Paradise in Progress

28. Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter twenty-eight

Tristan

“There was this time when I was five or six and we had finished opening presents...” Kennedy tells a story from her childhood, her hands flying in all different directions. “But when I went into the kitchen a few hours later—I mean, I think it was a few hours later, I was young with no concept of time. Anyway, there was this huge package inside our kitchen. I remember running to my mom, telling her there was another gift.”

“Santa,” I say with air quotes, “must’ve forgotten a present.”

“That’s exactly what I said.”

Since opening presents this morning, the two of us have fallen into a tropical hibernation. Instead of watching it snow, like we would if we were at home, we’ve been watching the palms blowing in the breeze. A Christmas Story is still playing in the background; however, I don’t think we’ve watched it chronologically all the way through yet.

We’ve been wrapped up together on this oversized couch, exchanging childhood Christmas stories and enjoying the quiet. The silent moments never feel awkward, which I’m taking as a sign that we’re finally fully comfortable with each other. Neither of us feels the need to keep the conversation going .

Sitting here, listening to her tell stories from her childhood, I can’t help but wonder how the hell I got so lucky. She might have said she didn’t get me anything for Christmas, but her telling me she loves me is the best gift I’ve ever received.

I’m on cloud nine that we are both on the same page. Kennedy Reed loves me. The Golden Boy in her story who got everything he ever wanted. The guy who banters with her whenever he has the chance. The guy who has shown her for the past month how much she means to him. She’s everything I never knew I wanted.

Kennedy shifts slightly, and my arm around her tightens as I savor the warmth of her body against me. The Christmas movie fades into the background as I watch her watch the movie. Her soft giggle fills the air as Ralphie makes his grand appearance in his pink bunny suit.

“No matter how many times I watch this movie, it never gets old.”

I press a kiss to the top of her head. “I never watched a lot of Christmas movies. Mom would have the black-and-white classics on, and when I was younger, I imagine I watched them, but once I hit my teens, Christmas never felt as magical.”

I’m afraid my dark cloud puts a damper on the day when she’s silent for a moment. I mentally curse myself and try to think of a way to fix the mood.

“Well, that sucks,” she says bluntly, in such a sweet tone that it makes me chuckle. Pressing a kiss to my cheek, she lazily draws circles on my arm. “What was your best childhood Christmas, then?”

“Easy.” A rumbling laugh in my chest breaks free at the memory flooding my mind.

“This is going to be good.” Amusement dances in her emerald eyes .

“When I was ten, I wanted a kayak to use on Lake Michigan when I visited my cousin. It was the same year my mom decided to host this giant Christmas Eve dinner. I’m pretty sure she invited everyone we knew, including our doorman.”

Kennedy moves away and sits up straighter as she gives me her full attention. I immediately miss her warmth, but I love how she’s hanging on to every word.

“Anyway, she told us this story about how Santa heard we were having a big Christmas Eve dinner, so he convinced his elves to drop off our gifts early. Being the naive boy I was, I believed her and thought it was the coolest thing.”

She coos an “awww,” and I shake my head as my lips turn up. “Any ten-year-old would have loved that.”

I nod, my smile growing wider. “She told all of the kids to go to the media room—”

She rolls her eyes, and I chuckle as she interrupts me. “Typical rich kid with a media room… How stereotypical.”

“While we were in the room, they organized the gifts. Now, I don’t know if I’ve told you this, but my mom loves to host. She’s the ‘hostess with mostess’ down to every last detail. From planning the menu to decorating our house until it feels magazine worthy. So you can only imagine how perfect our tree was.”

Smiling brightly, she nods. “Your mom sounds a lot like mine.”

“All of us kids came back to the living room and gathered around the tree, patiently waiting for our presents. I noticed the bright orange kayak behind the tree and couldn’t help but bounce in my seat. ”

“Oh no, is this going where I think it’s going?” When she cringes, it’s too cute. I can’t resist leaning forward and placing a light kiss on the tip of her nose.

