“You know how to make those?”I called out.
“Yes, I learned from an adorable chef.Wears a white chef hat.Looks like a squishy marshmallow.”
I laughed realizing she had gotten premade rolls.As she cooked, I went over to the tree, still amazed by the sneaky guys.I was able to recognize all their handwriting too.I had presents from all of them under the tree.There were even a couple for Janice.How were they this thoughtful?
Once everyone was here, we were going to have to exchange presents.For now, I needed to get the presents for Seth’s parents.I couldn’t go over there empty handed.It wasn’t fancy or anything big, but I hoped it was thoughtful.
I went upstairs where I had my stash in the closet.It had been hard keeping Toby from digging around looking for them every time he came over.I hauled the big bag downstairs and added them to the tree, grabbing the one I got for Seth’s parents and putting it by the front door so I wouldn’t forget it.I also separated out the ones for everyone else who wasn’t the guys.I had something for Calvin, George, Dad, Aunt Laura, even the twins, Micah, and his parents.
I’d never had to buy so many presents before.I’d never had this many people in my life who I wanted to give something to.If it was like this every year for families, then I was beginning to understand why this time of year caused so many people stress.
“Okay, let’s go.”Janice came out with two wrapped plates.She had a tall coffee travel mug under her arm and two foam cups she was trying to balance on the plates.
“Hold on,” I said and quickly bundled up before taking some of the load off her so she could bundle up too.While the short walk was only like two minutes to get over to Seth’s house, it was extremely windy outside and the temps were low enough to freeze my cheeks the moment we stepped outside.
I shivered as we walked down the sidewalk.Seth had cleared and salted my sidewalk so I didn’t need to worry about ice.
The two police officers outside were thankful for the sweet treats and warm coffee.We let them know we were just going across the street and they nodded with tired smiles.Janice hooked her arm through mine and we carefully went over to Seth’s.
As soon as I knocked on the door, it was swinging open.
Seth.
“Hey.”He broke into a grin that made my stomach flip and warm at the same time.He wore a soft grey sweater, his hair slightly damp still from his shower.The smell of his soap tickled my nose.
“Hey.”I couldn’t not smile back at him.
“Come in.They’re excited to meet you.”Without saying anything, Seth grabbed the present in my hand and the extra plate from Janice.
The heat from inside the house pushed back the cold that tried to freeze my cheeks.It also smelled strongly of pine.Seth led us to the kitchen, where his mom and stepdad stood side by side near the island, mugs of coffee in their hands.
“Mom, Dad—this is Cadence.”He pointed to me.“And her friend, Janice.Cadence, meet Liberty and Paul.”
His mom was petite with deep brown skin and a warm, golden undertone.Her eyes were so much like Seth’s, a golden amber that had the ability to warm me to the core.She had short, tight curls and wore a deep green sweater that brought out the color of her eyes.Paul was taller, broader, with a sense of a quiet strength to him.Salt-and-pepper hair clipped short to his head and a kind smile, and while I knew the two of them weren’t related, it was evident who Seth had learned his mannerisms from.The two of them held themselves in similar ways, confident and steady.Even if Seth hadn’t told me how much Paul influenced his life, I would have seen it the moment I saw the two of them together.
“Merry Christmas,” Liberty said, stepping forward after putting her mug down and wrapping me in a brief but warm hug.It caught me off guard, but I returned it while my heart raced.
“Merry Christmas,” I murmured, feeling shy.
She smoothly switched over and gave Janice the same hug.
Paul came over and shook my hand, his large hands practically encompassing mine.“Nice to finally meet you.Seth’s talked a lot about you.”
I shot Seth a wide-eyed look.He only grinned back at me, enjoying how uncomfortable and awkward I was being.
“I, uh, brought you something,” I said and motioned at the box in Seth’s hand.
Paul grabbed it but handed it over to Liberty to let her open it.She smiled big when she saw the gift set.
Inside the box was a set of mugs and hot chocolate mix.There were also marshmallows and other toppings along with different chocolate bars.Even some candy canes and peppermint sprinkles.And different tiny bottles of liquor so they could spike their drink if they wanted.It came from a chocolate company Bryan had recommended.
“This is adorable,” she said and gave me another hug.“Seth must have told you all about our hot chocolate nights?”
I laughed.“He likes to reenact them, if you haven’t seen the cupboards yet.”
That got a small laugh out of her, her eyes brightening as she looked over at her son with pure love.
We quickly moved into the living room, where the tree was brightly lit, more presents underneath it.
