Page 173 of The Holiday Fakers
“Bothof you say sorry,” Ethan continues with the kind of authority no one dares question.
“Sorry,” Hudson and Mia mumble at each other.
I sneak a glance at Harper, Mom, and Dad. They’re grinning like this is the best form of Christmas entertainment. Marv, meanwhile, is still taking pictures of the drama.
“Now you need to kiss and make up,” Martha says, her tone imitating that of her father.
“What?” Mia and Hudson exclaim together.
“If you’re really sorry, then you’ll kiss each other and make everything better.”
There’s an electric silence as Mia and Hudson stare at each other. Then Mia shakes her head.
“I’m good, thanks,” she mumbles and goes to the far end of the group, running her hands through her hair.
Hudson smooths his own hair down, then goes to the opposite end from Mia.
“Let’s try again, shall we?” Marv says. “Say ‘jingle bells’!”
“Is it present time yet?”Martha asks Mom as we all settle into couches and chairs a few minutes later.
“Almost, sweetie,” Mom says. “Grandpa just went to look for Santa.”
“Grandma,” Martha says patiently. “I know it’s really Grandpa.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The real Santa is too busy preparing for tonight, so he needs his stunt doubles. Like Grandpa.”
“Okay, but you must remember to play along. Don’t let Grandpa know you know.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
She climbs onto Ethan’s lap, and he drops a kiss on her head.
“So, you do presents on Christmas Eve, then?” Marv asks.
“It’s a nod to my Nordic heritage,” Mom says. “We still open some presents on Christmas Day, but it can get a bit busy, and it’s really?—”
“About the children,” Martha interrupts seriously, then adds. “Like me.”
“And what doyouwant for Christmas?” Marv asks her.
“A new mommy,” she says firmly.
I freeze, and Brody stops breathing beside me. My gaze darts to Ethan’s tight expression.
“You’ve already got a mommy, sweetheart,” he says quietly.
“I know,” she replies calmly, as if this is a speech she’s been practicing for a long time. “But I want a mommy who talks. One who gives me kisses and cuddles.”
I grip Brody’s hand as tears prick my eyes.
Ethan clears his throat. “It’s not that easy.”
Martha shifts on his lap to look at him directly and puts a little hand on his cheek. “I know, Daddy. But don’t worry. I’ve taken care of it for you.”
His eyebrows knit together in confusion. “Huh?”
