Chapter 46
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Leo
I never really gave much of a damn about the holidays. They’ve always been an excuse for people to act happy when they’re not.
I guess that’s the whole point, though, pretend everything’s perfect for a day, and everyone buys in. But today? Today’s different.
There’s something about the snow falling outside Jesse’s cabin and the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the air that makes this whole thing feel real. A little too real for comfort. This isn’t some forced gesture. This is for Olivia.
She deserves this.
We’ve got the whole day planned, breakfast, presents, some ridiculous ice-skating adventure that Karl insists will bring the Christmas magic, whatever the hell that means, and I’m here for it.
Not just because it’s for Olivia, but because it’s our way of saying, we see you.
I can’t help but smile as I walk back into the living room, where the guys are finishing up the last-minute decoration fixing.
Karl’s in the corner hanging mistletoe on a damn mission, even though half of it’s already wilting. Jesse’s in the middle of the chaos, standing back, hands on his hips, surveying the scene, waiting for a round of applause.
But I can already tell that the decorations are… well, not exactly Pinterest-perfect.
There’s a string of lights hanging from the ceiling that looks attacked by a drunk octopus. The tree… don’t even get me started on the tree. It's leaning to the left as if it's had a bit too much eggnog. And the garlands? They’re half-baked at best.
But I know Olivia will be happy, because we’ve tried.
“I think we’ve found a new holiday tradition, boys,” Karl says with a grin, throwing a pointed look at Jesse. “It’s called ‘Let Jesse Decorate and Pray for the Best.’”
I smirk. “I’ve seen crime scenes with more symmetry than this tree.”
Jesse glares over at me, but it’s a weak one.
“Hey, I tried,” he mutters, hands still on his hips as if he’s expecting to be judged by some expert committee.
I chuckle. “You tried, alright. But we’re gonna need to rewrite the rulebook if we’re keeping this.”
Karl snorts and reaches for another ornament, holding it up, about to launch it across the room. “I mean, it’s festive in its own… special way. But it’s kinda giving me ‘last-minute shopping’ vibes, Jesse.”
Jesse rubs the back of his neck. “Okay, okay, so maybe I’m not the best decorator. But I am good at buying gifts.”
I raise an eyebrow. “She’ll love it because we did it. Not because it’s actually decorated right.”
“I think she’ll appreciate the effort,” Karl says, putting his hands up in defense, “though if you ever get the urge to add some random tinsel to the walls, maybe call in some backup first.”
Jesse rolls his eyes but can’t help the half grin that cracks on his face. “Alright, alright. I’m not the expert here. But I did my best.”
I check my watch. “Right, we should go. Surprise Olivia with breakfast.”
Karl nods. “Don’t burn breakfast while we’re gone, Jesse. Let’s start the day on a good note.”
Jesse shoots him a look, but it’s clear he’s trying to suppress a chuckle. “I’m a professional, Karl. I’ve got this.”
“Famous last words,” Karl mutters, opening the door and stepping out into the cold.
I follow him, and the frigid air hits me with a slap in the face. Snow’s already begun to accumulate on the ground, thickening the quiet of the morning.
The whole world feels like it’s holding its breath, waiting for something. I pull my jacket tighter around me and glance over at Karl.
“You think she’ll like the surprise?”
Karl gives me a sideways glance, his usual flippant smile replaced with something closer to understanding. “Man, she’ll love it. She doesn’t need the perfect decorations or the world’s best breakfast. She needs us to show up. We’re doing that.”
I nod, chewing on that for a second—Karl’s right, even if it’s hard to admit.
Olivia’s not asking for perfection. She’s not the type. But there’s something about today, about us all coming together, that feels different. More… real.
We climb into the truck and drive through the snow-covered streets, the tires crunching as we head toward Olivia’s place.
Her house looks warm, a welcoming glow spilling from the windows, the porch light casting a golden hue over the snow-covered ground.
I stop the truck and glance at Karl, who’s already grinning. “You ready for this?”
He winks. “Always.”
We get out and walk up to the door, and I knock three solid taps.
A moment later, Olivia opens the door, her hair a little messy from sleep, her eyes soft and warm as she looks between me and Karl.
“What’s going on?” she asks, looking a little confused.
“Morning,” I say with a smile. “We’re here to take you out for a little adventure.”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. “Adventure? At this hour? On Christmas Day?”
“A Christmas Day adventure,” Karl confirms, leaning in a little closer to make it sound more mysterious. “And you can’t back out now. It’s already in motion.”
“Alright, alright.” Olivia sighs, but she’s smiling, the corners of her mouth lifting just enough to make my heart do something strange. “Give me a second to get ready, I guess.”
