Despite her better judgement, Natalie still very much wanted that.
“I’ll make sure there’s something for you. Drive carefully tonight, Natalie. It’s supposed to snow again.”
“Don’t worry, Maddie. I won’t miss Christmas,” she repeated. Natalie waited and was rewarded with Maddie’s low chuckle. She ignored the goosebumps that rose on her skin in response.
“I’ll see you later, then. Goodbye.”
Natalie muttered her own farewell and dropped her arm down at her side, phone still in her grip. She stared around the dark, quiet apartment for a while before retreating back to her room and the safety of her bed. She didn’t have to be awake for a while, and the less time she had to think, the better.
*****
As time wore on, Maddie became restless. She couldn’t remember the last Christmas she hadn’t been busy cooking, baking, or otherwise preparing for the holiday.
“Hey, Mom?” Brittney asked.
They were seated in the living room while a Christmas movie played, she and Brittney on the loveseat while the rest of the Holder youths shared the couch. Sean was ensconced in an overstuffed chair that looked older than he was. Maddie hadn’t really been paying attention, but she had enjoyed Brittney’s head on her shoulder for the last hour. “Yes, sweetie?”
“Do you think we could make some hot cocoa together? I want one thing to be the same.”
Maddie had always had trouble resisting Brittney’s big blue eyes. “If it’s alright with Sean, then yes.”
Hearing his name, Sean peered away from the TV. “That’s fine by me, but I only have the premade packets of cocoa.”
“That’s okay, I brought Mom’s stuff.” Brittney grinned up at Maddie.
“Well, then. I can see you planned enough for the both of us.” Maddie smiled, and then she and Brittney were pushing up and heading to the kitchen.
“I put everything over here,” Brittney explained as she tugged open the pantry and retrieved a canvas bag. All of Maddie’s usual ingredients, save the milk, were inside.
Something warm blossomed in Maddie. Brittney had been looking forward to this, she could tell. “Why don’t we get started?”
They moved in unison, having made the seasonal beverage together since Brittney was four.
“Mom?” Brittney said as Maddie was stirring the last of the cocoa powder in. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Yes?” Maddie paused in her stirring. “You can tell me anything, sweetheart.”
Brittney paled and then reddened. “I,” she swallowed. “I think I’m gay, Mom.”
Maddie smiled. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.”
“For being gay?” Brittney’s lips twisted, her confusion showing.
“No.” Maddie put her ladle down. She braced her hands on Brittney’s shoulders. “For being true to yourself, no matter how scary it is.”
“Aw, Mom.” Brittney’s eyes were shining with the threat of tears. She didn’t fight when Maddie pulled her into a hug. “You’re the best,” she whispered against Maddie’s shoulder.
Maddie pressed a kiss to her head. “I’m going to remind you that you said that later.”
“Ugh.”
With a final kiss, Maddie ended the hug. “Come on, there’s hot cocoa to be made.”
The smell proved to be too enticing because a moment later Reeve and Victoria wandered into the kitchen. Steven sneaked in as Maddie was adding the vanilla.
“I can’t believe Natalie isn’t here yet,” Victoria complained as she sat at the counter. “She’s messing with tradition.”
Curious, Maddie couldn’t help herself from asking as she stirred. “What tradition?”
Reeve adjusted on his stool, leaning over and bumping his shoulder into his sister’s. “They sing really bad Christmas carols while the rest of us wish for death. Honestly, you should be glad Natalie isn’t here.”
Victoria stuck her tongue out at him.
“I don’t know,” Steven said as he scratched the beginnings of his beard, “I kinda miss the noise.”
“That’s because you’re a weirdo, Stevie,” Reeve retorted.
Maddie bit her lip and paused in her stirring. “Are you certain? I’ve heard Natalie sing. She’s not bad at all.”
“When did you hear her sing?” Brittney asked with a small frown. “I’ve never heard her sing.”
