“Yeah, we do that, too,” he confirms.
I grin. “You’ve got a Santa suit?”
“And it looks damn good on me, woman.”
“I can’t wait to see.” I chuckle.
“You gonna help me or what?”
I scroll and find another picture. “How about something like this?”
“That would be awesome. What do we need?”
“Hmm. Looks like some reindeer antlers and a small Christmas tree.”
“I’m sure I could find something to work.”
We get to work, and soon it looks great. Lucky throws a tarp over it when we’re done.
“I don’t want the girls to see it until the parade.”
That afternoon, Lucky leaves to meet up with the rest of his club, and I get the girls ready.
“I have a surprise for you both.”
I pull out a bag containing the headbands I got them. Each one has two felt Christmas trees sticking out the top.
They’re excited and put them on.
“They look so pretty with your Christmas sweaters. You both look beautiful.”
Poppy spins in front of the mirror and dances around.
“Are you excited, girls?”
They nod.
“I’m excited, too. I’ve never been to one of these parades. And I hear there’s a Christmas party afterward.”
I’m dressed in the pretty off-the-shoulder red sweater that Lucky picked out. At the time I didn’t want him to buy it for me, but I have to admit, it fits like a glove and looks really pretty. I don’t have any fancy jewelry, so my little gold hoops with have to do. I’ve got a pair of new jeans on and feel prettier than I have in a long time.
I twist my hair up in a French twist with a few stray tendrils trailing down. It shows off my neck and shoulders. I slip onthe black leather jacket that Lucky insisted I get. Turning in the mirror, I check my look.
“You look really pretty, Grace,” Ella tells me.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
She runs and hugs my waist, looking like she’s on the verge of tears.
“Honey, what is it?”
“I don’t want you to leave,ever.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise, knowing as I say the words that I may not be able to keep them. I close my eyes and hug her back, saying a quick prayer that somehow Eric will never find this address, and I can stay safe. I know the risk I’m taking, going to this parade in town, but I hope I can stay disguised. Which reminds me to grab a pair of Lucky’s glasses on the way out.
I slip on the pom-pom hat I picked up at the store.
Hopefully, Eric will never recognize me.