Chapter 19
19
CHRISTMAS
T he smell of pie, whisky, and roasting turkey filled Doug’s house, mingling with the piney aroma of the garlands strung across the mantle and the soft glow of twinkling Christmas lights. Emily sat cross-legged near the Christmas tree, passing gifts to Lila and Jack. Lila, glowing and visibly pregnant, smiled as she opened another package for the baby.
“Another one for your growing little one,” Emily teased, handing her a box wrapped in golden paper.
Lila laughed, resting her hand on her belly. “This baby’s going to need their own condo at this rate.”
Jack leaned over to peer at the gift, a set of adorable tiny socks. “I’m starting to think I should’ve registered for a toolset instead. The baby has more stuff than I do.”
“Stop whining,” Lila teased. “I think you’re just jealous the baby has better fashion sense.”
Doug chuckled from his armchair, his mug of coffee in hand. “You’d better get used to it, Jack. That little one’s going to be the center of the universe around here.”
“Not just around here,” Emily added with a grin. “Pretty sure this baby’s about to own Mistletoe Hollow.”
Jack smirked but didn’t argue, clearly reveling in his new role. Lila leaned over, nudging him with her shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ll still get to feel important… occasionally.”
The warmth in the room was palpable, the kind of joy Emily had longed for most of her life. She smiled as she handed Doug another gift, the paper crinkling under his hand as he opened it.
Inside was a beautifully carved wooden birdhouse. Doug whistled appreciatively. “This is going to make the blue jays jealous.”
“Nurse Nancy might be jealous too,” Lila teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “You’ll have to explain why you’re spending so much time with the birds instead of her.”
Doug’s ears reddened as he cleared his throat. “Nancy and I have an understanding. I’ve got room in my life for birds and her.”
Emily and Lila burst out laughing as Jack raised his coffee mug in mock salute. “To Dad, the master juggler of relationships.”
Doug chuckled, shaking his head. “You kids think you’re so clever. Don’t forget who’s carving the turkey.”
The laughter was interrupted by a knock at the door. Emily frowned. “Expecting anyone else?”
Doug shook his head, rising to answer. Moments later, he returned with Sarah in tow. Dressed in a fur-lined coat and perfectly applied red lipstick, she swept into the room with the dramatic flourish Emily had come to expect.
“Merry Christmas!” Sarah declared, her smile as sharp as a blade.
The room went quiet as the warmth seemed to dim. Emily stood, her stomach sinking. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
“It’s Christmas, darling,” Sarah said, brushing an invisible speck off her coat. “Surely you didn’t think I’d spend it alone.”
Doug’s jaw tightened slightly, but he remained polite. “Would you like some coffee, Sarah?”
“No, thank you,” Sarah replied, her tone syrupy. “I’m here to talk to Emily.”
Emily’s heart sank further, but she nodded and gestured toward the kitchen. “Let’s talk.”
Once inside, away from the warmth of the family gathering, Emily turned to face her mother. “What is it, Mom?”
Sarah sighed theatrically, placing a hand over her chest. “I came to apologize, Emily. For the misunderstanding about the garden funds.”
“Misunderstanding?” Emily repeated, her voice sharp. “You stole from the community.”
“I was desperate,” Sarah said, her tone taking on a practiced air of remorse. “You have no idea what that feels like.”
Emily’s hands clenched into fists. “You’re right—I don’t. Because every time you were desperate, I was the one cleaning up your messes. But not anymore.”
Sarah’s expression hardened. “You make me sound like some kind of monster. I’m your mother, Emily. ”
“You’re my mother,” Emily said, her voice trembling. “But that doesn’t mean I have to keep covering for you. I’ve spent my whole life trying to fix things for you, and I’m done.”
Sarah’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So this is it? You’re abandoning me?”
“I’m not abandoning you,” Emily said firmly. “I’m choosing to stop abandoning myself.”
Sarah stared at her for a long moment before straightening her coat. “Well. If that’s how you feel, I won’t stay where I’m not welcome.”
Emily stepped aside, her heart pounding as Sarah swept out of the kitchen and out of the house.
The moment the door clicked shut, Doug appeared in the kitchen doorway. He didn’t say anything, just opened his arms, and Emily walked into them without hesitation.
“You okay, kiddo?” he asked, his voice soft.
Emily nodded, though tears slid down her cheeks. “I think so. I just… I couldn’t keep doing it, Doug.”
He squeezed her gently. “You did the right thing. Standing up for yourself doesn’t mean you don’t love her. It just means you love yourself too. ”
Emily laughed through her tears, the weight in her chest easing. “Thank you. For everything.”
Lila appeared then, slipping an arm around Emily’s shoulders. “We’ve got your back, Em. Always.”
Jack poked his head into the kitchen, holding up a tray of cookies. “Hate to interrupt, but if someone doesn’t stop me, I’m going to eat these and the turkey.”
Doug chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder as he led them all back into the living room. “Good thing I know how to carve under pressure.”
As the family settled back into the warmth of the holiday, Emily felt lighter than she had in years. She wasn’t just free from her mother’s shadow—she was surrounded by a family who truly cared for her.