~*~
“Are you ready?” Flynn checked her appearance in the mirror.
Pale green dress with cap sleeves, sweetheart neckline, full skirt that swirled around her knees. Red belt. Red strappy sandals. In deference to the growing heat outside, she had her hair back in a ponytail but had tied it with a jaunty red ribbon. Nothing like the festive colours.
“I’ve been ready for ages,” Ben called from the lounge room.
“As if.” Picking up her handbag, she walked out to join him.
In the doorway, she paused to study the man waiting for her. Hands in the pockets of his grey pants, black dress shoes, cool pale blue, short-sleeved button-up shirt, hair neatly combed. He smiled as his gaze swept appreciatively over her. “Nice.”
“Why thank you, kind sir.” She did a little curtsy. “So glad I meet with your approval.”
“You could be wearing rags and you’d meet my approval.” Crossing to her, he offered his elbow. “I really like you in your birthday suit.”
“Cheeky.” She grinned.
“Ready?”
“Yep.”
He led her from the house, locking the door behind them. The day was already warm, the promise of hotter weather to come.
Tipping her head back, Flynn breathed deeply. The air carried the scent of baking - some were brave enough to put the oven on in summer - freshly watered gardens, and some non-festive person had actually mowed their lawn this morning. Or maybe they hadn’t gotten around to it and were panicking because visitors were due to arrive any minute.
The reminder of family gave her a little pang but she firmly pushed it away. She’d extended the olive branch, it was for them to take it or leave it, she refused to shoulder their burden. She had Ben, she didn’t need anyone else. And Scruff and Phoebe, they too were part of her family. She had her own little family.
Glancing at Ben, she smiled inside. He might not know it, but they were going to be sharing Christmases until they were old and grey. And beyond.
They were almost at the car when a taxi pulled in right behind them, the doors opening to disgorge a very sheepish group.
Ben and Flynn halted. Not knowing their intentions, she didn’t know whether to be thrilled, hopeful or alarmed.
Ben took her hand firmly in his as they faced her family together.
“So…um…hi,” Gram offered.
“Hi.” Flynn felt a trickle of hope.
Gramma moved forward slowly. “Merry Christmas, dear.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Everyone politely exchanged pleasantries then stood facing each other awkwardly.
Ben gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.
Her courage bolstered by his calm support, she smiled at her family. “Come to visit?”
Gramma’s face lightened. “Are we still welcome?”
“Of course.”
Gramma held out her arms. “Come here.”
Before Flynn could do more than take two steps, Gram bustled in to hug her, neatly edging Gramma out.
Gramma’s lips tightened but she said not one word.
Stepping back, Gram looked Flynn right in the eyes. “We owe you a big apology.”
Automatically, Flynn started to say, “Oh, of course not. There’s nothing to-”
“Yeah, we do, so stop interrupting.”
“Joy!” Gramma bustled up, nudged Gram out of the way. Then, placing her hands on Flynn’s arms, she shook her head. “We’re so sorry, Flynn. Ben was right, we have been the most rude and ungrateful guests.”
Sally muttered something.
“Speak up,” Gram ordered.
“I said, I’m sorry.” Sally folded her arms. “Sid wasn’t your fault, Flynn.”
“No,” said Gram. “It was that idiotic social media and befriending perfect strangers as your best ever friends in the whole wide world before you even knew them properly.”
“I know.”
“Trust too easily.”
“I know.”
“Next thing you know your boyfriend is gone, your car is sold, and someone’s living in your house.”
“I know, okay?”
“Just saying.”
“And only the first part happened.”
“That you know of.”
“Joy,” Gramma said.
“Okay. But Flynn was right, someone here is getting on my nerves.”
“Joy!”
Sally scowled but remained silent.
Ben’s lips twitched as he met Flynn’s eyes.
“So anyway.” Gramma’s hands slid down to catch Flynn’s. “Dear, we are so sorry. I had no idea how self-centred we were until Ben came and gave us a…er…talking to.”
“And the cops,” Dax offered. “And the motel manager.”
“And Archie and Rocky,” Gram added. “Boy, that surprised me. Also made me hot. Rocky, that is. Him going all Neanderthal was hot. Archie just left me cold. He doesn’t do it for me.”
Sally shuddered.
That they were actually here, actually apologising, had Flynn’s heart lifting. “It’s all water under the bridge now. Let’s move forward.”
“Not quite.” Gramma hesitated. “You see, I didn’t really have any plans for Christmas. Your invitation came and I thought why not? I wanted to see you, and I was really pleased that you invited me. I was looking forward to it.”
“Yep.” Gram nodded. “Same here.”
“In fact, I was enjoying it. Right up until…well, you know.”
Flynn sure as heck did. Right up until she’d tried to make peace where no one apparently needed it. Except herself, obviously.
Gramma straightened her shoulders. “Anyway, being told a few home truths does a body good, keeps us on the straight and narrow. And Flynn, you are sweet.”
“Yeah,” said Gram. “Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Dax stepped forward. “I’m sorry about the darkness crack.”
“That’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. It was cruel.” He paused, looked at her out of - holy cow, one pale green eye, one pale red.
Christmas colours, anyone?
“Ben had every right to say what he did. I had plans, but I didn’t bother to tell you, and I thought coming here would be better than my own plans anyway so I made the choice. I’m sorry.” He stepped back, his white-painted face earnest.
Flynn looked around at them all. Smiled widely. “Well.” She beamed up at Ben.
His eyes twinkled as he looked at the family. “So, joining us for Christmas dinner?”
“You bet.” Gram rubbed her hands together. “Lead me to it.”
