“Ten bucks she actually just made us lunch. No help required.” I wink and help Mabel up.
“Why wouldn’t she just call ‘lunch’?”
“She doesn’t want anyone to say no, but you can’t say‘no’to a little old lady needing help.”
We head downstairs and into the kitchen. “Yes! You owe me ten bucks!” I exclaim to Mabel.
“What are you scheming?” Mum asks me with squinted eyes on the other side of the kitchen island.
“That you actually called us for lunch, not to help.”
“No, I need help.” She turns to her walk-in pantry and points to the top shelf. “Can you grab me those platters, please? I don’t want your father dropping them.”
“Aww, so no lunch?” I tease.
“After the platter getting.” Mum smiles at me, waving her hand towards the pantry.
I retrieve the platters as Mum motions for Mabel to sit on the opposite side of the kitchen island.
“Near the sink so I can wash them,” Mum instructs from behind me.
“What’s on the menu for tomorrow?” I ask once I sit next to Mabel.
“Breakfast waffles, of course.”
“Of course!” I repeat.
“And then the usual. Meats, salads, sides. And I’m trying my hand at some mini Reubens.”
“Mabel’s favourite!” I exclaim.
“Oh, is it? I just had an urge to make them. I hope they will remain your favourite once I give them a go.” Mum smiles with a scrunch of her nose and starts washing the platters.
Glancing over at Mabel, I catch her eye. “That’s funny.”
“You didn’t tell her?”
“Nah. Spooky.”
“No. Just nice.” Mabel smiles and sits up a little straighter, relaxed.
We spend Christmas Eve with my parents, helping where they let us, preparing food and the house. Mum and Mabel sat together watching a Christmas film after dinner and chatted the entire way through it.
Christmas Day with my whole family, Mum introduced Mabel to everyone and proudly announcing what Mabel does in Javi’s team. But she didn’t leave Mabel on her own too long with people she's still getting to know.
I had a lot of empathetic conversations about narrowly missing out on taking the championship back from Javi, but that'sthe nature of this sport. He raced a phenomenal season and took out the top spot. Next year is going to be tight again. Cole and Fleur were right there with us.
Mum and Mabel are in the kitchen with my aunt, pouring glasses of wine for the three of them as they laugh and continue to chat. I love the sight of Mabel relaxed, smiling, laughing. Mum the same.
“Camilla, let’s go see which husband has fallen asleep.” My aunt sticks a thumb towards the outside deck. They pick up their glasses of wine and a full bottle, giggling all the way outside.
“Haven’t seen you all day.” I wrap my arms around Mabel’s waist as her arms circle around my neck.
“Starting to miss me?” she coos as she kisses my lips.
“Immensely.” I deepened the kiss. “I have something for you. ”Taking her hand, I lead her upstairs to my bedroom.
Settling on the bed, she looks at me sceptically. “Is this just a ploy to get me up here and fool around?”
“No. Hang on…maybe.” I smirk at her rolling her eyes.
Digging into my bag, I pull out a small wrapped box and present it to her.
She looks at it dubiously, and now it’s my turn to roll my eyes and sit next to her. “Calm down and just open it.”
She continues to look at me and takes the box from my hand and unwraps it.
Flipping open the lid, her lips spread into a smile. She picks up a set of keys and looks over at me.“I bought a property here,and I would love it if you would move in with me. Would you be my roomie, not just during the season, but on the off-season, too?”
“Yes, I would love that. I couldn’t think of anything better I would love to do.” She throws her arms around me and straddles me, crashing her mouth on mine.
