by Katlyn Grace
Hope laughed. “Your concern for me is appreciated.”
“I wouldn’t be much of a sister if I wasn’t concerned, now would I?”
Rolling her eyes, Hope grinned at the mulling thought in the back of her head. “Now…all we need to do is find you a guy.” She paused and coughed out the next words. “Brandon Smith.”
Brianna snarled her nose. “Brandon David Smith will never be an option. Mark my words. My single life is going just fine. Although, I’m beginning to realize that dogs are fun. I like Mark’s puppy.” Brianna considered it, veering off the subject purposefully.
“That mutt chewed my shoe to pieces last time I visited. I bought him a toy for Christmas to shred instead.” Hope now needed new boots.
“He’s too precious to correct.” Brianna made pitiful excuses for the dog.
Hope laughed, agreeing with her sister. “Mark needs a wife. Someone to support his dreams and passions.”
Bri nodded. “He’s getting lonely. I want to see him settle down and be happy.”
Hope agreed. Whoever Mark married would be the luckiest woman in the world. Mark had a gushy heart full of sweetness that could make a girl drool. “You like to play matchmaker. Set him up.”
“He would resent me.” Bri took a sip of her hot chocolate with a roll of her eyes.
The two sisters finished up their lunches and waited for the waitress to bring them their bill. “After Christmas, I’m bringing out the winter cupcake of the month…” She drummed her fingers on the table. “Hot chocolate.” Hope waggled her jazz fingers.
“Sounds delicious. Where’d you get the idea?” Brianna pulled her coat on as their bill was brought to the table.
“Well, one: everyone especially loves hot chocolate this time of year. Two: Ethan bought me an ice cream in that flavor and let’s just say it was to die for.” Hope grabbed her wallet to pay for their lunch, and Bri payed the tip.
“I can’t wait to try it.” Brianna pushed her chair in as Hope rose to get ready to leave.
“I attempted trial recipe number one and two at Ethan’s place the other night. He declared they both needed more marshmallow crème and cocoa.”
“Men. You can’t please them,” Brianna huffed.
“I guess I have some more tweaking to do.” Hope laughed and opened the door for her sister.
Brianna hopped in the passenger’s seat. “Back to the bakery we go”
“Brian loved his superhero cake. You should have seen his reaction. It was priceless.” Ethan helped Hope box cranberry almond cupcakes for a delivery later that afternoon.
Ethan volunteered himself as extra help around the bakery until Christmas break for public schools were over. He was often on delivery duty with Funfetti’s new delivery man, Marcus. Although, Ethan managed to purposefully stumble into the kitchen and Hope’s cupcakes often. Hope appreciated the handsome distraction, nonetheless.
“I’m glad. His mom seemed pretty adamant about doing all his favorite superheroes and not just a single one. Seems like it worked out.” She smiled and handed him a tray of leftover cupcakes from the order. “Hand these to either Laney or Ashley. They’re fresh batches for the display case.”
“Okie dokie.” He whistled and headed toward the door to the café.
Hope watched him walk away and smiled to herself. Ethan had come so far. His usual pessimistic and dark attitude from two months ago was now something odd and peculiar when one was around him. It was rare when she didn’t see him smiling with his two dimples prominent. Ethan seemed at home when he was at peace with God.
Ethan hadn’t changed for Hope. He changed for God. That fact was confirmed to Hope through his actions and new way of life. Monday, he left a letter in Hope’s coat pocket expressing how greatly he appreciated her. Last night, he called her just to pray with her before bed. It was the little things that seemed so unimportant to others that Hope wouldn’t forget.
“You’re blushing.” Jade maneuvered through the kitchen with a hot pan of strawberry cream cheese croissants in hand.
“Am I?” Hope laughed. “Your croissants smell heavenly.” She followed her employee to sample one.
“My grandmother’s old recipe. I decided to give them a whirl.” The young girl handed Hope half of a croissant to try. “Be honest with me.” She bit her lip waiting in anticipation for Hope’s reaction.
Hope sank her teeth into the warm croissant and her taste buds danced. The gooey strawberry filling and cream cheese on top stuck to her fingers as she took another bite. “These are delicious, Jade! I want them on the menu. People will go crazy over these yummy treats.”
