After cleaning up breakfast I head to my room where I wrap everything id bought since coming home. Setting up the kids stockings and placing them all in my suitcase.
We load the truck with the tree, presents, games, so much food, and booze for the after party. Then we head to the hotel. The hotel was my grandmothers before she passed. It had been her pride and joy and the reason we always had Christmas there. When it came time for her to retire it was my sister Paige who took it over. She had always loved working there and seemed to love it almost as much as gran had.
We decorate the large ballroom with loads of tables and chairs covered in red and green tablecloths, holly, fake flickering candles and elf figurines. The tree is up and decorated, Christmas lights hung around each wall and a chair for Santa up on a small stage.
"There we go. I think everything is set. The ladies are helping mom with food so I believe all we have to now is get our families ready." Paige declares.
"Good thing too, my hair is going to take me forever." I laugh heading to the pool to grab the kids who are playing with Hardon.
"Alright, you two time for us to get ready. The party starts in just a little while." I announce loudly. On a normal day, it would have taken sheer force to rip them from the water, but with Santas visit and the party, they are leaping out. "What do you tell your uncle?"
"Thanks, Uncle hardon!" Daniel says, wrapping up in a towel.
"Thank you for playing!" Claire adds
"See you at the party, kiddos." He waves "you too, sis." He adds before diving under the surface.
An hour and a half later, all three of us are ready. Daniel in black slacks his red button-up and green christmas vest with a small Santa patch on the bottom, and his hair combed nicely. Claire, in her red dress with her hair, curled into a half ponytail, a large bright green bow with gold antlers attached on top. Then, I was in my red retro housewife, inspired dress with green accents on the trim, bust, and strap around my neck. My hair pinned on one side with a snowflake clip, the rest curled and blown out into large wavy curls. I put on my red pumps and red lip stain to finish my look.
"Mama, you look super pretty!" Daniel compliments.
"Thank you, my sweet boy. You look very handsome. So grown." I smile,"and you, my little Claire bell, look just like a princess." My daughter giggles, spinning in a circle to make her dress flare up. I'm glad I had the foresight to put the black tights underneath.
"Are we ready to go? I think it's time." I barely get out the sentence before they are pulling my arms out the door.
When we come to the ballroom, the red and green lights are on stage, and all the candles and Christmas lights light the rest. There is quiet christmas music playing and the room has lots of people already here. Hardon spots us first calling with a loud whistle.
"Dang sis! You look great! The fam cleans up nice!" He says, pulling my arm into a spin and kissing my cheek.
"Thanks, Hardon, but look at you. Looking so sharp." I gesture to his full on black suit with small candy canes all over it. He strikes a few poses, causing us both to laugh.
"Did you invite anyone?" I ask and catch the small glint in his eyes.
"I did. But they won't be here till later."
"That's too bad." I am pulled into a hug then by daddy.
"Beautiful job, sweetheart! We are so excited you could make it this year. It has been too long since we've all been here for the holiday." He gabs.
"Thanks, Daddy. I'm excited to be here."
The party is off to a great start. The kids run and play on the small dance floor as everyone visits. Using my camera, I rotate the room, taking photos, and catching up with family when I get tapped on my shoulder.
"Hey." Hardon says shy looking.
"Hey, what's up? Everything alright?"
"I'm about to find out."
"What are you talking about?"
"I wasn't completely truthful earlier with you. I mean, I was, but.. well..." He jitters
"Come on out with it." I push
"I didn't only invite my date. But well, yours, " he admits
"Hardon, what did you..." I stop myself looking up to Keaton Brown dressed in a white button-up, black slacks and red suspenders. His hair pushed back nicely, Maddy at his side in a red and white plaid dress with a matching headband and black tights.
"Holly!" She squeals, running the distance between us and practically jumping in my arms.
"Oh Maddy, you look beautiful." I smile spinning her around. she absolutely beams.
"Daddy says you do too. Is Claire here with you? And Danie" she asks hopefully.
"They are. See all the kids over there. Why don't you go play." I suggest squeezing the sweet girl one last time before placing her back down and watching as she runs after them. As they hug one another. A voice clears behind my gaze, and I flip my head back. It had been Hardon.
"Well, my date is here now, so I'm just gonna leave you..." He backs up quickly, not bothering to finish his sentence. I follow his movement to a handsome looking man in a suit much like his, though only with pictures of colored Christmas lights. He kisses his cheek, and though I am going to have words with my brother, I am warmed by the look they give each other
"Holly." Keaton addresses.
"Keaton." I reply, pulling my attention to him. Before he can say anything, dinner is announced, and the kids are running towards us.
Tables are set for 12 people as we all take our seats. Ours comes to be the five of us, Hardon and his date, who I learn to be his boyfriend Legend, my parents and paige with her family. The food is passed around each table, and talking seems fun and festive. I am hyper aware Keaton sits at my side and my father across from him. Luckily, Hardon and Legend are grand storytellers, leaving very little space for dry conversation. When we go in for dessert, I am surprised when Keaton places his hand on my knee under the table.
"Oh Mrs.Greene is this your famous peppermint cheesecake?" He inquires, practically licking his lips. I feel the jolt of warmth blossom, but push it down.
"You bet. I remembered how much you used to love it." She flashes him a mega smile, and I glance at her. She knew Hardon's plan.
"Oh, I didn't realize. Hardon said it had been a minute since you'd been home, but how long have the two of you been married? You have gorgeous children." Legend broadcasts. I cough on nothing but the air I breathe.
"No no no I'm not. We're not. I..." I try feeling a flash of heat and try to fan myself with my hand.
"We aren't married." Keaton announces easily.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I assumed by Mrs.Greenes' comment you've been around for ages." Legend defends embarrassed.
"Keaton used to date Holly before college." Paige updates clearly.
"Yes; they've only just been reconnecting recently." Mama chimes in as Hardon mouths the words 'I'm sorry.'
YOU ARE READING
Christmas past to present!
RomanceTecently divorced mother of two heads home for the holidays where she comes face to face with her high school sweetheart Keaton Brown. Can she resist the old attraction? Does she even want to try?
