AllFreeNovel
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The car ride is silent, save for the low hum of the engine. Daddy sits in the back seat with us, his eyes glazed with fatigue but a small, grateful smile playing on his lips. We pull up to the grandiose mansion, adorned with twinkling lights and a wreath on the door, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital walls.
I follow Daddy out of the car, the crisp morning air hitting us and fogging our breath as we walk, waking me up from the drowsiness that had settled in my bones.
Inside, the house is warm, filled with the scents of cinnamon and pine. I’ve spent the last few hours preparing for this moment, determined to make it the best Christmas morning despite the rocky start.
We head to the living room, where we’re greeted by the other early risers who celebrate Daddy’s triumphant return with warm Christmas wishes. He beams as he sinks into the couch with a tired sigh. I sit next to him and Tina, feeling a mix of emotions—gratitude for his recovery, exhaustion from the night at the hospital and the tough conversation that took place there—but I also have an overwhelming desire to make this Christmas memorable.
The house is still fairly quiet, most of the guests asleep in their beds after a late night of dancing. Cilian and Luke sit by the fireplace, drinking coffee as they talk quietly, and Zach and Lindsey occupy the couch to our left, him working on a crossword while she types in her phone.
Lindsey looks up from her phone, her eyes lighting up when she sees us. “Glad you could finally make it, Mr. Florence. I was starting to think I wouldn’t see you this Christmas.”
“Thanks, Lindsey,” he says gruffly. “But it’s going to take a lot more than that to stop this old man.”
“Daddy, you’re forty-five. I’d hardly call thatold,” I point out. After learning just how fit a forty-five-year-old man can be, it’s nice to realize my dad is still very much in his prime.
“And don’t you forget it,” he jokes. Then he turns his attention back to Lindsey. “Are you ready to open your present?”
“You got me something?” she asks, surprised.
“Of course! I think it’s that one to the right, with the metallic-blue wrapping,” he says, pointing to a good-sized box beneath the tree.
Lindsey hops up excitedly, racing to grab it. As my eyes follow her across the room, I realize Cilian is watching me, his green eyes warm with affection. A smile dances across his lips, and he gives a slight head tilt, indicating he would love a moment alone with me.
I grin, rising from my seat to join him, and we find a quiet corner to talk, away from the laughter and chatter in the living room.
His gaze lingers on the Christmas tree, his eyes thoughtful for a moment. “Ye know, Mia, I’ve never really done Christmas with me family befar. It was never a big thing for us,” he confesses, his tone tinged with emotion.
I’m taken aback, having never known this side of Cilian. I’d always pictured he was part of one of those big families with more holiday traditions than they know what to do with. “Really? Why not?”
He shrugs, a slight smile playing on his lips. “Let’s just leave it at I don’t have a very conventional family. But being here, with yer family, it feels… nice. I’m happy ta have found a place in it.”
His words linger in the air, and I realize that Christmas, for all its festive cheer, can be a lonely time for so many. I feel blessed to be surrounded by so much love. I give Cilian a grateful smile, touched by his honesty. “I am too,” I admit, my heart swelling to think of just how fortunate I’ve been this year.
Wrapping his arm around my waist, Cilian pulls me close, pressing a chaste kiss discretely to my lips, not wanting to disrupt my dad’s good mood by crashing his party with some PDA, and for a brief moment, I melt into Cilian, savoring his warm embrace.
“Mmm. You taste like coffee,” I moan longingly.
He chuckles. “Missing it?”
“You have no idea,” I whine, then I smile because, in truth, nothing has been so challenging to give up when it means doing right by my baby. I would gladly give up coffee for nine months to ensure my baby’s healthy and happy.
Cilian and I return to the living room, where I catch Dad stealing glances at me throughout the morning, a mix of pride and love in his eyes. It’s a look I’m not accustomed to, one that makes my heart swell with emotion.
Finally, it’s time I bring in the Christmas cookies I'd spent so much time baking and decorating to pitch my business plan. The room falls silent as I do so, my nerves making me extra giddy as all eyes land on me.
“Now, be honest because I’m serious about trying to start a business with this idea. You have to tell me if they’re just not good enough,” I insist nervously, walking the tray of cookies around the room so everyone can take one.
“These are amazing, Mia!” Zach exclaims, admiring his cookie’s icing.
Luke nods in agreement, a warm smile on his face. “So soft—and sweet. A perfect combination.” His eyes twinkle, letting me know he’s not just talking about the cookie.
I blush and smile, then I glance at Dad, and for the first time in a long while, as he takes a bite, he seems very present. His eyes fill with emotion, and he pulls me into a tight hug.
“I’m so proud of you, honey,” he whispers in my ear.
I feel a lump in my throat, the weight of his words sinking in. For a second, time stands still, and I savor the warmth of his embrace. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability for both of us, a bridge mended through the simple act of sharing cookies on Christmas morning.
And I love that, once again, it’s Christmas cookies that have brought us closer. Just like they did when I was a kid.
