Just a Soldier

Chapter 67 - The start of the holidays

Scarlett's POV:

Sleep was hard to come by last night. I am so excited that we're flying to New York for the holidays today. I was like a kid on Christmas eve. New York is beautiful at Christmas, and I can't wait to show Y/n and Ava, sharing traditions that our family has and hopefully creating new ones.

Thankfully, we have an early flight, so I didn't have to wait too long until our alarm was going off to indicate that it's time to get the holiday period started! I chuckle to myself when I hear a groan coming from Y/n as she pats her hand around the side table to grab her phone. Her eyes firmly shut.

She shuts of the alarm and turns around and goes to snuggle into me. As I'm sat against the headboard, her arm falls over my legs instead of my body and I watch as the confusion washes over her face. Her eyes slowly flutter open, and they eventually land on mine, a smile forming on her lips. "How long have you been awake?" She asks with her usual morning husk that I love so much.

"Not long." I lie, reaching out to run my hand through her hair. "So, most of the night?" She calls me out, leaning into my touch. "Maybe. I'm just excited." I reply with a laugh at how easily she can read me, even in a half-asleep state. "Who knew you were such a lover of the holidays." She states, slowly becoming more awake. "This one is going to be special, and I can't wait to get it started." I tell her honestly.

Y/n sits up in the bed, a smile fixed on her face. "Our first Hanukkah and Christmas together." She states and I nod, matching her smile. "I've never spent a Christmas with a partner before." She shares and I scrunch my face in confusion. "What about Lindsey?" I ask. "Both Christmases we were together she spent with her family. She wasn't open with them so it was never an option." She replies, playing with the rings on my fingers.

How could someone not want to spent Christmas with Y/n and Ava? More to the point, how could someone want to hide her. I know that I want everyone to know that I love this woman and that I'm the lucky one that gets to call her mine. "Well, my parents can't wait to see you both again. I'm sure mom would keep you hostage if she could!" I tell her and she laughs.

Her gaze moves from our joined hands up to meet my own. I lean down and give her a sweet kiss. As she tries to deepen it, I move away, and she groans. "We've got to get up!" I tell her, booping her nose and jumping out full of energy. Y/n flops back onto the bed and hugs a pillow tight. "You are a tease, Johansson!" She complains into the pillow.

We had packed our stuff last night, so I leave Y/n to get up whilst I start getting ready myself. In the bathroom, I'm brushing my teeth when Y/n walks in in just her underwear. My actions stop and my eyes follow her through the mirror as she brushes past me to her sink. Oh, she's good. She grabs her own toothbrush and looks at me in the mirror, pointing at me with her brush. "You're dribbling." She points out with a smirk. I quickly snap back to reality and notice my toothpaste had started to drip down my chin. "You're an ass." I mumble but she pouts. "I thought you like my ass." She smirks and I roll my eyes at her antics.

We spend the next 15 minutes getting dressed and making sure we have everything. We decided to leave Ava to sleep as long as she could, knowing today was going to be a long day. Ava is much more with it this morning than Y/n was and is bouncing away, excited for our holiday. I think she's most excited to see Hunter as it's been a couple of months since we were last there.

Y/n takes on her usually role of getting the bags in the car, whilst I make sure Ava has something to eat before we leave. When we're all set to go, I take Ava's hand and lead her out to the car where she runs straight to greet George. Because we're picking up Lizzie, Y/n takes the seat up front, and we get on our way to start our journey.

Lizzie is waiting by her door, a coffee cup in her hand, still looking like she's trying to fully join the world of the living. Ava laughs when Lizzie slides into the back and lets out a groan. "Who decided to get such an early flight?" She complains. "Uh, you..." Y/n replies with a grin which seems to irritate the sleepy Olsen. "Let's just get going shall we?" Lizzie responds with sass. George gives a two fingered salute and takes us on the rest of the way to the airport.