Chapter 39 Sloane
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Sloane
The cold nips at my cheeks, but I barely feel it.
The night’s alive with the glow of lanterns floating above the town square, their soft flickering lights reflecting in the fresh layer of snow.
I’m bundled up in my ridiculous reindeer sweater, but honestly, I couldn’t be happier.
The whole town’s out here, families and friends mingling together under the sparkling stars, and it feels like something out of a dream.
“It’s… kind of beautiful,” I whisper to Roman, who’s standing close enough that I can feel the heat from his body radiating against the chill.
He gives me a warm, easy smile. “Yeah. Christmas here is something else.”
“Do you think I stand out?” Creed asks.
I glance over at him, laughing. His fake white beard is askew, and the suit’s almost comically big on him, but somehow, it fits the chaotic energy of the night. He stands there with his arms wide, almost daring anyone to ask him for a photo.
I let out a snort of laughter. “You? Stand out? Creed, you’re like a walking Christmas light show. Kids are definitely going to think you’re the real deal.”
Roman raises an eyebrow, glancing at Creed’s suit. “I think you might just win ‘Best Dressed’ of the night, Creed. People will be lining up for photos with you, man.”
Creed winks, clearly pleased with the attention he’s getting. “Hell yeah, that’s the goal. If I’m going to do Christmas, I’m going all in.” He gives a little spin, the fake belly of his Santa suit jiggling with the motion. “I’ll even take requests for autographs. Gotta keep the fans happy.”
I roll my eyes affectionately. “You’re ridiculous. But I have to admit, you’re pulling it off.”
Ezra, who’s wearing his equally absurd snowman sweater that could probably give someone a seizure with how neon it is, grins. “Ah, yes, you certainly embody the very essence of Christmas pandemonium. It’s almost as if the chaos itself finds its truest form in you.”
We grab our lanterns to start the walk, just as a loud bark ricochets off every wall.
“Pickle, no!”
We all turn to see Ivy chasing after her French bulldog, Pickle, who’s darting around like a maniac in the middle of the crowd.
“Pickle, get back here!” Ivy’s voice is filled with both exasperation and affection as she tries to wrangle the little troublemaker.
Still, Pickle’s already made a beeline for the group of kids laughing by the hot cocoa stand, his tongue lolling out like he’s just discovered the greatest game of all time… chasing after them.
“That dog,” Ivy mutters, hands on her hips, but there’s a fondness there. “Come on, Pickle, we need to find everyone else.”
I can’t help but laugh at the sight. Ivy’s frustration is adorable in that way only pet parents can understand.
“Do you need a hand?” I call out.
Ivy gives me a half grin, looking completely exasperated. “I swear, Pickle’s got a mind of his own. At least he’s keeping the kids entertained.”
“He’s got a gift,” Roman teases, as he steps up beside me, draping an arm around my shoulders. He leans down to kiss the top of my head, a moment of quiet warmth amidst all the holiday hustle. “If anyone can get a crowd’s attention, it’s that little furball.”
“Don’t worry, I got this,” Creed says, booming over the commotion.
Creed saunters over to the group of excitable children, who are currently trying to calm Pickle down, while he’s doing his best impression of a snowball tornado, running between their legs. He doesn’t seem to care at all that they’re laughing so hard they’re nearly rolling in the snow.
“I got it,” Ezra adds, as he follows Creed’s lead.
He steps to the side and lowers to one knee, his bright neon snowman sweater a beacon of ridiculousness, but it’s enough to draw Pickle’s attention.
Ezra, as he’s done with everything else in the last couple of weeks, radiates an unspoken calm.
Slowly, Pickle’s frantic movements begin to settle, the little dog eyeing Ezra warily before trotting over to him.
“I swear, if he ends up following you home, I’m going to have to leave him with you for the holidays,” Ivy mutters under her breath as she reaches us, her face flushed from running around.
I raise an eyebrow. “You’d miss him too much. Don’t lie.”
“Maybe,” she admits, then lets out a relieved sigh as she scoops Pickle up into her arms. “I’m sorry, guys. He’s just… he’s got too much energy sometimes.”
“Doesn’t look like he’s slowing down anytime soon,” Creed grins, reaching out to ruffle Pickle’s ears as the little dog’s tail wags furiously. “But it’s kind of nice to see everyone having fun, even if they’re at your expense.”
Ivy laughs, then turns to face the group, clearly distracted by a familiar face.
“Ah, there they are,” she says with a soft chuckle, nodding toward the ever-expanding crowd. “Speaking of family, here comes the circus.”
I glance toward where Ivy’s looking, just as Mitchell, Timothy, and Freddie make their way through the crowd, the three of them standing out even in the midst of all the holiday madness.
Mitchell is carrying Mia and Max, while Lucy is perched on Timothy’s shoulders, her tiny hands grasping his head as if she’s the queen of the world.
Freddie is the very definition of carefree. His leather jacket caught the glint of lantern light, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. He’s holding Penny’s hand, but she’s practically bouncing off the walls, eager to join the other kids around Creed.
“Ivy, it’s like a clown car,” Roman mutters with a grin, nudging me as we watch the madness unfold.
“Santa!” Penny screams, letting go of Freddie’s hand and darting toward Creed like a bolt of lightning.