Jade’s worried frown turned into an elated smile. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Hope grinned and rushed to clean her hands up at the sink before she started to work at her station again.
Since it was Christmas Eve, busy customers bustled in and out of her bakery to buy last minute desserts for dinners and gettogethers. It was nice business and she had been enjoying her day, but Hope couldn’t wait for this evening. She would get off work, rush home to grab a shower and get ready, then go to Ethan’s place for their gettogether with their siblings.
Hope believed Ethan was experiencing an unforgettable Christmas season after his past three years of depression. She knew from her personal life; the holidays were unforgettable when she had loved ones that warmly welcomed her in and cared for her. But it was Ethan’s change of heart and relationship with God that made this Christmas one of the best Christmases…even for Hope. Ethan understood now that Christmas was special because of Jesus Christ. It wasn’t about what was under the tree, it was the people surrounding them. And this year, Hope felt even more appreciative of life and loved ones.
The pastel pink kitchen door swung open and Ethan sauntered back in the kitchen, stuffing a whole cupcake in his mouth. Hope found him attractive even with his cheeks plum full of cake and frosting.
“I asked you to give them the cupcakes, not eat them all.” Hope poked his cheeks as he finished the cupcake with a gulp. “You look like a squirrel.”
“They’ll never know that one went missing.” He stated matter-of-factly as he licked his fingers clean of frosting.
Hope scrunched her nose at Ethan’s messy hands and urged him to wash them. “Unless they know how to do math,” she teased him and rolled out white fondant for a new cake order.
Ethan picked up where he left off on boxing goodies. “Listen, I have to stop by the school to drop off my lesson plans after we’re done here. Do you just want me to swing by your place and pick you up for our Christmas Eve extravaganza?” He put an exciting emphasis on the word extravaganza and his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
“Oh, so now it’s an extravaganza?” Hope looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
He smirked. “I know how to throw a good party.”
“We’re a party of five, Ethan.”
“And if it were a party of two, it would still be an extravaganza.” He pointed an iced sugar cookie at Hope, his eyebrows narrowed.
Hope chuckled. “You’re cute.” She paused from trimming the smooth fondant. “You can pick me up, but no complaining if I’m not ready on time.” The school wasn’t far from Hope’s apartment. So, it wouldn’t be too out of Ethan’s way for him to pick her up.
Ethan held his hands up in defense. “I won’t argue with the baker.”
“I brought my dog.” Mark tattled on himself as he stomped the snow off his boots before entering Ethan’s home.
Hope laughed at the squirming puppy inside of her brother’s coat. “It’s a good thing Ethan loves animals.”
Mark sat the dog down and Snoopy began to explore the unfamiliar territory.
“How was work today?” Hope took Mark’s heavy coat and placed it on a silver hanger by the door.
“Long.” He sighed. “We’ve had three houses broken into in the past week. It’s been busy at the station recently. We expect that, though, with Christmas just around the corner.”<
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Between Mark’s weary eyes and the defined lines etched on his face, Hope could tell he hadn’t received much sleep in the past twenty-four hours. “God gave you this job because He knew you could handle it. He gives strength.” Snoopy jumped at Hope’s heels for attention. Hope reached down to pet the dog’s golden locks. “I believe in you, big bro. You’ll catch them.”
Mark smiled as a thank you and enveloped Hope in a warm hug. “Where is everyone? I expected an extravaganza,” he mocked.
Hope blinked back a grin.
“Ethan’s words, not mine.”
“The extravaganza—party of five, now that you’re here—is in the kitchen. Probably eating all the food.”
“We can’t have that. I’m starved. Brandon ate half my sandwich for lunch.”
Hope chuckled. “There are sub sandwiches, soups, meatballs, and plenty of desserts.” She led her brother into the kitchen filled with laughter and delicious smelling foods.
“Mark!” Instantly, he was greeted with friendly smiles and hugs. Hope watched his tired frown turn into a smile that not only lifted his spirits up, but Hope’s as well. She didn’t like it when her brother felt grim.
