[ (Y/N)'s POV: ]
My eyes tear up as the thought of past Christmases float into my mind.
Even the mere thought of Justin makes me shiver.
He's the father of my children, he was my first true love, my soulmate, and my first–and last–heartbreak.
I sigh and my thoughts are then interrupted as Bailey tries to climb up my leg.
"Mummy, mummy!" She giggles, drool spilling down her chin.
I look down at her and giggle. I wrap my arms around her and lift her up, resting her on top of my hip.
Max walks over to us with a smirk on his face.
I raise my eyebrow at him. "What are you looking at, mister?"
He tries to keep his mouth in a line like a "grown up," but his smile breaks through and he breaks out into a fit of laughter.
Bailey starts to giggle histerically, too.
She does everything Max does lately. It's so adorable.
"Why don't we check on the cookies?"
"Yeah! Yeah!" Max jumps up and down energetically. Man, to have that five-year-old energy again…
"Cwookies!" Bailey says with a giggle.
I set her down and Max grabs her hand. "C'mon, Bee. Let's go check on the cookies for mummy," He leads her to the oven and they press their hands and their faces against the glass of the oven, peering in at our little-Santa masterpieces.
"How do they look, guys?"
"Delishfus, mum," Bailey replies, her smile wide. She lets out another giggle and her chubby legs shake under her, causing her to fall over onto her bum. She hits the ground with a thud, but proceeds to giggle. She is such a little giggler!
Max looks down at her, looks around him, then proceeds to do just as his sister, and fall to the floor with a thud.
He starts to giggle with her and then Bailey starts to bounce around with giggles. She falls into Max's lap and Max's face immediately softens.
He smiles wider than ever before and cocks his head to look down at her. He brushes his fingers through her hair.
My heart melts, and I pull out my camera and take photos of them before pulling out my phone and posting a picture to Instagram.
Max looks up at me, his eyes filled with pride, and tears threaten behind my eyes.
"You silly gooses!" I say to them and then join them on the floor.
Normally, Bailey would climb right into my lap, but she stays with her brother. A tear trickles down my cheek. They've grown up so damn fast. If only their father could've been here…
I run my hands through Max's bangs. "Do you love your baby sister, Max?"
He nods quickly. "Very much, mummy. Very much."
–
My phone vibrates under my leg. I ignore it.
"Aren't you gonna pick that up, mum?" Max turns to me, questioning me.
"No," I shake my head softly. "I don't think I am."
"But it might be dadda," He looks up into my eyes innocently, his carmel brown orbs diving into my soul.