“Oh, she…” Maddie rolled her lips together. It wasn’t weird that she knew something about Natalie that Brittney didn’t, was it? She cleared her throat. “When she’s working on your dad’s car she usually listens to something. If it’s music, she has a tendency to sing along.” Or dance, she mentally added.
Reeve grinned. “I bet she doesn’t know you’ve heard that. She gets self-conscious when she knows she has an audience.”
Maddie stared down at the pot of hot chocolate. Not only had Natalie known, but she’d coaxed Maddie into singing, too. “Cocoa’s ready. You can add anything extra you like. There’s cinnamon, nutmeg, and whipped cream.”
Victoria looked thoughtful. “I don’t know. I think Mom used to put something in it—”
“A touch of cinnamon,” Reeve interjected. “Whipped cream on top.”
“Right, yeah,” Victoria said with a wistful expression.
“I like mine the same way,” Brittney admitted as she squeezed Victoria’s shoulder.
Maternal instincts welling, Maddie promptly prepared two mugs and placed them in front of the girls. Victoria and Brittney rewarded her with matching grins.
She stood to the side as Reeve and Steven prepared their own cups, leaning back against the wall to observe and let her mind wander. So, Brittney had finally come out. Maddie had been wondering for the last few years but hadn’t wanted to pressure her daughter. She hummed to herself and soaked up the good mood pervading the kitchen.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying her efforts—everyone present, at least. Her attention flicked to her watch and then out of one of the windows. It was getting later and later, and the snow was really starting to come down. She didn’t like to think of Natalie driving in it with the light fading.
Brittney noticed the look. “Don’t worry, Mom. She called Pops a little while ago to let him know she’s doing alright. I’m sure she’ll be here soon and without a scratch.”
Maddie hummed again and contemplated preparing her own cup of cocoa. Then again, she was already a touch jittery without the added sugar. Brittney was gay. Natalie, who was also gay, would be arriving soon. It didn’t matter that Natalie had said nothing would happen. Who could predict affairs of the heart?
“You really don’t have to worry about her, Dr. G,” Steven announced.
Maddie did her best not to make a face at the nickname, instead focusing on his words. “It’s hard not to. I did my residency at King Memorial. Weather like this usually meant a spike in traffic collisions.”
Steven swirled the contents of his mug. “Natalie’s as good behind the wheel as she is under the hood.” He looked up with wide eyes. “Just don’t ever tell her I said that.”
“I’m so telling her you said that,” Brittney immediately replied.
Victoria clinked their mugs together in approval.
“You guys always gang up on me,” Steven accused. “I made a good pick for Christmas presents this year.”
“Oh, yeah? What’d you get us?” Victoria asked with interest.
“Coal,” he quipped with a satisfied smirk.
Maddie sighed and shook her head. She was about to say something to chide the group when the sound of a car pulling in made her turn her head. Her heart sped up a little and she nervously smiled. Surely, Natalie had arrived.
She wasn’t the only one that heard the sound. Reeve stood quickly, the rest of the group following suit as he led the way to the front.
It made Maddie feel less conspicuous as she took up the rear of the procession. They stared at the door with anticipation, forming a rough half-circle.
T
he person that stepped through the door was far too broad-chested and tall to ever be mistaken for Natalie.
“Dad?” Brittney’s stunned voice preceded her sweeping forward to hug the large, exhausted-looking man. His head and coat were dusted with a generous dose of snow but Brittney didn’t seem care.
Maddie was too surprised to move, only doing so when Adam sent her a warm smile over Brittney’s shoulder.
“Adam,” she said in disbelief as she walked toward him. Happiness blossomed inside her as she stepped forward.
Adam was quick to free up an arm to pull her into the hug.
Her eyes slid shut as she tried to absorb Adam’s familiar presence, inhaling deeply to confirm his scent was real. Her hands clutched at his thick jacket, ignoring the quickly melting snow as she tried to decipher how her husband had come to be at the Holder abode.
The door clicked shut softly, causing Maddie to open her eyes.
Natalie.
