Chapter 15
MADDOX
After taking pictures, we grabbed some hot chocolate.
Eve was stopped several times by visitors who thanked her for everything she was doing in the town.
There were quite a few comments from people who said they didn't normally visit Christmas Town, or they hadn't been since they were kids.
The message was that people were visiting again, and it was all because of Eve and her sister.
I was impressed with her success. They'd only owned the town for a short while, and they'd renewed excitement in the venue.
We drank hot chocolate and ate chocolate-peppermint-flavored popcorn, watching the carolers singing. Sofia got in line to see Santa, and I stood off to the side, waiting for her.
When we were alone, Eve said, "Thanks for coming."
"It worked out because Frank was here." The night was a success if you considered the fact that Frank saw us together as a couple.
Whether he believed it was real or not didn't matter, as long as we impressed on everyone that I was moving on and ready to accept the most important position in the fire department.
She winced slightly before she recovered. "Hopefully, we were convincing."
I pulled out my phone to show her the images of the three of us in front of the tree.
We looked like a family, smiling brightly for the camera.
Sofia was happy because Eve had asked her to light the tree.
Our relationship was more than convincing Frank or the council of something; it was making Sofia happy.
"Thanks for letting Sofia light the tree. She wasn't expecting that."
Eve smiled. "That was a last-minute kind of thing. It didn't feel like I should be the one lighting it, and then she was standing there. It made sense that she was the one to do it. She helped out with the toy drive, and she's important to me."
She liked Sofia. That would be a requirement of any woman I dated. It was too soon for me to be thinking about a relationship. I was positive Eve wasn't looking to add any baggage to her life, and that's what we were.
Sofia ran over to me with her candy cane. "Santa said I've been good this year."
I smiled down at her, ruffling her hair. "Of course you were."
She ripped open the candy cane. "I'm going to get exactly what I want."
I raised a brow because I'd already done my shopping for her.
"I want a mom," she said as she sucked on one end of the candy cane.
My heart skidded to a stop. "You have a mom."
I felt Eve move away.
She smiled sheepishly. "A few of the kids at school have stepparents."
I squeezed her shoulder, my throat tight. I didn't want her to feel like she was replacing her mother with someone else.
She shook her head. "You always said that your heart expands when someone else comes into it. I can love both of them. Can't I?"
"Of course," I said, but my throat was dry. Was I a hypocrite because I didn't think I could move on, but I was telling her it was fine?
She bit off a piece of the peppermint candy. "Santa said I'd get what I want, and that's what I want."
My mom appeared by my side. "What's this about getting what you want?"
I was grateful that Mom was here. Maybe she could help with this conversation, because I wasn't sure how to handle it.
"I asked Santa for a stepmom. She could bake cookies with me and read bedtime stories."
Mom exchanged a look with me over her head. "Grandparents can do that too."
Sofia scrunched her nose. "It's not the same."
"One day, your dad might want to date again. But whoever he's with won't replace your mother."
Sofia sighed. "I know. That's what I told Dad."
One of Sofia's friends ran up. "You want to get ice cream?"
Sofia looked at me. "Can I get some?"
Normally, I wouldn't let her get ice cream and candy, but this was a special occasion, and I wouldn't mind her dropping this conversation. I gave her some cash. "Go there, and come right back."
"Okay," Sofia said, taking the money from me and dashing off with her friend.
Mom moved closer. "How are you handling that?"
"When she first mentioned it, Eve left, so clearly she's not interested in the position."
Mom gave me a look. "Maybe she gave you space to have a private conversation with your daughter. Did you ever think of that?"
I cleared my throat. "I suppose that's possible."
"Don't assume what's in a woman's head. You're bound to be wrong," Mom said dryly.
I let out a breath, keeping an eye on the girls in the ice-cream-truck line. "What am I supposed to do? I can't just give her a stepmom."
"What's going on with you and Eve? You looked so cute together at the tree-lighting ceremony."
I couldn't answer because I didn't know. I'd come to crave our nights together, but they were fleeting moments, over before I wanted them to be. I never asked her to linger, and she seemed to understand that she shouldn't. Maybe it was my fault.
"Sofia is open to the idea. So there's no reason why you can't consider it. Do you like Eve?"
My gaze moved to where Eve was talking to Clara. She gave so much to this town and the people in it. She was the same way with Sofia and me. She didn't have to be so nice to us, but she was. "Yeah, I do."
"You have to give yourself permission to move on. No one else is going to do that for you." The single-parent grief support group meeting was later this week. Maybe that would be a good place to figure this out.
"I'm not sure I'm going to do that by Christmas. Isn't Sofia going to be disappointed when Santa doesn't bring her a stepmom?"
Sofia and her friend got their cones and walked over to where Eve was talking with Clara. Eve leaned down with a smile on her face, listening intently to whatever they were saying.
"Maybe he's already doing his magic," Mom said before walking away.
What did that mean? That Eve was somehow in my life for a reason? That it was fate? I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
I joined Eve, Clara, and Sofia.
"Did you get your tree up yet?" Clara asked me.
I sighed. "We bought one. We haven't put it up yet."
"Well, what are you waiting on?" Clara asked.
"Dad's been busy," Sofia said, her tone tinged with irritation.
"I can come over and help you if you want," Eve offered, and Clara smiled.
"That would be great, actually." I wasn't going to turn down help. I was worried about putting up a tree with new decorations. Would Sofia be upset? Would I? But if Eve was there, I wouldn't have time to think about anything else.
Sofia yawned.
"I think that's our cue to head home."
