“Sleep tight, little one,” she murmured, tucking the blanket around Isabel, then turned back to find Sarah sleeping.
“We’re going to head home for a bit,” her mother whispered. “Get some rest at home, honey. We’ll be back in a few hours.”
Mack nodded, giving each of them a hug. “Thanks for everything,” she said. “I think I’ll stay here a while longer and have some food, if that’s okay.”
Her father patted her on the back. “Of course. Call if you need anything.”
As the door closed behind them, the room fell quiet, and Mack sank back into the armchair with a plate of green curry and rice. She was exhausted and had been running on adrenaline and coffee, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave just yet.
She realized how blessed she truly was. This Christmas had given her not one, but two precious gifts—the miracle of new life in her niece, and the promise of new love with Holly. Through the window, she saw a gentle snowfall begin outside, blanketing the city in a fresh layer of white. Streetlights cast a warm glow on the fresh powder, making it sparkle like countless tiny diamonds. Nature was hitting the reset button, offering a clean slate for new beginnings.
She thought about the perfectly wrapped presents for her family that had been sitting in her hallway for a week, the carefully curated playlist of Christmas songs, the recipe for eggnog she’d been meaning to try. All those preparations seemed trivial now, paling in comparison to the sight of Isabelbefore her and the flutter in her chest every time her phone lit up with a message from Holly. The irony wasn’t lost on her—her meticulous holiday plans had unraveled into a beautiful chaos.
Isabel whimpered softly. Mack set her plate to the side and gently placed a hand on Isabel’s tummy. The baby settled at her touch, her face relaxing back into sleep. She watched her niece, struck by the perfection of this quiet moment, and a profound sense of peace washed over her. She was exactly where she was meant to be.
Chapter 20
Holly
The warm glow of candles flickered across the dining room table, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Holly stood, gathering the last of the dessert plates, a contentment settling over her that she hadn’t felt in this house for a long time.
“Thank you both for dinner,” she said, smiling at her parents. “It was wonderful.”
Her mother beamed, the lines around her eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. “We’re just so glad you’re here, sweetheart.”
Her father nodded in agreement, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s been a perfect Christmas.”
As they stood, her mother stifled a yawn, and Holly felt a surge of affection for her. The day had been filled with tentative steps toward reconciliation, moments of laughter, and even a few tears. It wasn’t perfect—there were still awkward pauses and careful navigation of certain topics—but it was progress. More than she’d dared to hope for.
“We should head to bed,” her father said, glancing at the ornate clock on the mantel. “It’s been a long day.”
Holly nodded, but hesitated, her heart quickening. “Actually, before you go…would it be all right if I borrowed the car?”
Her parents exchanged a glance. “Of course,” her mother said. “But where are you going at this hour?”
Holly took a deep breath, steeling herself. Just a week ago, the idea of mentioning a female love interest to her parents had seemed impossible. But they had surprised her today, even bringing up Mack over dinner, commenting on how nice she seemed.
“I…I was hoping to go see Mack at the hospital,” Holly said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I know it’s late, but I just…I want to check on her, see how she’s doing.”
There was a moment of silence, and Holly felt her chest tighten. But then her father’s face softened, and he pointed to the sideboard, where his car keys were.
“Say hello from us. Just drive safely, all right? The roads might be icy.”
Holly blinked, momentarily stunned. “I will, Dad. Thank you.”
Her mother stepped forward, enveloping her in a warm hug. “Yes. Tell Mack we said hello,” she murmured. “And congratulations again on becoming an aunt.”
As Holly slipped on her coat and headed out, she felt a lightness in her step that had been missing for far too long. The car’s engine purred to life, and she pulled out of the driveway, the familiar streets of her childhood neighborhood sliding by in a blur of twinkling Christmas lights.
As she merged onto the highway, a nervous flutter began in her belly, growing stronger with each mile that brought her closer to the hospital. Holly wasn’t entirely sure why it felt so important to see Mack tonight. They had been texting throughout the day, sharing updates and well-wishes. But somehow, it wasn’t enough.
Perhaps it was the symbolism of it all, Holly mused as she navigated through the light evening traffic. They had startedChristmas together, strangers thrown together by circumstance. Now, as the holiday drew to a close, Holly felt an inexplicable pull to end it together.
The city lights glowed softly against the night sky, a gentle snowfall adding a dreamlike quality to the scene. Holly’s mind wandered back to their time in Watertown. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet also as if no time had passed at all.
When she arrived at the hospital, Holly’s heart began to race, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her veins. She found a parking spot and sat for a moment, gathering her courage before she dialed Mack’s number.
“Holly? Is everything okay?”
