Santa's Secret

When I look at Holly, I see Heather. They’re spitting images of each other, but right now she’s a mini Delaney. They both have their hair in buns, are wearing headbands, aprons, and both seem to have flour all over their faces. Holly looks at me, as if I’ve done something wrong.

“What?” I ask. Delaney crosses her arms, followed quickly by Holly.

“There’s a whole lotta yelling going on in here.”

“The game’s on. You know how it is,” I point to the screen.

“Well, we thought you guys would like some cookies,” Holly says in her best Delaney impersonation. She’s a real mini Laney right now.

“Now you’re speaking my language.” Calvin stands and makes his way into the kitchen. I start to follow, but am held tightly under Delaney’s penetrating gaze.

“Can I help you?” Delaney asks as I step closer. In doing so, Holly does as well, almost as if she’s

preventing me from being near Delaney.

“You have something here.” My finger brushes along her skin. The white powdery flour does nothing to conceal the red rosy coloring of her cheek. Delaney’s fingers squeeze my side, her nails digging into my flesh.

“And what would that be, Fish?”

Holly laughs. “Daddy, she called you Fish again.”

“Because it’s my name,” I say.

“And what’s mine?” Delaney asks.

“Laney.” Her name escapes breathlessly through my lips. I step closer, my lips poised to touch her. She swallows hard, waiting for me to make a move.

“Daddy, do you want a cookie or not?” Holly sounds exasperated by my not so subtle attempts at flirting. Delaney drops her hand from my side and steps back, putting some space between us.

It takes a few seconds to clear my thoughts. Twice now, I’ve wanted to kiss Delaney. However, we were somewhat hidden. Tonight though, my daughter is standing between us, preventing me from making a mistake. Yet, knowing she’s there does nothing to help the images I have of pulling Delaney into my arms and pressing my lips to her.

I finally break away from Delaney’s gaze to look at Holly. “Yes, Holly, I want a cookie or two, maybe even three.”

“No way,” she says, running back into the kitchen. Delaney and I stand there in awkward silence until we hear Holly yell. “No, Calvin, you can’t eat all the cookies!”

Twenty-Three

Delaney

Sometime around midnight, my parents come home. They’re loud, boisterous and, it seems, ready to party. I look around our family room to find Holly curled up on the couch, Aiden passed out next to her and Calvin asleep in the recliner. There’s some infomercial on about a special glue that will hold anything playing on the TV, and I find myself wanting to buy it to try it out.

Luckily, the noise from the party animals is enough to wake everyone, except for Holly. Honestly, I think the girl ate so many cookies she’s in a food coma after her sugar crash. Aiden stretches and his shirt rises a little, showing off a small sliver of skin. I look away and giggle. The action is completely school girlish, but I don’t care.

“What’s going on in here?” my mom asks as she comes into the room, making eye contact with each of us. I watch as she pauses on Holly before turning attention to Aiden. “Hello, Aiden.” She draws out his name, almost as if she’s surprised to see him. She shouldn’t be since I’ve done nothing but talk about him since I spent the night at his house. Sure, it was more of me talking to myself, listing all the reason why I should friend zone Aiden, and her listening, providing me reasons why I should give love a chance, and how Aiden and I deserve happiness.

Thing is, we do deserve happiness, but maybe not with each other. I know I have a lot to offer him and Holly, but I also come with baggage. I’m gone for months on end. My hours are horrible. My life is constantly under scrutiny. Although, after his neighbor blabbed to the entire town that she saw us making-out, his life is too. The worse part is that Aiden and I weren’t doing anything wrong or anything at all for that matter.

“Hi, Mrs. Du Luca,” he says groggily. Aiden sits up and rubs his hands over his face. He offers my mom a quick smile before turning his attention Holly.

“Do you want some help?” I ask, even though I have no idea what I’m going to do to help.

“Why doesn’t she stay here?” Mom offers.

“Thanks for the offer, Ms. Du Luca, but I’ll take her home. We have a big day tomorrow.”

“Yes, I suppose we’re all so busy with the festival.”

“And we have the policeman’s Christmas party next week,” Aiden reminds her. “Surely, you haven’t forgotten.”