Page 95 of Christmas Criminal

Before we get out of bed, I hold her close, selfishly savoring this moment. I brush my lips over every part of her, hoping that one of these kisses might be the reason she stays.

When we get downstairs, we sit with our coffee in front of the Christmas tree. She unwraps her favoriteI heart mathT-shirt–the one that she keeps gravitating toward because it's a little old and worn out and very, very pink–as well as the Grinch ornament, a candle that smelled like something she'd like, and a crocheted egg that I found at the market a few days ago, because if it weren't for a damn egg, we wouldn't know each other.

She nearly falls over herself laughing as she realizes what it is, and then crawls toward me, giving me one big long kiss in thanks.

And then I tear open my presents. A red and white striped blanket not unlike the one I saw in her mom's house last night. Christmas-themed cookie cutters. A mug that saysI heart mathand a Rubik's cube that spells out NERDNERDNERD around the four sides when you solve it correctly.

Just like she did, I dissolve into a pile of laughter.

It's not an overindulgent Christmas–it's probably a lot for the short time we've known each other–but it's ours.

It's everything.

We whip up some scrambled eggs before heading over to her mom's house for Christmas breakfast and presents–Noelle said she usually makes a big spread, and I will not be the type of guest who shows up empty-handed. Eggs were the only truly breakfast-y thing Helen said she could use help with.

So, eggs it is. To our absolute delight. We can't stop laughing the entire time they're on the stove.

When we get there, large container of scrambled eggs in hand, Noelle transfers the dish to the counter where an array of breakfast food is already laid out. Bacon, sausage, various pastries, donuts, and plenty of fruit.

"Thank you for taking care of the eggs, that's so sweet of you. And now I have eggs for the week! No need to go grocery shopping tomorrow," Helen says to me, giving me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."

"Of course."

"I helped," Noelle insists.

"Sure, sweetie," Helen says, patting her hand. Noelle throws her hands out in front of her. Without another glance, Helen gestures to the counter. "We have so much food so please, eat up. It's not Christmas unless you've got a tummy ache."

So we fill our plates and move into the living room, where Christina is already propped up on the couch with one leg on a pillow. She waves hello as she spears a bite of sausage on her fork and pops it in her mouth. She's wearing Christmas jammies embroidered with her initials.

Helen follows us in a moment later, taking a spot on the floor with her plate to distribute the presents from underneath the tree.

"Can we wait until Dad is here?" Christina asks, her nose in her phone.

EvenIbalk at this question. Helen pauses and exchanges a look with Noelle.

"Honey, we don't usually wait for your dad to get here," Helen says, continuing to distribute the presents.

"I know. But he said specifically that he'd come in the morning. And I know he's flaky, but I feel like we can give him the benefit of the doubt. It's Christmas, after all. And we don't want to teach him that even when hedoesshow up, we don't believe in him."

I press my lips together, suddenly insanely curious how this family handles Christina on Christmas.

Noelle raises her eyebrows and, with a pointed look at Christina, rips open her first present. "Oh, shoot. Looks like we already started without him. Too bad."

Helen rolls her eyes. "Okay, no need for that, Noelle," she says, and turns to Christina. "I have a little something special planned this year. So while we don't need to startrightnow, I would like to start sooner rather than later."

Noelle's brow furrows. "You have something special planned? What is it?"

"It's a surprise."

"Right, but what is it?" Noelle asks again.

Helen gives her a look. "Noelle, I'm not going totellyou if it's a surprise."

Noelle gestures to Christina. "Well, she's the Christmas one. I assume the surprise is for her, right?"

Helen shrugs. "It's for everyone. I just... don't want it waiting too long, you know?"

Noelle narrows her eyes. "Did you get a dog? Is it wrapped in one of these presents and you're worried about the air holes?"

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