This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked to remember that, "It's December! Share a festive scene that you wrote. It can be something brand new or from an existing story."
I LOVE Christmas stories, so I have plenty of festive scenes. This one is from Spicy Nick, which released last year, and will be re-released this year as part of the I'll Be Home for Christmas Duology (along with If Only in My Dreams). I don't have a confirmed release date yet, but you can check my website for updates.
"This Christmas Eve afternoon may very well rate as the best of my life. Perhaps you thought Kate’s first Christmas Eve would be in the running? But, no. She was sick with croup, and we were all tired, run down, and frazzled. And with her regular pediatrician’s office already closed for the holiday, we spent most of the day questioning every cough and sniffle, endlessly debating about whether a trip to the emergency room was necessity, or overkill.
The first Christmas Eve I spent with Scout should also have been a contender. That time it was my cousin Joey (that would be Lucy’s brother, in case you’re wondering) who spoiled it for us by being a dick. We’ve all made up now, thank goodness, but things were frosty between us for a couple of years.
This year, in contrast, is serene and joyous—almost magical. Which is usually the sort of thing that would worry me, but it’s Christmas, or near enough. Surely any magic afoot today would have to lean more toward miracle than maelstrom, right?
Scout seems, for once, to have been truly infected with holiday spirit and it’s a beautiful thing to see. Even from the kitchen (where I’m keeping an eye on the pot of cocoa warming on the stove while assembling a small charcuterie board to tide us over until dinner) I can hear her and Cole—laughing and giggling together, singing nonsense songs and telling each other wild and totally preposterous Christmas-themed stories while they trim the tree.
Once the cocoa is done, I pile everything onto a tray and carry it into the living room. On the way I pass through the dining room where those sorry-looking roses from the airport are still languishing in their vase, dropping petals all over the table. I make a mental note to throw them out before our guests arrive for dinner tomorrow. And, when I say ‘dinner’ I mean they’ll come for brunch and stay through supper. Because that’s how my family rolls.
“Who’s ready for a snack?” I ask, as I place the tray down on the coffee table. Cole scrambles over, grabs a sandwich in each hand, and immediately gobbles them down.
I start to hand Scout her cocoa, then pause and ask, “Unless you’d like a glass of wine, instead?”
She smiles and shakes her head. “No, this is perfect. I’m sure there will be plenty to drink at Lucy’s. And I don’t think it’s a good idea if I start now. I might fall asleep too early.”
“Probably a good plan,” I agree, coming to sit beside her. “We need to conserve our energy.”
It’s funny how, when you’re a parent, so much of Christmas is spent chasing sleep. From staying up late to fill stockings and arrange presents—and to leave trails of fake snow on the floor, to deal with the cookies and milk that can’t appear to have been untouched. To being awakened far too early in the morning, to being expected to ooh and ahh, and evince surprise at your own handiwork—all before that lifesaving, first cup of coffee. Not that I would skip a minute of it, of course. But sleep is a highly underrated commodity."
Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to read another festive holiday scene. And don't forget to check out her book, Follow Me.
FOLLOW ME
Includes two novellas, If Only in My Dreams, and Spicy Nick.
One holiday weekend. Two special stories. Will they both have happy endings?
Well, it’s Oberon, so anything is possible.
IF ONLY IN MY DREAMS
Scout is heading home for the holidays when her flight gets rerouted into Alternate Universe Oberon, where nothing is as she remembers it.
SPICY NICK
When his wife finally makes it home (after her unexpected adventure) Nick is ready to greet her with a little holiday spice!
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