Page 127 of Light My Fire Three Times
We both know the truth now…. it’s not just playful anymore.
As I walk into the fire station, I catch a glimpse of Leo working on some equipment, and I shoot him a wink, to see him roll his eyes.
“How’s it going?”
Leo glances over, unamused but clearly enjoying himself in his own way. “You’ve finally decided to join us?”
“I’ve been thinking…” I start, ignoring his remark as I take a seat. “About Christmas Day.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Do you guys have plans?”
I know Leo doesn’t, but it’s a relief when Jesse shakes his head too.
“I was going to go to Ivy’s, but I can change that…”
“So, what do you guys think about making Christmas unforgettable for Olivia? She deserves the best after everything she’s been through. I’m thinking we pull out all the stops.”
Jesse looks up from the stack of paperwork on the counter, his eyes narrowing slightly as he pushes his sleeves up. “Ooh yeah, I actually like that idea. You serious?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool, but I can tell Jesse's already thinking about it. “You bet I’m serious. She’s been through hell, and she’s finally starting to smile again. I want to give her something that reminds her how amazing she is. We can make this her best Christmas ever.”
Leo glances over, raising an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind, genius?”
I walk around the table, running my hands through my hair, about to pitch a big idea. “I’m thinking… we make Christmas day perfect for her. A day that’s all about Olivia. Something she’s never had before. We fill it with little surprises, joy, and laughter. We want to make sure she feels the love, you know? A real Christmas. It seems like she has spent the last few years working for that asshole, Richard, and she’s never had the chance to enjoy it. I want to change that. This year, in Coyote Glen, with us.”
Leo nods slowly, his eyes lighting up as he picks up on it. “I like it. But you’re right. It has to be personal. No generic holiday stuff. We need to make it all about her.”
Jesse leans back against the counter, his arms crossed, his expression thoughtful for a second. “I’m in. I can’t stand the idea of her spending Christmas without something that makes her feel… loved. But how do we make it perfect? We can’t just throw some random stuff together and call it a day.”
“That’s what we need to work out,” I declare with a grin. “And where are we going to be?”
“At mine,” Jesse says sharply. “My cabin in the mountains. Youknowthat’s perfect.”
“I’ve got an idea for the day,” Leo pipes up. “We could start early, make her breakfast at the cabin. Something cozy, you know? Pancakes, bacon, maybe some homemade cinnamon rolls, coffee in those big mugs she likes. We take our time, no rushing.”
I nod, liking where he’s headed. “Yeah, that’s the vibe. I want her to wake up and… feel the calm. No stress, no to-do list. Just a slow, easy morning. We could make the cabin look like a damn winter wonderland, too. String up lights, maybe even a few garlands on the mantle. Nothing too over the top, but enough to make it feel magical. More so than you already have, I’m sure, Jesse.”
Jesse chuckles and shrugs. “There could be some improvements.”
“Definitely,” Leo agrees. “And we keep the whole day personal. Maybe a note from each of us on the table next to her plate. Something that tells her we’re here for her, no matter what.”
Jesse shifts, getting into it now. “I like that. No fluff. Just straight to the heart.”
I can feel it all coming together now. “Exactly. And after breakfast, we can get out of the cabin and do something fun, but easy-going. We take her for a walk around town to see the Christmas lights. Coyote Glen’s pretty lit up on Christmas Day. It’s even better than the rest of the season.”
“We could go ice skating,” Jesse suggests, surprising me a little. “The lake’s frozen over, right? I can picture it now. A quiet, calm day. Maybe even just the four of us skating around, a littlecompetition here and there. I don’t know if she’s into skating, but it’ll be fun either way.”
“Yeah, ice skating,” I say, the idea sticking. “We can have hot cocoa waiting afterward. Maybe some of those peppermint bark cookies Olivia loves.”
“And we can cook lunch between us, right?” Jesse glances at each of us. “I’m sure we can work this shit out.”
I nod enthusiastically. “I’m not too sure about my kitchen skills, but we can make it work. And then afterward, maybe a movie? Hot chocolate, blankets, and one of those classic Christmas flicks?”
Leo raises an eyebrow. “Are we talkingMiracle on 34th Street,or are we going with something a little more… fun? LikeHome Alone?”
Jesse laughs. “DefinitelyHome Alone.Olivia’s seen it, right?”
