Daphne: *Smiling emoji* Anyway, do you have enough emergency supplies on hand—flashlight, candles, water, etc.?
Ava: Remember who you’re talking to. Yes, I have plenty of supplies.
Daphne: Just checking.
Ava: Are the kids doing okay?
Daphne: They’re fine. They’re making some decorations for Santa. I’d better check on them now.
Ava: Sounds good. See you later.
Closing out the message, I retrieve my pies from the oven, place them on a rack, and give Mom a call. She picks up on the second ring.
“Hi, Ava, I knew it would only be a matter of time before you called,” she says in a cheery voice.
“Daphne said you and Dad are unaffected by the power outage. Do you mind if I come over a little early and use your oven?”
“Of course, honey. Whatever you need. I should be done prepping dinner by one. Any time after that is fine.”
“Do you wantany help?” I ask.
“No, I have everything under control. I want you to relax.”
I laugh softly to myself. There isn’t too much I’ll be able to do without power. “Okay, I’ll be over at one. Oh, I’m planning to bring Max too.”
“That sounds good. We always love having him around.”
“See you soon,” I say, then end the call.
I glance from the kitchen to Max, sitting in his oversized fleece bed. “Well, boy, what should we do now? I can read on my tablet, stream a movie on my phone, or we can go for a walk. You tell me, what’s your choice.” At the word “walk,” he pops out of the bed and sits obediently by the front door. “You’re too smart for your own good.” I laugh. “Okay, let’s get your booties and sweater on, then we’ll go out.”
It’s still snowing when Max and I leave my apartment, but that doesn’t stop my seventy-pound dog from reverting to a puppy. While we take a nice long walk around the deserted park across the street, he experiences the zoomies and runs around with boundless energy. My arm gets a good workout as I struggle to control the leash. At least it helps keep me warm.
“Somebody’s going to sleep well,” I joke as he finally begins to slow down. I kneel to give him a good pet and some water. Despite the cold, he greedily laps it all up. Once he’s finished, we cross the street and head back to the complex.
“What do we think, Max? Should I come back out here and build a snowman? Think there’s enough powder for it?”
“If Max won’t do it, I volunteer.”
“Fernando!” I scream, racing toward my doorstep. He’s dressed in a white puffer coat and black pants. There’s a little scruff on his jaw and dark rings under his eyes, but he’s still one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen. He holds out his arms, and I rush into them. “You’re here!”
“I got in last night just before the roads closed. Talk about good timing. I’m your Christmas present. I just didn’t have any time to put a big novelty bow on top of my head.” He brings me in for a kiss.
“I’ve missed you so much.” I bury my face in his chest as we break apart.
He chuckles. “Your sister and I have been working together. The plan was to surprise you at dinner tonight. But when I saw your text, I figured I’d come to your rescue. I still have power at my place.”
“My hero.” I giggle. “I hate stealing you from your family, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“Mamá and the tías told me I needed to be here as soon as I explained I wanted to spend our first Christmas as a couple together.”
“What did you have to promise them?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.
“That we’d be back for a longer visit next year.”
“That’s something I think we can definitely manage.”
As we try to separate, I realize that we’re stuck together. I glance down. Max has managed to wrap his leash around our legs.
