Page 5 of Under the Mistletoe

“Hm-hmm.”

She really had no idea what I was talking about. We’d lived in an apartment over four hours away from here, and it was the only home she’d ever really known. It was my fault. I just couldn’t bring myself to come home to visit, but that had all changed. I was done running from my past and wanted to give my precious daughter the home she deserved.

As soon as I got out of the car, I walked over and opened the back door. I unbuckled Ava from her car seat and lifted her into my arms. Her eyes were wide with wonder as we made our way up to the front steps. I still couldn’t believe it. It took five years of working and going to school part-time for me to scrape up enough money for a down payment.

My parents helped a great deal. They came up to visit and begged me numerous times to just come home, but I always refused. I was studying to be a radiologist, and I was already going to the college closest to home. So, I got a job on campus and used the money I made to pay for on-campus daycare. It took some time and a lot of patience—for both me and my parents, but we got through it.

I could’ve just let Dad do what Dad does and let him take care of all the finances, but I couldn’t accept. Call it being stubborn or just plain prideful, but I needed to do it on my own. I pulled out my new key and unlocked the door, then lowered Ava’s feet to the floor and said, “Go check it out.”

She took off like a bolt of lightning, running to check out every room. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it had two bedrooms with a fully updated kitchen and a cozy living room. It also had a nice backyard with a fence and a wraparound porch that was to die for. I absolutely loved it, and I hoped Ava would love it, too.

After a few minutes, Ava came rushing back into the kitchen and asked, “Dis’ really our house?”

“Yup,” I replied with a smile. “It’s all ours.”

“But what ‘bout my room?”

“I already explained that.” I knelt in front of her and took her hand in mine. “We moved here so we could be closer to GiGi and Pop.”

She nodded, and after taking a moment to let it all sink in, the questions started rolling in. “Do we have a swing?”

“No, but we can get one.”

“With a slide?”

“Maybe.”

She blinked, not seeming to mind either way. “Can we get a dog?”

“Let’s work on unpacking first,” I said, already imagining the chaos Ava and a dog could bring together.

“Can we...”

Before she could finish her thought, Dad honked his horn, signaling their arrival. Ava and I rushed over to the front door and waited as Mom and Dad got out of the U-Haul. Dad looked exhausted from the long drive, but Mom, on the other hand, looked raring to go. Her hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, and she was wearing a pair of jeans with a white T-shirt tucked in tight.

And if that wasn’t enough, she was carrying a clipboard in her hand like she was some kind of project manager. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey there, you two.”

Dad started toward us, and Ava charged over to him. He scooped her up and gave her a bear hug before nodding toward the house. “You like the new house?”

Ava nodded. “We gettin’ a dog!”

“Sounds good to me.” Dad chuckled. “How ‘bout a pony, too?”

Ava’s eyes went wide, and I shot him a look. “Hooo, wait a minute. We have no place for a pony, and I never said we were getting a dog.”

“Might be good to have the extra security.”

“I think the security system you will put in will be plenty.”

Dad had a knack for all things technical, and that included security systems. Mom wasn’t too shabby with it either, but her focus wasn’t on our security. “Oh, honey. It’s just darling. I love everything about it... Are you still thinking about painting or changing the color of the siding?”

“Maybe. I thought I would move in and get settled first.”

“Well, your father and I picked up a few samples for you to look over.”

“Easy, Mom. I haven’t even moved in yet.”

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