She giggles, the sound comforting as she steps forward. I wrap my arms around her, lifting her up and placing her on my lap.
“You shouldn’t be doing that, A—”
“Tristan,” I warn, my voice low. I place a kiss on top of Izzie’s head before whispering, “Merry Christmas.”
My eyes scan the room, taking in the Christmas tree sitting in the corner, decorations covering every part of it with an angel on top. Presents are bursting at the seams underneath it and even though it’s not what a normal Christmas looks like, Nate’s right—it’s our kind of Christmas.
“Can we go for a ride?” Izzie asks, wrapping her arm around my shoulders, a bright smile on her face.
“We sure can! Hold on tight!” Placing my hands on the wheels, I push us toward the kitchen, rolling past Tris and stopping briefly.
He raises a brow in question and I tilt my head to the bundle he’s holding. “This must be Frankie.”
“It is,” he answers, crouching down and tilting his body so I can get a good look. His sleeping face greets me along with his little elf outfit he’s dressed in.
“He’s my new little brother,” Izzie whispers as to not wake him up.
“He’s gorgeous,” I say to no one in particular.
I keep my eyes on Frankie for several more beats before looking back at Tris, something shining in the depths of his eyes I can’t quite place staring back at me.
Izzie’s giggling brings us both out of our stare off and he stands up before I wheel us into the kitchen. Her head dips back as we enter and all conversation halts as I bring us to a stop.
My gaze slowly moves over everyone; Charlotte and Edward sitting at the table drinking eggnog; Mel and Mick standing next to the counter watching as Nate prepares some food.
Clearing my throat, I wrap my arms around Izzie’s waist, almost using her as a shield. “Merry Christmas, everyone.”
Counting to three in my head, I let Izzie go so she can climb off my lap. Charlotte stands up, the chair scraping on the floor before she walks toward me.
“Merry Christmas,” she says, leaning down and wrapping her arms around my shoulders before she whispers in my ear, “You doing okay?”
“I’m getting there.”
I squeeze her gently, remembering the last time she came to visit me in the hospital. Sundays were a ritual for her. Every single time without fail she’d turn up at one in the afternoon, a plate full of food and a week’s worth of stories.
When she pulls back I’m immediately being pulled into another set of arms as Edward murmurs, “Merry Christmas,” before Mel walks my way and bends down to hug me.
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.” She pulls back and smiles softly. “You look radiant.”
“Thanks,” I manage to croak out, starting to feel overwhelmed by all of the attention.
I jump as Nate claps his hands, meeting my gaze. “Alright, everyone except my girlfriend out of the kitchen. We have cookie ingredients to prepare.”
I smile, grateful he can read me so well as they all exit. Izzie starts to follow them all out, but I reach my arm out, saying, “Not you. Go get Clay and tell him to come and help.”
“Really? Are we going to make cookies like we used to?”
“We are.” I grin wide as she fist bumps the air, running out of the kitchen and shouting for Clay through the house. Turning back toward Nate, I move forward. “Thanks for that. I was starting to feel a bit…”
“Smothered?”
“You could say that, yeah.” I laugh uncomfortably before Nate spins around, crouching down and getting the ingredients out of the cupboards by the lowered counter.
Izzie comes running back in seconds later, her hand encased in Harmony’s. “Clay doesn’t want to bake. He’s reading.”
“That’s okay.” Reaching out, I take ahold of Nate’s hand as he comes to stand beside me, giving it a gentle squeeze and looking up at him. “Do you want to take Clay’s place?”
“I’d love to!” He puts extra enthusiasm into his words for Izzie and she giggles before he rubs his hands together. “What’s first?”