Chapter 50
Every time I walk into the living room my eyes are instantly drawn to the scrawny, lopsided, mangey tree propped up in the corner by the fireplace.
It’s overflowing with ornaments. The garland is pooling at the bottom because there wasn’t enough branches to hold all of it.
But it doesn’t make me angry. Every time I look at that tree all I can see is Liv’s eyes and the thank you she gave me for the tree.
I grunt and turn away from it. Morella and Liv have all us guys gathered in the living room. They said they had a surprise for us. They’ve been giggling in their room for an eternity and are finally coming back into the living room, their hands behind their backs.
Evan is shaking his head smiling at the floor. Silas is fidgeting in his seat, impatiently waiting while Archer rolls his eyes at him. I’m just watching and waiting for the next disaster.
“So, what is it?” Silas asks excitedly. Liv chuckles and wiggles her eyebrows.
“You guys are gonna love it.” She says looking at Morella. “Close your eyes.”
Evan and Silas instantly close their eyes. No questions asked. Archer looks skeptical. He glances to me and I just shake my head. Always up to something.
“We’re not handing them out until you all close your eyes.” Morella scolds.
“Ouch.” I look over to see Silas’ elbow in Archer’s side. He grumbles something but closes his eyes any way.
The girls look to me, toes tapping away on the ground. I roll my eyes, sigh again and close my eyes.
There’s some shuffling. There’s mumbling a few, ‘one for you, and you’ and then I feel something placed in my lap. It’s not heavy, but it is very soft. I can hear the girls pad away and squeak, trying to contain their excitement.
“Ok open!” They shout together.
I open my eyes and see the girls have dropped their plush robes and are sporting matching Christmas onesies. My stomach sinks and I slowly look down to find a matching set laying in my lap. I shake my head. “Hell no.” I say.
Silas jumps up, holding his out in front of him. “Hell yes!” He starts stripping his clothes causing Morella to cover her eyes. Liv however, her gaze is stuck on Silas’ nipple rings. He strips down to his boxers and then pulls the onesie on and zips it up.
“I look hot.” He says as he rests his hands on his hips and strikes a pose.
Morella peeks through her fingers and starts laughing along with Liv. Archer looks uncomfortable but he stands and heads for the bathroom shrugging at me on his way past. Evan stands up and copies Silas. Stripping right then and there. Its my turn to cover my eyes cause what the fuck?
“This is awesome.” He says and I assume it’s safe to look again. Evan and Silas are standing next to each other, arms linked as the girls take a photo of them. A few seconds later Archer walks out of the bathroom looking grumpier than me.
“Oh you look so cute!” Liv squeals and pulls him in for a hug. He tries to stay annoyed but he can’t. Not when she looks at him like that. My heart squeezes at the thought.
Everyone turns to me in that moment. “What?” I ask. “I’m not putting this on.” I say as I hold up the pjs.
“Oh come on! Please!” Morella begs.
“Nah. Not happening little sister. You get one dress up day a year. And you used it up for a stupid Dalmatian costume.” I toss the pajamas over the arm of my chair and I lean back pulling out my phone and start to scroll.
“Ugh. You’re no fun.” She says. I peek over the top of my phone to see her and Evan taking a selfie. I scoff and my gaze drags to Liv. She’s looking at the discarded pajamas. I notice a bead of a tear well in her eyes before she quickly blinks it away.
I sigh, defeated and drop my phone. I stand and pull my shirt over my head.
Liv’s hopeful stare is clinging to me and my god does it heat my insides.
I undo my belt as I stare at her and drop my pants.
I don’t miss the way she bites her lower lip.
She may be trying to be subtle but I catch it anyway.
I shake my head and grab the pjs and pull them on. Silas and Archer are nodding and smiling. Morella and Evan finally turns around and Morella literally jumps for joy.
“Yay!” She runs over and hugs me just as I finish with the zipper. “I knew you’d come around.”
I give her a slight pat on her back and a tight lipped smile. “Yeah, yeah.”
After dinner the girls and Evan are laying on their stomachs in front of the fire, reading a book. They keep giggling between themselves as they read. Archer has been watching intently and Silas is in the kitchen looking for more snacks. He truly is a bottomless pit.
“Hey? What’s this?” He asks, holding up a box.
We all look over and the girls gasp. Archer and I almost panic.
“Oh my gosh we almost forgot!” Liv yells. Her and Morella scramble to their feet and run into the kitchen.
On the other side they take the box from Silas’ hands and turn it around so everyone can see.
“Gingerbread houses!” They shriek.
I jump up out of my seat. “Oh hell yeah. I’m so in!”
“Of course you are.” My sister says to me as she tears open the box.
Liv helps Silas grab the other boxes.
“Let’s make it a competition.” Evan suggests.
I smirk at him, “Oh you’re on.”
Everyone gathers their items and we all stand around the island working on our houses. Morella and Evan are sort of working together. Silas and Archer keep messing with Liv’s trying to sabotage her. I opted to stay farther away so no one could mess with mine. I’m so winning this thing.
I stand back and look over my creation. It’s glorious.
From the house, to the walkway and gumdrop trees all the way to the snowmen out front.
But it’s missing something…The icicles on the roof…
Powdered sugar. I step away and dig through the cabinets until I find a container.
I scoop out some powdered sugar and sprinkle it on top.
Liv gasps and when I look over her eyes are dazzling. Her smile is wide and she looks awestruck. “Oh Rafe it’s amazing!”
I smile and admire my work, nodding along with her praise. “Thanks.” I say.
“Oh dude. How are we supposed to compete with that?” Evan says looking from his monstrosity to mine.
I shrug and smirk.
“Well, I think we know who won that.” Morella laughs.
I catch Liv staring at me and I give her a soft smile. She smiles back and then looks away shyly. I look around at my little makeshift family and the fun we’re having. This is actually turning out to be a the best trip yet.