“Thanks for that.” I pull my hand away so I can rest my elbows on the table and hide my face in my hands. “I already feel like shit about it. Honestly? I feel like no matter what I would’ve done, it wouldn’t have been the right thing.”
“Welcome to the real world,” he says with a soft chuckle, the mood lightening a little. “One of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do to someone you love is hurt them, and trying to decide which way causes the least amount of harm in the heat of the moment is hard. Can I say that, even though we won’t know what the right decision was until he’s out, that I’m proud of you for doing what was best for you?”
I smile at that, dropping my hands from my face and giving him a grateful smile. “Thank you, dad. I definitely needed to hear that.”
“I love you, peanut.” He grabs both of my hands this time. “And I’m so damn proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished. I know that whatever comes next, you’ll handle it with the same grace and determination that you always have.”
“I love you, too,” I tell him, tears springing to my eyes.
My dad leans forward, pulling a hand free to give me a hug, and I melt into it. There is something about a hug from my father that seems to make everything better. When he pulls back, he gives me a mischievous grin that causes me to raise a brow in anticipation.
“So, now that your sister is moving in, does that mean you’re hosting Christmas so I don’t have to?”
CHAPTER FOUR
A MONDAY IN DECEMBER
“Claire, leave those alone,” I call out from the kitchen as I hear the familiar sound of the presents under the Christmas tree rattling around.
“But, Mom,” she groans, her footsteps stomping on the hardwood floor as she enters the kitchen, her hands on her hips. “They’re calling out to me. Can’t I open just one?”
A surprised chuckle escapes me as I set down the spatula I have in my hand, turning my full attention towards my daughter. “Who on earth did you learn that phrase from?”
“Auntie Neve.” She shrugs.
“Well, you go tell your Auntie Neve that I need help finishing dinner,” I tell her, a hand on my hip as I rest the other against the counter. “And then I want you to set the table, okay?”
Claire nods before taking off down the hall, her little stocking covered feet sliding on the floor. I turn back to the bowl of mashed potatoes that sit in front of me, stirring them a couple more times before I wipe my hands on my snowman covered apron, carrying the porcelain bowl to the table. Just as I set them down, the doorbell rings.
“Neve!” I yell, reaching behind my back to untie the apron. “You better be ready.”
I run a hand through my loosely curled hair before running my hands down the front of my brown, red, and black checkered turtleneck shawl. I had thrown on a pair of light blue skinny jeans and slipped into a pair of my favorite black boots to match. Just as I reach the door, Neve comes running down the hall.
She’s wearing a simple green sweater with black leggings and white boot socks on her feet. The top half of her blonde hair is up in a small bun, the bottom half cascading down her back with her bangs framing her face. Neve applied a simple nude eyeshadow, but I notice the naturally looking fake lashes from here and immediately know that is what made her late.
Pulling open the door, I smile as JJ quickly steps forward and pulls me into a hug, a slight squeal escaping her. A few days after the match event, she had shown up at the office and asked if she could take me out for a thank you lunch. The three of us have been extremely close ever since. When she separates herself from me, I notice a container of cookies in her hand. JJ strolls inside, heading straight for my sister and enveloping her in her arms. When I turn back to the door, I notice Cole standing there with a small smile and a chuckle escapes me: JJ has dressed them up in matching red sweaters.
“I haven’t worn a single graphic tee since you matched us,” he says in response to my expression. “That girl will be the death of me.”
“You’re welcome,” I say, reaching for his arm and dragging him inside.
JJ is sitting on the couch while Claire shows her the gift I let her open the night before, Neve sitting in the saucer chair with a book in her lap that she started a few days ago and is desperate to finish. Just as Cole and I reach the couch, the front door flies open and Blue and RJ come walking in.
“The fun has arrived!” Blue announces, two large bags in both of her hands. RJ follows behind her with three bags of the same size and a warm smile. “Hope you didn’t start without us.”
“Never.” I grab one bag from her, glancing inside to see a bunch of wrapped presents. “Please tell me these aren’t all for my daughter.”
Blue looks at me with a blank expression before a guilty smile appears. “Well, no, not all of them. One of them has dessert.”
“You spoil her,” I tell Blue, but the smile stays on my face and ruins any chance I have of scolding her.
“What godmother doesn’t spoil her godchild?”
Claire comes tearing out of the living room and launches herself at Blue, causing the two of them to stumble a few steps back before my friend regains her footing. She picks up my daughter and gives her a tight hug before setting her down, and Claire runs over to give RJ one as well.
“Are these all for me?” Claire asks, her eyes wide as she stares at all the wrapped gifts inside.
“Why don’t you go put them under the tree and find out?” Blue rests a hand on her shoulder and spins her around, ushering her towards the living room with RJ trailing behind her with all the bags, leaving one with dessert in the kitchen.