“No rush. Just get your coat, and don’t forget your hat. It’s freezing out here,” I say.
She disappears inside, leaving us standing in the cold, a feeling of anticipation settling in my stomach.
“You good?” I ask, noticing the way Karl's smile fades, if only slightly.
“Yeah. Just… want today to be right. You know?”
I glance at him. “I know.”
The door swings open again, and Olivia steps out, her cheeks flushed from the warmth inside. She’s bundled up, her scarf wrapped tight around her neck, a large bag slung over her shoulder, but there’s a look in her eyes that makes the cold feel miles away.
“Alright,” she says, a little breathless. “Let’s go. What’s the big surprise?”
I smile. “Patience.”
Karl leans in, grinning ear to ear. “Don’t worry, Liv. We’re just getting started.”
We pile into the truck and head back to Jesse’s cabin, the truck bouncing a little over the snow-packed roads.
The heat is cranked up inside, and for a moment, I let myself sink into the quiet comfort of the ride, the weight of the morning lifting.
“You guys are really gonna make me wait for this surprise, huh?” she teases, leaning her head back against the seat. “I was expecting a quiet Christmas Day alone.”
“No way,” I chuckle. “This is your first Christmas in this town, with us. It needs to be epic.”
“Oh, the suspense is real,” she says, shaking her head. “You’ve got me thinking we’re headed to the North Pole or something.”
“Erm… just Jesse’s cabin.”
I expect her face to fall, but if anything, she looks even more excited. “Oh, really? Is Jesse cooking? This should be… interesting.”
After we stop, we pile out of the truck, and Olivia stops short, her eyes flicking from the house to us. “I can’t believe you’d do this for me.”
I open the door for her, and as she steps inside, the smell hits her first: cinnamon rolls, bacon, and fresh-brewed coffee.
Olivia freezes for a moment, her eyes going wide. “Oh my, this smells delicious.”
Jesse is standing near the kitchen, his hands full of plates. He looks genuinely pleased with himself, wearing a proud grin.
The kitchen is a little chaotic, but there’s a sense of pride in the air. Everything’s been done with purpose—even the slightly burnt bacon.
Olivia looks around, taking in the spread: perfectly stacked pancakes, eggs just the right shade of yellow, fresh fruit, a dozen cinnamon rolls, and a pot of coffee that smells of heaven. “I’m impressed.”
Olivia’s eyes flick from the decorations. Half sagging garlands, an awkwardly tilted tree, and lights strung with all the care of a toddler on a sugar rush, back to Jesse, who’s standing proudly in the kitchen, showing off his masterpiece.
She smirks, shaking her head. “The decor’s… certainly one of a kind. Looks like a holiday explosion in here.”
Jesse, despite the teasing, just grins and gives a little shrug. “I may not be an interior designer, but hey, I’m no monster.”
Karl immediately jumps in, “I’d say it’s definitely… an acquired taste. You could sell tickets for a tour.”
Olivia raises an eyebrow, clearly trying to suppress her laughter. “I think a few design shows might want to get their hands on this… but it’s charming in its own way.”
“We can fix it later,” I say with a smile. “For now, let’s focus on the food. Jesse went all out.”
At the mention of food, Olivia’s eyes light up again, her gaze traveling over the spread, like a kid in a candy store. She wastes no time in taking a seat at the table, giving the bacon a careful eye before scooping a few onto her plate.
“I’m pretty sure this is the most effort anyone has put into breakfast for me,” she admits, reaching for the coffee.
Karl leans in, pouring a cup for her with a flourish. “It’s because we care. And because Jesse’s a professional cook now. Obviously.”
Jesse rolls his eyes but steps forward, proudly placing a stack of pancakes in front of her. “Hey, I did what I could. At least it’s edible, right?”
“Oh, definitely edible,” Olivia assures him with a wink, spearing a forkful of pancake. “In fact, it’s really good. I might even ask for seconds.”
Karl snickers, “See, Jesse? You just had to step up your game.”
The banter continues, and the table fills with laughter as Olivia digs into her breakfast, clearly enjoying the spread that Jesse, despite his self-deprecating humor, worked hard to prepare.
The atmosphere feels warm and relaxed. This is what Christmas is supposed to be—no perfection required.
After breakfast, the conversation shifts to the inevitable Christmas movies that Karl insists we must watch, because apparently, a Christmas day without Home Alone is a sin in his eyes.
“Alright,” Karl says, with a glint in his eye. “Next step of the grand adventure: Christmas movie marathon. Jesse, your tree might be questionable, but I’m not letting it ruin the spirit.”