Page 33 of Light of Christmas

Noah laughs but Shelly levels him with a mom look that no one would argue with.

“Sorry, Lo. Sorry, asshole.” Noah says while standing and heading to the kitchen.

“Noah!” Shelly exclaims. She sinks into the chair and Gray puts his arm around her. “The girl that marries that man better have the patience of a damn saint.”

Everyone laughs and we fall back into our conversations.

Harper pokes my side. “So, wedding? Really?”

I nod. “Yeah.” I lower my voice before continuing, “But I don’t want to do too much until everyone that belongs here can be here.”

Harper’s face morphs into a mixture of sadness and understanding. “That sounds like a great idea, Lo.” She wraps me in a big hug. “I missed you. I’m glad you had fun but I’m happy to have my best friend back home.”

“Me too H.”

The rest of the night is full of catching up and telling everyone about our trip. Plans are made for Christmas Day and it confirms we made the right decision about how to spend our first of many Christmases.

And by the big smile plastered across Grayson’s face, he feels the exact same way.

Epilogue

Grayson

“MerryChristmas,Angel.”

I kiss her forehead and place a cup of coffee on her nightstand, sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbing her back until she wakes up. Her eyes flutter open and a big smile spreads across her face.

Willow hops off the bed and lays her head on my lap, staring up at me with her big brown eyes begging for pets. I give her what she wants as Oliver does the same to Logan.

“Merry Christmas, Bear.”

“Go take a shower or whatever you want to do. I’m making breakfast.”

Logan blindly reaches for her glasses but I’m a step ahead of her and hand her them. She puts them on and sits up, the blankets pooling in her lap.

Her now clear eyes zero in on me and starts laughing. “Aww Bear. You’re wearing your Christmas PJs again!”

Leaning forward I kiss her forehead and stand. “Well, it is Christmas. Take your time. I’ll have breakfast ready by the time you’re done.”

Logan puckers her lips and I give her what she wants. She tries to deepen it and it takes everything in me to take a step back. I want as much time with her as possible before we have to go to my parents to celebrate with everyone else.

Logan throws herself back and tries to look mad, but I hear her laugh as I turn around.

As I leave the room, I hear her say, “Ugh. Not fair! Why doesn’t my ass look that good in pjs!”

“Trust me it does!” I yell as I walk down the stairs.

Oliver follows me downstairs, and Willow stays with Logan. Ever since we got back, Willow has been glued to her side.

I get started on breakfast and hear the water turn on upstairs. I fixed the speaker in the bathroom so Logan can have her own little party while she got ready.

I loved having my parents and everyone here when we got home. It reminded me how lucky we are. Mom told me that Logan had mentioned she never had a real tree and that’s why she surprised us with one. My family has done amazing at accepting Logan and making it seem as if she has been here since day one.

Lainey came down yesterday and we spent the day taking photos. We took some photos here at home with the animals and then we went to my parents to do the rest. She even got one of Willow and Oliver wrapped in Christmas lights. I know that one is going to be printed as big as Logan can find and hung in the house.

It was a little awkward at first, but Lainey was great at making us laugh and it turned out to be a fun day. While Logan was helping Harper get the animals in sweaters, I asked Lainey to take some solo photos of Logan but don’t make it obvious. This morning I woke up to a text from her and it was the most beautiful photo of my girl.

Logan’s long wavy hair was flowing in the wind, and she was laughing. Her light gray sweater, with the crisp white snow behind her, made her green eyes shine brighter than ever before.

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