Christmas Eve
The sharp blare of my ringtone cut through the silence like a damn fire drill.
I groaned, flipping over and squinting at it on the nightstand. My whole body protested the movement. My hips were sore, my thighs were aching, and my lower back was tight in the best and worst kind of way. Every inch of me felt stretched and properly worn out.
I winced as I shifted again and sat up slightly, one leg still tangled in the covers. I reached over and grabbed my phone, finally answering on the third ring. “Hello?” My voice was low and groggy.
“Damn, you still sleeping?” my dad asked, sounding way too alert. “Get on up, baby girl!”
I glanced at the time on my phone, surprised to see it was almost eleven. “Hmm. I didn’t expect to sleep in so late,” I mumbled, rubbing one eye.
“You sound like you had a long night,” he said, chuckling low. “Y’all snowed in over there?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t looked outside yet.”
“You might wanna. Snow’s been coming down steadily since six this morning. Me and my lady friend tryna head to the cabin early before it gets too bad.”
I yawned, sitting all the way up now. “Daddy, what’s this one’s name? You must like her if I’m meeting her.”
“Vanessa. And yes, I do, so be nice.”
I chuckled. “Sure thing.”
“Don’t start,” he warned, but I could hear the amusement in his voice. “Just gimme the address to the place so I can plug it in.”
I pushed the covers back and swung my legs out of the bed, careful not to make too much noise. Woods was still dead to the world, one arm thrown over his face, chest rising slow and steady. Snoring like a bear. I padded across the floor, pulling the curtain back a few inches.
My jaw dropped. “Oh damn.”
“What?”
“It’s a whole winter wonderland out here,” I said, staring at the thick, untouched blanket of snow covering everything in sight. The trees were heavy with it, branches hanging low, and the whole backyard was covered in white like someone had spray-painted the world in powdered sugar. “I see what you mean. The roads probably look crazy.”
“Exactly. So I’ma get gas and coffee, then hit the road. Send me the address so I can beat traffic.”
“I don’t have it,” I said, glancing back at Woods. “Woo… I mean, Quamaine booked the cabin.”
“Wake his ass up then.”
“Hold on…” I put the phone on mute and walked back over to the bed, gently nudging Woods’ leg. “Woods…” He didn’t move. I bent down and kissed his shoulder. “Woods… babe, wake up.”
He groaned deep in his chest but didn’t open his eyes. “Mm.”
“My dad needs the address to the cabin. He’s trying to leave soon. It’s snowing bad outside.”
His voice came out rough and thick with sleep. “Get my phone, gorgeous. It’s on the dresser.”
I walked over to the dresser and grabbed his phone. The screen was black. “What’s the passcode?”
He let out another groggy exhale and mumbled, “Zero-three-seventeen.”
I paused, glancing over at him. “Your birthday?”
“Yeah,” he said, eyes still closed. “Open the cabin app. Confirmation should be in there.”
I unlocked the phone, scrolling through his apps until I found the booking one. His account was already logged in, and the booking confirmation was right there, clear as day. I tapped it and read the full address aloud on the phone once I took it off mute.
“Alright, got it,” my dad said after I finished. “See you soon, baby girl.”
“Y’all be safe.” I hung up again and tossed Woods’ phone onto the bed beside him.
Something about him giving me his passcode that quick… trusting me to go through his phone without hesitation… it caught me off guard. Most men acted like their phone was sacred. Like they’d rather get stabbed in the thigh than hand it over. But Woods didn’t even flinch. Just told me what I needed to know and kept sleeping like it was nothing.
Once I hung up and he started snoring again, I eased out of the room. I figured I’d let him sleep a little longer. We’d both been up late—him putting it down like he had something to prove, and me trying to survive it. Woods had been in rare form last night.
The hot shower hit my back, and I rolled my neck, exhaling. I cleansed, making sure to exfoliate, and use the good sugar scrub I packed. The peppermint vanilla one that always made me smell like a holiday snack. Once I got out, I towel-dried and took my time moisturizing with the matching peppermint lotion. I plugged in my curling wand at the small vanity table by the window and got to work on my hair.
By the time I finished curling and putting Bobby pins to hold the curls, it was time to get dressed. Since I planned on cooking, I just threw on some boy shorts and an oversized shirt. Then I grabbed the shopping bags from the bedroom closet and carried everything downstairs to the living room.
