Page 53 of Cinnamon Strudel
She spent Christmas Eve at her parents’ house, sitting by their enormous tree in a new set of pyjamas as she sketched out a commission. Her mother brought her the occasional refill on hot chocolate and when she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, she retreated into her childhood bedroom. Curled up with lots of pillows, she finally found a moment to dial Morgan’s number.
“Hey darlin’. I didn’t think I would hear your gorgeous voice tonight.”
Butterflies fluttered up in her belly. “I couldn’t go to bed without wishing you a good night’s sleep.”
He chuckled and let out a nervous breath. “I’m not sure that’s what lies ahead of me.”
“Nervous, huh?”
“Apparently so.”
“Close your eyes and repeat after me,” she said with her smirk audible in her voice. “‘I am worthy.’”
Deep inhale. “I am worthy.”
“‘I am strong.’”
“I am strong.”
“‘I have nothing to fear.’”
There was a pause, before he slowly repeated the words back to her, “I have nothing to fear.”
“I think you did fantastic.”
“Thank you, darlin’.”
“When I woke up this morning and questioned my outfit I did the same, but it didn’t feel as good without your arms around me.”
“You wanted to be praised afterwards, didn’t you?”
“Seeing right through me,” she giggled. “Let me know once you’re on your way tomorrow.”
“I will. Now get some rest.”
“Only if you try too.”
“Emphasis on ‘try.’”
She blew him a kiss and cuddled the pillows to rest up for the day ahead.
The next morning, Remi walked into the house and dropped his bags just as she made her way downstairs. She was swept up into a bear hug before she could gather her bearings.
“I missed you,” she mumbled into his shoulder.
“Give it an hour and you’ll be ready to kick my ass across state lines again,” he joked and kissed her hair. “Now tell me when that new man in your life is going to show up.”
“Later, but please be nice.”
“That depends on how much I like him.”
“So, the more you mess with him the more you approve?”
“Something like that.”
Remi stepped into the kitchen where their mom was already preparing their enormous Christmas breakfast. He was greeted with a tight hug, a kiss, and instructions to help set the table. Ruby excitingly eyed the presents already waiting under the tree. Even though they were adults, there was always something for them to unwrap. The presents sat untouched until Rhett and Denise arrived and the second Jude laid eyes on them, she was the one to play Santa, even though everyone was starving.
Besides the usual knitted socks, her mother always made for everyone, Ruby also got a piggy bank, filled with a head start for her trip to Germany. Once breakfast was devoured, they hung around lazily, with Jude asking Ruby to draw lots of sketches so she could colour them in. The four-year-old loved all kinds of things unicorn and magical creatures, so she kept Ruby busy all morning.
