Page 13 of With Every Breath

“Smells delicious.” Dad sniffed as he came into the kitchen. We’d gotten the first batch of cookies in the oven, and were currently mixing the next.

“Wanna help?” I smiled. My dad was famous for eating more than he actually baked or decorated. Mom was always giving him a hard time about running his finger through the bowl to taste the dough.

“Maybe I’ll taste test when they come out of the oven.” He grinned as I shrugged. I grabbed the bag of flour and counted out the four cups the recipe called for. “What’s next?” He attempted to peer into the bowl.

“Gingerbread.” I laughed as I looked up at Mom. She had leaned over just as I dumped the first cup in, and now had a dusting of flour in her hair.

“What? You know I won’t go down without a fight.” She picked up a chocolate chip and tossed it in my direction.

“Oh, no you didn’t.” I turned and stopped what I was doing, swiping a cinnamon candy at the same time. Just as I was taking aim, Dad walked up behind me and bear hugged me, pinning my arms to my sides.

“Get her.” He chuckled as he spun so I was facing Mom.

She grinned as she held a bag of frosting up. “It would be a shame to waste this.”

“You’re right. It would.” I half giggled, half growled as I struggled to get free.

“I guess I could make more, though.” She then proceeded to squirt some on her index finger, and wipe it on my cheek.

“Mmm, chocolate.” I laughed as I freed my hands, wiped my face, and then proceeded to lick the frosting off my fingers.

“I miss this.” Mom sighed as she went back to adding ingredients to the batter.

“Me too.” I smiled softly. Right at that moment the timer dinged, alerting us to the fact that the sugar cookies in the oven were ready. I watched as Mom pulled the hot pans out, and replaced them with the freshly scooped gingerbread ones.

“As soon as they cool, we’ll be able to decorate them.”

ooooooooo

The afternoon went by in a blur of baking. When it got close to dinnertime, Dad ordered a pizza. It was as if I were taking a trip back in time. All the memories from my childhood were playing out right before me.

By the time we finished, Mom and I had baked seven dozen cookies. I don’t know when she thinks we’ll eat that many, but it was fun baking them. Dad brought the tree in, and we’re sitting here eating pizza so we can decorate after.

“I don’t remember the tree being that small.” I stared at it with thoughtfulness.

“It’s because you were little. You’re an adult now. Things don’t seem as big.” Dad smiled as we worked to untangle the lights.

“I guess,” I murmured.

“It’ll still be magical. Promise.” Dad winked as he attached the first bulb.

We spent the better part of the night hanging ornaments, reminiscing as we went. There were handmade ones from school, the soccer ball Mom had gotten when we won states my junior year, the ‘baby’s first Christmas’ that always makes my mom tear up. This year, I’d brought home a Willie the Wave ornament to add to the collection. “Perfect.” I backed up to stare at the tree as Dad placed the final ornament near the top.

“I think so, too.” Mom yawned. “It’s getting late. I think I’m going to go to bed.” She rubbed her eyes before moving to stand beside Dad. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

“Same. I’ll see you in the morning, kiddo.” Dad smiled softly before he and Mom moved down the hall toward their bedroom.

“Nite,” I called before turning my attention back to the tree. All the lights in the house were off except the twinkling-colored lights. It made the room look magical. I stood there in awe of their beauty, remembering all the years I’d done this before. My parents always made the holidays special, and it was no different now, even as an adult.

I wasn’t tired yet because in California it wasn’t late. I moved over in front of the tree and sat on the floor gazing up, then I did something I haven’t done in a long time. I laid down on my back, putting my head next to the tree stand. I looked up from under the tree. It was like being in a dream. My dad used to tease me when I was little because I’d spend hours lying like this. I pulled out my phone and took a picture from this perspective, then I texted Madi.

Bailey: Put the tree up tonight. Isn’t it pretty?

Madi: Looks like a dream.

A few minutes went by and then I was alerted of another message.

Madi: Dex was asking about you today.

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