Page 58 of Christmas Romance Galore!
Holly thought for a moment. “A kitten?”
I laughed. “That goes without saying — everything’s made better by a kitten. I was wondering if you’d thought about spending Christmas at mine? I wanted you to come before all of this, and now it just seems weird we might be apart.”
Holly winced before she spoke, which was never a great sign. “I know.” She held up her hand to stop me butting in. It worked. “And I have been thinking about it, even before anything happened between us.” She trailed her finger up and down her glass. “I’m still thinking about whether I can take the fallout from my parents, or if they’d even notice I’m not there.” She shrugged. “Leave it with me, okay?”
I knew being in the middle of her parents’ constant tug of war was no fun for Holly and I felt for her. But I also wanted her to make herself happy too, rather than putting up with the same situation every year.
“It’s less than a week away,” I said.
She fixed me with a stare.
I held up my hands and smiled. “I’ll leave it with you.”
Friday December 23rd
Last night, Holly and I had gone to see the Dixie Chicks and it had been just about perfect. I’d bagged fabulous seats and Holly was in her element, the only thing missing being a Stetson and cowboy boots. Being under 30, we were the youngest people there by some distance, but the lesbian contingent as ever was front and centre, which made it all the more special. We’d left the concert tired and elated, then come home to bed with each other. We were still getting to know each other, still getting attuned to each other’s bodies, and that was cool. We had all the time in the world.
This morning, Holly had left early — she had a client breakfast. I’d been aghast at the concept, especially on December 23rd, but Holly said this was a corporate client taking her out to say thanks for all of her help throughout the year so she couldn’t say no. But honestly, getting people out of bed when they were in the first throes of a relationship? It was just plain rude.
I, on the other hand, was in the opposite camp. I was working from home today, the final day of work before the Christmas break and I had a party to prep for. It was all hands on deck — so long as those hands were mine.
But sitting here now, with my first coffee of the morning, there was an odd feeling swelling within me. I watched the trains rattling by, revelling in the order they brought to the day and tried to pinpoint it. And then it struck me. I was content, happy. And after such a drama-packed December, that was a gorgeous revelation.
It was December 23rd. On November 25th, on that hilltop with Holly, I’d laid out my plan to get a girlfriend before Christmas. I’d been gung-ho, up for the fight, ready to go into battle. And battle I had — through bizarre sex, through insurance scams, through first loves magically appearing. But I’d made it through to the other side, and I’d found a girlfriend I never imagined. At least, I hoped she was my girlfriend. We hadn’t discussed the G word yet.
As if sensing I was thinking about her, my phone beeped on the sofa beside me and I picked it up. It was Holly.
‘Morning. Just thought I’d let you know I’d rather still be in bed with you even though this breakfast is delicious. But you’re more tasty. X’ She’d attached an image of her eggs benedict, replete with coffee, orange juice and champagne.
I smiled goofily at the phone, then rolled my eyes at myself.
Holly. It was Holly all along. All these years, all this time. But would it have worked sooner? I’m not sure. Maybe it took me till this point to see that what I’d been searching for was right in front of me from the very start. Tall, gorgeous, reliable Holly, with legs as long as the M1. Never again would it be a problem painting a ceiling.
I took another slug of my coffee, then grabbed a pen and paper from the kitchen counter. There was a lot to do today, a party to prep for. And it had to be fabulous with Holly as the star guest.
Plus, we were debuting our relationship tonight to our friends. I was a little nervous about how it would all go down.
“I can’t believe you two have finally got together — you took your time!”
I was standing in front of Holly’s friend Daisy, who I’d met last year at the Christmas bash. Her girlfriend Jasmine was with her, and they’d brought a spectacular bunch of birthday flowers that I was currently holding — Holly had dashed off to find a suitable vase.
“Didn’t want to rush into anything,” I replied. Had everyone known we should be together and not told us?
“Daisy and I had a bet it would happen when she met you last year at the Christmas party, didn’t we?”
Daisy nodded. “I thought you were a couple already till Jas put me right.”
“Did you?” This was a new one.
“Uh-huh. Just something about the way you were so comfortable around each other, anticipating the other’s needs, the looks Holly gave you.” She shrugged. “I just assumed, but Jas corrected me. But I knew I was right!”
I smiled at her. “Well done, I think?” I looked around the room. “I’ve no idea where Holly is right now though.”
Looking over my shoulder, Jasmine raised an eyebrow and gave a slight splutter. “I think I do.”
I turned my head and now I saw Holly. Doing her best impression of a modern Santa, wearing bright red velvet trousers, a white shirt, red velvet jacket and a bow tie hanging loosely around her neck. Her green eyes sparkled in the party atmosphere, and her hair was shaped to one side. She was also carrying a tall vase for the flowers.
On sight, every nerve ending in my body jangled. This woman was my girlfriend. The universe could be very kind sometimes.