Ethan made Mark at home by grabbing him a soda and showing him where all the foods were. Hope smiled as she settled into a kitchen chair and listened to everyone talk. Sara and Brianna were debating on which color to paint Sara’s kitchen, as Ethan proved to Mark that siracha sauce was delicious on anything.
Hope treasured this. Being with people she loved, knowing they loved her back, made her heart all fuzzy and warm. She wished she could freeze time and stay right in this moment—A moment filled full of love and happiness that she could look back on or revisit when bad days came occasionally. But since she couldn’t, Hope would write about it in her memory journal tonight when she got home.
God, Your love is unexplainable. Thank You for all You have given me. I don’t deserve it, yet somehow, You have handed it to me anyway. For that, I just want to say thank You. Waiting was worth it for this moment in time. I feel You all around me, and I know I’m right where I belong. I truly believe this is the foundation of something remarkable. Whatever You decide to do with Ethan and I, I will fully put my trust in Your plan. Guide us, Lord, into this new, exciting adventure called our lives.
“Whatcha’ thinking about?”
Hope blinked back to reality and looked up to see Ethan standing in front of her. Everyone must have gone into the living room, for the kitchen was now bare and quiet.
She smiled at him and took in his presence. He smelled of a new, musky, fresh cologne. Hope admired it. The hooded sweatshirt he wore was a new one the school had given him in honor of taking the gym teacher position. It was newer than the old one he let her borrow tonight, but she wouldn’t tease him about it. His hair was undone, and he seemed comfortable. By the gorgeous smile on his face, he looked genuinely happy tonight.
“How much I love you…” She responded and paused to look around. “And this.”
He rubbed her shoulders. “We have pretty cool siblings, don’t we?”
“We make a good team.” Hope smiled and took a drink of her Coke that had gone flat.
“You’re the fruit to my loop.” Ethan’s cheesy grin told Hope he was proud of his lovey dovey joke.
Hope giggled at him and stood up from her chair. “I want your cheesy jokes for the rest of my life. They get me pumped for my standup comedy career that I’m going to take up one day.”
Ethan threw his head back with a laugh and embraced her in a long, tingling hug. She loved this strong man. His life had been put through the wringer more than once, and Hope desired to be by his side forever, even when things got tough. She snuggled her right cheek against his chest, and he settled his chin on the top of her head.
“I plan on waking you up every day with my corny jokes.” He gently rubbed circles at the small of her back. “Did you know that you look really good in my hoodie?”
Hope could see the smirk on his face without having to look up at him. “I was just cold.”
He snickered. “Don’t make up excuses.” Ethan kissed her forehead. “Come on, it’s time for the gift swap. I’m praying Mark gets my gift. It’s better than Sara’s.”
“Why is that?” Hope interlaced her fingers with his warm ones.
“Funny you should ask. You mentioned he loved animals…right?”
Hope looked up at Ethan’s face to see if he was serious.
He was.
“I’ve officially met Snoopy. I’ve decided Snoopy needs a best friend.”
Hope exploded in laughter.
twenty
E than watched Mark grab the gift that aligned with the slip of paper Mark held in his hand. By the sly smile on Sara’s face when Mark picked up the gift, Mark had drawn her number. Ethan chuckled to himself. Poor Mark.
Ethan was first to open his gift. He had drawn Mark’s name. His gift consisted of a basket filled to the brim with assorted candies, candy bars, and gift cards. Mark knew how to buy gifts, and Ethan happily appreciated it. Ethan imagined he was going to get fat before he started his new job.
Getting concerned about who had drawn his number, Ethan restlessly shifted in his seat. He’d hoped that Mark would draw Ethan’s gift’s number, because Ethan got Mark a puppy. Watching Mark go back to his seat with Sara’s gift in hand, Ethan realized his plan clearly backfired on him. The puppy wasn’t something he invested money in, though. A teacher at the middle school was giving one away. He naturally thought it would be a clever idea. Just as his luck went…nothing worked out as planned.
Would any of the girls want a dog? If not, Ethan would gladly take the puppy. The golden doodle was too cute to return or get rid of.