“Oh, it is.” I pause as the images play on a loop, and it’s as if I’m that ten-year-old boy watching it happen again. I can hear the chaos that filled the room. “The kayak shifts and the tree starts to fall. All of us kids started screaming and scurrying out of the way while some of the adults rushed to save the tree from falling, but it was no use. Down went the twelve-foot tree. Thank God for shatterproof ornaments or it would have been a real mess.”

“Your poor mom.” Kennedy grips her chest. “She must have been devastated.”

“She was for a second, and then suddenly, she burst into hysterical laughter. Everyone was caught off guard, and we were waiting for her to snap, but she never did. Instead, she threw her hands out wide and shouted, ‘It’s a memory.’ And she was right.”

“What did your dad do?”

My body relaxes deeper into the couch. “He didn’t say much that I remember. He probably stood by with a scotch in his hand as he let everyone pick up the pieces.”

Her brow furrows and creates an adorable crease between them. With my thumb, I massage it away. “Don’t think too much about it. Dad was always a little distant with family functions. He was never mean about it, but he was definitely cold when it came to the holidays. Mostly just uninterested. Mom was the one to shower us with love and try to make our childhood memorable.”

The grip of her hand on mine tightens, and I glance down at our connection. She pulls herself closer to me and peppers gentle kisses along my scruff-covered jawline. Turning my head, I kiss her, smiling across her lips. I love how she knew I didn’t need words of sympathy, just a few kisses instead.

“What about you, Firecracker? Any special Christmases?”

Her head tilts, as if she’s recalling her memories. “Honestly, there aren’t too many that stand out. Mom worked hard at always making sure each Christmas was memorable, and Dad was there leading a supporting role.”

Just when I think she’s going to let the conversation end, her eyes widen, and a glow radiates around her. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I almost forgot about this story!”

She turns, tucking her legs underneath her as she faces me. “It’s also a Christmas Eve one.”

“Seems like Christmas Eve is full of excitement for both of us.”

With a nod, her lips quirk. “Every Christmas Eve, Mom would prepare a nice dinner in our dining room, which she would have decorated like a magazine too.” Her eyes sparkle as she recalls the memory. “We’d be dressed up in our church clothes for the Christmas Eve service that we went to after dinner. Anyway, dinner was halfway over when either Olivia or my dad said something. I can’t remember what, but all I know is that it was something hilarious. I had just taken a big drink of milk but didn’t have a chance to swallow.”

My eyes widen in anticipation. “I spewed milk all over my plate and part of the table. My ham loaf was floating on a plate full of milk. Now every year, there’s a running joke about it every time I’m served ham.”

I can’t help but erupt in a fit of laughter as I imagine the scene she’s just described. She shrugs but laughs along with me. “There you have it, my embarrassing Christmas Eve dinner. ”

“Remind me to watch my plate next time I eat with you, Firecracker.”

“Ha. Ha.” She smacks my chest, and I quickly grab her hand, pulling her closer. She lands across my front and moves until she’s in a comfortable position resting over my body. The credits of the movie play, and I reach for the remote on the armrest.

“Mind if I put football on?”

“Nope,” she says as she cuddles against me. I click through the channels until I find the Colorado Colts game, smiling at the TV as the announcers discuss the Colts’s star running back, Quinton Boyd, who happens to be married to a friend of mine.

“No promises if I’ll stay awake. Turns out, you’re pretty comfortable.” We fall into a peaceful silence with the only sound coming from the game, and I know it’s likely we’ll both be napping soon.

The warm glow of the Christmas tree flickers, a reminder that this Christmas I’m getting more than I ever thought possible. Everything I need is right here in my arms.

I love her and she loves me. I could live through thousands of Christmases and never tire of the way loving her makes me feel.

My thumb traces up and down her soft skin, and I feel her sigh, content in this moment. Glancing down, I find her already staring up at me.

Leaning down, I brush a loose strand of hair off her neck and place a gentle kiss on the flesh beneath her ear, where I can feel her pulse speed up. “I love you,” I whisper. Smiling, her eyes sparkle like the damn Christmas tree .

“I love you too.” Her words are quiet, barely above a whisper. It feels like the whole world slows, just enough for me to savor the moment of her in my arms.

This right here is the Christmas I’ll remember most. The one where I didn’t need anything but Kennedy Reed.