It’s Christmas Eve, and I’m wrapping the last of the gifts from my pile on the table when a knock on the door has me seriously considering putting that do not disturb sign up. At least until after the baby is born. It’s seven o’clock on Christmas Eve. Who the hell is knocking on doors when presents need to be wrapped and people are spending time with their family?
I get up from the dining chair and place the roll of tape down before waddling to the door. Yes, it seems that waddling was inevitable. This huge belly and swelling feet kind of make it hard to do anything else.
I look through the peephole and see a face that has me freezing on the spot and cursing myself for thinking that this day wouldn’t come.
Zeke and his mom have an okay relationship. It works for them. She would call once a month, and he’d answer. We’d see her every Christmas without fail, and the two of us got along well enough that she’d randomly come over for coffee sometimes when she was home.
Despite her living in town, she’s probably here maybe four months out of the year due to the company she works for being based in London. I think the only reason she keeps any roots here at all is for Zeke, which has me wondering if she even knows about the baby or what happened. Not likely, as the last time I’d spoken to her had been via a comment on her Facebook wall for her birthday last month. I felt pretty shitty for doing that, but I just couldn’t bring myself to call her. We may get along well, but we never got to that point in our relationship where I felt comfortable to call and see how she was doing. Possibly because I only saw her a few times a year.
“Zeke? Olive? Anyone home?” She knocks again. Shit.
All the lights are on, so I can’t exactly act as if I’m not. But I damn well feel like trying. I can’t do that to her, though. She’s about to be a grandmother and has a right to know. Linda’s another person affected by her son’s actions, and she doesn’t even know it yet. I take a deep breath and open the door. Then I brace myself with a fake smile plastered on my face.
“Olive! What on earth took you so long? It’s freezing out here and …”
She stops talking. Her mouth hangs open in a state of shock when she sees my ginormous stomach. If it wasn’t for the awning over the porch, it’d be catching snow. Her stunning features morph from shock to confusion when she returns that familiar hazel gaze to my face. Eyes so much like her sons begin to question me without words.
“Hi, Linda, come on in. Apparently, we have a lot to talk about.”
“So he’s just gone? I don’t understand. I knew he maybe had certain controlling tendencies, but to just leave you with a baby?” She shakes her head in disbelief while clutching her coffee mug in a vise-like grip next to me on the couch. “It just seems so unlike him.”
I nod while staring into my own mug of tea. After making our drinks, she sat me down and demanded to know everything. So I told her; no sense in trying to protect someone who doesn’t deserve it at this point. If he has an issue with his mom knowing, then he knows where to find me. But he also had to know she’d find out eventually.
“I’m so sorry, Olive. I wish I could smack some sense into him. I can’t believe this.”
“Get in line.” I smirk.
“And you? You’ve probably been scared out of your damn mind, not to mention heartbroken.” Apologies for something that isn’t her fault bleed from her gaze.
“I’m doing okay. The first few months were hard, like a blur, and extremely confusing. I’m just angry more than anything now. It’s probably time to let go of that soon, though. I’m running out of steam as it is.”
But it feels as if it’s going to be impossible to fully disengage my heart from a betrayal of this magnitude. I can only hope that one day the hurt lessens enough to be able to seep out through the cracks of my heart, so then I can seal it back up. Even if it’s a little worse for wear than before all this mess began.
“I’m just ready to meet this baby and keep moving forward.”
She directs a smile toward my stomach and reaches over to touch it, so I sit back a bit. “Not long to go then; I can’t believe you’re waiting to find out what you’re having. I just had to know with Zeke.” The mention of his name is like a needle piercing the skin.
“Double the excitement that way. And the time has flown by these past couple of months. Some days, I can’t wait for this pregnancy to be over, but then a part of me can’t imagine not being pregnant at the same time.” I shrug.
“It all becomes a distant memory once that baby is placed in your arms,” she remarks while feeling a nudge to her palm that has her laughing lightly.
“So you’re staying for Christmas?”
“Of course. I’ll be over tomorrow morning, bright and early.”
Despite being a blaring reminder of everything I’m trying to let go of, the thought of spending Christmas with another person is appealing. Millie will be with her mom and family, but she promised to come over in the afternoon as soon as she could escape.
“Have you already been to the house?” Her lack of luggage has me assuming she has.
