Down To You (The Love On Edge Series)

by Kline, Addison

  Holly placed her hand on top of Brant’s as her engagement ring caught the light of the hall sconces. She grabbed his hand gently, and pulled it to her lips, kissing him ever so softly.

  “No, honey. It feels like a dream.”

  *****

  Holly looked at herself in the floor length mirror in awe. She couldn’t believe Sloane had found it: A dress that looked nearly identical to the black lace dress she had worn on her first date with Brant. She shimmied the fabric over her curves, and happily, it fit like a dream. She slipped her feet into a pair of black peep toe pumps and tousled her hair into sultry, soft waves.

  So this is what it was like to feel spoiled.

  After one last glance in the mirror, Holly stepped into the hallway and went downstairs where the party was waiting for her.

  *****

  Brant was standing at the bottom of the stairs talking to Luke and Greg, when his heart quickened. Holly descended the staircase gracefully, looking remarkably like she did on their first date. Brant loosened his tie and flattened it against his blue button down shirt. She looked incredible. Holly watched Brant as he drank her in as a feeling of supreme satisfaction washed over her. She had never seen him look so good, or so confident before.

  Brant’s friends noticed that his attention was broken by Holly’s appearance, and Brant pardoned himself saying, “Excuse me, fellas…”

  Brant grabbed Holly’s hand as she came down off of the bottom step and pulled her towards him. The heady scent of his cologne was intoxicating as Holly nestled her face in the curve of his neck. Suddenly, the song on the radio changed and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” played loudly out of the speakers. Holly and Brant couldn’t resist dancing in the middle of their living room next to Marv and Tressa. Sloane and Luke joined them, and everyone was having such a great time.

  Doris was in the dining room setting the table as the glorious aroma of a home cooked turkey filled the air. Harry had just come through the kitchen door carrying a freshly carved turkey which was adorned with all the trimmings. Randy and Greg helped carry various side dishes to the table. It was very much a joint effort by all.

  Everyone began taking their seats at the massive dining room table. Sloane motioned for Brant to have his seat at the head of the table; the king’s seat. Holly sat right next to him with her hand still in his. The table filled up quickly with Marv sitting at the opposite end, and everyone else crowding the middle. There was just one seat that remained vacant; the chair to the right of Marv. Holly took notice.

  “Are we missing someone?” she asked with a curious look upon her face. Some of the guests looked around in confusion while Marv, Brant and Sloane smirked in pure delight.

  Marv said loudly, “Hmm… I wonder who could be missing?!”

  Suddenly, the kitchen door swung open and a middle-aged blonde with a radiant smile and emerald eyes emerged in the dining room. She couldn’t have been a day over fifty-five, but she had the body of a twenty-something. Holly’s eyes broadened at the sight of her.

  “Momma?!” Holly shouted in pure joy. Her chair slid out loudly from the table as Holly ran in her high heels to her mother, who she hadn’t seen in over two years because she lives so far away.

  “Momma! I cannot believe that you’re here!”

  Gloria McCresson held her arms out to her only daughter as she beamed in delight.

  “I’m so happy you’re here!” Holly delighted.

  “Thank Brant. He flew me out this morning!” said Gloria, in response.

  Holly was amazed. She looked back at Brant with an expression that was so full of meaning and emotion. As tears of joy began to flow from Holly’s eyes, she exclaimed, “Thank you all so much for being here! I love you all and I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy in my life!”

  Gloria hugged her daughter, thrilled to see her so happy. Marv wiped a tear from his eye. It was a long road home for Holly and Brant, and finally, here they were, back to normal again. No, better than normal. They were rising to a better life together. Marv’s heart soared with happiness.

  Gloria, still beaming from her daughter’s huge welcome, grabbed Holly’s hand and said, “Now let’s see that ring!”

  Holly showed off her new/old engagement ring with pride. “Good job, Brant… I see you took my advice.”

  Holly looked back at Brant once again, and he winked at her, barely able to contain his amusement.

  *****

  The Christmas Eve party began winding down around midnight and thanks to the overabundance of wine and eggnog being served (courtesy of Sloane), everyone decided to call the Edgemont residence home for the evening. Luke, Greg, and Sloane camped out in Holly’s furnished basement. While Luke and Greg were banished to sleep in sleeping bags on the floor, Sloane cozied up in her candy-striped pajamas on Holly’s futon, as comfortable as can be. Meanwhile on the third floor, Brant’s parents took the back guest bedroom, while Marv and Gloria awkwardly took the front guest bedroom. The only thing keeping Marv off of the couch was the promise that he wouldn’t try anything fresh.

  As the house quieted down and everyone fell asleep, Holly and Brant still had an important job to do. Holly went to the large coat closet by the front door and removed the child safety lock from the handle.

  “Money was really tight for me this year, so this was the best I could do…” Holly said apologetically. As she opened the closet door, Brant looked at Holly as if she was insane. The closet was filled to the breaking point with presents.