He was astonished the dog hadn’t yipped yet. It had been patiently waiting in Ethan’s bedroom and had surprisingly been quiet all evening. He had managed to slip some food to the excited little pup while everyone had been eating and talking earlier. Ethan’s stomach did backflips as the anticipation ate at him.
Grunting, Mark settled back into the soft leather chair and opened his heavy gift. He laughed once he realized why the gift was so heavy. “Who got this?” He scanned the room with a suspicious gaze.
Sara raised her hand. “Guilty.” She laughed.
Mark held up the perfectly round miniature boulder. “How thoughtful of you.” He chuckled.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of just getting someone a rock. The real gift is hidden under the couch,” Ethan’s sister admitted and got up from her seat to retrieve her real gift.
Ethan laughed. His sister was too nice.
“Now why’s that? A rock is a perfect way to say Merry Christmas,” Mark teased.
“Well, you can frame the rock, but I insist you open up a real gift.” Sara handed him the perfectly wrapped gift.
Mark laughed and accepted the present. Everyone watched as he unwrapped the gift from Sara. Hope’s brother gasped, “Oh, my goodness. This isn’t…” Once he made for sure what it was, Mark hugged the gift like a child.
“What is it?” Brianna threw a wad of wrapping paper in Mark’s direction.
Mark proudly showed off his new prized possession. “It’s a limited-edition Scrabble game.”
Hope chuckled at her brother’s starstruck expression. “You know that means it’s just another game for me to beat you at, right?”
Mark shot his sister an I’ll accept that challenge look, then thanked Sara for the gift.
“He’s jealous.” Hope leaned into Ethan’s arms.
Ethan snickered. “Sara, you’re up next.”
With no hesitation, his sister jumped up from the couch and picked her gift with the right number on it. “Ooo, let’s see.” She began ripping open the paper once she sat back down.
“If you don’t like it, you can return it.” Brianna nervously chewed on her nails as she watched Ethan’s sister open the gift.
Sara squealed and Snoopy barked at her sudden excitement. �
��I love it!” Sara pulled out a Polaroid camera and extra film. “Brianna, thank you.” She reached over and gave Bri a squeeze.
Ethan anxiously bit his lip. Either Hope or Brianna would be receiving Miss Fluffypup tolerantly waiting in his bedroom. His plans weren’t going down how he’d originally drawn them up, but Ethan chose to have some fun with it.
Brianna skipped to retrieve her numbered gift and Ethan eyed her carefully. And when she didn’t pick up Ethan’s empty box, he laughed to himself. Hope would be getting the puppy. She was in for a real treat.
Brianna opened her gift from Hope. It held a basket full of face masks, nail polish, and all sorts of girly things.
“I’m really glad that a girl received my gift. I couldn’t bear to go through the misery of perusing the men’s section. Girly stuff is more fun for me,” Hope admitted with a grin.
Brianna chuckled at her sister’s comment and dug through the box of unending pink things. “I love it. Thank you.” She smiled at Hope.
“Okay, there’s one more gift under the tree,” Mark announced.
“Hope, you’re the only one left. Go get your gift.” Sara motioned, excited for her.
Hope hopped up out of Ethan’s arms. She reached for the box that Ethan placed under the tree as his little disguise. “Wow, for such a big, pretty red box it’s really airy.”
That’s because it was. The box was empty other than a miniature stuffed animal in the bottom. He prayed Hope recollected their conversation earlier about his gift. Maybe she would think of it as a joke and Ethan would then surprise her. He couldn’t wait for Hope’s reaction.
“I assume this is from you.” She smiled ruefully in Ethan’s direction.
“Your guess would be correct.” He nodded as he took a sip of his coffee, trying to seem as nonchalant as possible.
She untied the silver bow and lifted the lid to the box. Hope doubled over in laugher when she spied the stuffed dog at the bottom of the gift box. “I get it now,” she hooted.
Oh, but she didn’t. Ethan wanted to roll on the floor and laugh. Instead it all bubbled inside and his cheeks hurt from smiling. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.” He jogged up to his bedroom and cracked open the wooden door. The tiny golden puppy jumped at Ethan’s heels.