by Anna B. Doe
“Merry Christmas.”
She runs down the short hall, tackling me in a hug this time, then a kiss. “Thank you.” She releases me quickly and goes back to yank Ansel inside the house. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Me either,” he admits, scratching the back of his head. “Movie night?” He questions, pointing the movie playing on the screen in the background, the smell of popcorn permeating the air.
“I was stalling,” I explain with a shrug.
“How was your flight?”
“Long. I got in yesterday morning.”
“And you didn’t say anything?”
He chuckles. “I was sworn to secrecy.”
Dani’s eyes move from her friend, back and forth to me. “I can’t believe this.”
“Believe it, babe.” Ansel steps inside, closing the door behind him. “This your place, huh?” he asks me, his eyes swiveling around to take the place in.
It’s a work in progress, but I think it’s starting to look pretty decent with the updates I’ve made.
“Soon to be my place too.” Dani bumps him with her elbow. Smiling at me, she adds, “I told Lachlan I’m ready to move in this morning. My lease isn’t up for another two months, but I practically live here anyway.”
Her awkward rambling is adorable, her cheeks pinkening in color.
“I’m happy for you.”
Once upon a time, Ansel might’ve had a thing for my girl, but the sincerity in his voice says everything.
“When do you go back to Paris?” Dani leads him into the family room where he takes a seat on the couch.
I grab the popcorn and join them. I doubt we’ll actually be watching a movie now since that was merely a distraction I came up with, but at least I’ll have a snack while the two friends catch up.
“After New Year’s.” Dani frowns and he playfully taps her chin. “Don’t look sad already, I’m right here.”
“Paris is so far away, though.”
“I know, but I’m happy there, and you can always come visit.”
“You tell me every time we talk.”
He chuckles, easing against the couch cushions as he grows more comfortable. “That’s because I mean it.”
“I do miss Paris.”
“It’s an unforgettable city.”
Standing, I set the popcorn bowl on the coffee table and quietly head into the kitchen so I can start on the dishes for tomorrow’s dinner that I can prepare ahead. I want to give Dani and Ansel time to catch up without me hovering over them.
As I start pulling things out of the refrigerator, their voices drift into the kitchen, and I can’t help but smile over Dani’s excitement. Keeping this a secret from her was difficult, but absolutely worth it.
Chapter Five
Christmas morning begins with Dani and I running down the stairs like two little kids as if Santa has actually paid us a visit. Presents sit under the fake tree we decorated at the beginning of the month, waiting for us to open them. I’ve decided no matter how old you get, there’s something exciting about waking up on Christmas morning—even if we did sleep in later than I think either of us ever did as children.
Sitting on the floor with Tally batting at the bows and Zeppelin sniffing everything, we tear through our presents from each other as well as ones sent from family out of state who couldn’t visit.
“A sweater?” I smirk holding up the garment Dani bought me.
A blush stains her cheeks. “It’s the color of your eyes. I couldn’t resist.”
“I love it.” And I do. It’s soft and looks comfortable. It’ll be great to wear to work during these last few cold months.
“I can’t wait to play with this.” Dani holds up the nail polish set I got her that allows you to mix your own colors.
I have no idea where her nail polish obsession comes from, but as soon as I saw the kit online I knew she had to have it.
“What color do you think you’ll make first?” I reach for another present.
“Blue,” she blurts, her eyes shifting from the sweater I folded on the floor to my eyes. “I think it’s beginning to become my favorite color. Well, maybe my second favorite color.” She plucks her yellow sweatshirt away from her chest.
I open the gift in my lap to reveal homemade cookies from my mom. This year they couldn’t make it work to come here, and I didn’t want to go back home with this being my first official Christmas with Dani. Sliding out one of the chocolate peanut butter cookies I pass one to Dani before taking one myself.
“These are delicious,” she moans, savoring the cookie.
“I know. My mom’s the best.” I might be biased but … fuck. “Dani, I’m sorry.”
She shakes the sadness from her eyes. “It’s okay. I’m fine, really.”
“I shouldn’t have—”
“No,” she insists. “There’s nothing wrong with you bringing up your mom just like there’s nothing wrong with me being sad.”
She straightens her shoulders, lifting her chin.
“I’m so fucking proud of you.”
Dani has come so far in her journey. I don’t think she ever gives herself enough credit for that. Getting the help you need is never an easy thing but she’s done it and the progress shows.
With emotion still flooding her eyes, she leans over and plants a kiss on my cheek. “Thank you. This isn’t easy, but…” She pauses, gathering her thoughts. “This is still one of my favorite Christmases ever.”
“And it’s not over yet,” I remind her.
I didn’t expect to be cramming this many people into my small starter home, but along with Sage and Sasha, Ansel and his parents have joined us after Dani extended an invite, as well as their high school friend Seth.
“Look at this.” Ansel tosses one arm over Dani’s shoulder, another over Seth’s, with Sasha on the end. “The gang back together. Who would’ve thought?”
“Not me.” Dani’s eyes meet mine, the happiness in them nearly knocking me over.
