“You didn’t have to make breakfast,” I protested.
“Noel, you don’t have to do all the cooking, even if you are a chef,” Mom said. “It’s Christmas, and both my boys are here. Let me enjoy it.”
“Both your boys?” Hopper said in an odd tone.
“Oh, honey, you know you’re like a son to us. I used to worry that Noel would be hurt by that, but now it’s fitting, isn’t it? Maybe soon, you reallywillbe my son, too. Son-in-law.”
“Mother,” I protested, cheeks heating.
I loved Hopper. I wanted that forever. But gosh, we hadn’t been together very long.
Hopper just smiled. “Well, if I get that lucky, I won’t complain.” He stood and hugged my mother. “Love you, Maggie.”
“Love you, too, sweetie.” She turned to the stove with a sniffle, unable to hold back the waterworks. “Now, then, how do you want your eggs?”
While Mom fried up a fairly unhealthy breakfast—telling Dad to enjoy it on Christmas because he wouldn’t get it any other day—we drank coffee and talked about our plans for the holiday.
We’d decided not to have a big meal for Christmas. We’d run nonstop all season long, and now it was our chance to relax.
We ate breakfast, headed to the living room, and opened our Christmas gifts.
Mom had found time to knit me a matching beanie and scarf. “You never dress warm enough,” she admonished. “Next time you chase Hopper out into the snow, you can wear them.”
Hopper laughed. “Should have gotten him some socks, too, then.”
“His birthday is just around the corner,” she said with a playful grin.
I’d given Mom and Dad a matching set of electric lap blankets. Dad glowered. “You think we’re old and feeble.”
“Mom got me something for the cold!” I protested. “It’s only fair.”
Dad immediately plugged his in, so he obviously wasn’t too offended to enjoy a cozy lap. Cinnamon had hopped onto the couch and snuggled in next to me and Hopper, keeping us toasty as well.
Hopper and Dad exchanged practical tool sets, making me and Mom exchange amused glances. You could take the lumberjack inside, but you couldn’t make him stop thinking like a lumberjack.
Hopper and I had agreed to only get each other something small. I’d already gotten my real gift when he made that arbor for me, after all.
I picked up the present he’d wrapped for me and found a Christmas ornament inside that readHome Sweet Home.
He smiled. “Now that you’re making this a home again, it seemed appropriate.”
“I’ll hang it right now.” I hopped up to add it to the tree, then scooped up the present I’d wrapped for him, and handed it over. “Here’s yours.”
He unwrapped it slowly, dragging out the suspense, until I finally blurted, “It’s no big deal!”
He opened the present and gazed down with a conflicted expression. “Noel…”
It was a photo of all of us, and the frame had been engraved with,The Grisold Tree Farm Family.
I wanted Hopper to know that whatever happened with his dad, he had a family here with us.
He pulled me into a hug. “Thank you.”
“I know we can’t replace your parents or anything,” I said. “I just want you to know that you’ve always got family here. Even without me?—”
He brushed a kiss across my cheek. “Shut up. Don’t even say it. There is no me without you. Not anymore.”
“Okay.” I smiled. “Good. I feel the same.”
