Page 180 of A Very Merry Enemy
“Not a damn one.”
And I mean it with everything in me.
Being here with Lucas in Merryville, living this beautiful life together, is pure happiness.
This Christmas, I learned that home is love. Home is Lucas. Home isus. And I’m never leaving this again.
As we drive back to the Christmas tree farm, I glance over at Lucas and know, without a single doubt, I made the right decision.
CHAPTER 37
LUCAS
Mawmaw’s house is packed this afternoon. Every seat at the dining table is taken, and folding chairs are squeezed in wherever they’ll fit. Colby is under the table with a sweet roll, making engine noises as he plays. Conversations overlap each other from every direction as Holiday’s dad and mine argue about whether we’ll actually get a dusting of snow this year or not. Her mom asks Claire about married life, and Sammy and Jake place bets on tomorrow’s football games. Hudson stopped by quickly to give their love and make plates but left to get back to Emma and the babies.
The smells and sounds of Christmas fill the house. Mawmaw made ham, glazed with brown sugar and pineapple, her famous mac and cheese that she only makes for special occasions, green bean casserole, and sweet rolls so fresh that steam rises when they’re broken open. Three different pies are cooling on the counter, and of course, we broughtThe Onebecause my family begged for it.
Holiday sits beside me, so close that our legs touch and our arms brush together. Every few minutes, I reach under the table and squeeze her thigh just to remind her that she’s here, and she’s mine.
“Where’s Colby?” Holiday asks, looking around the table.
Mawmaw points under the table. “I don’t know where he is.”
He giggles from below. I make a fart noise with my mouth, and he rushes out, pretending like it stunk.
“Yeah, yeah. Time to eat, kid,” I say as he climbs into the chair next to Mawmaw. When Hudson tried to take him home earlier, Colby cried and clung to Mawmaw’s dress until Jake offered to keep him. My brothers are so good with kids. They make it look easy.
Mawmaw scans over the table from her spot at the end, and she looks satisfied as she gazes at everyone. “I love Christmas Eve.”
My dad says grace, and then we pass around plates, family style. Rolls are passed, turkey and cranberries are slid onto plates, and I run out of room.
“So, I heard you and Holiday are living together?” Mawmaw asks.
I nearly choke on the bite of macaroni I was swallowing. “I do not want to be the center of conversation tonight. Thank you.”
“That’s not an answer,” Mawmaw pushes.
Everyone stops eating, and their forks pause mid-bite. All eyes turn to us and wait for an answer.
“It’s true,” Holiday says as her cheeks turn pink.
“Well, it’s about time,” Mawmaw says.
I kiss Holiday’s temple and smile. “That’s what I said.”
“So, when are you two getting married?” Mawmaw asks suddenly, looking right at us with that knowing smile of hers.
Holiday’s eyes go wide at the question.
“Mawmaw,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual. “Holiday isn’t even fully moved in yet. It’s been three days, so you might want to slow down a bit.”
“When you know, you know.” Mawmaw winks at me.
“We’ve got plenty of time,” I say.
Holiday laughs. “Maybe we should just elope right now?”
“Honey, now don’t be ridiculous,” Mawmaw says. “Not the night Santa is coming to town.”
