Page 87 of Hot Puck
“It’s my night every night,” he argues.
“Yes. But it’s Christmas.” I grin. “Merry Christmas, Chase.”
His frown deepens before he says, “You better not lift a finger to clean up after we eat. You cooked so I’ll do the dishes.”
I don’t have the heart to tell him they’re mostly done. It’ll just be our dishes and the platter the pancakes are on. Instead, I nod and ask, “So unwrap presents or eat?”
“Presents.” The twins speak as one, but their earlier exuberance is muted now.
Pulling Crystal with me, I lower myself to the floor, legs crossed, in front of her pile of gifts. “Let’s see what you got,” I say with an extra punch of excitement.
It wasn’t my intention to dampen their Christmas spirit. Although I should have known getting gifts from their dead parents would. I should have waited until later, or even tomorrow to give them to them.
“Okay.” Chase rubs his hands together. “Where’s mine?”
“Under the tree.”
“What do you mean they’re under the tree?” He plants his hands on his hips and frowns. “You pulled all these out.”
“Yeah, I got mine and Stell’s.” Cassidy shrugs.
“I see how it is.” He drops to his knees and shuffles over to the tree. “I’ll get mine and Gem’s out while you two open yours.”
“No.” Cassidy grabs his arm. “Sit with me.”
Crystal slides her hand into mine and holds on. I don’t know if she thinks Chase will refuse her sister’s request or if she just wants the connection. I’ll give her comfort however she wants it so I squeeze her hand gently and reach for one of her gifts with my other hand.
“Okay, what have we got here?” I ask and place it in her lap.
“Is this one from them,” she asks.
I shake my head. “No. This one is from me.”
“Oh!” She lets go of my hand and rips into the wrapping.
Under the paper decorated with elves and snowmen is the newest workout gear from the Rogue sportswear for teens range. They aren’t in the shops yet and when her smiling face looks up at mine, I know she recognizes them.
“You got them for me!”
“Of course. Can’t have the assistant designer not having the first ones off the production line.”
“Thank you!” Her arms are around me, almost choking me, but I don’t care.
Today was always going to be hard. It’s their first Christmas without their parents and while I’ve managed to keep a little bit of them here today, they are all well aware this will be the last time they will ever receive a gift from their mom or dad.
My gaze catches Chase’s. He stares at me for a moment before mouthing ‘thank you’. I give a small nod, it’s all I can manage with Crystal’s arms still wrapped around my neck.
“Hey! I got them too!” Cassidy is on her feet and the next thing I know I’m flat on my back with the girls wrapped around me.
I can’t hold in my laughter. Despite the somber start, I’m positive today is going to be the best Christmas Day I’ve had since my own parents died. And I know, with the Hawkins siblings, every one for the rest of my life will only get better.
“Come on. Get off her.” Chase tugs at his sisters. “There are more presents to unwrap, and I haven’t even started yet!”
The girls are giggling now. Their joy infectious. It isn’t long before the three of us are laughing and trying to tickle Chase into joining us.
When we finally give up our efforts, we’re all out of breath and lying on the floor.
And when a hand brushes mine and I look down, I see Chase reaching out. Taking his hand, I look up and find his eyes on me. There’s so many emotions swirling in the deep blue depths. Too many for me to decipher. But it doesn’t matter what he’s feeling right now.
