AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Christmas Eve arrived with a burst of blue sky and new-fallen snow that sparkled in the sunshine.
Packages I’d purchased a few days earlier were wrapped and ready, festive in gold and green paper, and topped with gold ribbons and acorn accents. They were sitting on the bench by the front door.
I was instructed to arrive at Mia and John’s at 3 o’clock for drinks and appetizers, presents at five, dinner at seven, followed by midnight mass that began at 10:30 p.m. since most people were either too tired—or too drunk—to stay awake.
The recipes Mia had given me were on the butcher block island. The ingredients I’d purchased the day before ready to be prepped and cooked.
Slowly, I rolled out of bed, desperate for the first cup of coffee that would get me moving.
After a shower, I wrapped my hair in a towel, and put on a bathrobe.
I pulled all of the rest of the recipe ingredients from the refrigerator and started to cook. I liked this peaceful, simple life. I liked living in this apartment. I liked being close to Mia and John. And I loved being with Jacob.
At half past one, I was just starting to get dressed when there was a knock at my door. I peeked out the window. It was Jacob.
Cold air and Jacob rushed in as soon as I opened the door.
“Merry Christmas, beautiful.” He gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“What are you doing here? You’re early.”
He strolled into the kitchen and peeked under the lid of the bacon-wrapped carrots. “Oh, yum. I thought I smelled bacon.” He looked at me with a grin. “You made these?”
I went to him and slapped the lid shut. “Yes, and you can wait.”
He laughed. “I came to see if you needed help carrying packages or food over.” His gaze shifted above my head. I glanced over my shoulder and saw he was looking at my red velvet dress.
I wrapped my arms around him. “Jacob…”
He placed his lips gently on mine “Later, it’s Christmas.” He stepped away from me. “I was instructed to help you. Let me take the food over while you finish getting ready. I’ll come back to get you and the presents, and we can walk over together.”
Another kiss to my lips, and he dashed out the door, juggling the festive food I’d prepared.
I curled my hair with a big barrel iron, and applied gold sparkling eye shadow. My lashes were dark and thick so I used minimal mascara. I simply pinched my cheeks for color.
Jacob arrived right at two o’clock. He was dressed in slacks and a heavy wool pull-over sweater. The collar of a plaid dress shirt peeked out from the opening at his neck.
I wanted to curl into him and not let go. He stood at the open doorway; his blue eyes bright in the sunlight.
“Ready?”
I handed him the gifts. He went down the stairs in front of me. Taking them slowly, he glanced back to make sure I was okay.
When he reached the bottom, he held out his hand to take mine in his.
Warmth engulfed us as we entered Mia and John’s house. The smell of pine and spices welcomed us as we followed the sounds of laughter and voices. Mia’s mom saw me as soon as we walked into the living room, and she hurried over for a hug. “Camille! Oh, my dear. Look at you. All dressed up and gorgeous. What’s it been? Two years?”
I smiled at her affectionately. “Two, I think.” I looked to John and Mia. “Mia’s last Dear Santa race.”
“Oh, goodness. That was an eventful Christmas, wasn’t it?”
I laughed, and she dragged me further into the room. She stood at the edge of the couch where John’s parents were sitting. “You remember George and Emily?”
“I do. It’s nice to see you again.”
Johns’ mom smiled kindly at me. John’s resemblance to his mother was unmistakable. “Nice to see you, Camille.”
She gestured toward the lean man who’d just stood from the chair opposite John’s parents. He put out his hand. “Rand.”
