Page 32 of Her Christmas Fix
Some outlets honored it. Others...well, I’m learning to let go of what I can’t control.
“How much longer until midnight?” Riva asks, abandoning any pretense of caring about the game.
Griffin checks his watch. “Fifteen minutes.”
“We should make popcorn.” She’s already on her feet. “Extra butter.”
“Don’t let your mom near it,” Griffin advises as he stands. “The smell of burnt kernels lingers like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Hey.” I nudge him as he passes me. “I resemble that remark.”
“He’s not wrong,” my daughter says as she heads into the kitchen.
“You have many other talents, Mon.” The way his voice goes rough sends shivers down my spine.
I stay on the couch, listening to their voices mix with the sound of cabinet doors opening and closing. Through the wall of windows, the ocean is dark except where moonlight catches on the breaking waves.
This house has become everything Grammy dreamed it could be. But more than that, it’s become my home. Not because of the renovated kitchen or the furniture I selected, but because of the people filling it with life and laughter and love.
“Grammy,” I whisper to the night sky visible through the windows. “I hope you can see this. I hope you know I finally understand that house like thisarefor people like us.”
Not because of my success, but because I was brave enough to claim the kind of happiness money can’t buy. I refuse to let anyone tell me I don’t deserve beautiful things.
Griffin returns carrying a massive bowl of popcorn, Riva trailing behind with three champagne flutes—sparkling cider for her, the real stuff for us.
“Provisions secured.” He sets the bowl on the coffee table and settles beside me on the couch. His arm comes around my shoulders automatically, and I lean into him.
Riva curls into the armchair, tucking her feet under her. “This is nice. Way better than a Hollywood party.”
My chest tightens with emotion. “I’m so happy you’re here, sweetie.”
“Even though I kicked your butt at Monopoly?”
“You didn’t win yet,” Griffin reminds her.
“Whatever. It’s gonna happen, and you’re too obsessed with each other to notice.”
Griffin holds up his hands. “Guilty as charged.”
Riva rolls her eyes as I turn on the TV to watch the coverage from Times Square. There’s a huge crowd of people packed together in the city, waiting for a ball to drop. It seems surreal from this quiet house on the coast, and I’m grateful to be exactly where I am.
“When do you leave for Vancouver?” Riva asks during a commercial break.
“The week after you go back to Colorado.” I take a sip of champagne. “Two months of filming, then I’ll be back here for a few weeks before the next season starts.”
“And Griffin’s going to finish the upstairs while you’re gone?”
“That’s the plan.” He reaches for popcorn. “Though I might need your input on some design choices. Think you can FaceTime for consultations?”
Riva tries not to react, but I see her face light up. “Really?”
“It’s your bedroom and bath. It should be exactly how you want it.”
“Plus…” I squeeze Griffin’s hand, “We’ll also need to fit in a trip to visit Susanna and the kids when they move into their new house.”
His gaze flares in that way that makes my heart skip a beat. Yesterday, he got the call that the house purchase was finalized. After years of saving and setbacks, Joey’s family would finally have the home they deserved.
“You don’t have to do that,” he says quietly.
