Page 62 of His Christmas Gift

“But we’ll always be here if you need us. So, whatever happens with Dean, just know that we’re here for you and for your baby,” my mother finished, sharing a small smile with my father. “I’ve been waiting for you to give me a grandchild.”

A hint of an amused smile crossed my face as I nodded. It would take me some time to fully trust them to be good grandparents to my child, but since we had reached an understanding with each other, I was willing to give that a try. My parents had an odd way of showing love and affection. It wasn’t my language, but I was content with the fact that we would be there for each other as a family. We didn’t have to be close, but I wanted us to have each other’s backs if need be.

Usually, I didn’t accept their help. I didn’t want to. However, right now, I let them help me and give me advice. I was in pieces, and they were the only ones around. Instead of ignoring me, they were helping me put myself together. That counted for something for me.

“I don’t even know what to say,” I said. There was a lot to unpack, a lot to admit. It was hard to figure out where to start, but once I did, everything else would hopefully fall into place.

“Tell him what you want. See if it aligns,” my father replied as he reached out to pat my knee. “Do you know what you want?”

I wanted Dean and me to raise this baby together. I wanted us to be together. I wanted to run the gym as partners. I wanted us to build a life together. That was asking for a lot, but it was what I wanted, what I dreamed of. Maybe I was scared, but I was ready.

“Yes,” I said with a nod. I then looked at both of them. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank us. We should be apologizing,” my mother sighed. “I promise we’ll take a step back. It's your life, and you’ve done well.”

“That’s why we always have all these people over for the holiday. We want people to know about you. You’re the best thing your mother and I have ever done,” my father said as he took my mother’s hand.

It felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Even if they would remain the same people, they wouldn’t enforce their opinions on me as much anymore. That was all that I could ask for, and it was all that I really needed. An understanding.

“Next year, can we do something a little more low-key? It’ll be my baby’s first Christmas,” I asked them.

“Of course. Honestly, throwing these parties is getting tiring,” my mother said, sharing a light laugh with my father. “It’ll be nice to enjoy everyone’s company instead of worrying if there are enough spinach puffs.”

I hoped that Dean would be by my side again next Christmas. He brought a new type of spirit to the holiday that I had never experienced before. He made things change for the better, and I didn’t want things to go back to how they used to be. I just needed us to talk about what came next for us so that we could move forward from this jarring point in our lives. Hopefully, we could move forward together.

“I think it’s time to leave this room,” my father told me.

I breathed in deeply through my nose before nodding. He was right. I had spent enough time in here crying and panicking. If I wanted things to work out, I had to try. I had to see Dean and talk to him. Even if he didn’t believe that we weren’t meant to be, we were bound together by something special, something that was a part of both of us.

I got off my bed, brushing my hands through my hair and over my clothes to smooth them down. I looked like a mess, but I felt more determined now than I had all day. Maybe there was a chance.

Before I could step toward my bedroom door, I heard a knock come from the front door of the house, making me freeze. I looked over at my parents, seeing that they were confused by the sudden knock.

“I’m guessing that’s not one of your friends,” I said, feeling my heart start to race.

My mother and father both shook their heads.

Oh boy.

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