Page 32 of Mr. Merry Ex-Mas
I glance around the kitchen and can’t help the laugh that escapes as I see more notes. They’re everywhere—on the cabinets, the fridge, even the coffee scoop. Each one is sohim, a little frat boy, some thoughtfulness, and a bit of charm that he swears he knows nothing about.
I left my shirt, hope you’re wearing it
I pluck that one from the cabinet, and my lips roll in because I am, in fact, wearing his shirt. I grabbed it from where he had laid it over the back of the chair, not leaving it on the floor this time.
I had to get to school early, grades have to be in by the end of the day. Plus, I figured after yesterday, you didn't need any chaos with your coffee.
I press my fingers to that last one, my chest tightening in the best, most confusing way.
He remembers the little things—not just my coffee routine but why I need calm in the morning. The chaos yesterday, which he caused by the way, he more than made up for. He knew it was going to work me up, but he did everything to ease me back into feeling like myself.
The front door creaks open, and I hear footsteps on the hardwood.
“Sadie?” Kylie’s voice carries down the hall. “I brought donuts and that liquid crack coffee you like. Oh, yeah, and the right to say ‘I told you so.’”
I roll my eyes and call back, “I wouldn't expect anything less.”
She pops her head around the corner, grinning. “Trust me, I’m hoping to retire the phrase after today.”
She walks in, tosses her bag on a chair, and plucks a sticky note from the toaster. “Well, well, what’s all this? Are you spiraling?”
I raise a brow. “I didn’t write those.”
She looks closer at the writing, then reads it aloud.
“Did I drive you thoroughly insane? If not, I'll grab another box.”
She leans on the counter with one hand and strokes her belly with the other. “Maybe Matt should have grabbed another box.”
I burst out laughing at her. “You love being this pregnant. Don’t lie!”
She giggles, too, but says, “I absolutely do not.” She pulls the chair out, fanning herself with the sticky. “But I do love seeing you in love.” She sits with pursed lips, “I told you so” dying to come out one more time.
“I’m not–”
“No, no, let me have this,” she interrupts, shaking the sticky note again. “BecauseIsaid from the very beginning that Danny was your guy. And you fought me.”
“I didn't fight you,” I say. “I foughtme.”
“You did. So does this mean we’re done running?”
I glance down at the coffee mug waiting for me. “I thought if I let someone in, everything would fall apart.”
“And did it?”
I shake my head slowly. “No. It’s like the opposite. He left this morning, and I didn’t panic. I didn’t spiral. I just…” I pause, trying to find the right word, “was.”
“That’s because he doesn’ttakefrom you, Sadie. Headds. He adds fun and excitement. He adds thingsunplanned. I know it’s hard for you, but you don’t have to live by checklists.”
Silence settles over us as I let her words sink in. She brings me back to the moment by saying, “Thank you for helping me the other day. You didn’t have to spend the whole day organizing the nursery. Though it was greatly appreciated. No way was I going to be able to sit on the floor and fold everything.”
“Don’t be silly, I wanted to! You’re growing a human, at least let me put his or her clothes away.”
Kylie laughs and rubs her belly. “Matt is dying to find out if it’s a boy or a girl, but I want to be surprised.”
“Well, you know me. I’d need to know so I could plan everything.” I pause for a moment. “But maybe this kind of surprise is different. There aren’t too many surprises that are good, no matter what the outcome, ya know?”
My sister tilts her head, smiling softly. “Yeah. I guess there’s no downside to this one.”