It might be unconventional, and this is my first time meeting Ansel’s parents, but this right here feels like a family.
Our family. The one we’ve chosen to make with people who matter.
“Is dinner ready yet? I’m starved.” Sage smacks a hand on my shoulder, harder than necessary. I take the ribbing from him in stride.
“Almost.” I reach for the oven mitts and pull out the turkey I roasted.
Everything else is already on the table and I set the turkey at the end, carving into it. Once it’s ready I call everyone to grab their plates and fill them up. There’s not quite enough room at the table so Ansel and his parents sit on the stools at the island.
Chatter fills the house, holiday music playing softly in the background.
It’s a picture perfect scene, one I wasn’t expecting but love nonetheless.
Maybe I’m a sentimental fool but I don’t think there’s anything quite like being surrounded by your friends and family. It means more than any monetary gift ever could.
When dinner is done, everyone chips in to clean up and put away leftovers. When Sage asks me if he can take some home with him I feel like I’ve won some sort of secret battle.
As the evening wears on, Dani proudly presents her chocolate cake—insisting everyone have a piece.
Sage takes a reluctant bite, his face then blossoms into surprise. “Wow, Weed, this is delicious.”
“Weed?” I see Ansel’s mom mouth to his dad.
“I told you I’m getting better.” Dani pushes his shoulder as he digs in for another bite.
Ansel sits down beside me, plate in hand with a half-eaten slice of cake on it. “She’s happier,” he announces. “Happier than I’ve ever seen her. In a way it’s like she’s a different person, but I mean that in the best way. There’s still things there, though, that make her inherently Dani.”
I turn to look at the guy. “You took care of her when I couldn’t. I’ll never be able to repay you for that.”
“
No, you won’t.” The two of us grow quiet and he moves the cake around the plate, not really eating it anymore. “I was in love with her.”
I blow out a breath, uttering a quiet, “I know.”
“But I’m not anymore,” he continues, like it wasn’t implied in the was. “But I still love her as a friend. She was never going to be mine. I saw that then and I know it now.” He sets his plate on the table beside him and leans further back in the chair.
“You’ll meet your person one day.”
“Yeah?” He chuckles, rubbing the stubble on his jaw. “Maybe she’ll meet me in Paris.”
“She’ll meet you somewhere. When the time is right,” I add.
The timing wasn’t exactly ‘right’ for Dani and I, but it was still perfect in its own way.
As the evening wears on, the house gradually clears out until it’s only Dani and I left.
The house is mostly back in order, but I’m too tired to finish with the last few things.
Dani and I trudge up the steps, our bodies exhausted now that the high from being with everyone is wearing off.
“I can’t wait to get in bed.” She scoops Tally up in her arms, kissing the top of the cat’s head before placing her on the comforter.
“Shower first.”
I tug her to the bathroom and she smiles, her eyes looking me up and down.
We undress each other slowly before stepping into the shower, the warm water cascading around us. We hold onto each other, our bodies wrapped so tightly it’s nearly impossible to tell where I end and she begins.
Eventually we break apart, washing our hair and bodies, before we climb out and change into our pajamas for the night.
Tally is already fast asleep on the bed snoring softly and Zeppelin watches from his cushion.
Dani and I burrow beneath the covers, scooting to meet in the middle.
“Hi.” She smiles, tracing the shape of my nose with her index finger.
“Hi.” I laugh at her simple word choice even as I repeat it back. “How was your Christmas?”
“Perfect. Better than I could’ve asked for. Having my brother and Sasha here, Ansel, his parents, Seth … it was everything.”
I take her hand in mine, entwining our fingers. Her hand looks small and delicate wrapped within my grasp.
My heart thunders in my chest, the beat erratic.
“Dani?”
“Mhmm?” She blinks her big hazel eyes at me.
“Marry me?”
I didn’t plan to blurt it out like that. Hell, I didn’t plan to ask her today anyway. She just said she wanted to move in, and though I bought a ring months ago I wanted to wait longer. But lying in bed looking at her, I know I want every night for the rest of my life to be like this. I want to go to sleep beside her, wake up in the morning to her. I want us to chat over morning coffee and breakfast. I want the good days, the bad, the easy ones, the hard ones.
I want her.
“What?” She looks stunned, her pale pink lips parted in shock.
“Marry me,” I repeat. “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
“Are you serious?”
I chuckle, not at all fazed by her not answering yet. “Yes.”
Climbing out of bed I cross the room to my dresser, digging around in the top drawer until my hand closes around the small pale pink box.
Walking back to the side of her bed, I kneel on one knee.
I’m dressed in my sweatpants, no shirt. She’s in her holey pajama shirt and a pair of boy short underwear. There’s nothing fancy about this at all, but I think the simplicity is what makes it perfect.
Opening the box, she gasps when she sees the ring. The center stone is a bright canary yellow—dandelion yellow. Diamonds fan around the center stone creating the shape of a flower—again, a dandelion.
