and squeals with delight when she sees what’s inside.
“It’s the Calico Critters panda family. We’re going to have so much fun together,” she shrieks while cradling the box close to her chest.
“What do you say, Lola?” Dylan prompts her.
She carefully places her new toy on the ground before running over to the couch and jumping onto Jack’s lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Thank you, Jack. You’re very helpful.” She beams. “You’re my new favorite.”
“Excuse me?” Cash scoffs from across the room. “What about me and Uncle Harrison? I thought you loved your giraffe.” He gestures to the giant stuffed animal in the far corner.
“You were my favorite yesterday.” She giggles. “Jack is my favorite today, and Presley will be my favorite tomorrow.”
“Aww. Thanks, Lola,” I say with a smile.
“Since we’re no longer your favorites, I guess that means you don’t want to come outside and play with Uncle Harrison and me?” Cash calls out to Lola as he follows Harrison out the door.
“Wait, I want to play.” She scrambles from the couch, chasing after him.
Dylan and my parents follow her outside, leaving Jack and me alone in the living room.
“I’m happy you’re here,” I whisper in his ear.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he assures me, pressing a soft kiss to my hair.
After a late brunch, we gathered back in the living room to play games while eating hot chocolate and popcorn, followed by an afternoon nap for the whole family. Lola’s not the only one who gets cranky when she’s had an early start to the day.
Jack and I woke up first, so we decided to slip outside for a walk. We head into town, which is completely deserted while everyone is at home celebrating Christmas.
It’s early evening, and the sunset casts a warm glow on Aspen Grove’s Main Street. We stroll past the Bookloft, Tinker Toys, and the Bakehouse Bistro. I motion to the Brew Haven as we pass by.
“They make the best homemade coconut creamer.” I wave to the store. “We’ll have to stop by in the morning for coffee so you can try it.”
“I thought we agreed that I could leave after today.” He gives me a mischievous grin.
“You’re welcome to leave anytime.” I play along. “But that means you’ll miss the nighttime parade tomorrow, featuring the Aspen Grove Singing Bears, and the annual after-Christmas fireworks show. Then, the day after that, we go to the matinee showing of whatever family-friendly movie is playing at the Sticky Shoe.”
“You’re right. I wouldn’t want to miss out on the singing bears.” He laughs. “Of course, I’m staying, but we’re going back to New York on New Year's Eve.”
“And why is that?”
“Because no one rings in the new year like New Yorkers, and I want you all to myself for a couple of days before we go back to work,” he admits. “Plus, I can’t wait to give you a New Year’s kiss when the clock strikes midnight.”
