22
AXEL
I’m not saying I suddenlyloveChristmas.
Not by a long shot.
But this year, as we gather in Theo and Sadie’s living room, I’m not fighting the urge to escape either. The tree’s twinkling away in front of the window. Christmas tunes hum through the speakers. The fire’s crackling in the grate. And the place smells like pine, gingerbread, and whatever candle Sadie swears ‘brings joy.’
Shockingly, I ain’t suffocating.
Sadie’s half-inside the tree (again) digging around like it’s a jungle she’s determined to conquer. Theo’s two steps behind, wearing that familiar mix of adoration and absolute terror she’s about to take a branch to the eye.
Granny Anna’s got Lottie pinned to her lap, trying to stop the kid from opening every present in sight – or setting something on fire. Honestly, it’s a close call.
And Taylor?
Taylor’s in my lap this year.
Yeah. That probably has something to do with the fact I ain’t acting like a feral cat forced into a festive sweater.
Hell, who am I kidding?
It haseverythingto do with it.
She’s glowing – brighter than the damn tree – and happier than I’ve ever seen her. When I asked what she wanted for Christmas, she didn’t even blink.
‘You,’ she said.
And, yeah.
That’s mutual.
She turns her head now, eyes dancing when she catches my shit-eating grin.
‘Careful,’ she murmurs, trailing her finger through my beard. ‘People might start thinking you’ve fallen in love with Christmas…’
It’s like she read my damn mind.
‘You know what I love…’ I say, hauling her closer and kissing her properly. She tastes like cinnamon and that thing I’m getting way too familiar with lately: hope. And I plan to keep sampling her every chance I get.
‘Here it is!’ Sadie crows triumphantly, backing out of the tree on her hands and knees and snagging everyone’s attention. She holds up a flat wrapped box and launches it at Theo. ‘Happy Christmas, darling!’
They settle on the sofa together, him in the seat, Sadie on the arm. He tugs the bow loose and flips open the lid, his grin splitting his face in two.
‘I love it!’
‘What is it, Daddy?’ Lottie says, craning her neck. ‘Letmeseee!’
He holds up a navy T-shirt withI’m the Daddy Dinocircling a cartoon diplodocus.
‘Cool!’ Lottie squeals. ‘I wan’ one!’
‘Look, Mummy’s got one too,’ Theo says, pulling out a matchingI’m the Mummy Dinotee. ‘Oh wait, there’s one for you?—’
He stops. Completely.
His fingers go slack.
