Page 74 of A Holly Brown Christmas
“What? What’s the matter?”
“I know we’re standing here talking about how it’s not about gifts and things, but now everyone’s here and there aren’t gifts under the tree! Not this one, I’m obviously looking at them, but I mean under your parents’ tree!”
That made him chuckle. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m sure my mother is going to take care of that tomorrow with my sisters. Trust me. There will be a ton of gifts under the tree.” He frowned. “I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
“Why?”
“Because I gave this entire speech not just here but back at the house how it’s not about the presents, and now I’m talking about all the presents they’re going to buy.”
“Lucas, it’s okay for there to be presents. As long as you’re all together and that’s not the only thing you’re all concerned about, it will be fine. Because really, the best part of Christmas is the people you share it with. And you have a few more people to share it with this year. But it’s okay if you need to be here. My parents will completely understand.”
Unable to help himself, he let out a soft chuckle and pulled Holly a little closer. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Carefully, he turned her toward him. “I meant what I said earlier. I love you. And I don’t have a problem splitting the holiday between my family and yours. Maybe next year we can get them all together and your parents can teach mine a thing or two about making everyone feel welcome.”
“Your family isn’t that bad, Lucas. They’ve always made me feel welcome.” She giggled. “I mean, not at first tonight, but then they got there. They need to work on their communication skills within the family, especially your parents with each other.”
“They’re going to start couples' therapy.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “It was one of the things they discussed while locked in the storage closet.” He grinned. “I still can’t believe you did that.”
“Hey, you gave me the idea!”
He hugged her. “You are full of surprises. I have a feeling life with you will never be boring.”
“What fun would that be?”
They stood together in the warm glow of the lights for a few more minutes, simply enjoying the view. But when he heard her yawn for the third time, he knew it was time for bed.
Wordlessly, he led her across the room—stopping only to unplug the tree—and then down the hall to his bedroom. He kissed her softly and sent her to do whatever she needed to do, while he walked around shutting off the rest of the lights. When he came back, she was already in bed with her eyes closed. He quietly stripped and slid in beside her, shutting off the bedside lamp. Holly rolled toward him, her legs tangling with his even as he gently pulled her into his arms. He placed a soft kiss on the top of her head as his own eyes drifted closed, feeling completely at peace.
Twenty
Christmas Eve was always her favorite, and it had been ever since she was a little girl. And honestly, she didn’t know why she loved it so much. It was always the same; there were no surprises. But when she opened her gift of new pajamas, it was just the best feeling.
She wasn’t so sure Lucas was feeling the same way.
He held up the flannel pajamas her parents had given him with a look of curiosity and confusion. “Oh…pajamas! Thank you!”
“Every year,” she murmured to him. “You will always get a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. And look! We match!”
They were silly with dancing snowmen on them and she knew Lucas would never wear them, but she thought they were adorable.
Dinner was always the same too—very similar to a Thanksgiving dinner, but with the addition of a honey-baked ham and a few different side dishes. One year, her cousin Melissa had suggested they have an Italian feast and it nearly tore the family apart.
It was all about traditions and not straying from them.
Although, Holly thought, she wouldn’t mind an Italian feast sometime. Maybe that was a tradition she and Lucas could start as a pre-Christmas Eve thing or even a post-Christmas Day one. She’d have to remember to ask him about it.
Tomorrow, they were going to spend Christmas with his family. And since everything was happening last minute, they weren’t going to have their traditional meal—surf and turf.
She had tried to sound understanding when Camille made the announcement, but all she really wanted to say was, “Boo-freaking-hoo. The poor little rich family will have to have a normal meal!”
But she just said that in her head and didn’t even share the thought with Lucas.
So she had no idea what Camille was going to make, but she was sure it was going to be wonderful and elegant and unlike anything Holly ever had.
But for tonight, they ate and laughed and watched the original Miracle on 34th Street.