She takes the last gulp of coffee from her mug before nodding. “I got in a few hours ago and unpacked before heading straight here.”
“It’s all okay? Are the Harrison’s still taking care of things for you while you’re away?”
“Yes, yes. Now, what are you doing about work, money? How are you coping with all that?”
I finish the last of my tea and place my cup on the coffee table. “I’m still working for Ken and Wilma, and I actually just started maternity leave not long ago. I’m thinking about returning to work after bub is born, too. After a couple of months anyway. We’ve already started tossing around the idea of potentially having me work from home for them a few days a week.”
“One income, though. We all know Ken and Wilma will take care of you in that regard, but it’s still going to be tough.” She scrubs her hands down her cheeks. “Oh good heavens, I could kill him for this.”
I gently take a hand from her face and hold it in my mine. “It’s okay, Linda. Really. Gran and Pa left me an inheritance. This house was theirs, and it’s paid off. I’ll be comfortable for some time. Please, don’t worry.”
She looks at me for a moment. “Okay, all right.” She nods her head. “Good, but Jesus. I’ll be having words with him if it’s the last thing I do. You raise a child for eighteen years, and you think you know them then they turn around and make you age ten years by acting like a completely different person.” She huffs while going to stand. She grabs our mugs and walks to the kitchen after ordering, “Do not move, young lady.”
I’m all too happy to do as I’m told. I wonder if I can spend the next four weeks on the couch. The necessary pee breaks kind of squash that dream, though.
She comes back with her handbag over her shoulder and brushes her hand over the side of my face when I look up at her, making my heart clench slightly.
“Sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning. I’ll flip the lock on my way out.” Then she’s gone. Her heels clip on the wood floor before I hear the door being pulled closed behind her. As I sit there, I can’t help but wonder how much further the consequences of Zeke’s actions will spread. How many more people will be affected by them before the shadow of his absence finally lifts from our lives.
Linda arrived bright and early, as promised, and set to work preparing a small Christmas lunch for us, which smells absolutely divine. I’m sitting at the dining table, and watching her flit about the kitchen, setting timers, and washing up, I feel pretty useless really. But she’s adamant that I stay off my feet, which I appreciate even though I feel kind of bad about it. Usually, we’d be in there together with Zeke sitting where I am now, listening to us chat while we prepare the food.
I’m luckily pulled from melancholy thoughts with a knock on the door. Linda puts away the last dish before turning to me with a questioning look. “Expecting anyone?” I already told her about Millie showing up this afternoon. I shake my head and go to get up to answer it, but the pointed glare she sends my way while marching to the door has me firmly rooted in my seat again. I put my book down and turn slightly to see if I can hear who it might be.
“Hey, ah, is Liv here?” Seb. Oh, shit.
“That depends; who are you?”
I’m scooting my chair back and hauling myself to the door within record time. I’m arriving in the entryway when a short, curvy, blond ball of energy shoves her way past everyone and heads straight for me. I’m sure the look on my face is comical. What the f–? I’m engulfed in the kind of hug that should be impossible to give to a woman who’s eight months pregnant. But this woman pulls it off, even if I don’t exactly reciprocate. I pat her on the back awkwardly while looking at an apologetic Seb over her shoulder and another man. He’s the spitting image of Seb but older with striking blue eyes instead of brown and gray scattered within a head full of dark brown hair. A friendly smile on his face at what I’m guessing is his wife’s shenanigans.
The woman pulls back, and her hands grasp my shoulders while she smiles up into my face. “Liv, my darling. Finally! I’ve heard so much about you that I feel as if I already know you. I’m Grace.” The smile and her loving demeanor instantly put me at ease. Those familiar dark brown eyes set in a beautiful, softly lined face also help. I give her a genuine smile in return. “Nice to meet you too. I was actually hoping to get a chance to thank you for your gift while you’re in town.”
Her smile turns mischievous for a split second, so quick that I almost miss it. I know instantly that this woman doesn’t do anything in half measures. She steps back slightly, waving a hand about. “Ooohhhh, it’s no problem at all, really.” She gestures toward Seb who’s closing the front door.