"Let me know when you'd like to get the tree up. I can pick up some ingredients to make cookies too. We can make it a whole thing," Eve said.
I frowned. "Aren't you busy with stuff here?"
"I think I've earned a break after the parade and the tree lighting. And I'll need your help this week to set up the light trail."
"Frank said it was all hands on deck for that because you're donating a portion of the proceeds to the fire department." I asked.
"I don't need the holiday light trail to generate money. I want to get people in to enjoy everything our little town has to offer, and I thought people might feel good about donating to the fire department."
"It's a nice thing to do," I said, my voice gruff.
"I also need your help setting everything up. So it's not like I won't be putting you to work," Eve pointed out as we headed toward the parking lot.
"Can I help with the light trail?" Sofia asked Eve.
"I'm sure we can find something for you to do," Eve said.
I appreciated that she always included my daughter. It was a big reason that Sofia enjoyed her company. I opened the rear passenger door for Sofia.
"Good night, Miss Eve."
"Night, Sofia," Eve said softly as I shut the door.
I moved over to where Eve waited by the truck. "Thank you for always including her. I know she loves spending time with you. You make her feel important."
"I'm glad."
"Will I see you tonight?" I asked, wanting to have a different outcome tonight. Our midnight dalliances had been quick and satisfying. But I wanted something more.
Her lips twitched. "I can't seem to stay away from you."
I raised a brow. "I hope that's a good thing."
"Me too," she said.
"Why don't you come over a little earlier, after Sofia’s asleep?" I offered.
"That would be nice."
I’m sure she was tired from the late hours.
She waited on the sidewalk while I got into the cab and turned on the engine. I couldn't wait until Sofia went to bed. It was quickly becoming the favorite part of my day because I got to be alone with Eve.
At home, Sofia got ready for bed without any complaints. That was a testament to how tired she was. This year, I'd made time for more holiday events, and it was mainly because of Eve. She'd made everything more enticing. I wanted to experience the season.
I didn't feel like a failure anymore. In fact, I thought I might be getting the hang of this single parenting thing. It certainly took a village, and Eve had become part of that. I didn't want to lose her, and I had a feeling if I kept treating her like a booty call, I would.
She was a strong, sophisticated woman. She wouldn't put up with being treated poorly. I needed to do better.
This time, I had a fire going in the fireplace, and I made hot chocolate. When she arrived, I even had a holiday movie playing on the TV.
"What's this?" she asked when I led her into the room.
Usually I kissed her in the foyer. Then we made our way to the bedroom where our clothes flew off, and I couldn't wait to get inside her. Tonight was different. "I thought we could drink some hot chocolate and watch a movie. I know it's late, but you said you wanted a break."
She smiled softly. "This is great actually."
Mentally, I did a little fist bump with myself. She was probably feeling like there was something missing. I never wanted to treat her like she didn't matter. This thing between us meant something to me. It wasn't just a physical release, at least not anymore.
I waited until she sat down. Then I draped a soft throw blanket over her lap. It was one of Sofia's favorites in the winter. Then I handed her the blue mug filled with hot chocolate.
I'd swirled whipped cream on top, and sprinkled candy cane shavings over that.
"This is really nice. Thank you." She sipped the hot chocolate, and a spot of cream ended up on her nose.
"You have something here." I reached over and swiped the whipped cream with my thumb, then licked it.
Her gaze snagged on the motion.
"Whipped cream," I said by way of explanation.
Then I turned my attention to the TV. I wouldn't make this about sex, not tonight. "Do you like this one?"
She settled into the cushions with a sigh, curling her legs underneath her. "I love it."
I grinned, pleased I remembered how to romance a woman. Or at least make her comfortable. I might not remember how to flirt, and my disposition was grumpy at best, but I thought I knew a little bit about what a woman wanted. And it wasn't midnight booty calls.
She'd been nice to put up with it for this long. But not anymore. I didn't want her to think I thought so little of her. And we both needed more sleep.
We sipped our hot chocolate and watched the classic movie. We talked and laughed about the parts we remembered watching when we were kids. And how it was similar to or different from our own upbringing. It was nice.
I enjoyed spending time with an adult, not talking about Sofia. It felt really good. I was glad I took my mother's advice. As usual, she was right.
By the time the credits rolled, Eve was curled up against my side. I could wake her or let her sleep in the guest room. I could tell Sofia the truth, that we'd watched a movie and fell asleep. We talked about decorating the tree together. Maybe we could do that tomorrow.
This was part of my plan to change how I did things. To test out how Sofia felt about me seeing a woman. I could do this.
I lifted her, carrying her into the guest room, which was on the first floor. I folded the blankets back and set her on the flannel sheets. I pulled the blankets over her, then closed the door behind me, content to have Eve in my house for the evening.
I'd enjoyed spending the evening with her, and I was excited to spend more time together. This was more than sex.
We were making new traditions, and Eve was part of that.
Upstairs, I slid underneath the sheets, excited for what the next day would bring.
Sofia said she wanted Santa to give her a stepmom, and my mom thought Eve was that person.
I didn't know if I believed in fate, but I liked the idea.
It gave me a sense of relief that someone in the universe was okay with me moving on.
I felt content, pleased with my decision to take this next step with Eve.
I was excited about the possibilities. We could decorate the tree and get some decorations for outside too.
Sofia had been wanting them. And what about a puppy?
I'd been resistant to getting a pet because of how busy I was, but I think we'd both enjoy having a dog in the house.
I was excited about the future, and it was all because of Eve.