Page 23 of The Greatest Gift

God, he’s so precious. “No, I’m just a little frazzled is all. It’s been me and Stevie against the world for so long that I forget I have help sometimes. Athena didn’t even text me yet so I know they’re okay.”

The drive feels longer on the way back, my mind racing with guilt over falling asleep and gratitude for Nakul’s patience. By the time we pull into the driveway, my heart is still pounding.

“Thanks for last night,” I say quickly, opening the door.

Before I can fully step out, something pulls me back. An urge, sudden and overwhelming. I turn, rushing to Nakul’s side of the car, and knock on the window. He rolls it down, looking at me curiously.

And then I kiss him.

It’s not soft or tentative. It’s all the pent-up emotion I’ve been holding back, all the confusion and desire and hope. His lips meet mine eagerly, his hand brushing my cheek, and for a moment, the world falls away.

When I finally pull back, breathless, I don’t wait for a response. I mumble a quick, “See you,” and bolt for the house, my face burning.

The warmth of the house greets me, the smell of coffee mingling with the faint scent of bacon. Lars is sitting at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee leisurely while Stevie plays with what’s left of her breakfast, a mixture of eggs and bacon scattered on her tray.

“Well, well,” Lars says, grinning over the rim of his mug. “Looks like someone had a great time.”

I groan, rubbing a hand over my face. “Please don’t start.” I feel like I’ve just been caught by my parents staying out past my curfew when there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

“What? You look happy,” he says, laughing. “Athena said you’d come back glowing.”

As if summoned, Athena appears in the hallway, tying her hair back into a ponytail. Lars grunts at it and Athena just sighs, undoing the tie. He’s told her and the rest of us many times that he prefers it out and natural. With the knowing smile on Athena’s face, she’ll just tie it back up when she gets to work. “So? Did you have fun?”

“It’s new,” I say cautiously, moving to check on Stevie. She yells ‘Daddy’ with those greasy fingers but I take her up in my arms anyway. She hugs my neck as hard as she can and then struggles to get back to her seat so she can finish breakfast. “And I really don’t want Mom to know yet.”

Athena raises an eyebrow. “Why not? You know she’d be supportive.”

“It’s just… a strange time in my life,” I admit, avoiding her gaze. “No one knows who Nakul is. He’s a contractor for Riocen. He’s also–” I cut myself off before I spill that Nakul is also my ex’s ex. “And now—”

“You’re dating him,” Lars finishes, smirking.

“Yeah, I am,” I confess, remembering the bits of last night and how I felt when he asked.

Athena doesn’t let it slide, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed. “Judd, you’re happier than I’ve seen you in a long time. You’re allowed to be happy, even if you have Stevie. Especially if you have Stevie.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Lars cuts me off. “She’s right, you know. Athena and I worked damn hard to get here. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”

Before I can respond, Athena changes the subject with a question I’ve been dreading. “So, are you bringing him to Christmas dinner?”

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “Why would you ask me that right now?”

“Because it’s important,” she says simply. “Just a few years ago, you asked me the same thing—if Lars was coming.”

I blink, thrown by the reminder. I had asked her that, worried that she’d pull away from the family after a rough patch. Now, the tables have turned and I’m the one trying to figure out where I fit.

“We’re not there yet,” I say finally, my voice quieter than I intended.

Athena and Lars exchange a look before Lars stands, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever your happiness looks like, we’ll be right here.”

Athena nods, bending to kiss Stevie on the head. “Exactly. Whether that means an extra plate at Christmas or not.”

As they say their goodbyes, I sit there for a moment, watching Stevie happily munch on her breakfast. Christmas had slunk into the back of my mind for a moment but now it’s forefront and center again, the unspoken question hanging in the air.

Nakul

The last few days have been a whirlwind. With the blueprints approved, I’ve thrown myself into the construction project, calling in a few of the guys to measure the space and assess the materials we’ll need. Using the quiet of the weekend before Christmas, we work together like a well-oiled machine, planning what they will need to continue in the New Year. By the time Monday rolls around, we're just two days away from the holiday and in a good place.

It’s satisfying work, the kind that keeps my hands busy and my mind focused—at least, most of the time.

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