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Sophie
One Year Later
Ever seen one of those Christmas movies? Like the Hallmark ones, where the girl travels to a small town filled with holiday cheer and tiny shops decorated to perfection?
Well, multiply that imagination times ten and you’ll have yourself a very merry German Christmas.
“I won’t lie to you, when you told me we should come to join Liam’s family for Christmas, I didn’t imagine this,” my dad whispers into my ear as we sit together on a couch in Liam’s living room. Everyone opened their presents already, leaving behind heaps of wrapping paper. Liam offered for us to change sitting rooms, but I shut down that idea after throwing a wad of wrapping paper at his head.
I mean, multiple sitting rooms? Come on!
My dad’s reaction to Liam’s mansion yesterday was the same one I had when I first visited months ago. I nearly pushed my dad inside the massive foyer, telling him to act cool. It’s hard to not blame my dad, seeing as if it’s not exactly normal to have a car garage straight out of a Batman movie and enough rooms to house the entire Bandini team.
Liam always told me about his multiple real estate investments, but I didn’t expect his home in Germany to compete with his Italian villa. The same one with a personal movie theater, an arcade room, a gym I never step foot in, and a custom art room Liam set up for me. And that’s only covering the lower west wing.
Not to mention he shares a backyard with Maya and Noah.
This is the life I live now, with a boyfriend who has enough properties to compete with a season of House Hunters.
I break away from my thoughts. “I didn’t expect Liam to dress up like Santa Claus for his nieces either.”
My dad laughs. “Lord, I hope he always works out because he doesn’t look good with that kind of gut. Sorry, sweetie.”
“I’m kinda into it. Especially with Kaia and Elyse sitting on his lap. Who can resist a man playing with kids?”
Liam laughing with his nieces fills me with a sense of pride I can’t explain. He came a long way from the broken man who avoided his family at his own expense. We’ve visited Germany multiple times this year, including this visit for the holidays and Kaia’s birthday.
Yup. Kaia’s birthday. Liam has shown such incredible progress to the point of helping Lukas plan a birthday party for his niece that includes a real-life Rapunzel and a mini inflatable palace.
“I need to lock you up at home. Don’t think I’m not aware of your late-night visits and random sleepovers with Zander.”
“Are you now a stickler for not sleeping together until marriage?” I mockingly gasp.
“I’m a stickler for you staying with me as long as you can. I don’t want you to grow up so fast. I remember when I was the only man in your life. Now look at you.” My dad’s smile wavers. Something about his eyes makes me pull him into a hug.
“You’ll always be my favorite dad.”
“Gee, thanks, my favorite daughter. I’m glad I beat the competition for your love.” He laughs as he lets go of me.
“Hey, Sophie, can I pull you away for a second?” Lukas interrupts us.
“Sure. Be right back, Dad.” I wave at him as I walk behind Lukas toward the kitchen, leaving behind Liam’s family in the living room. Baked goods occupy every surface along with my failed gingerbread house attempt.
“So, I wanted to thank you.” Lukas looks up at me with blue eyes similar to his brother’s.
“For what exactly?” My confusion must be apparent because Lukas lifts his hand at me.
“This will be much easier if I get it all out in one go. I want to say thank you for everything. Really. My brother has grown so much in the past year, and I know you’re part of the reason. He spends time with his family more, and he makes an effort with me to connect again. Plus, he actually checks in on my girls and that means the world to me. When Johanna passed, it tore me and Liam apart in different ways. But thanks to you, and the love you showed him while calling him out on his bullshit, he changed for the better. I’ve never been able to say a proper thank you. You’re basically part of the family now.” Lukas shoots me a smile. Something glimmers in his eyes, but I can’t place it.
He pulls me in for a hug and I let him. I feel like his moment of gratitude is important for him, especially with everything he has lost and gained.
“I warned you about messing with my girl. On Christmas, dude? Sophie, I promise the stomach is only temporary!” Liam barrels into us, squeezing me into his brother in the strangest hug I’ve ever experienced.
“Speaking of your stomach, it’s digging into my back, and it kind of hurts.” I laugh as Liam backs up.
“I was just thanking Sophie for how much of a help she’s been with Kaia’s birthday. Imagine if you went with the pink bounce house instead of the purple one.” Lukas pretends our conversation never happened, and I let him.
Liam gasps. “The horror. Who knew Kaia had a sudden allergy to anything pink?”
