Page 84 of All I Want Is Love
“No!” I exclaim, before blushing. That sounded impolite and as if I don’t want to be alone with Soren. Turning to him, I start to ramble immediately. “It’s not like I don’t want to celebrate with you alone. It’s just—"
“It’s fine,” Soren grins. “I know you wouldn’t want to celebrate without your brother.”
“We usually meet around lunch and have a feast,” Robin explains. “Then sing cheesy Christmas songs, exchange presents—"
“We only buy small things for each other,” Soren adds.
“Yes, we don’t go overboard,” Robin explains. “The real joy is that we are together and spend time with each other. We drink wine and play games until night. Nothing special.”
“It sounds like so much fun,” I exclaim. “I want you to do what you do each year.”
“Really?” Robin perks up.
“I just want to experience a fun holiday for once,” I tell him. “Whatever you usually do, I am sure I will have fun with it.”
“We alternate where we celebrate,” Soren explains. “This year it’s Aspen’s turn.”
“Oh, and if the weather is right, he makes a handmade small ice rink,” Robin says. “We can ice-skate.”
“It’s been ages since I did that,” I say. “Let’s do it. Do you need any help?”
“Aspen and I will cook,” Robin says. “How about Soren and you make sure there is dessert and wine?”
“Do you really not need any more help?” Soren asks.
Robin grins. “Nah, you know how Aspen is in the kitchen. He hates giving up control. I’d rather you stay out of it.”
“Aspen is so cool, he can just do anything,” I say.
At that, both Soren and Robin chuckle. Robin smiles. “He will love to hear that.”
“Especially from you,” Soren adds.
I don’t really mind if they tell him. I also don’t mind that he knows. He is the best brother anybody could have, and I am so happy to be part of his life now.
thirty
*LEO*
Soren tells me over and over again that I definitely shouldn’t buy any special presents. That they are really not focusing on the gifts. It’s more about the gesture. “We usually buy something bigger for the birthdays,” he explains. “But not for Christmas.”
I decide to trust him and buy a cute little ostrich plushy for Robin. For Soren, I duplicate the keys to my apartment, so he can come and go as he pleases, and a hand-drawn picture of him, Barkley and me, because I want him to have something personal as well. It’s the three of us on our hike. As for Aspen, I have a special idea for him. Our late grandfather was the only family member we really were close to, Aspen in particular. When he died, I inherited some of his stuff or rather, my father dumped it on me. Now that I have moved, I remembered it again. There is an old pocket watch Grandpa used a lot. It needs some work,so I take it to the town’s watchmaker first, and then handcraft a brand-new chain for it.
For the next couple of days, Soren and I are busy with shopping and preparing the desserts, plus decorating our own places for Christmas. We have decided to put up a Christmas tree at his place. Barkley and I will stay over for the holidays.
We might have gone a little overboard with everything, including the dessert, but I just wanted to try so many different things, and it feels like Soren wanted to indulge me in as many ways as possible.
“I think we are done,” Soren says when I put the last batch of cookies into a box and put the box into one of the baskets for tomorrow. We are going to head out tomorrow morning to be at Aspen’s place before lunch. “I have also packed a pair of ice skates for you. I think they should fit.”
“Thank you,” I beam. “You are the sweetest. Do we need anything else?”
“I think we are set,” Soren says, while I store away a few boxes with Christmas ornaments. Cracker is playing with the branches of the Christmas tree before clumsily staggering towards Barkley and resting between his huge paws.
“So,” I smile innocently. “I assume Cracker is here to stay?”
“Well—" Soren brushes his hair, looking flustered. “I guess I can’t part with him. And I figured one cat won’t make much difference, plus he gets along with Barkley.”
“I am happy he‘s staying,” I say, inwardly squealing when Barkley starts grooming the little kitten with his huge tongue. That’s so cute. “The more furbabies, the better. And don’t forget I still have that dream about one day having my own alpaca farm. A whole pack.”
