Page 72 of Wrapped Up with the Three Scrooges

I added more details to my ornament, inspired by Max’s artistry and Emery’s enthusiasm. When Levi “accidentally” spilled glitter on my sleeve, I retaliated by painting his nose green.

“You know this means war!” Levi reached for more glitter.

“Don’t you dare.” I tried to sound stern, but I was laughing.

“Too late!” Emery called out cheerfully, dumping a handful of silver glitter over my head.

Looking at her glowing face through a shower of sparkles, I couldn’t even be mad.

Several decorated ornaments later, Emery carefully hung them on the tree. Her fingers lingered on the one I made, adjusting it until it caught the light just right.

“Perfect spot.” She stepped back, phone already in hand to capture yet another photo. The clicking of her camera had become the soundtrack of our evening, preserving each moment like she knew how precious they were.

Something caught my eye, a familiar flash of faded red and gold. My breath caught as I recognized the old glass ornament my grandfather had given me the Christmas before he passed. I’d forgotten I even still had it.

Emery noticed me staring. “I found a box in the garage marked ‘Christmas: Handle with Care.’ I hope it was okay to add a few of them?”

I pulled her close, pressing my lips to her temple. The rest of my grandfather’s ornaments were scattered throughout the tree, each one bringing back memories of holidays spent as a family.

“More than okay.” My voice faltered and I swallowed hard.

Levi grabbed another ornament from the craft table. “Speaking of handling things with care...” He waggled his eyebrows, tossing the ball between his hands. “I’ve got quite the technique.”

Max groaned. “If you make one more innuendo about balls...”

“What? I’m just saying I know how to handle my ornaments.” Levi’s grin was pure mischief as he deliberately let the ornament slip, catching it at the last second.

“Don’t you dare break that.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

Emery snapped another picture, capturing Levi’s mock-innocent expression perfectly. “For blackmail purposes.” She tucked herself under my arm.

We all stepped back to admire our work. The tree was a beautiful mess of old and new, elegant and gaudy, professional and chaotic—just like us. Somehow, it worked.

“Wait!” Emery fumbled with her phone, setting it on the mantle. “We need a group picture.” She set the timer and rushed back to us.

Max pulled her in front of him, his arms wrapping around her waist. Levi crowded in on one side while I took the other.

After a few photos, Levi and Max drifted toward the kitchen, Levi declaring it was hot chocolate time, but Emery stayed behind with me. She reached up, brushing glitter from my hair.

“You okay?” Her eyes searched mine, understanding and warmth radiating from her.

I caught her hand, pressing it against my chest where my heart was doing something complicated. “I never thought I’d have this again… Christmas, family, traditions.”

“And now?” Her thumb traced small circles against my shirt.

I looked at our tree with its mismatched ornaments and twinkling lights, each decoration telling a story of past and present merging into something new and wonderful.

“Now I have everything.” I pulled her closer.” Thank you for making me remember how to do Christmas again.”

She stretched up on her toes, pressing a soft kiss to my jaw. “Thank you for letting me.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Levi

Icracked my eyes open, immediately regretting the decision when sunlight assaulted my retinas. The bed felt massive and empty, though the tangled sheets told stories of a decidedly not-empty night. I stretched, groaning as various muscles protested the movement.

Santa had definitely put me on the naughty list after last night. To be fair, I’m pretty sure we all made that list. Multiple times. In various configurations.

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