Her hands clutched anew at her husband’s coat, unable to look away from the grinning younger woman. Natalie didn’t bother trying to maneuver past the trio, instead leaning against the door and crossing her arms.
“How?” she asked as Natalie’s eyes met her own.
It was Adam who spoke first. “I called Natalie yesterday and had a talk with her. She agreed to help me surprise everyone. I’m so glad she volunteered to drive ’cause I haven’t slept in about thirty hours.”
Maddie pulled back and offered him a weak smile. Brittney was still nuzzled into her father’s side, head down. Maddie brought a hand up to rub softly at her shoulder, certain Brittney was crying.
When Brittney finally pulled away from Adam her eyes were red-rimmed… but she was grinning.
There was a long pause and then Maddie was rushing to make introductions, having almost forgotten her manners. Once Adam had been introduced, Reeve volunteered to show him to Maddie’s room.
Maddie blinked, having realized she should have offered to do that. She’d been too preoccupied.
As soon as Brittney had let go of Adam, she’d made a beeline for Natalie.
The intense hug had made Maddie cross her arms, and she tried to look everywhere but at the two young women. Natalie was quietly speaking to Brittney, so low Maddie couldn’t hear even if she tried.
She bit her lip and turned to trail after Adam. He’d looked tired enough to fall over at any moment and pass out. When she caught up with him, she smiled at Reeve, who immediately gave her a nod and turned back in the direction of the living room.
Adam was too sluggish, leaning heavily on her as they finally made it to her temporary room. Worry overtook everything else, and then she was tugging his snow-dampened clothes away and tucking him into bed.
He barely managed a smile before his eyes slid shut and he started snoring. Maddie bit her lip and eyed him affectionately. He’d come through for their daughter. She put away his overnight bag and then closed the door behind herself. Based on his level of exhaustion, he’d probably be out until the next morning.
Everyone was gathered in the living room and settled around the fire, mugs of half-finished cocoa in hand. Her heart thudded when she saw Natalie and Brittney sitting close together on the floor. Again she turned away.
“I’m just going to make some more hot chocolate, who wants a refresh?” Maddie was certain her smile would fool everyone enough for a retreat. She just needed a moment to process.
Victoria and Steven raised their mugs, and with a nod she made a hasty escape. She was able to breathe again once she reached the solitude of the empty kitchen.
Adam’s surprise visit had left her off-balance, there was nothing more to it. She genuinely hadn’t expected him to make it, not after he’d had to painfully confess his absence.
She hadn’t expected Natalie to be part of his arrival.
Suddenly remembering her excuse, Maddie retrieved the ingredients for more hot chocolate. A quick wash of the pot later, she poured fresh milk in. As she waited for it to warm, she braced her hands on either side of the stove.
“You okay, Maddie?” came Natalie’s soft voice.
Maddie swallowed hard and slowly turned. She hadn’t heard the kitchen door open.
Natalie was still standing near it, one hand tucked into the pocket of her jeans and the other rubbing nervously at her clavicle.
“I’m fine,” came Maddie’s weak response. She crossed her arms, hands cupping her elbows as she tried to find something to say.
Natalie watched her quietly. “I wanted to tell you, but,” she nibbled her lower lip.
“It’s okay. I just feel like an even bigger idiot for insinuating your absence was because of,” Maddie brought a hand up to her face, fingers brushing against her lips. She’d been quite foolish.
“Maddie it’s not—” Natalie cut herself off harshly, pursing her lips and inhaling sharply through her nose.
Maddie’s embarrassment melted away, Natalie’s flustered attempts at speaking putting her at ease. “I’m sorry in advance,” she warned as she moved toward Natalie.
She didn’t second-guess the hug until it was already happening, and then she surmised it was too late. A lot had happened in a short amount of time. Adam was here. Brittney was gay and maybe interested Natalie. A hug was fine.
“We’re over that,” she declared firmly. “Thank you for helping Adam get here.”
*****
Natalie’s eyes squeezed shut. She’d almost been stupid again. There had been something in Maddie’s expression… well, no there hadn’t. Either way, Natalie should never admit out loud that she had a crush. More than a crush.
