Page 12 of Lily

9

Lily

I’ve nearly finished my shopping. All that’s left is Devin’s father. He’s a little more challenging to shop for. Still, Devin told me a story a couple of months back about him and his dad going for jammy dodgers at the open-air market that Dev loves so much. So when I spot a package of six beautiful Christmas themed cookies filled with sugar plum jam, I know it will be perfect.

I finish paying for my goods, but I don’t see Devin anywhere when I look around. I sigh. It’s too crowded in here. Rather than trying to hunt him down, I’ll just send him a text.

Me: Hey babe, I’m done. Where’d you get off to?

Dev: I’ll meet you at the Gran Caffe next door. I have to make a quick purchase, and then I’ll be there.

Me: Sounds good!<3

The shop is lovely, with all kinds of pastries, coffees, teas, and a delicious looking English Breakfast. I’m starving, so I decide I’m going to go ahead and order a full meal. But I’ll wait until Devin shows up to order. I get a cup of tea and some water and then read the menu while I wait. Devin doesn’t take long, and when he does show up, there’s no bag in his hands.

“I thought you had to pick something up?” I question, confused.

“Ah, yes. They didn’t have the size I needed, so they are going to ship it to me.”

“Oh, alright then. What did you get? New clothes?”

“Yeah, a new coat for mum.” He was looking at the menu instead of me while he talked, which I found a little strange. Oh well, maybe he’s just as hungry as I am.

“That sounds nice.” I smile and look at the menu again. “I’m starving, and this English Breakfast is calling my name.”

“I’m a bit peckish, but there’s no way I’d be able to eat a full meal right now. Mind if I nibble a bit from your plate, love?”

I nod in agreement, and not long later, we share a massive English Breakfast in a sizzling cast-iron skillet. It’s got bacon and sausage, baked beans and blood pudding, runny eggs, and toast. And Devin’s favorite, grilled sliced tomatoes. After we devour every last morsel, we each grab a pastry to go before heading back home to wrap our gifts.

Back at the house, Devin sneaks off to his father’s library for a moment, and I’m a little suspicious but decide to leave it be. Maybe he needs some quiet time. I shrug and go into our bedroom and wrap his family’s gifts as best I can. It’s not perfect, but it’s still pretty, and I hope they enjoy it. Once I finish wrapping, I stand and stretch, and Devin appears in the doorway.

“There you are,” I say. “Needed a little quiet time?”

“Yeah, shopping takes a lot out of me. Let’s head downstairs. Mum said Gram has been itching to chat all day.”

We spend the evening talking to his family. They share stories of their Christmas traditions and plenty of embarrassing tales of Devin as a child. I can’t think of a better way to end the day.

***

The next day is Christmas Eve, and we begin the day with a big family breakfast. We are gathered around the enormous dining table, and we chat as we feast on all of Devin’s breakfast favorites. The cook even made some thick waffles with real maple syrup. That evening, more of his family would be coming over to celebrate, including his older sister, some cousins, and his aunt.

“I should’ve gotten your sister a gift. I hope she isn’t upset.”

“It’s fine, love. Molly isn’t going to be bothered at all. You haven’t even met her yet, so she has no reason to expect a gift from you.” Their chef makes treats and prepares the evening meal throughout the day, but Devin’s mother and I spend a fair amount of time in the kitchen making cookies.

“You know, dear, Devin has always loved sugar cookies with royal icing. I make them for him every year with the same cookie cutters we’ve used since he was a child. I’m planning to send him home with a big box to enjoy when you guys are back in the states.”

“I’m sure he’ll love that, Evelyn. He speaks fondly of all of you all the time. I can tell he gets homesick.”

“Thank goodness he has you, dear.”

Throughout the day, Devin peeks in and steals me away occasionally to sneak kisses in the hall, and before we know it, it’s time to sit down for dinner. I meet the other family members, and all of them are incredibly kind. His aunt and younger cousins are olive-skinned beauties with the same deep blue eyes that Devin has. And his sister is nothing short of amazing. She’s warm and affectionate, with an infectious laugh and an even brighter smile.

“You have to come to Australia some time, Lily! You’d love it. There is some much incredible wildlife.”

“Yeah, and damn near everything wants to kill you there,” Devin chimes in and snickers when Molly reaches over to whack him on the back of the head.

“You two behave,” Evelyn scolds.

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