“Lachlan,” she breathes. Shaky fingers reach up to her lips.
“It’s okay if you want to wait. You don’t have to say—”
“Yes!” she cries, cutting me off. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.”
She jumps from the bed into my arms.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She kisses my cheeks. “Yes.” My chin. “God, yes.” Finally, my lips. I can’t stop kissing her back, the salty tang of her tears clinging to my mouth. “Put it on me,” she demands, holding out her left hand.
I pull the ring from the box and slip it onto her finger. As soon as it settles in place, the antique ring the perfect fit, I know I’ve witnessed the last time I’ll see that finger bare ever again.
“You really want to marry me, Dani?”
She takes my face between her hands. “More than anything.”
I pull back from her just enough to offer my pinky. “Pinky promise?”
She grins, her cheeks flushed, and loops her finger around mine. The ring sparkles in the dim light of our bedroom.
“Pinky promise.”
And then we seal that promise with a kiss.
Books by Micalea Smeltzer
Fallen Series
Outsider Series
Second Chances Standalone Series
Trace + Olivia Series
Willow Creek Series
Light in the Dark Series
The Us Series
The Wild Series
The Enchanted Series
Standalones:
Beauty in the Ashes
Bring Me Back
Temptation
A Love Like Ours
The Other Side of Tomorrow
Desperately Seeking Roommate
Desperately Seeking Landlord
Whatever Happens
Sweet Dandelion
About the Author
Micalea Smeltzer is a twenty-something author from Northern Virginia. She has four dogs, which is as crazy as it sounds. As a recent kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.
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My Favorite Gift
A Close To Me Holiday Story
Monica Murphy
Chapter One
Autumn
The rain is coming down extra hard as I drive down the familiar road that leads to my neighborhood. The sky above is heavy and dark. It is coming down in sheets. The temperature hovers around thirty-eight degrees, which tells me as we draw closer to evening, the chance for snow is highly probable.
Can’t help but feel giddy about that. It’s almost Christmas. I don’t think we’ve ever had a white Christmas since we’ve lived here in the mountains.
Ever.
I turn onto our street and pass the same old houses, though they’re spruced up for the holidays thanks to gigantic wreaths hanging on their doors or towering Christmas trees standing tall in front of their windows. Some of the houses already have their lights on, and it makes me feel festive.
Wow, do I need this. Now more than ever. This semester at college was really tough for me, and I crave the break. Plus, it’ll be nice to spend time with my family. I’ve missed them. I always miss them. And then there’s my boyfriend…
I especially miss him. Having a long distance relationship for the past two and a half years has been tough. Ash and I don’t see each other nearly as much as we want to.
But we’ll make up for not seeing each other over the next few weeks. I have nowhere to go but here. Same with him. It’s going to be amazing.
Pulling into the driveway, I hurriedly climb out of the car and make my way to the front door, surprised the garage isn’t open. We rarely use the front door. We always walk in through the garage door that enters into the kitchen.
Considering I don’t live here anymore, maybe things have changed.
With the front door unlocked, I open the door and walk into my house to find…
It looks like Christmas
threw up all over it.
Slowly shutting the door behind me, I lean against it for a moment, taking it all in. There’s a giant tree looming in front of me, its white lights twinkling in the semi-darkness of the room. I can smell the wintry fresh pine scent, and I take a deep breath, feeling nostalgic.
Ever since I can remember we got a fresh Christmas tree. Fake trees are beautiful too, and Mom has been known to scatter a few around the house, but nothing beats an actual tree you buy from the lot, or sometimes, we would go and cut it down in the woods. With a tree permit, of course.
My gaze wanders, settling on the river rock fireplace. The mantle is decorated with pine boughs and red ribbon, and all of our stockings neatly hang with care. There are extra ones, and I can only assume they’re for our significant others. My brother Jake has a girlfriend now. Hannah. And Ava found herself a boyfriend. Eli. I’m sure our mother bought them stockings so they wouldn’t feel left out. I can only imagine what that mantle will look like once we all get married and have children of our own.
Completely overloaded, I’m sure.
Mom goes overboard with Christmas every year, but I don’t mind. She embraces it with everything she’s got, and so do the rest of us. Not like we have a choice. The only one who turned grumpy over Christmas was Ava. Her freshman year, she started complaining about the commercialization of the holiday and how it has no significant meaning beyond retailers wanting our dollars. Ava had a point, but Mom didn’t want to hear it. In fact, Ava went on about it for so long, Mom told her she was going to get less gifts that Christmas. I didn’t believe Mom’s threat, because come on.
She lives for this shit.
But what do you know, Mom and Dad held true and Ava got a few less gifts than the rest of us that year. We knew. Trust me, when you have siblings, you count and compare the number of gifts you get every freaking Christmas.
After that year, Ava never complained again. She has now embraced the holiday season wholeheartedly.
As I walk through the living room, I can hear chatter going on in the kitchen, recognizing my mom’s and little sister’s voices. A feeling of such complete and utter content washes over me, making me grateful to be home after such a long drive.
