Page 87 of Christmas in Mistletoe
One downside was that the new flat they’d bought together in London was hardly lived in, yet. But now, Ruby got to play to crowds there just for her. It was everything she’d never dared to dream of, and it felt just right. A little like coming back to Mistletoe for Christmas. Even if it did mean staying with her parents again.
“I’ll go out there in a bit, sell a tree for old time’s sake. Test your theory.” Ruby picked up her suitcase.
“You will not!” Mum replied. “Go get cleaned up. I’ve made sausage rolls, turkey-and-stuffing bites, cranberry-and-brie parcels. Plus, mince pies, of course. All the Christmas favourites. Fill you up before you go on stage.”
Ruby smiled. It was good to be home.
* * *
“There she is,my sister, the superstar!” Victoria and Eric hugged Ruby and Fran, before handing over their daughter, Eleanor.
Fran and Ruby had met the baby once before their tour schedule had whisked them away.
“She is so adorable.” Fran held Eleanor up in the air.
Eleanor gurgled and grinned as if on cue.
“Couldn’t you just eat her up?” Victoria grinned. “She’s very excited about seeing her Auntie Ruby sing tonight.”
Eric nodded. “Wouldn’t stop going on about it earlier.” He turned to Victoria. “Or maybe that was you.”
Victoria drew herself up to her full five feet three inches. “I’m unashamedly proud of my sister, so sue me.”
“You should be,” Fran told her. “She’s been killing it on tour.”
“We’ve been killing it on tour,” Ruby corrected Fran.
Fran let out an exasperated growl. “Please take a compliment! She’s a bloody nightmare.”
“We’ll leave you two to fight about who’s the best. See you out there.” Victoria squeezed Ruby’s arm. “Break a leg.” She took her daughter from Fran and kissed Eleanor’s chubby cheek. “Come on, my little munchkin. Let’s go and let the whole village coo over you. Try not to cry when Audrey holds you as you do every single time.”
The new family left the barn office, and then it was just Fran and Ruby.
Fran walked up to Ruby and pushed her back against the desk, a smirk on her face. “Remember this move?”
Ruby coughed. “How could I ever forget? The first time you fucked me was in my dad’s office. That’s a country song if ever I heard one.”
Fran laughed. “Begging to be written.” She kissed Ruby’s lips. They were still her favourite place in the entire world.
“Did I tell you my parents gave me my Christmas bauble this year, and it’s a photo of the two of us, not just me?”
Fran sucked in a breath, then clasped her hands over her heart. Coming home to Mistletoe was always special, because all the people she loved most were here. Even Damian and Isla were in the crowd tonight. They had VIP seats right next to her parents, who they were staying with again.
“I love that more than I can say. I think that means your parents approve of me, right?”
Ruby kissed her. “How could they not?”
Fran hugged Ruby tight, squeezing until Ruby coughed.
She pulled back, laughing. “Talking of parents, my dads are livid, by the way. They entered a tree in the contest again this year. Second year running they didn’t win. As someone who has a hotline to the O’Connell family, they wondered if you could put in a good word.”
“They should speak to Victoria. She hasn’t won either after years of trying.” Ruby’s lips quirked into a smile. “She never will, either. It’s a Mistletoe scandal.”
But Fran’s attention had moved on. She held Ruby’s stare, then slipped a hand between her thighs. “Back to me, you and the desk. How about it? For old time’s sake?”
Ruby was just about to reply when there was a knock on the door. “Ruby! Fran! Can I come in?”
Fran grinned, then stepped back. “Parental interruptus strikes again.”
