Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 62~

~Emily~

~December 24th 2023~

The first light of Christmas morning filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over me and Colby as they slowly stirred awake. Snowflakes danced gracefully outside the window, blanketing the world in a serene white.

"Look at that snow," I murmured, my eyes reflecting the winter wonderland outside.

"It's perfect," Colby agreed, his voice warm with contentment. "Looks like we're having a white Christmas."

They lay there for a minute longer, wrapped in each other's arms, the excitement of the day ahead bubbling beneath the calm. The trap house was silent, but the festive decorations hanging from the tree and the walls promised a day full of joy and laughter.

"Can you believe it's Aspen's first Christmas?" I said, my voice filled with awe.

Colby turned to me, his smile as bright as the lights on the tree. "We're going to make it the best one ever, starting with a breakfast feast for everyone."

With that, we slipped out of bed, still in our cozy snowman onesies, and padded softly to Aspen's room. We peered into the crib where our little one lay sleeping, peaceful and oblivious to the excitement of her first Christmas.

"Morning, little snowflake," Colby whispered, gently stroking Aspen's cheek.

I went down the hall to go check on Blake and I saw that he was still passed out asleep. I leaned down and kissed his forehead as he stirred slightly. Colby came into his room, holding a very groggy Aspen. "Is he asleep?" I nodded as we both walked out.

I beamed at them both. "Let's get cooking. The crew will be waking up soon, and we've got a surprise for them."

As we made our way to the kitchen, the scent of pine and the sound of crackling fire from the hearth filled the air. I had set Aspen in her swing not far from the kitchen so I could keep an eye on her while we cooked. I had dressed her and warm gear due to the being cold outside it was a white onesie layered with a beige sleeper and a beige pom-pom hat and mittens. she was covered in a white blanket a the swing swayed. The trap house was alive with the spirit of the season, and as we began to cook, our laughter mingled with the sizzle of breakfast on the stove.

"Pass me the eggs, will you, love?" I asked, a twinkle in my eye.

"Only if you promise to catch them," Colby teased, tossing an egg gently towards me.

I caught it with ease, my laughter echoing through the room. "It's going to be a day to remember."

And as we cooked, the house began to stir, the crew drawn downstairs by the delicious smells and the promise of a Christmas morning filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of family.

The aroma of sizzling bacon and cinnamon wafted through the Trap house, mingling with the piney scent of Christmas trees. With my hair tied up in a messy bun, flipped pancakes on the griddle, my cheeks rosy from the heat of the kitchen. Colby was at my side, expertly cracking eggs into a bowl with one hand, a teasing smile on his face.

"Careful, Em. You might just outdo Santa with this feast," Colby chuckled, whisking the eggs.

I laughed, my eyes sparkling. "Well, we can't have the crew starting Christmas on an empty stomach, can we?"

"This is what Christmas is all about," I said, looking around at my chosen family. "Good food, great friends, and the cutest babies in the world."

We raised our glasses in a toast, the warmth of the season wrapping around them like the coziest blanket. "To family," we all echoed, and my heart felt as full as the stockings hanging by the fireplace.

The clink of forks and knives slowed as we began to contemplate our Christmas day plans. The steam from the hot cocoa mugs rose in lazy swirls, mixing with the laughter and conversation.

"Okay, so snowball fight? That's a solid plan," Jake said, grinning as he leaned back in his chair.

Tara, with a mischievous glint in her eye, nodded enthusiastically. "I'm definitely in for the snowball fight. I've been working on my throwing arm just for this!"

I was still cradling Aspen, who was now contentedly dozing off. I smiled at my friends. "And what about you, Corey? Think you can handle getting pummeled with snowballs?"

Corey smirked, tossing a balled-up napkin in my direction. "In my dreams? Please, I'm the reigning snowball champion. You're all going down."

I rolled my eyes playfully and ducked the napkin. "Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming, Corey. You're about as much of a snowball champ as I am a morning person."

Laughter filled the room, and Isa chimed in, "Well, I say we make it interesting. Loser of the snowball fight has to jump in the pool!"