  One by one, Brant and Holly placed the brightly colored gifts under the Christmas tree. When the last one was under the tree, Holly yelled out, “Is that it?”

  “No,” Brant said with a laugh. He continued, “Follow me.”

  Brant led Holly out to his truck where he pulled the cover off of his flatbed to reveal even more presents.

  “These kids are spoiled rotten,” remarked Holly bluntly as she laughed at the sheer amount of presents they were to receive this year.

  “There’s some things in there for you, too,” said Brant as he nudged Holly with his elbow playfully.

  *****

  After the presents were under the tree and the candles were doused and the music ceased, Brant and Holly enjoyed the warm serenity that had enveloped them. Although the house was quiet, it was filled with everyone who loved them. Brant and Holly slumped down on the couch, dead tired but still aglow from the amazing day that just passed.

  Holly shook her head in amazement, “I never knew it could be like this.”

  “Well, you know, we could do this every year if you wanted to.”

  “I’d like that...” said Holly honestly.

  Brant kissed Holly on her forehead, as he pulled her closer into him.

  “Hey,” said Holly, suddenly realizing she had no idea where everyone was sleeping. “Where did you tell my Dad to sleep?”

  Brant started laughing hysterically.

  “What?” said Holly with no idea what was so funny.

  “I put him and Gloria in the third floor front bedroom together.”

  Holly’s eyes went wide.

  “I owed the guy a favor. Gloria said he could stay as long as he kept to his side of the bed.”

  “Oh my God!” said Holly as she began to laugh.

  “Now if you have a new brother or sister nine months from now…”

  “Jesus, don’t even joke like that!”

  “Where did you tell Sloane to sleep?”

  “She’s on the futon downstairs…”

  “With the guys?”

  “Yeah, she made them sleep in sleeping bags on the floor. Luke didn’t seem to mind, but Greg was kind of annoyed!”

  “That’s because Luke has the hots for Sloane, and Greg still hasn’t forgiven her for Karaoke night three years ago,” said Brant referring to the incident where Sloane sang “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” to Greg on the stage at Crooner’s Karaoake Bar in Devon.

  “Ah, yes. Now that was funny.”


  The pair continued to talk until they were too tired to go on. They walked down the long hallway towards their bedroom, quietly peeking in on their children who were nestled in their beds before they turned in.

  Brant couldn’t believe how his luck had changed. It certainly wasn’t without some help from his friends, though. Marv and Sloane were instrumental in making sure today went as planned. He couldn’t thank them enough for all they had done. Marv picked up the ring from the jeweler, while Sloane used Brant’s credit cards to secure flights for Holly’s mom, Brant’s parents, and the kids. She was also the one who planned the impromptu holiday party, not to mention the ridiculously lavish gift she had given them as an engagement present. Today was a day full of surprises.

  Holly laid in bed next to Brant, carefully watching his face as he stared off, deep in thought. Holly gently stroked his face, bringing his attention back to her. He smiled, but only slightly.

  “Are you okay?” Holly asked with worry in her voice. Her gentle touch and caring nature was calming to Brant. He kissed her hand and replied as a tear formed in his deep blue eyes, “Never better.”

  Chapter Twelve

  All I Want For Christmas…

  Edgemont Residence

  December 25, 2013

  “Mommy! Daddy! Wake up!” yelled a tiny voice from outside of Holly and Brant’s bedroom. Holly stirred, lifting her head off of Brant’s bare chest.

  “What time is it?” asked Holly groggily.

  “Too early,” Brant said, still half asleep.

  Belle yelled again, only this time an octave louder. “Mommy! Daddy! I think Santa came! You have to wake up!”

  Brant began to groan in bed, due to the rude wake up call. He glanced at the alarm clock that sat on Holly’s night stand.

  5:38 A.M.

  “Go back to sleep, Belle!” Holly pleaded.

  Brant and Holly heard her tiny footsteps scamper off down the hall and they thought they had the all clear to fall back asleep. Holly cozied up to Brant again as a relaxed smile washed across his face. It would not last long though, because a moment later they could hear shouting coming from Randy’s room – the next bedroom over. Belle had clearly woken up Randy and Brant knew that there was no going back to sleep now. Holly and Brant laughed as they awaited the on-slaught.

  “Christmas! Wake up, Tressa! It’s Christmas!” yelled Randy as he and his youngest sister barged into Tressa’s messy room.

  “Christmas!” Tressa replied sleepily but with ample excitement. “Did Santa come?!”

  “Of course, he came!” replied Belle, her voice now a high pitched shrill that caused Brant’s ear drums to hurt.

  “C’mon! Let’s go wake up them up!” shouted Randy leading the calvary to Brant and Holly’s bedroom.