One by one, I pulled everything out. The Gucci cologne and the Gallery Dept. hoodie for Woods. The aged whiskey and silk ties for my dad. Then, it dawned on me that I didn’t even get his “lady friend” a card or anything. Oh well…
I sat on the floor, cross-legged, with my back against the couch, wrapping and taping while I occasionally sipped the orange juice I had poured earlier. The cabin was quiet except for the harsh wind outside.
When I finished wrapping everything, I slid the gifts under the tree and stood up to survey the space. I walked around the living room, straightening things up, fluffing pillows, and lighting a couple of the tea light candles I brought.
Then I grabbed the Holiday Hearth room spray I'd packed at the last minute and gave the cabin room a few generous spritzes. The whole space instantly smelled like cinnamon, pine, and a little orange zest. Christmas vibes for real.
Satisfied, I headed into the kitchen and pulled my phone out to start some music. I scrolled through my “Cozy Christmas” playlist and hit play on India.Arie’s version of Silent Night. The instrumental was soft, and her voice floated through the speakers like silk.
I opened the fridge to take inventory. The groceries we picked up the day before were neatly stacked. I pulled out the eggs, milk, cheese, and crescent roll dough to start on the breakfast casserole I always made for holiday mornings. Then I preheated the oven and began chopping onions and peppers while humming along to the music.
It felt peaceful. The snow was still falling steadily outside the window, and the tree lights cast a soft glow in the corner. My stomach was starting to growl, but I didn’t mind. The prep work gave me something to do. Something to center me. It was crazy that the nausea I felt days leading up to being around Woods was suddenly gone, as if it were my nerves kicking my ass instead of the life growing inside of me. I was grateful, though.
I cracked a few eggs into a mixing bowl and started whisking. Woods still hadn’t come out of the bedroom. But I had a feeling he’d show up soon… either drawn in by the smell of food or the sound of me singing along off-key to Let It Snow. I was mid-stir on the sausage and egg mix when I heard the deep shuffle of footsteps behind me. Then his voice came all gravelly and low as he kissed my cheek and slapped my ass.
“Smells like Christmas and good pussy Autumn in here.”
I turned, smirking, spatula still in hand. “Morning to you, too.”
Woods scratched his stomach and yawned, walking straight to the fridge in nothing but a pair of gray sweatpants that sat low on his hips. He grabbed a water bottle, twisted the cap off, and downed half of it without breathing. I kept watching him. Big, shirtless man in the morning? Good God.
“You okay?” I asked, flipping the casserole mix into the baking dish.
He nodded, still drinking. “My stomach growlin’ like a muthafucka. What you cookin’?”
“Casserole. The kind with eggs, sausage, cheese, peppers… all the shit to keep you fed until the real food.”
He smirked and leaned against the counter. “You fed me enough last night, gorgeous.”
I rolled my eyes, but I felt that heat creep up my chest anyway. “Freak. Did you sleep good, though?”
“Best sleep I done had in weeks,” he said, rubbing his chest and looking me over. “What about you?”
“The best sleep,” I admitted. “I’m sore, though. My body is still recovering.”
Woods raised an eyebrow like he was proud of himself. “That right?”
“Yes. That’s right. You damn near blew my back out. I might need a chiropractor after this trip.”
He chuckled, slow and deep, then stepped behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You complainin’ or complimentin’ your man?”
I tilted my head back so he could kiss my neck. “A little of both.”
We stood like that for a second, my back against his chest, his lips brushing the side of my face while I finished smoothing the casserole into the dish. He kissed behind my ear and pulled back just enough to look at me.
“What time your pops pullin’ up?” he asked.
“My dad said they’ll be leaving soon. He wants to beat the heavier snow.”
I slid the casserole into the oven and got to work on my favorite cinnamon rolls. While everything was in the oven, I took a little break as Woods hopped in the shower. Then, in a towel and all his fineness, we ate breakfast and he helped me get to work on the yams.
The full dinner menu consisted of Cajun turkey wings, honey-glazed ham, baked macaroni and cheese, candied yams, and collard greens with yellow rice and beans. Pretty soon, the cabin smelled like the set of Soul Food, and I was loving it.
???
