PRESENTING THE PAST - Paige Bueckers x Nika Muhl, Diana Taurasi x Sue Bird

CHAPTER 16

"So, do you think you can give me that Christmas dinner already?" Diana asks Sue as they enjoy the wine she brought to the hotel's lounge. It's late, and only a few people remain, chatting quietly. One table, of course, is occupied by their two daughters, who seem to have missed each other despite being separated for only two days.

"Mhm..." Sue agrees. "I think those two would love that." She points at Paige and Nika, who are laughing at a joke Paige just told.

"I missed spending Christmas with you and Nika, Suzanne," Diana whispers, earning Sue's attention. "It's never been the same. That one Christmas with you and her set the standard for every Christmas for me."

PAIGE

"Heeey! It's our fourth Christmas together with our little Paige Madison! Say hi to the camera, sweetheart!"

"Eeey!"

"Mom's gonna cook a lot tonight! Are you excited, baby?"

"Uh-huh!"

I sigh with a smile before closing the video camera recorder. I look at the view in front of me. Paris, the city of love, is messy, just like love itself—messy, chaotic, and complex, but the most beautiful thing in the world. That Christmas when I was four is the last one I remember when we were whole as a family, and I was whole as a person. This video keeps me on track every Christmas, trying not to dwell on everything that happened. I still wish some things had never happened. I still wish I could spend Christmas the way I did when I was four.

But this year, I know it will be different. For me, and for Mom; especially for her.

"Paige, which one looks better?" Mom calls me back to reality. I look at her, holding up a pair of black jeans and black trousers.

"Mom, it's a formal dinner! Put your usual black jeans away!" I giggle. She rolls her eyes at me. I stand and walk towards my luggage, pulling out a silky white Louis Vuitton button-down under a white LV vest, with matching white LV pants.

"Hey! Why is your outfit low-key eating?" I give Mom a side-eye because there is no way she's using slang now!

"Where did you learn that, Diana Taurasi?" I ask, making her laugh.

"I always hear you say that whenever you see a good outfit," she explains, making me nod. I didn't know I was this influential on my mom.

"Did you have a good time last night?" I ask while carefully laying my clothes on the bed to easily get into them later.

"Yes, it's been a while since I celebrated Christmas with Sue again," she answers, sitting on her bed. I shrug and walk towards her to sit beside her. "How about you? You seemed to be having a serious conversation with Nika until you both started laughing your asses off." I chuckle and shake my head.