  The peace of the early morning was broken by a ruckus that sounded remarkably like a heard of rhinos stampeding down the hallway. Suddenly, the bedroom door flew open with a bang as the kids stormed through and climbed into bed with their parents. The next thing Holly and Brant knew, they were under a dog pile of children who were very eager to open their gifts before the sun had even risen in the sky. Randy jumped up and down on their bed with excitement, as Belle belly flopped onto Brant’s chest. Meanwhile, Tressa had resorted to tickling Holly to try to wake her up.

  Brant grabbed hold of Belle and tickled her as he held Randy at bay with his strong arm. Holly had escaped Tressa’s grip and ran to her en-suite bathroom and locked herself in.

  “C’mon! We want to see what Santa brought us!” yelled Tressa.

  “But its not even 6 A.M.!” Brant protested.

  Randy yelled, “It will be in thirteen minutes!”

  Brant laughed and replied, “Okay, stay here for thirteen minutes and let us check out the situation downstairs.” Brant spoke as if he had to survey a dangerous threat in the living room.

  “Dad!” complained Tressa.

  Holly, who had come out of her hiding place, agreed with Brant.

  “Your father is right. Besides, I have to get my camera!”

  Holly and Brant walked out into the hallway, leaving their over-excited children in the bedroom with disgruntled looks upon their faces. Holly watched as Brant secured a child safety gate at the top of the steps to keep the kids from coming downstairs before they were ready.

  Holly and Brant quietly tip-toed down the stairs, trying not to wake anybody else up, but it immediately became apparent that their children were not the only early birds in the house. They bypassed the beautifully decorated tree with the stock pile of presents waiting for the family, and they began walking towards the kitchen. They could hear a pair of voices coming from the kitchen. Brant and Holly looked at each other with confused glances and quietly approached the kitchen door. They could hear what sounded like a man and a woman singing “I Got You Babe,” the song made famous by Sonny and Cher, only the rendition coming from the kitchen had no rhythm and was sorely out of key.

  Holly stood behind Brant as she tried to silence her laughter. Then, just as Brant was about to open the door, the female voice said in a playful Bostonian accent, “Marv! You’re so fresh!”

  Brant and Holly quickly turned their heads towards each other, their eyes wide and mouths gaping.

  “Is that who I think it is?!” Holly whispered to Brant in amazement.

  “I think so…” said Brant, still laughing. He held a finger up to his mouth as he quietly opened the door to get a peek.

  Marv and Gloria were dancing around the kitchen, as they made breakfast. Their song had gone off the radio, and a new one came on: “My Boyfriend’s Back” by the Angels – a song from Marv and Gloria’s hey day. Marv held out a hand for Gloria, and she threw her dish towel onto the counter. Suddenly the pair were dancing all around the kitchen, and Gloria was saucily singing along and Marv laughed. It wasn’t until the song ended that Gloria and Marv realized that they had company. Brant and Holly were staring at them with amused expressions and awkward smiles.

  “Oh, hi there!” gushed Gloria, “We’re in the middle of making breakfast! Pancakes, scrapple and eggs.”

  Marv, with an embarrassed smile, said, “Hi guys… Uh… how long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough,” Holly admitted.

  “Nice dance moves, old man,” quipped Brant.

  Marv could do nothing but laugh.

  *****

  “Alright, guys… You can come down now!” Holly yelled up the steps to her three children who were not-so-patiently waiting at the top of the steps behind the child safety gate.

  “Finally!” yelled Randy as he unlocked the gate and began running down the steps with Tressa and Belle on his heels. Holly snapped a few pictures as they rushed to the Christmas tree.

  As wrapping paper flew in the air, the kids rejoiced at all the treasures they received. While Holly continuously snapped pictures of the kids with a smile, Brant watched her with an intense look on his face.

  She put her camera down for a second and realized that she was being stared at. She glanced over at him with a self-conscious look on her face.

  “What?”

  Brant smiled. “I have something for you.”

  “You’ve already given me too much.”

  Brant shook his head.

  “I haven’t give you enough, but I hope I can change that.”

  Brant reached into the top of Holly’s stocking where he had placed a small wrapped present the night before. He pulled the small package that he had wrapped himself out of the stocking and handed it to Holly.

  “You didn’t have to get me anything…”

  “Are you kidding? Look at my gift pile over there…” said Brant referring to the things that Holly had purchased him at Cabela’s last night, plus one small box on top.

  “That’s nothing.”

  “Open it.”

  Holly smiled as she began to tear the giftwrap off of the Horschman jewelry box. She couldn’t believe how thoughtful everyone was being this year, esp
ecially Brant. Slowly, she lifted the lid of the box as the contents within stole her breath away.

  “It’s a journey necklace. The diamond at the top is small, that represents our beginning. Each diamond gets a little bigger as the journey progresses. The fifth diamond, the largest, is meant to represent our future - the biggest and brightest of them all.”