Chapter 11 Lillian
LILLIAN
“Poppy,” I shout from the kitchen, “it’s almost time for dinner!”
I peek in the oven. The cheese on top of the lasagna is bubbling, and the smell wafting out is divine.
The garlic bread has a few more minutes to go.
I start to wipe down the kitchen counters.
Better to clean up now than later. I have tomorrow off work, so Poppy and I are spending tonight watching old Christmas movies and drinking numerous cups of hot chocolate.
She’s still on Christmas break, so I want to soak up as much Poppy time as I can before she goes back after the New Year.
But first, actual dinner, so we don’t go overboard with the sweets.
Of all the traits to get from me, it had to be my sweet tooth.
I shake my head as I think about how similar Poppy and I are, despite the hair color difference.
Her bright red curls are a trait she shares with a majority of my family.
From my parents to my siblings, and everyone else, it’s a sea of shades of red and strawberry blondes.
Somehow, my ink-black locks never faded into the sandy shade of blonde my mother expected. But I never did anything she expected.
Poppy comes into the kitchen and announces, “There’s a van outside our house, Mommy.”
“You didn’t open the front door, did you?”
“No,” she shakes her head back and forth, her mess of curls bouncing wildly with her head movements.
“Good job, Poppy,” I ruffle her hair and then pull the lasagna and garlic bread out of the oven. “Can you get some forks while I go see who’s outside?” She bobs her head yes and bounds past me.
I head to the front door and look out the window next to it. There’s a small sized van outside with a huge logo plastered on the side with wording underneath. The text reads - Mistletoe Tree Farms, Est. 1945. I can’t help but smile.
“Our tree is here!” I shout for Poppy to come join me as I open the door. Instead of a stranger as a delivery guy, Lucas walks from behind the van.
His hair is tousled and his cheeks are rosy. He’s dressed in jeans that highlight his lean body and his green sweatshirt brings out the green tint in his eyes. His sleeves are pushed up and it piques my curiosity.
What made him suddenly be okay with putting his scars on display?
He opens the van doors and then sees me watching him. Lucas offers a small and swift wave before tucking his hands in his pockets. Like we’re in an old western shootout - we’re both waiting for the other to say something first.
Luckily Poppy, who heard me shout about the tree, comes barreling into my legs and almost knocks the wind out of me. Lucas, ever the doctor and caregiver, comes rushing over as I stumble on the porch.
“Are you okay?” Lucas asks as he comes up the porch stairs. “I brought your tree,” he lets the words fade out.
“I’m okay,” I reply as Poppy happily greets Lucas with a hug.
“Are you here for dinner?” she questions as I ask if he’s just here to drop the tree off.
He chuckles lightly as Poppy and I talk at the same time.
“I’m just here to deliver the tree and a few surprises. Poppy, maybe you can wait inside while I bring the tree in?” She looks at me, and I tell her to make sure the space is empty so Lucas can bring it inside. She dashes inside, and I return my attention to Lucas.
He looks slightly uncomfortable. Lucas sticks one hand in his pocket and runs the other through his hair.
“What are the surprises?” I narrow my eyes.
“It’d be better if I show you,” he motions for me to follow him to the van.
When I come around to the back and see what’s inside the open doors, my jaw drops and I audibly gasp.
“What is all this?” I ask as I try to figure out how many boxes and bags are stuffed inside this tiny van.
“I may have gone overboard. Olivia helped me pick out a few things, but then we sort of just kept shopping. The ones in the front are from my mom, though. She said she spoke with the vendors and tried to see if anyone remembered us browsing. Apparently, Poppy is quite memorable.” His goofy grin makes me melt despite our argument the other day.
“So, these are all gifts?” I raise an eyebrow, still unsure of what is happening.
“Most of these are decorations. I noticed that you didn’t really have anything outside and that Poppy really liked snowmen.
I got a variety of lights and lawn decorations.
” He pulls a few boxes out and sets them on the ground.
“Those are for the tree. I wasn’t sure if you had lights, but they can also be used on the porch.
Once I get the tree out, I can show you the light-up snowmen for the yard.
” Lucas pulls a few more bags out, and I interrupt him.
“Is this all because you feel sorry about yesterday? It’s okay, Lucas,” I start to wave him off, but he takes my hand in his. His touch makes my heart flutter.
“Yes, I want to apologize for yesterday. Not dating for a decade isn’t an excuse. There are no excuses, Lillian. I’m sorry for snapping and for the things I said. Things were moving too fast, and I freaked out. I would really like a fresh slate and to start over with you.”
“This is a lot, Lucas,” he looks up at me and grimaces, “but it’s also insanely thoughtful and kind.”
“I know it’s too much, but I spoke with my brother and with Kristen and Olivia at the bookstore.
Everybody concluded that if I stood a chance with you, I needed to prove myself.
All of this,” he gestures to the van, “is purely because I think I’m falling for you.
And I’d really like to be a part of your holiday festivities. ”
“You’re falling for me?” The words leave my mouth before I can fully grasp what he said. “After two days together?”
“Let’s call it three,” he cups my face in his warm hands, “I don’t think I stood a chance after you smiled at me when we met in the bookstore. So, what do you say? Date me?”
My pulse quickens with each sentence. My tongue doesn’t want to work.
He fell for me when we first met?
He wants to spend Christmas with me and Poppy?
Is this really happening?
I’m at a loss for words. I lean in and kiss him, and he kisses me back harder. He tastes sweet and smells like baked goods.
Lucas has a sweet tooth.
A little chuckle escapes me.
“If you’re laughing then I’m not doing this right,” Lucas murmurs as he pulls away.
“Let’s get this tree inside. I’m interested to see what all you brought.” Now he laughs, a full belly laugh before he gently kisses my forehead.
I help him navigate the small tree inside. It may be tiny for other families, but it fits perfectly in our living room. I look around at the walls covered in photos, the blankets draped over the couch, and then at Lucas as he tucks packages under the tree.
“Why did you kiss Lucas Mommy? I didn’t see any mistletoe,” Poppy tugs at my sweater hem. My cheeks redden as Lucas stifles a laugh.
“You just couldn’t see it from the window Squirt,” Lucas replies at the same time I tell her it’s time for dinner.
“Do you want to stay for lasagna?” I ask Lucas as Poppy runs to the kitchen to wash her hands. “It might be a little cold now. I was about to serve it when you showed up.”
Lucas comes over to me and takes my hand in his.
“I’d love to stay for dinner,” he kisses my hand and my heart flutters.
A fresh start is all we need. That and time.
“You can stay for dessert too,” I kiss his cheek and head to the kitchen.
Lucas follows and helps me carry everything to the dining table. The three of us have dinner together and Lucas stays for movie night at Poppy’s request. The two of them fall asleep. Their soft snores in sync.
Maybe moving too fast just means you get to the good parts quicker. Not that it’s wrong.
This is turning out to be the best Christmas ever.