Page 55 of Bound and Blitzed

We head to the store and load up our cart with green, red, and gold ornaments. Most of them are hand-painted glass balls. But some are fun—a butterfly, a dove, a football. Lena picks out a wreath for our front door while I have two stockings stitched with our names. When we arrive home, we unpack our shopping bags and set to work.

“I haven’t done this in years,” I admit, hanging an ornament on the tree.

“Really? I imagine your family going all out for Christmas,” Valentina replies.

“Oh, my mom does. But Raia was at boarding school before college. Each year, she came home closer and closer to Christmas. I always had football.” I shrug. “At some point, Mom and Dad started doing the tree and decorations earlier. And, I think, it was mostly Mom doing the tree while Dad hung the lights outside.” I pass her a red cardinal ornament and smile. “It’s more fun doing this together.”

“It is,” she agrees, taking the ornament from me. “But I know what you mean. For the past few years, it was just my parents and me decorating the tree. Ale was always busy with his team and Carla was here, in the States. Then, I would go over to my abuela’s, and we would decorate her tree. Hers is my favorite. It’s all these ornaments from her life that she collected. Every ornament has a story, or a memory, attached to it. My mamá prefers her tree to have a theme. Like all gold or silver. It changes every few years.”

“Ah, my mom still puts up every handmade ornament Raia and I have ever made,” I admit.

Valentina chuckles. “I can see that. In Spain, we also have thebelén, the nativity scene. These can become super elaborate. And, the three kings, who arrive to bring presents on January 6th.” Her eyes take on a faraway look and she pauses, staring at the Christmas tree and seeing the holiday festivities of her childhood.

“You miss your family,” I remark softly.

Valentina looks at me and nods. “I hate that they’re angry with me.”

“I’m sorry, Valentina. I never meant?—”

She touches my hand and shakes her head. “It’s not your fault, Avery. I love the life I’m building with you. I just wish my parents and family could embrace us the same way yours have.”

“Carla and Alejandro still aren’t speaking to you?” I inquire.

“Carla is, of course; she’s my sister.” Valentina smiles. “Alejandro is trying to understand but he’s…worried.”

“Your family cares about you.”

“So do you,” she replies.

I nod. “I do. I care about you so much, Lena. All I want is for you to be happy.” Valentina smiles. “Thank you for this, Avery.” She runs a hand over the branches of the tree. “It feels more like Christmas already.”

I wrap my arms around Valentina and hold her. She kisses the side of my neck.

“I’m excited for the Christmas party tomorrow night,” she admits. I feel her smile against my skin, and it makes me grin.

“Me too. The team does one every year, but this year feels different.” I pull back to look at her. “Better.”

Valentina pushes up on her tippy-toes to kiss me. I kiss her back, reveling in all she’s given me. In a few months, my wife has flipped my world upside down and made everything bigger, better, and brighter.

I never promised rainbows and magic. But most days, it feels that way.

Chapter18

Valentina

“You look beautiful, Valentina!”Nova gushes, kissing my cheek hello.

“Most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on,” my husband echoes. I bite my lip and cast him a look over my shoulder. He winks, before his eyes trail down my frame, drinking in my black velvet dress with the open back like he hasn’t been staring at me since I exited our bedroom at home.

“Can’t argue with that,” Nova agrees, making me blush.

I turn back and gesture to her gold dress that shimmers in the light. It’s a low V-cut in the front and the back and it flares around her thighs when she walks. “You’re stunning, Nova.”

“Oh!” She waves a hand, turning to kiss Avery’s cheek in greeting. “Merry Christmas, Avery.”

“Merry Christmas, Nova. You did an incredible job,” Avery says, gesturing to the party.

It’s hosted at The Premier Hotel in downtown Knoxville. Christmas trees sit in the corners of the room, topped with glittery stars and decorated with warm lights and red poinsettias. High-top tables are set up next to the floor-to-ceiling windows with long tables in the next room, already prepped for dinner. The centerpieces are gorgeous, combining greenery with mistletoe, sprigs of red berries, and white candles. They flicker, casting the space in a warm, intimate glow.

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