“It’s been tough, I won’t lie,” she says with a heavy sigh. “I’m still seeing my therapist and doing my best to stay active, both physically and mentally. I’m just taking it one day at a time.” She chugs the rest of her wine down, offering us a tight-lipped smile that falls short of her usual warmth.
I hop up from my seat and move around the table to wrap my arms around my sister’s shoulders in a firm hug. Leaning in, I whisper, “I love you,” in her ear and she immediately eases into my embrace. I plant a wet kiss on her cheek that has our mother smiling with affection before heading back to my seat.
Kirstin clears her throat. “Okay, so now we got all the mushy stuff out of the way, Mila has some news.”
I snap my head in her direction, my eyes shooting daggers at her for bringing up the one thing I was hoping to avoid tonight, especially with Skylar still going through a separation. When I randomly confessed to Kirstin that I was dating someone new during our flight to Melbourne, I should’ve known she’d turn it into juicy table gossip. She lives for this kind of news.
“Thanks for that, Kirstin.”
She nods and does her usual ‘you gotchya’ wink.
“What’s your news?” Skylar asks, lifting an eyebrow.
Well it’s too late to hide it now. Might as well just lay it all out on the table. “I’m seeing someone.”
“Really? Milz, that’s amazing!” My sister beams with genuine excitement. “Tell me all about this new man of yours.”
“It’s still very new. Like freshly out of the oven. His name is Dean, he’s 24, and he’s from the Northern Beaches. He works with his father and older brother in managing the family’s luxury boat hire and Harbour cruise business. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks, and he’s been nothing but sweet and caring.”
“He sounds dreamy.” Skylar grins.
“If you ask me, I thought you and Jason would have hit it off.”Kirstin says with a knowing smirk. “Think of how juicy it would’ve been with a little forbidden romance.”
My mother nearly chokes on her drink. “Jason? You mean Skylar and Kaden’s friend, the one who’s also her much older boss? Why would you assume that?”
“Because Jason is actually one of the decent ones—perfect for Mila.”
“I agree,” Skylar says unexpectedly. “I’ve known him for years, and in all that time, he’s been nothing but kind and respectful. He’s also a great friend and a wonderful dad too. But that’s beside the point—we’re talking about Mila’s new boyfriend, and by the sounds of him, he seems pretty amazing too. I can’t wait to meet him.”
Luckily, the conversation shifts to Kirstin’s upcoming art exhibitions and Skylar’s new job teaching Pre-K students, quickly bypassing any more talk about Jason and Dean.Thank the lord.
After dinner, we all pitch in to clean up before heading out of the apartment for a leisurely stroll to the beach to watch the fireworks.As we sit on the sand, waiting for the fireworks to begin, I steal a quick glance at my phone. The screen lights up, and I immediately notice several missed calls and texts from Dean and one photo message from Jason. I tap on Dean’s messages first.
Dean:Merry Christmas, baby. I hope you’re having a great time in Melbourne.
Dean:I haven’t stopped thinking about you. Wish you were here.
Dean:Do you miss me yet?
Dean:What are you up to?
Dean:Babe?
Dean:Why aren’t you replying?
Shit!The last message was sent more than an hour ago. I hadn’t planned on checking my phone until bedtime. I wanted to focus on being fully present with my family, assuming he’d be doing the same. I had absolutely no idea he’d been messaging and calling me the whole time.
I quickly type a reply, hoping I’m not too late and that I haven’t made him worry sick.
Me:Merry Christmas to you and your family, Dean. I’m sorry for not replying sooner. I wanted to enjoy some uninterrupted family time, especially after not seeing my sister for months. I hope you understand.
Me:We just finished having a feast and we’re now about to watch the fireworks at the beach. Wish we could’ve watched it together. Anyway, I miss you too and hope you’re having an incredible time in Byron Bay. Talk to you soon xoxo
I exit the message thread with Dean and tap on Jason’s message next. It’s a single image attachment of Jason, Jake, and his father, Jim, all wearing matching Santa hats and grins on their faces. I smile as I read the caption, ‘Merry Christmas, Mila. From our family to yours. Love, the Hawkins’.’ With the fireworks nowin full swing, I quickly snap a selfie of us sitting on the beach, the vibrant explosions lighting up the sky behind us. I send the image to Jason with the caption, ‘Merry Christmas, Jason and family. Love the awesome foursome.’ As soon as all messages have been responded to, I slip my phone into my back pocket of my shorts.
After the spectacular display, we grab some gelato from one of the food trucks on the side of the beach. The Australian summer heat has the ice cream melting instantly, forcing us to scoff it down as quickly as we can.
A moment later,we head back to the apartment to watch our favourite Christmas movie of all time,Home Alone. But even as we gather in the living room with the movie playing, my mind keeps drifting back and forth to the photo of Jason and his family, their smiling faces stirring an overwhelming mix of joy and longing in me. And long after the movie ends, as I lie in bed waiting for a reply from Dean, my thoughts still circle back to that photo.
