Nicolas Winters is now thirty years old and has been cancer free for over twenty years. He has since finished school and a successful writer of children's books while doing photography on the side to keep busy.
His favorite is here once again as Chr...
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Christmas Eve is officially here and Nicolas has rubbed off on me in the last month we have dated that is most definitely for a positive fact.
I am so excited for today that I woke up early and even fixed a huge breakfast. I have done went and seen Nicolas early this morning before he left for his parents house, which isn't far from his from what I found out while getting their address for Christmas dinner with them tomorrow. I even went in the spare time since girls night out shopping and bought a little something for Nicolas's parents as well as Eve and Duke. It felt wrong knowing I was going to be going to Christmas dinner with his family and not having them at least a small nick nack of some sort.
It has been over a decade since our house has been decorated for Christmas and even been gifts like this under the tree. It is so strange but at the same time exhilerating to be celebrating once again and how everything in life has changed in just a months time. Things I never thought we would have again or even ever have with having a boyfriend.
Without saying it my heart is Nicolas's and I know it is without a single doubt in my mind. If only there has been a perfect time to tell him and hope he feels the same but I have chickened out so many times.
"Need any help?" Mom's voice startles me out of my thoughts as I look out the window at the sky darkening.
"Nope." I turn and smile at her lightly. "Dad said things just have to simmer for a bit on the stove and he is keeping the bread warm in the oven."
Mom nods. She goes to say something but seems to stop and fidgets with her nails.
"Dad made up his stew for tonights dinner with sweet rolls. Also earlier today, I made a key lime pie."
Mom looks back up to me quick. "By box or homemade?"
I fake gasp. "Homemade. By my life I won't have granny come out of her grave just to whip my butt or haunt me because it was bought frozen at the store by a box."
Mom laughs and nods. "That she would."
I rinse my cup out in the sink and I see as Mom takes a step up. "Could we go for a walk?"
Looking over to Mom, she seems nervous and almost scared that she asked. "You know like we used to take? It may be cold but it has been so long since we got to share any time together."
"Sure." I smile softly and we walk into the living room.
"Natalie and I are going for a walk around the block." Mom tells Dad with a wide smile.
Dad nods then does a double take when it seems to hit him what Mom has just said. "Well okay, then you two have fun. Supper will be ready when you get back and then after we will do up the gifts."
Chrissy looks to us with a smile and tears in her eyes. I barely catch it before she looks to the television once more like she is hiding her emotions.
Mom and I step outside starting our walk. The sky darkens so early this time of the year but it makes it all the prettier as our walk around the block is full of Christmas lights and decorations from the neighbors.
"Natalie." Mom sighs catching my attention.
"Hmm." I hum and look over at her.
"I just want to say how truly sorry I am for everything. The way I have acted in the last thirteen to fourteen years has been unacceptable for a mother to have done. Seeing you both in the hospital after the car wreck the doctors telling me that at least one of my daughters wouldn't make it was so crushing that my mind for some reason disconnected and I lost myself then never got back on the right path." Mom sniffles and stops walking as she tries to choke back her tears.
My feet move me over the few inches between us and my arms wrap around Moms shoulders. Her arms are instantly around me and hugging me even tighter.
"I'm so sorry Natalie." Mom whispers repeatedly and my eyes have long since lost the battle of not letting tears fall.
I try to shoosh Mom as we have stood in this spot hugging for a long while now. Mom has a bear tight hug that has not been ready to let me go.
"Mom if we don't dry our face and stop crying then we are going to look worse than a frozen raisin." I whisper softly, making us both laugh.
She lets me go and wipes my face before I could get my hands up. Just like when I was a young child and had cried Mom wipes the tears away with her thumbs as she looks over my face so hard.
"It is hard to believe how fast time passes by and the smallest of changes time makes over the years. Without all the makeup being heavy you have always been a shining, beautiful star Natalie. You were gifted with the perfect skin and my gorgeous baby girl. I am so proud of you and everything you have accomplished on your very own over these years and all you do for your baby sister. I should have made you sure knew how proud of you I have been and not have acted like a bitch like I have been."
It does nothing to help stop the flow of tears and I smile. "Thank you Mom. I just want you back and I know Chrissy does too. I love you."
Mom smiles wide and hugs me again to her. "I love you to sugarplum."
"Now let's make our walk count because, I for one want to see yours and Chrissy's faces with opening gifts."
"I thought there were more gifts under the tree. Chrissy thought maybe that was Dad." I giggle as Mom loops her arm in mine and we go back to walking.
"Your Dad can't wrap for nothing, that's where you get that from. We had snuck out together, had a date night the other night instead of me going to Bingo. Last night I spent time wrapping up what we had bought for our girls."
The conversation continues and we are laughing so hard about random things as we open the front door. Chrissy turns her head and is smiling so wide as Dad comes walking in with a tray full of our Christmas mugs, steaming with the hot liquid in them.
"Well seems you ladies had a nice walk together." Dad smiles and we nod.
"Nothing better then our family coming together again this time of year. How about some hot chocolate to warm us up?" Dad places the tray on the table in the living room.
"Does it have cinnamon?" I smile wide and rub my hands together as I kick my boots off.
"Now what would my hot chocolate be if it didn't have that in it?" Dad laughs.
"Nasty." Chrissy chimes in and we all agree. The best is when Dad adds in some fresh ground cinnamon.
"Who is ready for gifts?" Mom looks over as she is sitting next to Dad on the couch.
A/N--- Hey Hey Guys!!!
Surprised to see Natalie's mom.do a complete change in attitude?
What may be to come?
When will Natalie tell Nicolas just how she feels?
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