Of course, her excitement instantly riles up the triplets. Mia, Max, and Lucy, each of them a whirlwind of boundless energy, follow suit, their eyes wide with excitement as they charge after Penny.
“Wait for me!” Max hollers, the unmistakable sound of his small boots pounding the snow, while Mia’s giggles ring out behind him.
“I’m Santa’s helper!” Lucy shouts, as if anyone might’ve missed her declaration.
She’s got her arms out in front of her, Timothy still carrying her on his shoulders as he tries to keep up, his face a mix of mock exasperation and amusement.
Ivy sighs but can’t help the smile that tugs at her lips. “You’d think they’d be worn out by now.”
“Well, it’s Christmas,” I say with a shrug. “What’s the holiday without a little noise and a lot of energy?”
Timothy, who’s now juggling a squirming Lucy and a snowball-sized number of giggling children, turns toward us and raises an eyebrow. “Somehow, I think I’ll be the one needing a nap by the end of this.”
I laugh. “Good luck with that.”
“Yeah,” Freddie says with a wicked grin, adjusting his jacket as he watches Penny run circles around Creed, “I think it’s safe to say the triplets will be running on sugar highs for the next week.”
Roman chuckles, his arm slipping around my waist as we watch the mayhem unfold. “I don’t know, Creed’s handling it pretty well.”
Creed, who’s been in full Santa mode, doesn’t even flinch as Penny hops up into his lap, her arms going straight around his neck in a tight hug.
“Ho, ho, ho!” he booms, drawing attention from nearby families. “What do we have here? A group of the best little helpers.”
Penny’s face lights up like a Christmas tree, and I swear she’s about to start chanting “Santa, Santa!” in some holiday-induced trance. Max and Mia crowd in next, while Lucy stands back, hands on her hips, clearly waiting for the perfect moment to present herself as “Santa’s second in command.”
“Alright, alright, everyone gather around,” Creed says, spreading his arms wide in mock exasperation. “Santa’s got a lot of wishes to grant.”
“I need a pony!” Mia announces, her eyes serious despite the giggles bubbling up around her.
“I want a new sled,” Max pipes up, grinning from ear to ear as he watches the others make their requests.
“I just want snow,” Lucy adds with a tone of quiet authority, as if her wish were the most important one.
Ivy steps up, shaking her head with a fond smile.
“Help us,” she mutters. “I swear, they have more holiday spirit than I do.”
“Oh, my goodness, is this what I have to look forward to?” Olivia’s laughter belts out as she rubs her hand over her swollen belly. “I don’t know if I’m ready for any of this!”
She’s standing beside Jesse, who’s got an arm around her waist, looking equally entertained by the scene.
Leo and Karl are close behind, each of them holding hot chocolate cups, looking a little more amused than they probably should be for grown men surrounded by this much hecticness. But even Leo’s usually grumpy face softens as the triplets continue their animated demands for gifts.
“I swear, if they keep asking for ponies, I might just get them one,” Jesse jokes, eyeing Olivia’s belly with a knowing smile. “But I think our kid’s gonna be more of a reindeer type.”
Olivia’s eyes flicker with a mix of exhaustion and joy, but she’s glowing. “Well, if our baby’s half as energetic as these three, I’m going to need a whole herd of reindeer just to keep up.”
“Yeah, no kidding,” Leo adds, a rare twinkle in his eyes as he watches Mia and Max tug at Creed’s coat, begging for answers on whether their wishes will be granted. “We’re in for a wild ride.”
Karl, ever the joker, nudges Leo with his elbow. “You think this is wild? Just wait until they’re teenagers.”
Olivia groans dramatically, her hand still resting on her belly. “Don’t even say that. I can’t even get through a coffee without needing a nap. How am I going to survive a teenage version of this?”
“Oh, we’ve got you covered,” Jesse says, leaning in to kiss her temple. “I’ll be there, but I’m already bracing myself for the whiplash of hormones.”
The lantern walk slowly winds its way through the town square, but the energy hasn’t slowed down in the least. The streets are still alive with chatter, the soft crunch of boots in the snow, and the cool glow of the lanterns above. As we walk, I can’t help but feel a contented warmth in my chest.
Roman’s arm is still around me, and every once in a while, he’ll lean down and press a kiss to my forehead. It’s casual, easy, but it feels like the most important thing in the world.
Ezra, walking beside me, keeps his hand in mine, and I can’t help but marvel at how naturally he fits into my life now. His quiet moments of affection, his small touches, his soft looks, mean more than words ever could.
And then there’s Creed, who’s still in full-on Santa mode, leaning over to give me a quick kiss on the cheek whenever he’s not surrounded by kids.
“You lot are insufferable,” Ivy teases from beside me, rolling her eyes as she watches Roman plant another kiss on my temple. “Every time I turn around, someone’s getting a kiss or a hug.”
I grin at her, feeling impossibly happy in this moment. “What can I say? Christmas spirit, Ivy. It’s infectious.”
“Yeah, sure,” she laughs, glancing at Mitchell, who’s carrying Max on his shoulders and giving him a running commentary on the lanterns. “It’s just nice to see someone else get the PDA treatment for once.”
I grin at Ivy, thinking how different life could have been if my old college roommate hadn’t messaged me about the cooking job.
I don’t know where I’d be now, but I do know I wouldn’t be as happy as I am right now.