Holly Garland on Santa's Lap [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER 1 ~In the eye of the hurricane~

"Ugh, Mom, I'm swamped with work today. There's no way I can make it!"

I'm still half asleep, so I'm being extra careful not to trip down these stairs while I'm on the phone. Christmas is right around the corner, and I gotta be careful.

"Are you sure you can't just slip away a few days early to join us, Holly? Tomorrow's a special day!"

"I told you, it's impossible. Nothing would run smoothly at the office without me. I have commitments, you know?"

"Yeah, yeah, honey. I'm just saying it's a shame not to have you with us for such a special occasion! Your brothers will be disappointed."

"Listen, I'll be there for Christmas Eve. Isn't that what matters?"

In the kitchen, I pour myself a cup of coffee and grab an apple from the fruit bowl.

"Fine. But only if you promise to make an effort to have fun."

"I think you're asking a little too much of me, Mom. It's Christmas. I don't see any reason to be happy."

"Oh, honey, why do you have to hate Christmas so much?"

"It's not me who hates Christmas. It's Christmas who hates me! And you know it perfectly well!"

"Now, now, I'm sure everything will be fine this year! I have a good feeling about it..."

"Yeah, right. Just like the day you decided to name your only daughter after a Christmas decoration?"

"Holly!!!"

"Exactly my point!!!" I chug down my hot coffee, wishing I could sleep in for another hour.

"Are you ever going to let that go? Your name doesn't define who you are or what your life is going to be. I've told you a million times!"

Back in the hallway, I stuff the apple into my purse, grab my chunky wool coat, and a teal blue beanie, pulling it on quickly.

"You're a beautiful young woman, and life will only smile on you when you decide to let it," my mom continues on the phone.

I stand in front of the hall mirror and adjust my beanie, staring at my reflection.

A beautiful young woman? Me?

I look down at my carrot-colored hair and the freckles that dot my nose and cheeks, even with a ton of foundation. She only says that because she's my mom. I would've known by now if I was beautiful!

"You're lying. I'm not beautiful at all. Don't try to butter me up to get me to come to the cabin earlier!"

"You are, honey. And if no man has ever told you that, it's because they're all blind. And if you don't see it yourself, then you're blind too. It's a shame! Such beautiful, Christmas tree-green eyes, completely wasted..."

"Ugh... Stop it! I'd rather you say they're goose poop-green than compare them to a Christmas tree. Okay, I gotta go, I'm going to be late. Love you, Mom, see you in two days!" I hang up before she can respond and carefully descend the stone steps of my little brownstone.

It would be a real bummer to break one of my cute new heels, or worse, break my leg on the icy ground.

Although... if I had a cast, I couldn't drive to Pennsylvania, and then I wouldn't have to deal with that stupid family gathering !

Oh, come on! Instead of avoiding them, now I'm looking for trouble? I shake my head and sigh before heading to my car. Besides, I don't want to risk ruining this amazing pair of heels I bought on Fifth Avenue for a small fortune.