saudade | s.j.

thirty-one

*Fluffy...very fluffy*

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Y/N's POV

The soft glow of the Christmas tree lights filled the living room with warmth, casting a cozy ambiance over the early morning. The smell of cinnamon rolls cooling in the kitchen mingled with the rich aroma of hot cocoa, making my heart swell with the familiar comforts of the holiday.

I sat cross-legged on the floor, my favorite blanket draped around my shoulders as I leaned against the couch, Scarlett sitting behind me rubbing her hand through my curls. Her other hand reaches out to hand a present to Rose, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Thank you momma!"

Rose grinned, tearing into the paper with the enthusiasm only a child could muster. "Whoa! It's 'Waf!" she squealed holding up a stuffed Olaf from Frozen. Scarlett laughed at her mispronunciation. "Yes it is baby. Do you like him?"

Rose hugged the plush toy tightly, her eyes shinning. "I love him." I watched her run around the room with him while I grabbed some more boxes from under the tree. Two for her, one for Scarlett, and one for me. "Okay sunshine, these two are from me." This will be a surprise not only for her but for her mom.

Rose's little hands work at the wrapping again, once she got it off she opened the box, her face dropped in confusion. "Y/N...it just card." I laugh and tell her to open the card. She shrugs her little shoulders and picks up the card walking over to her mom so they can read it together. I do forget sometimes that Rose still needs reading help.

"Y/N." Scarlett says in a monotone voice.

"Just read it to her Scar." I roll my eyes as she huffs and begins reading it so Rose knows what she got.

"Mickey, Minnie, and all of your friends at Walt Disney World cordially invite Scarlett, Rose, and Y/N to spend a week with us and all of your favorite friends!" 

There is a brief silence before screams fill the room. Rose runs into my lap squeezing me while asking when we are going. "As soon as your mom and I are done with this movie."

She jumps up and down full of joy. We get through her opening the rest of her gifts so that we could open our own and let her enjoy playing around with all her new things.

"Here, open. I've been waiting to give this to you for months." Scarlett says handing me a huge box.

"Months love? That's a long time." I say with a nervous laugh.

I begin to open the box, I gasp in astonishment.

"No fucking way." I look up at Scarlett my eyes now watering. I pull it out of the box and start to jump up and down like a little kid in a candy store.

"You got me a Captain America shield!"

"An original from set. I remember you telling me how they wouldn't let you have one. I can be persuasive. And check the back." I smile at her and flip over the shield.

My mouth drops open, my heart feeling warmer than it has in a long time. Everyone in the cast left little messages for me on it. I fell to my knees, "This is the best gift ever. Scar, after the year I've had. Truly. Thank you."

She kisses my forehead and wraps her arms around me. "I'm happy you love it."

"Now it's your turn." I say, handing her a box.

"What's this?" Scarlett asks.

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I just told you." I retorted. She chuckles and starts to open it. She made a pouty face as she pulled out the necklace. It was a silver necklace with her and Rose's birthstones. I rub the back of my neck out of anxiety hoping that it's enough.

"Hey. I love this." Scarlett says as she kisses my forehead. I help her clasp it around her neck, smiling at how perfect it looks on her. I stood up to grab the last few gifts under the tree when Scarlett reaches out and gently tugs me back down into her lap. "We can open the rest later. I wanna enjoy this moment." Rose, now sprawled out on the rug with Olaf and all her new toys, humming happily to herself.

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Scarlett's POV

By the time we pulled into Robert's driveway, Rose was half asleep in the back seat, clutching Olaf with one hand while the other rested on her lap. The snow had started falling lightly again, covering the ground in a fresh blanket of white. I turn to Y/N, who was stretching her arms out with a yawn.

"After being lazy all day eating cinnamon rolls, I'm just as sleepy as she is." Y/N says with a chuckle.

"Yea she's almost out cold." I whisper, smiling at her.

Y/N chuckles as she unbuckles Rose from her seat. She cradles Rose against her chest as her tiny arms instinctively wrap around her neck. "Mama," she mumbles sleepily, her voice muffled against Y/N's scarf. "Yes Rosie?"

"Is Santa here too?"

"No my darling, Santa's probably taking a big nap now," I said softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

The door swings open before we could even knock, and Robert stands there with his arms spread wide. "My favorites. Come on in."

The house is a whirlwind of laughter and chatter. The Chrises are in the kitchen with Elizabeth and Aubrey, making wildly inappropriate gestures with kitchen utensils as they argue about the turkey. While Mark and Anthony has somehow been roped into judging the kids gingerbread house competition. Sebastian and Jeremy were watching soccer and football on the tv.

Y/N took Rose to the guest room to let her sleep for a little bit before dinner. I decided to head to the kitchen.

As I walk in, Elizabeth gives me a look of relief. "Scarlett, thank God. Please tell Chris he can't put rosemary in everything."

Elizabeth and I have grown close again since we had a long conversation after my birthday.

"Which one? They both can't cook so I hope neither is giving their opinion before they ruin this bird." I roll my sleeves up and shuffle both Chrises to the side so I can help Lizzie.

"Come sit with me boys. I told you not to get between her and cooking," Aubrey pats the seats next to her and slides two ciders across the table. They sigh in defeat and sit down. The chaos of the holidays honestly is helping me warm back up to reality.

Soon enough we were done, now the dining room is packed, different conversations flowing down the table and plates being passed every which way. The kids table is full of conversation too, just at a higher pitch.

I pour myself a large glass of wine and receive a stare from Susan. I shake my head in an attempt to get across that I'll explain later. Y/N notices and puts her hand on my thigh.

As dinner draws to a close, Y/N and I find ourselves on the couch resting with everyone else.

"Happy Holidays Scar," she whispers as her arms wrap around my waist.

"Happy Holidays my love."

I glance around the room, filled with people I love, my heart felt full. I knew I would be okay.