I woke up to a cold breeze hitting my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes, adjusting to the bright light that was filling the room. I rolled over, finding an empty spot.
"Riley?", I said. I rubbed my eyes and put on my glasses before getting out of bed. "Amy?" My daughter's room was empty. I grabbed a sweater and put it on when I heard giggling and yelling coming from outside.
"Stop it!", I heard. "Oh no, it's payback time!" The voices were all too familiar. I looked out the window and saw Riley and Amy play in the snow. A big snowman filled up the center of the backyard and they made small fortresses to protect themselves from snowballs. I smiled watching them play.
Riley noticed me and smiled before she waved at me. She tried to speak, but got hit by a snowball.
"You little rat!", she said laughing. She collected a bunch of snow and chased Amy through the backyard. When she finally got her, she dumped the snow all over her. I laughed. The two of them rolled in the snow of laughter.
Riley looked up at me again and motioned for me to come downstairs.
"Mommy, mommy! Look!", Amy said running up to me. She pointed at the snowman outside. "It's so cool! Did you made that?", I asked. "No, obviously Riley helped me." I smiled and looked at Riley. "Thank you", I mouthed to her. She just winked.
"Mommy! Look at this!" She ran towards a big christmas tree standing in the corner of our living room. A bunch of presents underneath the tree. I hadn't seen Amy this happy in a very long time. "Woah!", I said walking to the tree. "Did Santa came by?", I asked. Amy nodded excitedly. "Look! All these are for me!" "This one is so big", I said pointing at a big box. "It's a pony", she said confidently.
"Maybe we can already think of a name for her", Riley said walking up to us. "I'm gonna ask mister snowman!" She ran outside. "Careful!", I yelled after her.
"Did you do this?", I asked. Riley shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe Santa did." I smiled and wrapped my arms around her neck. "You didn't have to", I said. She nodded. "Oh I know. But it's our first christmas with the three of us. I wanted to make it special", she said. I softly pressed my lips against hers. Her eyes fluttered open and a smile formed on her face.
A minute later, Amy came running in but stopped as soon as she saw us.
"Is it present time?", she asked. I looked at Riley and back at Amy. "Sure. Pick one", Riley said.
Amy threw her wet mittens on the floor and ran to the biggest present there was. "Mine", she said. Riley nodded. "Have at it."
Amy ripped all the paper into small pieces, revealing a box. "What is it?", I asked helping her. As soon as Amy realized what it was, her eyes widened. "A house for my dollies?!" I got down to her level and admired the box with her. "I think so. It's beautiful, isn't it?" Amy nodded excitedly. "Can I play mommy? Please?" "Of course", I said. I helped her unpack the doll house and put it in the corner with her dolls. I took off her coat and hung it over a chair to let it dry.
Amy sat down on the floor and played with her dolls.
"Come on Anna, we have to go to your new home", she said to one of her dolls.
I looked at Riley and kissed her. "Thank you", I said. "For all this. I love it so much. And Amy loves it. This is her first actual Christmas. You're the best", I said. I hugged her tight. "It's no problem. You know I'd do anything for you two." I smiled. "I know. The way you see Amy as your own, I couldn't ask you for anything more." She brushed her fingers through my hair. "Well, there is one more thing", she said. She grabbed a present from under the tree and handed it to me. I look at her and slightly tilted my head.
"Stop it. You've done enough", I said. "Take it", she said. I smiled. "Fine. But at least give me the chance to get you something before the end of the day", I said while unpacking the gift. "There's only one thing I need." She took the box from my hands and opened it before she got down on one knee. "I just need you to say yes", she said. My heart started racing and my eyes got watery. "Are you.. is it.." "Yes", she said. "Will you marry me? Please!" When it finally sunken in, a big smiled formed on my face and I swung my arms around her, causing us both to fall over. "Yes!", I said excitedly. She sighed in relieve. "Thank god." "Did you think I was gonna say no?", I asked. She shrugged her shoulders. "You never know." "I would never", I said before pressing my lips against hers.
"Are you sure tho?", I asked looking at Amy. She cupped my face and turned it so I faced her. "You and Amy are my life. That kid is everything to me. You are everything to me and I wouldn't want to have it any other way. So yes, I'm sure." I kissed her, brushing my fingers through her hair. "You're literally the greatest person alive, did you know that?" She shrugged her shoulders. "Sometimes." I smiled.
"Will you play dollies with me?", Amy said tapping our heads. I chuckled and looked at Riley. She winked before getting up and chased Amy through the house.
Amy was yelling and laughing out of excitement and happiness.
I smiled.
Just 4 years ago, I couldn't imagine life turning out this way. Now, I have everything I could ever wish for and so much more.
I just looked at them, not being able to stop smiling and my heart filled with happiness.
"Mommy, help!", Amy yelled jumping into my arms. Riley creeped up on her, pretending to be a monster. "I'm gonna get you!", she said. Amy giggled and hid behind me. I winked at Riley before tackling her down.
"Get her!", I said to Amy.
"Not fair! I thought we were a team!", Riley said. Amy jumped on top of her, tickling her. Riley couldn't stop laughing. "Cheryl! Don't... just... sit... there...", she managed to get out in between laughter. "Do something!" I chuckled. "In a bit. Don't stop Amy!"
-
Hope you enjoyed the Christmas special! Wanted to take some time to wish you all happy holidays.
Thanks for reading this book so far. I really enjoy writing short stories and I plan on continuing in the new year. I hope y'all will be there too!
Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy the time you get to spend with your family and friends and of course enjoy the great food! See you in 2019!
