Page 66 of All in December
I glance around the table. “Do you guys want to hang your new ornaments on the tree after breakfast?”
Three little voices answer at once.
“Yes!”
CHAPTER 27
Caleb
Sam’s curled up on the couch with a throw blanket around his shoulders, half-heartedly watchingHome Alone. He’s been quiet since dinner, and I know that look. It’s the same one I’ve seen after his mom forgets to call on his birthday.
“You okay, buddy?” I ask, sitting beside him.
He shrugs. “I just thought today would be more fun. It’s Christmas Eve.”
“I know,” I say gently. “I miss Benji and Emma too.”
He leans his head on my arm and sighs. He hated learning they’d be with their mom tonight, and I know the more our relationship progresses, it’ll always be hard for him the nights they’re gone.
I glance at the clock, hoping I can fix this even slightly.
“Hey,” I say, grabbing my phone. “Do you want Nash to come over? Would that be more fun? We could do our own Christmas Eve stuff. We could bake something, if you want. Or play a game.”
Sam lifts his head. “Yeah. Can we play Uno?”
I smile. “We can definitely play Uno.”
Any chance you’re free? Sam’s missing your kids and I’m missing you.
He replies instantly.
Nash:
Me too. I’ll bring cookie dough. See you in 20 mins, baby.
“Alright, Nash is coming, and he said he’d bring cookie dough.”
Sam’s face lights up, and I'm relieved he’s excited. “Awesome! I hope it’s chocolate chip.”
I ruffle Sam’s hair as I stand. “Let me turn on the fire. You can go clear the table so we’re ready for a cookie-and-card battle when he gets here.”
Sam’s already tossing his blanket aside and racing to the kitchen drawer where we keep the cards. I head to the fireplace, flipping the switch to ignite the gas logs, and the room instantly feels warmer—not just from the heat, but from the shift in mood.
By the time Nash knocks at the front door, I feel like I can breathe again.
It’s not that anything’s wrong—Sam and I have always had a good time on our own. We’ve built a life that works for just the two of us. One that I’m proud of. But ever since Nash and his kids stepped into our world, something inside me shifted, and I think Sam feels it too. Nash didn’t just fit into our world; he brought something with him that made it bigger and somehow better.
There’s something grounding about having him here for both of us, because the moment Sam sees Nash standing in the doorway, his face lights up. For the first time in a long time,we both have someone else we can lean on. Someone who gives us more than they take and makes us feel important.
Nash makes me realize I’m allowed to dream past the walls I’d built around our lives, and it feels like that extra space is what we both needed.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Nash says cheerfully as he steps inside.
“Hi, Nash!” Sam grins, running over. “Did you bring chocolate chip cookie dough?”
“Chocolate chipandsugar cookie,” Nash confirms. “Thought we could get creative.”
“Awesome!” Sam beams before turning around and heading back into the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll get the pan out!”
