Mine *don't read: being rewritten*

Chapter Thirty-Six

Riley's POV

*Christmas Eve*

"Alright, Bryce." I sigh and tuck the boy into bed.

"But I want to stay up and wait for Santa!" he whines, pouting his lower lip.

"Santa won't come unless you're asleep. So, close you little eyes and dream of all the presents you're going to get!" I kiss the top of his head. Bryce smiles at me.

"Goodnight, Rye-Rye." He giggles. "I love you!"

"I love you more." I ruffle his hair, turn the light off, and leave the room.

~

"Hunter," I whine into the phone.

"Riley Ann," he mimics me, laughing.

"I just wanted to spend Christmas with you and Sammie and Bryce."

"I know, babe. You can come over later." His voice is the quiet, calm that I love more than anything. I want him to be here. He's supposed to be here.

"I will. We still have our first New Year's." I smile. Hunter laughs softly.

"Get some sleep, Rye."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you more, Riley Ann. Goodnight." The line goes dead.

I lay on my back and stare at the ceiling. My dad ruins everything. We made the plans a while ago. Hunter was going to come over and help us decorate the tree and hang the stocking and put the lights up. Bryce didn't know about it, but he sort of assumed it would happen. He was so excited. I think he was scared that since Mom wasn't there, we wouldn't put decorations up. Hunter made that fear go away.

Then, he was going to help me wrap presents because I'm shit at it, and he claims that he isn't. He was going to spend the night on Christmas Eve--tonight--and we were going to spend Christmas together. Instead, my dad came home and ruined it all.

I must fall asleep without realizing it because before I even realize it, Bryce is jumping on me, screaming, "It's Christmas! Rye, wake up! It's Christmas!"

I pull the pillow over my face. "But it's so early." I laugh.

"Riley!" He giggles, pulling the pillow from my face. Sam comes in a few minutes later.

"Come on, Rye. It's Christmas."

"Let me make coffee or get some sort of caffeine in me and we'll get started. Bryce get Dad up and we can see what Santa brought." I climb out of bed, and the little boy runs out of the room.

I answer my ringing phone as Sam and I leave my room. "Happy Christmas!" Hunter says excitedly, before I can even say hello. I'm surprised that his voice isn't heavy and slow with sleep.

"Merry Christmas to you, too." I laugh at him.

"Oh, shut up, yank."

"What?" I ask. I hear him laugh on the other end of the phone. "Should I be offended?"

"It means a person from the United States of America."

Now it's my turn to laugh at him. "Or the U.S."

"Whatever."

"Aussie."

"I'll see you later, Rye." Hunter sighs, but I can hear the laughter behind it.

"I love you." I laugh.

"I love you, too." He hangs up.

"Come on, Bryce is waiting." Sam grabs my hand and pulls me down the stairs.