chuckle. “I wouldn’t want you to give it up just because I wanted it.”
“I take all that back. I’m lucky. Now, kiss me.”
“Sorry, we have plans—boxes, put together the bed, picnic, questions,” I ramble off the agenda for the next few hours before adding at the end, “and then I’ll take advantage of you.”
“Questions? You mean, our game?”
My face still hovering inches above hers, I smile down to her. “Of course. No picnic could be complete without a game of Would You Rather?”
Lily laughs. “Don’t you know everything there already is to know about me, Jax?”
“Maybe,” I concede. “But I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure. The ways in which you amaze me are infinite. So, even if I know the majority of your answers before you say them, there are always times when you surprise me, and I learn something new. I live for those moments because I exist on this earth to love you. And to love you right, I have to truly understand everything there is to know about you.”
We are quiet for several heartbeats as we stare into each other’s eyes. No words are said, but a hundred thoughts are exchanged.
Lily breaks the silence first, “Okay. I agree with your plan, but I have one minor change.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“Before the part about boxes…I’m thinking you should add, Make love to Lily on the couch. Please.”
I pause for a moment, my lips turning up in happiness, as I take her in. Her beauty never ceases to steal my breath away. Then, I drop my mouth to hers, pulling her lips into a searing kiss. Because when the love of my life says please, I listen.
Our family Christmas Eve gathering is held at the Madisons’ home this year. This holiday has always been one of Lily’s and my favorites, but I have to admit, it hasn’t been the best for the past three years. I didn’t even spend the holiday with my family last year, opting to spend it with Stella’s family instead.
It’s almost therapeutic to walk into the Madisons’ home hand in hand with Lily without any heartbreak, longing, or awkwardness surrounding us. It is like we have finally made our way back to where we always should have been.
The shrieks from the females in Lily’s family are almost immediate when we step into the house. Lily’s mom and sisters greet her with hugs and kisses before they do the same with me.
“Merry Christmas, Jax, honey,” Miranda says as she pulls me into a warm hug.
“Merry Christmas,” I respond.
We advance further into her home and see my family talking with Lily’s dad in the living room. My mom greets us with the same exuberance as Lily’s sisters did.
The air in the room is one of celebration. I think everyone is happy to have our families back together in the way everyone always thought it should be.
Lily hugs her dad while mine shakes my hand.
“Good to see you, Jax.”
“You, too, Dad,” I offer.
I’ve had several conversations with my dad since Lily and I got back together. I’ve helped him see what it feels like to be his son. I’m not saying that he and I have the perfect relationship now because we don’t. But I would venture to say it is getting better every day.
Lily and I have talked a lot about my dad. She has helped me to see that he did the best he could. It will not be the way I’ll choose to raise my boys, if I’m fortunate enough to have sons someday, but it was the way he thought was best. I see that, in his own way, he was trying to help me reach my full potential.
I will never forget what it was like to grow up with a father like mine. But I do forgive him.
Life is too short to hold on to anger toward anyone.
Lily helped me see that my resentment toward my dad was hurting me more than anyone. The moment I decided to let it go and forgive, I could almost feel the weight lifting off of me.
We eat, laugh, play games, and exchange gifts. It is the best holiday celebration we’ve had in a long time, and the great thing is that I know our holidays will only continue to get better.
I wake up on Christmas morning to the softness of Lily’s body wrapped around mine as we lie burrowed under our down comforter. I pull her in closer, reveling in the