Page 58 of Baking Battles

“Merry Christmas, dear.” She says quietly, standing back to inspect him, like she usually does. “It’s good to have you here.”

She probably doesn’t mean it, but he smiles politely, and she grabs his hand, pulling him away from the doorway, where they can speak undisturbed.

“I am not happy about you leaving my daughter, but, I saw it coming, and I knew you had no choice. Not really. You were unhappy, Sara was devastated, and Emi, I was so upset. So very disappointed. But it’s the way life works, dear, and I am very proud of you. You have to know that. You have treated Sara well. You are a brilliant Dad to Emi, and Sara says you are happy. That makes me happy, because Sara is happy too. I just wanted to clear the air so we can relax. There is no animosity from us and if Sara’s sister says anything, I will put her on potato-peeling duties in the kitchen.”

That last bit makes him chuckle, with memories of himself being put on the stool to peel potatoes for saying something rude, or uncomplimentary of the Royal Family. Sara’s mother is a big fan of the Royals, and he smiles again as she gives him another hug.

“Thanks.” He whispers.

“I want to meet your new man.” She whispers back. “Sara says he’s very famous.”

“He has met Princess Mette-Marit.” Mattias lies. Well he thinks he has, probably. Christopher goes to lots of parties. He says, he does, and surely the Royals go to parties like that?

That works, because Sara’s mother is now embracing a bemused Christopher who is being dragged into the living room to meet everyone, still holding onto Emi’s snowsuit and the bag of gifts he has brought.

To say Mattias is uncomfortable is an understatement, but somehow… he breathes. In. Out. Survives the smarmy comments from Sara’s sister. Laughs at some uncle who tells really bad jokes. Holds Christopher’s hand in the midst of it all, and is surprisingly relieved to see Sara walk through the door, looking a million dollars, with a smile to match.

“Hi, babe.” She breathes, smothering him in perfume, turning to air kiss Christopher, who grabs his phone to snap a selfie of the two of them, both winking at the camera, laughing like they are sharing an inside joke.

“Come, Matt, come on!” Sara says, and lifts up Emi, so they can all fit on the screen. And there they are. The four of them.

“Team Emi.” Sara laughs.

“Team us.” Mattias giggles.

“Team family.” Christopher says, “My family.” And there is something wet in the corner of his eye. They are family. Always. Then he snaps the shutter and captures them forever.

“Can I talk to you?” Mattias whispers, dragging Sara off towards the back of the house, hoping to find a quiet corner.

“You can talk to me, any time.” She says, sounding surprisingly calm.

“I love you.” He says. “I will always love you, but we have to fix this. We have to fix being a family, and you have to stop making me feel so bloody inadequate all the time. I want to buy Emi’s clothes for when she stays with me. I want to be able to feed her whatever I fancy and not get an earful from you when she has chocolate on her face. I want to be able to parent the way I want to parent, and I let you do whatever you want when she is with you. With no comeback. Can we please, please, just chill with this?”

“I’m chill.” Sara says, looking kind of bemused.

“You’re more neurotic than anyone I have ever met in my life.” Mattias huffs. As Sara bursts into laughter.

“I know I’m a mess, babe, but I’m all for chilling. We have managed fine so far, and I know I’m an overbearing bitch, but I can do chill. It’s good for my blood pressure to chill.”

“You haven’t got a problem with your blood pressure.” Mattias says calmly, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I went on a date last night, and I’m sure that I have a problem with my blood pressure now. I almost fainted when he kissed me. That, babe, was not chill.”

“You met someone?”

“Yup.”

“Wanna tell me?” He flirts, feeling a little lightheaded himself.

“Can you deal?” Sara whispers. “You want all the dirty details?”

“Go on.” Mattias dares.

“Seven-inch, big-thick cock. I almost screamed when he stuck that thing inside of me. Huge. And, babe?”

“Yeah?”

“He knew how to work it.”

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