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Sophie
There’sabeautifuldisaster that is the post-Christmas-morning massacre surrounding us. It’s Christmas day and Samantha and I are celebrating with Drew, Penny, and Emily. Christmas music hums through the bluetooth speakers in Drew’s kitchen, courtesy of Michael Bublè, and wrapping paper in a myriad of colors and patterns covers the floor in a blanket of festivity. It’s the happiest kind of chaos.
The past three months have been wonderful. Drew and I have gotten to know each other so well, and we even take the girls on dates with us all the time. There’s a taco truck the four of us frequent near the Wichita River. We’ve settled into a comfortable routine, enjoying the happiness that comes from being surrounded by those you love, even if it’s just mundane everyday life. We’re a family, albeit a unique one. But a family nonetheless.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
Okay, that’s a lie. I’d love to sleep next to Drew each night instead of saying goodbye to him, then stalking back down to the basement. But we both agreed we’d wait until we’re married for that step.
I’m cuddled up next to my man on the sectional while we watch the girls play together with their new American Girl dolls. Emily is between them, helping them dress their dolls in the new doll clothes “Santa” brought. Sam plops down into Emily’s lap, and Emily kisses the top of her head. She’s so sweet with the girls. Sam has fallen in love with her just like she did Drew. She even calls her Aunt Em now.
Glancing at the clock on the dining room wall, I groan and wrap my arms around Drew. “Sorry, but I gotta go caroling soon.”
He chuckles and rubs circles on my shoulder. “Better get ready to go. I know you’ve been looking forward to it.”
“I was looking forward to it before I realized it would be twenty degrees outside today.”
He smirks. “Just bundle up, and you’ll have fun just like you always do with those rowdy ladies.”
“You’re probably right. Knowing Bernice and Gerda, they’ll likely bring some kind of spiked hot beverage for us all to partake in,” I say with a laugh.
Apparently, the Wonderful Widows group goes caroling every Christmas together, and this year they wrangled me into it.
He kisses my temple. “It’s just a few hours. The girls will play with their presents, then we’ll all load up and head to your parent’s house for dinner.”
With a sigh, I stand from my comfortable warm spot on the couch. I look at Drew with a pout and he laughs at my dramatics. I head downstairs to my bedroom and pull on my thickest socks and some knee-high boots. There’s a chance of snow today and I need to be prepared. In the bottom drawer of my dresser, I have all my winter items tucked away. I pull out a matching hat and scarf set that looks Christmassy. It’s red and green plaid, lined with brown fur. Lastly, I grab my black puffer coat that hits me at the knees and slide my arms into it.
I walk back upstairs and Drew meets me at the top of the stairway. He gives me one of those sexy smirks before grabbing the zipper at the bottom of my coat and slowly zipping my coat all the way up.
“This would be a lot better if I was removing clothing and not adding clothing,” he says with a wink.
I swat his hands away with my fluffy gloved ones. “Don’t be naughty.”
“Why not? Santa already gave us our presents.” He grins, then gives me a quick kiss on the lips. “I started your car so it should be nice and warmed up for you.”
“Aw, thank you. You take such good care of me.” I smile at him, then spin on my heel and walk toward the girls. “Alright, girls. Be good and I’ll be back later.”
Samantha hops up from her place in Emily’s lap and runs towards me. “Bye, Momma!”
“Bye, Sophie!” Penny says as she chases after Sam, both plowing into my giant coat and hugging me.
“See you all in a few hours!”
An hour into Christmas caroling with my fellow Wonderful Widows, we round the corner in the College Hill neighborhood. I’m basically frozen to death by this point, but Bernice and Gerda are still going strong.
“Oh, hey, my parents live on this street,” I tell them and then take a swig of the thermos filled with very strong Irish coffee.
Bernice and Gerda give each other a look—one of those looks where they’re obviously communicating with each other without words.
“Well, whad’ya know?” Gerda says before looping her arm through her sisters.
“Fancy that! What a coincidence,” Bernice replies with a smile and then they continue walking.
I look over at Ashley and Lisa, who are on my right. They shrug their shoulders, looking equally guilty.
Evie is on my left, and she makes a strangled squeaking sound. I flip my head to look at her, but she’s just looking at her feet. Hm, maybe I imagined it.
We continue caroling, singing the same two Christmas carols at each house on the opposite side of the street from my parent’s home. Many of the residents recognize me since I grew up on this street, and a few even give us little treats like Christmas candies and cookies.