“When Seb came home over Thanksgiving and mentioned he wanted to get your little bub something, I was all too pleased to help him. Nothing sweeter than shopping for babies. It’s so exciting.” Her face lights up with a huge smile as she claps her hands together in emphasis. I hear a loud choking sound and look over to find Linda giving a coughing Seb the side-eye with a bewildered look on her face, probably due to the unexpected company. But I ignore them when what she said suddenly registers in my brain. “What do you mean Seb wanted to—”
“Annnnd that’s enough now, Mom. Give her a little breathing room, yeah?” Grace looks like it’s her birthday and someone said there’s no more cake left as her son wraps an arm around her shoulder to move her farther away from me.
“Liv, this is my dad, Greg. Dad, this is Olive.” Greg steps forward and shakes my hand gently while saying, “Nice to finally meet you, Olive.” I return the sentiment before he takes a step back.
It’s then I remember poor Linda, who looks confused as hell.
“Oh, um, this is Linda everyone. Linda, this is my friend Seb and his family. They’re in town visiting for Christmas.”
“Yes,” Grace chimes in, “we’d normally celebrate at our place, but my other son is at his in-laws and our Seb here can’t get that much time away from work. I hope you two don’t mind us intruding, but I just thought well, it’s Christmas. A pregnant woman needs her Christmas feast. Not to mention after everything you’ve been through, I just needed to set my eyes on you and see for myself that you’re doing okay. Poor darling.” Her bottom lip juts out as she reaches over to rub my arm soothingly. From anyone else, the pity would annoy me, but I kind of already love this woman. Even if she does seem slightly overbearing.
Linda suddenly speaks up. “Well, I guess the more, the merrier. I just popped some potato casserole in the oven to have with some ham. I’m sure there should be enough for everyone.”
“Oh, Seb, be a dear and get the food from the car, would you?” Grace says before turning and heading into my kitchen, muttering something about getting bowls ready. Her husband takes a seat at the dining table, pulling out a newspaper after Linda offers him a coffee.
And that’s how I end up spending Christmas with my ex’s mother and Seb’s family.
The next half-hour is a whirlwind of food prep and chatter between Linda, Grace, and I while Seb and his father move to the living room after being ordered by Grace to stay out of the way. We all avoid the topic of Zeke, even though the Mathews probably know exactly who Linda is. The photos of Zeke and I have long been taken down from around the house, but I snuck one out last night of Linda, Zeke, and I after Linda went home, which is sitting on top of one of my bookcases. Maybe they’re just like their son. Too polite to ask questions, especially when they can figure out the answers to them themselves.
We eat in relative silence. I’m famished, and I’m stuffing food in my mouth like it’s the last time I’ll ever have a home-cooked meal, which might just be true for a little while. Seb looked noticeably uncomfortable, being seated right next to Linda. She’s hard to dislike, though, and I think she won him over. I’m about to get up and help clear the table when both Linda and Grace practically growl at me. Ohhhkay then.
Greg excuses himself to use the bathroom, which leaves me alone with Seb while I hear the dishes getting started in the kitchen.
He’s the first to speak, moving over to sit next to me. “Fuck Liv, I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “I sent a text to warn you. I’m guessing you didn’t see it, which is fair enough as I only had about a two-minute warning myself. When my mom’s on a mission, she doesn’t quit until it’s complete. She’s also pretty damn calculating when she wants to be.” He quickly glances in the direction of the kitchen. “I was just leaving to come over and check on you and give you your Christmas present then, out of nowhere, she’s got my keys and is packing my car full of food and shit.” He starts rubbing his temples, which makes me smile.
“Dude, calm down. It’s okay. Was it unexpected? Uh, yes. But it’s nice to have a full house. Your parents seem awesome.”
He smiles back at me, and I kind of just stare into his eyes like some kind of creeper. But shit, they’re so pretty with those dark, long lashes. Those brown orbs are swimming with affection as he lifts a hand and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. I think I stop breathing as he leans in a bit closer. I lower my gaze to those perfect, slightly parted lips of his. Lips that I should have no business wanting, but for some reason, I desperately wish they’d touch mine. His finger drifts down along my jaw before making its way to the corner of my lips. I close my eyes, breathing in the smell of mint and some kind of laundry detergent.
He whispers when he says, “You have some gravy.” He swipes his finger at the corner of my lips. My eyes swing wide open. “Right here.”
Then he’s smirking at me like the dirty tease he is before righting himself in his chair.
What the fuck just happened?