I t w a s d a m n near four-thirty in the afternoon by the time I was checking on the turkey wings in the oven. Everything was coming together beautifully. The tree was glowing softly in the corner, and my playlist had been switched to a slower vibe. Anthony Hamilton, Jazmine Sullivan, Alicia Keys. All that R&B you clean and cook to.
I finally had time to shower again and get dressed for the occasion. I changed into a long-sleeved fitted red dress, fuzzy slippers, and gold hoops. I kept my makeup light with just a little concealer, a brow touch-up, and some glossy lips. Lastly, I unpinned my curls, fluffing them out for that soft holiday glam.
As I scrolled on my phone checking my notifications, I entered the kitchen to see Woods rolling up a blunt at the island, looking like a black God. He wore a black sweater, a chain resting on his chest, and grey denim jeans that fit him too damn well. Gucci slides on his feet. Waves spinning on his head. Beard combed and glistening. Wrist glinting with that watch I kept eyeing every time it peeked out from his sleeve. And he smelled like spice with a hint of weed.
“Damn,” I mumbled without thinking, biting my bottom lip as I stepped closer to him.
He looked at me, dimples popping out as he grinned. “You like how I’m comin’?”
“I like how you look like a damn magazine spread. Where do you think you’re going looking like that?”
Woods kissed my lips. “Just tryna make a good impression. You said your pops don’t play ‘bout you, right?”
“Not even a little bit.”
He nodded. “Bet. Then I’m gon’ show him I ain’t just ‘round you. I’m standin’ on business wit’ you.”
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang. I wiped my hands on the dish towel, gave myself a quick look in the mirror hanging in the hallway, and opened the door.
“Daddy!”
My father stepped in first, pulling me into a hug that always managed to make me feel like his little girl again—even when I was grown, sore from sex, and cooking for a house full of people.
“You got us out here driving through snow like we’re on the Oregon Trail,” he said into my ear, laughing, voice muffled in my curls. “But it was worth it. This place is beautiful.”
I grinned. “This is Christmas snow.”
Behind him, I finally looked up and saw his “lady friend.” She had a full-length caramel coat with a fur hood, red nails, and a smile that told me she was doing her best to be polite. She was pretty, though. Older than me but definitely younger than him. Her bob was on fleek, too.
“Hi. You must be Vanessa,” I said warmly, stepping forward to hug her too. “I’m Autumn. I’m happy y’all made it.”
“It’s so good to meet you finally,” she said, squeezing me lightly. “You look just like your father.”
“Don’t remind me,” I joked, glancing back as I heard Woods’ footsteps approaching. And just like that, it was time. I stepped aside to let my dad and Vanessa in, then turned toward Woods as he reached us. “Daddy, Vanessa… this is Quamaine.”
Woods extended his hand, cool and calm. “Nice to meet y’all.”
My dad was on the taller side, too, and looked him up and down for a second, sizing him up as any real father would. Then he took his hand and shook it. “Likewise. I’m Axel. This is Vanessa.”
Woods nodded toward her with that smooth, respectful eye contact he always had. “Pleasure.”
Vanessa smiled. “Nice to meet you, too.”
My dad, still holding on to that protective edge, glanced back at me. “Quamaine, huh?”
Woods grinned a little, hands in his pockets now. “Most people call me Woods. Feel free.”
My dad nodded once, lips twitching. “Alright, Woods.”
I watched the tension between them melt a little. Just enough. “Come on in,” I said. “Coats off. Get comfortable. Dinner should be ready shortly.” They took their coats off, and I hung them on the coat rack by the door while my dad glanced around.
“This is a really nice setup,” he said, impressed. “Y’all rented this whole cabin? It’s smelling real good in here, baby.”
Woods nodded. “Yeah. She’s been cookin’ all day. I helped a lil’ bit.”
“She always could throw down,” my dad said proudly.
“Got the kitchen smellin’ like somebody’s grandmama up in here,” Woods added.
I noticed Vanessa smile to herself. My dad chuckled, shaking his head. “Alright. I see what this is.”
I raised a brow. “What what is?”
He smirked. “You grown for real now.” And I didn’t even have a comeback. Watching everyone settle in the living room felt… surreal. “Alright now,” he added, clapping his hands once. “Where the drinks at? I know it’s , but I ain’t tryna just sip on egg nog.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I headed toward the kitchen. “I got you, old man. Go sit down somewhere.”