Page 61 of All in December
“Hot cocoa sounds perfect,” Caleb says, grinning over his shoulder at me, so hot cocoa it is.
We help the kids off the ice, trade skates for boots, and head toward the pop-up holiday market just past the park. Vendors have their tents up, selling everything from handmade candles and wool scarves to pastries and ornaments. Holiday music continues to play from speakers somewhere, and snow flurries drift down like confetti.
“Okay,” I say, adjusting Emma’s hat over her ears, “who wants cocoa?”
“Me!” all three kids yell at once.
Caleb laughs beside me, and we all head to stand in line. The line moves quickly, and once everyone has their cocoa in hand, we walk through the booths. The kids aren’t all that excited to be shopping, but at least they have their drink.
We duck into a booth to admire the hand-painted ornaments they have on display.
“This one’s silly,” Emma says, giggling. It’s a snowman holding a sled mid-slip.
“You like it?” I ask, crouching beside her.
She nods. “He looks like he’s gonna fall.”
“I think that’s part of the charm.” I glance up at Caleb and catch him smiling at us, watching the interaction, eyes crinkled at the corners.
An idea sparks, and I turn toward him. “Hey… what do you say we pick out an ornament together? One that’s ours, and we can hang it on the tree we cut down together. First of many, hopefully. It can turn into our little tradition.”
“I really like that idea,” he says, reaching to squeeze my hand quickly where the kids can’t see.
Benji appears next to us with Sam in tow. “They have a snowboarding moose over there,” he says. “It’s so cool!”
Sam pipes up, as usual, always building on Benji’s ideas. “Please, Dad. The moose is so cool!”
Emma, still holding her snowman, looks up. “Can we pick one for all of us?”
“Sure,” Caleb agrees. “I think I know what I’m getting for us,” he says, turning to me.
Caleb ends up buying both the snowman and the moose wearing goggles with a snowboard tucked under its furry arm. He also picks out a cabin ornament for us that’s covered in snow and a perfect representation of our first weekend together after unexpectedly being snowed in together.
“These guys are going front and center on the tree, aren’t they?” I ask as we walk back toward the park bench.
“Absolutely,” Caleb confirms.
CHAPTER 25
Caleb
Sam wants to stay the night with Benji, but I know I need to have this conversation first.
“Hey, bud,” I say. “Let’s stop home first before you head to Benji’s so we can get some clothes. I also want to talk to you for a few minutes.”
He groans dramatically. “Why?”
“I just need to talk to you first, one-on-one. Won’t take long. Promise.”
He eyes me warily, clearly suspicious now. “Am I in trouble?”
“Nope,” I say, brushing off his shoulders from the snow. “Not at all.”
He shrugs and agrees, probably because he’s used to listening to me. But I know that won’t last forever. He’s eight now, and tonight, I’m going to ask him to make room for someone else in our life. Or three more someones, technically. I think he’ll be excited, but I’m unsure at the same time.
We pile back in the car, and Nash drops us off at our house.
“Thanks, Nash. I’ll text you when I’m done talking and hopefully heading back over.”