He puts said finger in his mouth and sucks the drop of gravy off at the same time Linda and Grace sing, “Present time!” simultaneously.
I have a feeling they’ve bonded a little too much in that kitchen of mine.
I’m relieved I got something for Seb’s parents in case I saw them for Christmas and to return the gesture. A gesture that I’m now thinking was Seb’s doing and not solely his mom like he said. My heart flutters in my chest at this latest discovery.
We all move to the living room, and Seb offers a hand to help me up. I’m still in a bit of a daze over what just happened, which is only made worse when I’m sitting on the couch, opening various gifts from Linda, a couple from Grace and Greg for the baby, and a gift voucher for the spa in town. Which I’m looking forward to using. And finally Seb, who got me the new fancy Kindle. My jaw drops.
“This is too much.” I turn to him. He just nudges me with his knee and smirks again. “Seriously, Seb. This had to cost a lot of money.”
“You like it?”
My eyes widen. “Is that a trick question? I don’t just like it; I’m in love with it. I’ve been meaning to upgrade for a while, but this, this is the ultimate upgrade …” I trail off as I clutch the black box to my chest like a kid on Christmas.
“Then my money has been well spent.” He grins, showing that dimple. One of these days, I’m going to poke it. Or lick it. Yikes, what the hell has gotten into me? Nothing. Which might just be the problem. But I know it’s not only that.
“I feel kind of lame for the present I gave you now. Way to show me up, Sebastian,” I tease to try to lighten this feeling creeping into my chest. He scowls at the use of his full name. I hear his dad chuckle, though.
All I got for him was a gift card for the fitness store in town.
“Don’t be ridiculous. that boy is out running or at the gym at least five days a week. It’s perfect,” Grace interjects. Seb throws a glare at her before shrugging my way. “What she said.”
I start to laugh before I see Linda looking our way out of the corner of my eye. The curious look on her face has me ducking my head and fiddling with the box in my hands. I know she must be wondering what the hell is going on with her son’s ex-girlfriend—when she only just found out they broke up—and the guy she’s sitting next to. I’m kind of wondering that myself, so I wouldn’t even know what to say or where to even begin explaining this new friendship of ours.
Millie arrives a while later with a “what the hell did I just walk into” expression plastered all over her face. I quickly fill her in as she and I exchange gifts while the others are cleaning up after dessert and taking the trash out for me. “This is crazy, Liv. I mean, having Zeke’s and Seb’s moms in the same room is insane, let alone acting like they’re new BFFs.”
I cover my mouth to keep my laughter quiet. “I know, right? I feel like I’ve legit entered the twilight zone.” I shrug. “But it’s also kind of cool; I know Linda is struggling with what Zeke has done, so I think focusing her attention on me and this baby might be helping with that. I know firsthand that having distractions and friends helps a troubled heart.” I nudge her with my elbow. She smiles before squishing one of my cheeks playfully then reaches down to touch my belly—something she’s constantly doing, but I don’t really mind.
“Little nug, you there? You’re about to enter a wonderful and sometimes weird world, but don’t worry. Aunty Mil’s got your back.” She bends down to cover it in smooches through my red maternity maxi dress. I throw my head back on a laugh just as Seb enters the room. I look up to find him watching us as he leans against the arched wall entry to the living room, amusement dancing in his dark eyes and a tiny smile pulling at one side of his lips. Lips I thought were going to kiss me just a few hours ago. My stomach flips at the memory, and I’m pretty sure it’s not the baby this time.
“We’re about to head off; thought you’d probably start getting tired soon.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine. Did you guys need a hand in there?”
He shakes his head, straightening from the wall to his full six-foot-three height. “All good, just wanted to say thanks for being such a good sport about your unexpected guests. And the gift.”
“Are you kidding? Your mom’s chocolate mint pie was amazing. She’s welcome to come barreling through my front door anytime.”
He gives me that warm, deep laugh of his. Millie helps me up, and we make our way to the front of the house to say our goodbyes, thank yous, and Merry Christmases.
I stand on my porch with Millie on one side with her arm around my waist and Linda on my other side waving eagerly at her new friend. We watch as they pile into Seb’s truck and back out of the driveway. I sigh as a whole new feeling of contentment washes over me like a tidal wave.
I almost forgot what it felt like.