That's Christmas To Me

25. That's Christmas To Me

Andy woke up with a start.

"Aurora. Honey."

"Mmmm."

"We have to put on clothes before your son runs in."

I didn't get up. Andy kissed my cheek on top of me.

"Here." He whispered. He had sweats and a sweatshirt for me. I hummed and sat up, putting them on.

Andy kissed my head and got back in bed with me.

I smiled and leaned into him. He wrapped his arms around me.

"Merry Christmas beautiful."

"Merry Christmas." I said.

And just like magic, Connor burst through the door.

"SANTA CAME!"

I smiled as he ran into bed, jumping on it.

"Santa! Santa! It's Santa! He was here!" Connor said.

"Is he?"

"Yeah! Come see!" He said. Andy and I got up, walking with him out to the Christmas tree. He grabbed his filled stocking.

I sat down on the couch with him as he opened it. Andy sat next to me.

God he was so happy.

And when he was happy, so was I.

•••

I helped myself to some coffee as Jacob and Sarah opened their stockings. I knew I had to include them.

I also had a pack of condoms at the bottom of jacobs. Just a little fun.

I watched from afar as he saw it, pulled it out, and threw it back in his stocking.

"Aurora." Andy said. I snickered. Sarah couldn't help but smile too.

"What are those?" Connor asked.

"Balloons." Andy and Jacob said at the same time. I sighed.

Connor nodded and continued playing. I just rolled my eyes and continued getting my coffee before going to sit next to Jacob.

"Hey then you don't have to use my plan b's." I whispered.

He sighed and wrapped his arm over me. "I used your plan bs so that you wouldn't be a grandma." He whispered. I laughed.

"Thank you." I said. He kissed my head and moved to look at Sarah.

"I'm sorry about the whole thing." Sarah said.

"It's your boyfriends fault. Always blame it on the boy." I whispered.

"Rory." Andy said. I smiled.

"See it's his fault." I said. Andy smiled.

•••

Connor laughed as he watched Home Alone. His little giggle was contagious. Jacob and Sarah sat with him. He was on Sarah's lap.

Andy and I worked on a puzzle together. We both had champagne.

"I have a toast for you Aurora Lynn." Andy said. I looked over at him and smiled.

"Yes?"

"To your new book that's going out this new year, and to a happy life. A happy chapter."

I lifted my glass with him. He clinked it against mine before taking a sip.

"Thank you love." I said. He smiled.

Connor's giggles were in the back again. I looked over at him. Andy rubbed my back as I did.

"Hey. We did that."

"We did that." I said back. He rested his head on my shoulder and sighed.

"You know I think this might be our best Christmas yet. I have everything I need here. Everything I love dearly."

I nodded and smiled.

"That's Christmas to me." I said. "Love, family, being home with all the cheer."

"Oh Aurora Barber. You're the love of my life."

Thank you all who stayed with me and read this story every single day of December. I had so much fun with this.

Merry Christmas, happy holidays. Tell the people close to you that you love them. Share some smiles.

I love you all.

-G