Page 104 of Almost Ours
Nina: Merry Christmas, girl! Hope Connor loves everything!
I smiled, quickly typing a reply:Merry Christmas to you and Liam too! So far, so good.
Almost immediately, another text came through, this time from Ryan.
Ryan: Merry Christmas! How are the gifts going over?
Without hesitating, I snapped a photo of Connor surrounded by his new toys, grinning like he was in his own personal paradise. Then, on impulse, I took a quick selfie–me holding thecoffee mug, a soft smile on my face. My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a second before I typed.
Harper: Safe to say it’s a hit. Thanks for helping him
Connor was already deeply engrossed in his toys, and I knew the rest of the day would be spent with him playing, lost in his own little world. I sent another text to Nina.
Harper: Bring Liam and come hangout. Let’s do Christmas dinner together–something casual, nothing fancy.
A few moments later I hesitated before texting Ryan again.
Harper: You should come over. Connor would love to see you. Nina and Liam will be here too.
The invitation felt natural, effortless. Like he had already belonged here with us.
Before I could even set my phone down, Benny’s name popped up on the screen.
Benny: Merry Christmas! Hope you and Connor are having a good one.
I quickly replied.
Harper: Merry Christmas, Benny! If you’re not busy, come hangout with us today. We’re having a low key-dinner.
His response came fast, full of dramatic flair.
Benny: Can’t. My family decided to surprise me. Can you believe that? Just showed up out of nowhere. The nerve.
I laughed, shaking my head. Benny was something else.
Harper: Well, enjoy the chaos. If you change your mind you know where to find us!
Setting my phone down, I glanced back at Connor as he carefully arranged his toys into a battle scene. The sound of his laughter filled the room, wrapping around me like a cozy blanket. Moments like this made everything else fade away–every worry, every doubt, every complicated feeling. Right now, it was just us, the glow of Christmas morning, and the quiet happiness of knowing that, in this moment, everything was exactly as it should be.
Ryan arrived notlong after breakfast, a large, wrapped gift tucked under his arm. The second Connor saw him, his face lit up and he bolted for the door.
“Merry Christmas, bud,” Ryan said, ruffling Connor’s hair as he stepped inside.
“Merry Christmas!” Connor echoed back, his grin wide. His eyes darted to the present in Ryan’s hand, curiosity sparking. “Who’s that for?”
Ryan chuckled. “Why don’t you open it and see?”
I leaned against the doorframe, watching as Connor tore into the wrapping paper, his excitement bubbling over. The secondthe sleek, shiny snowboard was revealed, his jaw practically hit the floor.
“No way! Mom, look! It’s so cool!” Connor exclaimed, holding it up like it was the greatest treasure he’d ever seen.
Ryan crouched down beside him, pointing out the matching boots and bindings tucked in with it. “Got you the whole set up,” Ryan said with a grin.
I glanced at Ryan who gave me a sheepish smile. He’d asked me a couple of weeks ago if it was okay to get Connor a snowboard, explaining how Connor had been pestering both of us about wanting to learn. At first, I hesitated, what if Connor hated snowboarding? What if it was just a passing phase? Then I remembered Connor wasn’t the kind of kid to give up easily. Once he set his mind to something, he was determined to be the best.
And seeing the joy radiating from him now, I knew I’d made the right call.
“Thank you, Ryan!” Connor beamed, hugging the snowboard tightly.