Maddie had taken charge and the moment had passed. It was good that it had, too. Natalie could have ruined things again.
The scent of roses and champagne was making her dizzy, compounded by the fact that she’d been too anxious to eat anything all day. Adam had been so stressed and had rambled on about Maddie and Brittney before falling into a doze.
She’d thought then that he’d done the right thing by coming home. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out his absence had been creating problems with both Maddie and Brittney.
Even with all of that, though, Natalie found herself enjoying the hug far more than she should.
As if sensing that, Maddie stiffened and pulled back. Natalie’s breath caught. Maddie’s dark eyes were shining as if she was about to cry.
“I did say sorry in advance,” Maddie reminded her.
“You did,” Natalie replied in a low voice.
Maddie shook her head and raised a hand, only to drop it back down at her side and take a step back. She cleared her throat and turned back to face the stove. “Hot cocoa will be ready in a minute.”
Natalie nodded, not caring that the movement couldn’t be seen. She rounded the counter and took a seat, waiting patiently.
Chapter Sixteen
Surprisingly, it was Steven who couldn’t wait for everyone to wake up for Christmas morning. He stomped around the house loudly for several minutes until heads started to poke out from behind bedroom doors to see what the commotion was about.
Seated opposite Sean at the kitchen table, Adam chuckled.
“Steven is very… energetic,” Maddie said neutrally. Mug in hand, she moved over to give Adam a kiss on the cheek. She brushed a hand over his blue pullover before settling on his shoulder.
Adam grinned up at her, his hand coming to rest over hers. “That’s one way of putting it.”
“He’s a pain in the ass,” Sean admitted. “It’s another fine Holder quality.”
Maddie raised an eyebrow at him, squeezing Adam’s shoulder before pulling her hand away. “You seem pretty mellow,” she mused at Sean. Realizing she’d forgotten to actually pour herself some coffee, she headed back toward the half-full coffee pot.
“Age has that effect. That, and I’m trying to enjoy the small things life has to offer.” Sean raised his mug of tea and took a hearty sip.
A commotion in the rest
of the house caught their attention, the sound of a scuffle reaching the kitchen. Steven released a high-pitched yelp, and a few moments later there was a scurry of feet.
Steven scrambled into the kitchen, hair mussed and chest heaving. His bright green shirt was askew. He offered everyone in the kitchen an awkward smile. “Uh, everyone but Reeve is up.” He winced as he shifted from foot to foot. “He said we can open presents without him.”
“Nonsense,” Sean declared as he stood from his seat. “I’ll start breakfast. We can eat, and maybe then Reeve will be awake.”
Steven frowned, his shoulders slumping as he grumbled under his breath.
Sean stood and began pulling out ingredients, stopping briefly to square off against his son. He shot the younger man a glare. “What was that?”
Steven looked everywhere but his dad’s eyes. “Ah, nothing, Pops. I’ll go tell everyone that breakfast is being started.”
Sean waited for his son to retreat before turning back to his task. “You’d think he’s the youngest of the lot instead of the oldest.”
“Ah, Sean, you gotta admire his enthusiasm,” Adam offered with a half-smile. “I do wonder where he finds the energy. By his age, I was married and trying to raise Brittney.”
Sean turned his head and smiled. “It was the same for me and Steven’s mom.” His head turned back, but he kept speaking. “I suppose we were both lucky to find love so soon.”
Maddie, who had taken a seat across from Adam, smiled reflexively when he shot her an adoring look. Her gaze dropped down to her coffee, wondering why the blend she’d enjoyed only yesterday seemed inordinately bitter today.
“I know Maddie and Brittney changed my life for the better.” Adam made eye contact with Maddie as soon as she looked up.
His expression was devoted and full of intent, and Maddie found she couldn’t look away. She couldn’t remember the last time Adam had looked at her quite like that, and the realization made her swallow and strain to keep the smile on her face.
Meeting Mrs Garret Page 17