29. Santa Wins This Round
29
SANTA WINS THIS ROUND
The evening has finally wound down, the lively chatter and clinking glasses gradually giving way to a peaceful hush that settles over the room like a soft blanket. After the chaos of the day, this calm is a welcome reprieve, a chance to catch our breath and reflect on everything that’s happened.
Valentina, Albert, Aunt Angela, and Uncle Angelo have all said their goodbyes, with promises to return tomorrow for breakfast and then to head off on their separate adventures. Valentina and Aunt Angela are planning to indulge in some well-deserved sisterly bonding at a traditional hammam , treating themselves to the full experience of steam, scrubs, and massages. Meanwhile, Albert and Uncle Angelo will be off playing the classic tourists, likely visiting the Blue Mosque and soaking in the history, or maybe even getting lost in the maze of the Grand Bazaar.
The large salon now feels cosy and intimate. My father remains deep in conversation with Refika over Turkish coffee by the window, their low murmurs and occasional laughter blending with the distant hum of the city outside. Sadie, with her usual efficiency, has managed to corral her girls, including Emine and baby Ayda, out the door. She looks emotionally rung out by the day and I know she just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head. It’s been a tough Christmas for her, not just dealing with Valentina but her first Christmas without her husband.
Now, it’s just me and my friends nestled around the crackling fireplace, the warmth of the flames chasing away the chill of the evening. There’s something special about this moment—the rare luxury of being together, all of us under one roof, if only for a few more days. The knowledge that come next week, we’ll all scatter to our separate corners of the world adds a bittersweet flavour to the air, like the last sip of a really good wine.
I glance at Aydin, sitting close beside me, his hand resting on my knee, a comforting anchor in this sea of change. We’ll be leaving soon as well, back to Bodrum to get ready for the summer season.
With my little sister.
The words feel foreign, after all I’ve been the little sister to Sadie my whole life, so this is uncharted territory. A different hat to wear, one that feels slightly askew, like I’m not sure if it suits me yet.
Saffy’s sitting on the floor near the fireplace watching Kaan, totally starstruck but determined to play it cool. It’s endearing, and a little amusing, but mostly it makes that protectiveness flare up in me again. She’s been through so much over the past few months with Heath. She needs time to heal and Bodrum is just the place to let the healing begin.
Aydin follows my gaze to Saffy and smiles. “She’s fitting in, don’t you think?”
I swallow hard, forcing the words out past the lump that forms in my throat. “She just needs to know she’s safe and can finally let her guard down.”
Aydin squeezes my knee gently, as if sensing my thoughts. “You’ll make a great big sister, you know.”
I smile at him, a little wryly. “I’ll fake it till I make it.”
He chuckles, leaning in to press a kiss to my temple. “It’s just practice. By this time next year, you’ll be a master.”
This time next year?
In a moment of weakness, I promised we would all come out to Sydney next year for Christmas. The thought fills me with a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. I’m excited for a summer Down Under, especially after spending the past few years in London and now Istanbul, but it still means a 27-hour flight, with Aydin and Ayda, probably Emine, and Saffy along for the ride! “It looks like Christmas might actually become a thing in our family now.”
“Who would have thought?” I can hear his mocking tone—ugh. “The girl who loathes this time of year, planning a family Christmas Down Under. You’ve come a long way.”
“I guess I have,” I admit begrudgingly. “But it’s still weird, you know? For so many years, Christmas was just… something to get through. And now, here I am, actually looking forward to it. And with Valentina and Albert as well!”
“It’s a big step.”
I let out a soft sigh, resting my head on his shoulder. The thought of next year can wait. Right now, I just want to savour this moment, soaking in the precious time I have with my friends before it slips away.
Nate and Leyla will head back to London and their fledgling relationship on Friday, assuming he survives lunch with her family tomorrow, that is. He will win them over, obviously, after all even a complete dolt can see he cares deeply for Leyla. And they’ve got that opposites-attract thing down to a science, like it’s a rom-com ready to come to life. Nate is so laid-back, he’s practically horizontal, the perfect counterbalance to Leyla’s fiery, take-no-prisoners approach to life. The perfect match.
My brow furrows though as my eyes land on Meg and Kaan, sitting together on the sofa. Kaan’s arm is draped protectively around her, but there’s a tension in his posture that makes my stomach tighten. I’m worried about them. Really worried.
Are they going to make it?
I want to believe they will—I love that rock star with all his quirks and flaws—but Meg arrived here today looking so broken, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s going to take a hell of a lot of work for them to repair the damage he’s done.
Aydin follows my gaze, his expression softening. “He’s stubborn, but he’s not a fool. He knows what he’s risking if he doesn’t get his act together.”
“I hope so,” I reply, biting my lip. “I just—Meg deserves so much more. I want her to be happy.”
