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Talk about a fairy-tale ending to the eve of her favorite day of the year.
They’d slept in the next morning, no one needing to rise early and play Santa or set gifts out under the tree. It felt…nice. Different, but nice. A precursor to what it would feel like when Brooklyn went to college. Which sent Mia into a brief panic at the further realization that college was less than two years away.
“We can get through it,” he’d said. “Together.”
Oh, how she loved that word.
“Are we late?” Alex called from the master suite.
Mia looked from Whitey the tree to her mantle clock. “Not yet.”
He emerged from the hall a few minutes later, hair still damp but otherwise ready to go.
“Sorry, love. I lost track of time in the shower.”
Mia grinned. She loved his new term of endearment, too. “Then it’s a good thing I didn’t take you up on your offer to get back in the shower with you. We never would have made it to Christmas dinner.”
“I mean, if you’re not hungry…” He waggled his brows.
She laughed and gave him a playful swat. “Behave. And remember—good things come to those who wait.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her breathless. “Waiting is overrated.”
“You’re as bad as my sister.” She gave him one last peck and eased from his embrace. “Speaking of which, we need to go. If she and Isaac get there with Louie before we do, he might eat both our meals. And that would be a tragedy. I’m no cook, but my dad? He’s amazing.”
“My mom was always the amazing cook in our house,” Alex said, his smile waning. “I’m sure going to miss her holiday meals.”
“Don’t count her out just yet. We’re all hoping her new medication can help slow the disease.”
He met her gaze and nodded. “You’re right. Gotta stay positive. Even so, it might be a good idea to get her to write down some of the secret recipes only she knows how to prepare.”
They climbed into his Rover and made the trek over to the Brooks family farm. Sure enough, Del’s truck was already parked in the drive. So was a red Audi SUV Mia didn’t recognize.
“That’s funny, I don’t remember Dad saying anything about him inviting additional guests.”
“Uh-huh.”
She threw him a confused look. “What do you mean, uh-huh?”
Alex smirked. “Really, Mia? You want me to believe my parents found their way here all on their own?”
“Your parents are here?”
Mia grimaced at the panic in her voice. Alex, however, just laughed.
“Okay, so I guess it’s as much a surprise to you as it is to me. But don’t worry—they’re going to love you.”
“If you say so.”
“I know so.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze then lifted it to his lips. “Besides, I promise they don’t bite.”
Lord, she hoped not.
He opened her door and together they started for the farmhouse. It was a perfect winter day, the sky crystal blue, the air with just the hint of a nip to it. Her father’s front porch railing had been decorated with fresh evergreen cuttings, presumably courtesy of neighboring Oak Barrel Farms. And yes, there was even a thin blanket of snow from a few nights ago atop the farm’s broad lawn to make her Christmas complete.
Well, nearly complete. Until her youngest sister, Hannah, came home, there would still be that small hole in her heart longing to be filled. Hopefully, it would be someday.
They’d barely reached the front steps when the storm door flung open and out burst her father’s dog, Rex, and Isaac’s bulldog, Louie, each with a giant rawhide bone in his mouth.