"Deal! But no chickening out," Devyn added, her eyes scanning the group for any signs of hesitation.

As we finished our breakfast, our excitement for the day's festivities grew. We cleared the dishes, the clatter a background symphony to our bubbling anticipation.

"Alright, team," I announced, standing up and gently placing Aspen in her swing. "Let's suit up for the most epic snowball fight the Trap house has ever seen."

With a cheer, the crew dispersed to prepare for the snowy battle ahead, our spirits as bright and lively as the twinkling lights adorning the Trap house walls. Bundled up in our warmest gear, we spilled out into the snow, laughter ringing in the frosty air. I adjusted my pink puffer vest, a mischievous glint in my eye.

"Alright, team, let's see who's really got game," I called out, scooping up a handful of snow.

Corey, already lobbing a snowball at Devyn, grinned. "Prepare to lose, Em!"

I ducked, the snowball whizzing past her. "In your dreams, Corey!" I retorted, packing my own snowball. "You're going down!"

The air was filled with flying snowballs, shouts, and giggles. Tara, with her impeccable aim, landed a snowball right on Jake's shoulder. "Gotcha!" she exclaimed triumphantly.

Jake brushed off the snow, smirking. "Oh, it's on, Tara!"

Meanwhile, Blake and Sadie were in their own little world. Sadie rolled around in the snow, her tail wagging wildly, while Blake laughed, tossing a small snowball up for her to catch.

"Look at Sadie, she's loving this!" Blake said, his breath forming clouds in the cold air.

Isa, shivering but smiling, called out, "Who needs a hot tub when you've got a snow spa right here?"

As the snowball fight wound down, we were all panting, red-cheeked, and grinning from ear to ear. I scooped up Aspen, who was wide-eyed at the spectacle.

"Did you see that, Penny? Your moms got an arm on her!" I teased, nuzzling my baby's cheek.

Corey flopped into the snow, making a snow angel. "I think I'll just lie here till spring," he joked, his arms sweeping through the snow.

"Come on, snow angel, let's get you warmed up," Devyn laughed, offering Corey a hand.

We headed back inside and settled down, spirits high and hearts full, ready to continue our Christmas celebrations, warmed by friendship and the joy of the season. I changed Aspen into a red onesie with white socks and a white beanie and me and and Colby matched in red and black plaid pajamas.

The warmth of the house wrapped around them as we shook off the chill. The kitchen buzzed with excitement and the sweet aroma of baking cookies.

"Okay, Santa's going to need the energy with these cookies," I declared, rolling out the dough with determination.

Isa laughed, arranging the colorful cookie cutters. "I bet we could guide his sleigh with these bright icing colors alone!"

Corey, peering into the oven, teased, "Hope he leaves us some presents after tasting my special reindeer-shaped masterpieces!"

As Blake and Jake entertained Aspen with a chorus of silly faces and sounds, the first batch of cookies emerged, golden and ready for decoration.

"Artists at work, people. Let's get icing!" Tara announced, wielding a piping bag like a pro.

Colby, with a twinkle in his eye, scooped up a handful of flour. "Emmy, I think you missed a spot," he said, just before launching the flour at me.

I sputtered, covered in a dusting of white. "Colby! You're gonna get it!" I exclaimed, reaching for my own ammunition.

Laughter erupted as flour flew, turning the kitchen into a winter wonderland.

"Guys, look at this mess!" Devyn chuckled, trying to dodge the flour bombs.

Amidst the chaos, Sadie trotted in, her nose twitching at the scents and the sight of her flour-covered family.

"Sadie, no!" Blake called out, but it was too late. With a happy bark, Sadie shook herself, sending a cloud of flour into the air.

As the laughter died down, we surveyed the kitchen. "Well, this looks like a job for Santa's cleanup crew," Jake said, grabbing a broom.

With the kitchen eventually restored to order, we admired our handiwork: a colorful collection of cookies, each with its own quirky charm.

"Now, let's pack these up and see if the neighborhood lights can match our cookie decorating skills," I said, my eyes still sparkling with mirth.