Page 103 of Without Judgment

EPILOGUE

Avery

I wanted everything to be perfect for this Christmas. Not only was it the first my father had wanted to celebrate in a decade, but also Trevor was bringing Emma for her first family Christmas.

And of course, my exclusively-dated-for-the-last-three months, yet-we-weren’t-officially-in-a-relationship, sort-of boyfriend, Mason, was coming. He wanted to spend Christmas Eve and Day here, and then we planned to go to Arizona to spend a couple days with his father. After that, we were heading to the cabin for a full week to ourselves. I couldn’t wait.

Over the last few months, we’d spent most of our weekends together, which meant a couple days at a time. The thought of having seven full days at a place that was special for the both of us was something I’d been anticipating for weeks. I’d enjoyed my web design class and was looking forward to starting my master’s degree in a full-time capacity directly after the winter break.

Now, with Koda by my side, I surveyed my father’s house from my spot on the living room sofa. It was my idea of perfection. From the massive tree decorated with all of our childhood ornaments to the lights outside illuminating the house at night, it reminded me of my mom.

I’d just finished helping my brother wrap an obscene number of gifts for his girlfriend. He was surprising her for the first real Christmas she’d ever had. Now I was relaxing before I got started on dinner.

“Everything looks amazing. Mom would be proud.” My brother’s voice came from the stairway.

I exhaled a satisfied sigh, remembering how much our mother had loved the holidays. “Thank you.”

“Dad may not tell you this, but I saw him down here yesterday smiling. I think he loves it, too.”

No, my father wasn’t one to express his emotions freely, yet he was making the effort. “He told me it meant a lot to him. Said Mom would be happy her things were displayed once again. When does Emma arrive?”

He flopped down on the sofa next to me. “I’m leaving to pick her up in a few minutes. How about Mason?”

“Should be here in a few hours, in time for dinner.”

“Things still going well with him?”

I smiled, thinking about how fantastic they had been going, in fact. He was not only amazingly supportive, but I also felt like we were incredible friends who laughed and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. “Yes. I’ve never been this happy. The day after Christmas, we’re heading to Arizona to see his dad and family. Then we’re going up to the cabin for the week. I can’t wait.”

He laughed. “I don’t see you as the camping type, but evidently you must enjoy it.”

“It’s not the camping part I enjoy the most,” I deadpanned, causing the effect I was after.

He let out a mock groan. “That’ll teach me to tease. I’m leaving now for the airport to pick up Em. We all set for dinner? I’m grilling steaks for tonight?”

I could’ve had our chef prepare something, but instead I’d wanted to cook a meal the way my mother would have. We’d always done steaks on Christmas Eve, with the traditional ham and turkey for Christmas Day. “Yep. I have potatoes, and I should probably get started on the salads. Oh, and Mom’s cheesecake is already baked.”

He kissed the top of my head. “Sounds amazing, sis. Be back soon.”

I got to my feet and decided to start the cooking. I’d just stepped up on a stool to reach into the top cabinet for two large serving bowls when I heard the sound of Mason’s husky voice.

“Please step down from there before you fall.”

I grinned over my shoulder to see him standing beside me as if he might need to catch me. “Oh, ye of little faith.” I grabbed the bowls I was after and handed them down so he could set them on the counter. Then I took his hand to climb down. My feet didn’t hit the floor because he put his arms around me and slid me down the length of him.

“Always ensuring my safety?” I watched his blue eyes lock onto mine.

He grinned, putting me down on the ground and tucking my hair behind my ears.

It had been four days since I’d last seen him, but I always missed him, no matter how short a time it was between seeing one another.

“Always.”

I turned my face up for a kiss but was disappointed when he simply dropped a small peck on my lips.

“More, please.”

He chuckled, stepping away to greet Koda. The dog was clearly excited to see him. “We’ll have to save it for the cabin. I’m in the guest bedroom tonight, right?”

---