“And she will be,” Aydin says, his voice steady with the kind of quiet confidence that makes me want to believe him. “But it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight. They’ve got a lot to work through, but they’ll figure it out. They love each other too much not to.”
“You’re right. I just wish I could do more.”
“You’re already doing enough,” he assures me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be there.”
I nod, letting his words sink in. He’s right, of course. As much as I want to fix everything for everyone, sometimes all I can do is stand by their side and let them know they’re not alone.
My gaze drifts over to Olive, sitting comfortably in one of the overstuffed chairs across from Deniz who has Aslan curled up on his lap. The cat’s gaze is fixed on Olive though, staring at her with that smug look, like the cat who got the canary. And in this case, the canary is Deniz’s lap, the prime spot Olive would love to claim but never will, as long as Aslan gets his way.
Today was a success for her though with Deniz winning over Aunt Angela with that speech of his, which is no small feat. I mean, she’s not exactly known for handing out her approval easily.
“Where are you guys off to next?” I ask, curiosity piqued.
Olive glances at Deniz, a smile playing on her lips, and he gives her a subtle nod, as if they’re sharing a private joke. She then turns to me with a grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Back to Bodrum.”
“Finally!” I am unable to hide my excitement at the idea of my cousin living right next door. “We’re going to have so much fun!”
“I won’t have time for any fun. I’m going to be busy.”
“Busy doing what? Please tell me you’re not going to help with the harvest again!”
“ Buon Dio, no!” She pokes her tongue out at me and stares at me in horror. “I’m opening a bookstore.”
“That’s awesome! Seriously, who better to run a bookstore than a librarian?”
“I’ve been dreaming about this for years, and now it’s finally going to happen.”
I see the excitement in Olive’s face. It’s that spark that’s been missing these past few months and I’m happy for her. “So, is Deniz going to help stock the shelves?”
Olive laughs, shaking her head. “Not a chance. I’ll be keeping him far away from the books. His only job is to make sure Aslan doesn’t scare off the customers.”
Deniz smirks and gives Aslan a gentle scratch behind the ears. “I’ll make sure our little mascot behaves.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.”
Aydin leans in close, his breath warm against my ear as he whispers, “It’s getting late. Let’s leave this lot to it.”
I glance at him, catching the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “You’re trying to escape the cleanup, aren’t you?”
He grins, not even bothering to deny it. “Guilty as charged. But I was thinking we could use a little time to ourselves before tomorrow.”
I consider it for a moment, letting my gaze sweep over the room once more. Olive is now deep in conversation with Meg, laughing at something she’s said, while Aslan gives her a disdainful glance from his perch on Deniz’s lap. Saffy is shyly engaging with Kaan, who’s doing his best to put her at ease. On the other side of the room, Nate and Leyla are huddled together, their heads close as they talk in hushed tones, a mix of laughter and whispered secrets between them.
Everyone seems content, wrapped up in their own little worlds.
“Let’s sneak away before anyone notices.”
We quietly slip out of the room, leaving the soft murmur of conversation behind us. Once we’re alone, the words fall from my lips, effortless and unplanned. “ Seni seviyorum , Aydin.”
My Turkish might be abysmal—okay, it’s borderline tragic—but these three words? I’ve got them down. Mostly because Aydin says them to me every single day, with a tenderness that makes my heart do that ridiculous fluttery thing that I’ll never admit to anyone but myself.
“I love you too.” He gently brushes a stray curl from my face, his touch soft and almost distracted. But then, that familiar mischievous sparkle lights up his eyes. “But just so we’re clear, that adorable attempt at Turkish isn’t going to excuse you from your lessons. Nice try, though!”
“Worth a shot.”
I look up at the sprig of mistletoe hanging just above the doorway. It dangles there, a playful little challenge, and I glance at Aydin to see if he’s noticed it too. Our eyes lock, and his lips curl into that smile of his, the one that always makes my heart skip a beat. “How about we start the next lesson with more kissing? You know, for the sake of immersive learning.”
“I like the way you think.”
I feel the heat of his body pressing against mine, anchoring me in the here and now. My hands find their way to his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips, a mirror of my own as his lips meet mine.
“So,” he says, his tone turning playful once more, “does this mean you’re officially a Christmas convert?”
I pretend to ponder, tapping my chin with exaggerated thoughtfulness. “Hmm, well, I guess it’s starting to warm on me.”
“Only starting?”
“Alright, fine,” I admit, grinning up at him. “But if you keep kissing me like that, Santa might have some serious competition.”
He laughs, the sound rich and warm, and pulls me into a tight embrace. “Santa’s got nothing on me, Green Eyes.”
We begin to head back to our room, my arm looped through his, and as we walk, I can’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe, Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
I still draw the line at sitting on Santa’s lap. A girl’s got to have standards, after all.
THE END