AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Last night, Lily made it seem like her mom was the source of all her problems - from meddling in her love life to constant criticism about her choices. But seeing them together, I can't help but wonder if there's more to their relationship than meets the eye.
"She has her moments," Lily shrugs, her smile fading slightly. "But overall, she's still my mom."
I look at Lily, my eyes softening. "I see," I say gently. "Family dynamics can be complicated, but they are still family at the end of the day."
Lily looks away, her gaze landing on a tree decorated with candy canes and glittering snowflakes. "Mom and I had a long talk earlier. After Dad passed, apparently, she realized that she'd been too hard on us. That life is too short. She said she wants to start over and patch things up."
"That's good to hear, sweetheart," I say, pulling her closer. "I'm happy if you're happy."
She leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. "Things aren't perfect by any means," she admits. "There's still a lot of water under the bridge. But this is a start."
"All relationships take work," I reply, squeezing her hand. "The most important thing is that the two of you are making an effort. And who knows, maybe this Christmas magic will work wonders."
As I look back at Ava and Mrs. Hopkins, I can't help but feel a sense of warmth spreading through me. Ava is showing Mrs. Hopkins her handmade ornament, her small face lit up with excitement. Mrs. Hopkins, in return, laughs at something Ava says, her eyes filled with genuine joy.
Seeing them together amidst the shimmering Christmas trees is a vision of the family warmth I've always yearned for my daughter. It's something I haven't had since my divorce, and it's a reminder that there's always a chance for healing and reconciliation, especially during this special time of year.
And in this moment, it dawns on me that maybe, just maybe, this Christmas is more than just the glitz and glam. It's about healing past hurts and forging fresh starts.
I take Lily's hand in mine, and together, we continue to walk through the lights. As we leave the light expo, I make a mental note to send Mrs. Hopkins a Christmas card this year and thank her for helping bring my family closer together. For that, I am truly grateful.
When we finally get home, Mrs. Hopkins immediately heads for her suitcase.
My heart drops, fearing the worst. But when we ask her where she's going, she just gives us a warm smile.
"I think it's time you two had some alone time," she says with a knowing look. "I've booked a hotel for the night. You two enjoy your Christmas."
I glance at Lily, who looks equally as shocked. "Are you sure, Mrs. Hopkins?" I ask, trying to keep the disbelief out of my voice.
"Absolutely," she replies, her smile unwavering. "You two deserve it. And don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I got a last-minute reservation at the Fit Mountain Resort, and I'm excited to see what all the fuss was about."
Lily and I exchange surprised glances. But then, she smiles at me, a soft, loving smile that lights up my world more than any Christmas light ever could.
"Thank you, Mom," she whispers, pulling her mother into a hug. "Merry Christmas."
As I watch them, I can't help but feel grateful. Grateful for this unexpected turn of events and for the woman who has brought so much light into my life.
***
The car engine hums softly, its gentle melody echoing through the air as we glide along the twisting mountain paths. Above us, the stars shimmer like tiny diamonds, mirroring the twinkling lights adorning the trees of Cooper Hills.
Lily's in the passenger seat, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She keeps shooting me sidelong glances, trying to guess our destination. I can't help but chuckle at her playful suspicion.
After Lily's mom left earlier in the day, my sister Melanie had swooped in, taking Ava for a sleepover at Daphne's house. It's amazing how much quieter the house gets with just two adults.
Once Ava was safely with Melanie, the two of us got changed and started packing. Lily kept throwing me sly smiles, and I loved the way her face lit up with excitement.
Now, we're on our way to a secluded cabin up in the mountains, where it's just the two of us. No distractions, no interruptions. Just us. Technically, the cabin belongs to Daphne and Cody. But they've generously offered to let me use it for our surprise romantic getaway.
As the last turn approaches, I break the silence. "We're almost there."
"Finally!" Lily exclaims, her tone teasing. "I thought you were taking me to the ends of the earth."
I chuckle. "Well, it's not quite that far."
Pulling up to the cabin, I watch her face light up.
The cabin, nestled among towering pines, is rustic yet cozy. The warm glow from the windows creates a welcoming ambiance. As we step inside, the scent of pine and woodsmoke fills the air, and Lily's eyes widen in awe.