“It’s only nine o’clock.”
“There are snacks to tide us over, right?”
“I am hungry.” Sally started for the veranda.
“Hold on.” Flynn held out a hand.
In the midst of following Sally, the family stopped.
“Christmas Day,” Flynn said. “It’s a special day.”
They all nodded.
“So we celebrate it in a special way.”
“Of course, dear.” Gramma nodded.
“You don’t mind celebrating it with us in our special way?”
“Delighted.” Gramma looked around at everyone. “Right?”
“Sure,” said Sally.
“Absolutely,” Dax agreed.
“Let’s celebrate,” Gram said. “I’m all about celebrating.”
It was pretty obvious that they were all taking great pains to be agreeable in an attempt to make up for their earlier behaviour. No time like now, then.
“I’m so pleased to hear it,” Flynn said cheerfully. “Gram, you drive a car, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Ben?”
Obviously knowing what was coming, he grinned while handing her the house keys which also had her car keys attached.
Flynn unlocked her car before handing the keys to Gram. “You’ll all fit in my car.”
Bewildered, the fam
ily looked at each other.
“Where are we going?” Gramma asked.
“Church.”
“What?” Sally squawked.
“Christmas Day morning service,” Flynn said. “To remember the reason for the season.”
“Why church?” Dax asked in dismay, for the first time showing some emotion.
“This is the time to give thanks.”
“Church and I really don’t get on,” Gram protested.
“This is the one time of the year when we remember why we have Christmas.”
“It’s been a long time since I went to church,” Gramma confessed.
“Then prepare to partake of some festive joy.” Flynn smiled.
“I don’t do church,” Sally said.
“Today,” Flynn said quietly, “you do. This is the time for love, for family. We should be doing it all year, but as this is the one time we’re all together, it’s the one opportunity to share a little peace and remembrance. Now get in the freakin’ car.”
They all got into the car without another word.
Ben managed to keep a straight face right up until they pulled onto the road in his car, Flynn’s car loaded with bemused family on their tail. Only then did he start to chuckle.
Flynn caught sight of Scruff and Phoebe’s heads side-by-side as they sat at the lounge room window watching them leave. She waved to Archie, waved to Rocky. They waved back. Archie was getting ready to go to his daughter’s for Christmas Day while Rocky was preparing to receive some rowdy guests.
“Now you have your family Christmas.” Ben had stopped laughing but he was still amused.
“Yep.” She looked at him. “But I have two families.”
“Oh?”
“I have Gramma, Gram, Dax and Sally.”
“You sure do.”
“But then I have you, Scruff and Phoebe. You’re my family.”
His gaze was tender. “You definitely do.”
“Gramma, Gram, Dax and Sally will go after Boxing Day.”
“Yep.”
“But me and you, we’ll still be together.” She waited to see what he’d say.
He didn’t hesitate. “Together for every Christmas, Flynn. Just us and the two furries.” This time when he glanced briefly at her, there was a softness to his eyes that promised everything.
Promised the world.
Her heart was full to bursting. “If we weren’t driving, I’d hug you right now.”
This time his smile had a touch of wickedness. “I’ll collect later when we’re alone, trust me. Meanwhile…” Ben switched on the radio, a soft Christmas carol filling the car. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
She sighed happily. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
####
Afterword
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
May the blessings of the Season be with You & Yours, both human and furry/scaly/ feathery - whatever family you have!
Cheers
Angela
2017
BIO
Angela Verdenius lives in Australia where she is ruled by her cats, adores reading, and thinks a perfect day is writing and drinking Diet Coke, followed by reading or a good horror movie. She has a weakness for potato chips, Pavlova & rainy days.
To date, she has written numerous novels in both sci-fi and contemporary romances, 2 novellas, and several short stories, one of which is a zombie story she had great fun writing. Her books have won many reviewers’ awards, as well as having been on the Fictionwise best-seller list and winning the Golden Rose Award.
Connect with Angela:
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Keep reading for a list of all available books in both ebook and print.
Other Books by this Author
Contemporary Romances
Big Girls Lovin’ trilogy
Doctor’s Delight
Cop’s Passion
Vet’s Desire
The Lawson Boys duet
The Lawson Boys: Alex
The Lawson Boys: Marty
The Virgin Sex Queen
The Mackay Sisters duet
Call on Me
Lean on Me
Seducing Sam
Adam’s Thorn
The Goodbye Girl
The Gully’s Fall series
Burn for You
Fall for You
Lie to Me
Fly with Me
You’re the One
Second Chance
Promises
The Wells Brothers trilogy
The Wells Brothers: Aaron
The Wells Brothers: Blue
Echoes
Novellas Contemporary Holiday Romance
Christmas Blue at Flynn’s
Heart & Soul sci-fi romance series
Heart of an Outlaw
Soul of a Mercenary
Heart of the Betrayed
Love’s Sweet Assassin
Soul of a Hunter
Love’s Bewitching Thief
Heart of the Forsaken
Soul of a Witch
Heart of a Traitor
Soul of the Forgotten
Love’s Beguiling Healer
Heart of a Peacekeeper
Soul of a Predator
Love’s Winsome Warrior
Heart of a Smuggler
Soul of a Guardian
Love, Heart & Soul Moments
Shattered Soul
Box Set
Heart & Soul bks 1 - 4
Heart & Soul bks 5 - 8
Novellas sci-fi
Operation Seduction (BBW)
Blast from the Past
Free Short Stories
Zombie Hospital
Perceptions
Novellas Written under the pen name Ang Kemp
Devilish Men series
Devil in the Kitchen
Devil on a Hunt
Table of Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8