Page 127 of Booked for the Holidays
“Merry Christmas, Mom. Bridget and I brought over a tree. A real tree. We thought we could decorate it together and open some presents.”
“Areal tree?” Mac asks. “Holy crap, it’s been years since we had one!”
“Mackenzie Ruth. Watch your mouth,” I scold. She and Bridget dissolve into a fit of giggles. I walk to Mom, crouching beside her. “Is this okay? Do you like it?”
“Oh, sweetie, it’s more than okay.”
“We’ll probably need your direction for decorating, Mrs. Gardner. The tree Mac and I did at the story is pretty terrible,” Bridget admits, slinging her arm around my daughter’s shoulder.
“If you’re going to be around for the holidays and dinners going forward, there’s no more of this Mrs. Gardner nonsense,” Mom chuckles. “Call me Maureen. Steve, get in here! Theo, can you get the ornaments from the attic? Mac, you and Bridget can transfer the tree skirt to this one. We’ll move the presents after.”
I stop by Bridget and Mac on my way to the attic. I lean down, lips ghosting against Bridget’s ear. “I love you,” I whisper.
She smiles, squeezing my hand. “I love you, too. Best Christmas ever.”
* * *
“Can we please open presents now?”Mac asks through a groan. She flings herself onto the couch. “We’ve eaten two meals so far.”
“Yeah,” I laugh. “We can open presents now.”
“Okay, Mac,” Bridget starts. She rifles through the large bag she brought inside. Plucking a rectangle box out, she hands it over. “This first one is for you.”
She didn’t share any of the presents with me, so I have no clue what might be inside.
Mac tears into the present as best as she can with one working arm, taking longer than years past to unwrap the gift. “A Kindle?” she gushes. “Holy cow, this is perfect! Thank you, BB.”
“Now you can read all the books you want.” Bridget nudges my ribs from beside me on the floor. “It’ll help your wallet out, too.”
We go around the room, distributing our gifts to each other. Mom, as predicted, bawls over the photo of Mac and me with the mall Santa. Dad winds up with a new meat thermometer. Ziggy gets a new toy. Mac grins at the new soccer cleats and autographed copy of her favorite book from me. I get a pair of work boots and Bridget gets a new set of Converse, complete with candy canes on them for next year’s celebrations.
After unwrapping, Mac is showing my mom how her new Kindle works, setting up the device with all her book preferences. I need to remember to put in my credit card information for her. I stretch my arms over my head and scratch Ziggy’s ears, so supremely happy with the way the day has unfolded.
Bridget kneels down between my thighs and holds out a picture frame. “I have something for you. I finished it last minute, so forgive the lack of wrapping paper.”
“What is it?” I ask. I turn over the square frame and study what’s behind the glass.
“Your original plans for the avenue. I found it in the pocket of your jeans the other night. I made a copy and framed it. I know it’s important to you, and one day, when you accomplish the goal, I want you to look back and see where it all started.”
I think my heart cracks in my chest. It splits wide open, a chisel to the organ, for the entire world to see. My fingers run over the etchings and blueprints I’ve looked over hundreds of times. My vision grows blurry and I push my glasses up my nose, hoping to deter any swell of emotion that’s close to showing itself.
“This is… Bridget.Fuck. You’re too perfect for a Grinch like me.”
“Perfect?” she laughs and shakes her head. She puts her hands on my legs and leans forward. “I’m not. I’m flawed, just like you. I make mistakes, just like you. And we’re going to keep working together to be the best versions of ourselves. With Christmas trees, a meddling teenager, hopes and dreams, and whatever contest the city decides to do next. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah,” I huff. I set the frame aside and pull her into my lap where she belongs. “Sounds great.”
“Welcome home, Theo,” Bridget whispers. She kisses my cheek and places her palm on my chest. “We’ve got a lot of Afters to look forward to. Together.”
EPILOGUE THEO
Theo
Two years later
“For the record,Ihatethis whole secrecy thing,” Bridget says. I tighten the blindfold around her head, making sure it’s snug. “Is it really necessary?”
“Do you want the surprise to be ruined?” I ask.
