Chapter 2

Sierra's POV

I held on the steering wheel tighter, trying to calm my nerves. For years, I had not been here. Not even during the holidays while being married. I had forgotten about the possibility of the gossips that would spread around the village in seconds if they came to know of my arrival in the village.

Willow Creek was really small. Whatever got in the ears of anyone would eventually get into the ears of every single person in it. Would they judge me for not visiting all this while? Would they make my son feel left out?

I shook my head, trying to shove that thought to the side. “Mum, that's really huge,” Elvis commented with his eyes wide, staring at the ski resort we slowly passed by.

I nodded. “It is”

I stared at it briefly before taking my eyes back on the road. The ski resort, from what I could see, was mostly the same, with a little touch to it. And my village…

Once we crossed the border, the adrenaline of home hit me like never before. Passing by the bakery with its fine scent, the local shops with customers I could recognize from my childhood, and the houses that are lined up and decorated in relation to the festive celebration.

A few people stood outside, touching up their decorations and a few taking in the evening sun. Driving down the streets, their eyes were fully on us. They could not see us, but I could see the curiosity on their faces to know who was joining them this year for Christmas. There were other cars behind and before us, but I'm guessing they knew who those people were and not me.

I haven't been here in a while, and so I did not blame them for it. Soon, my parents' house came into view. It was as magnificent as I remembered. My mother's flowers were scattered around the lawn mixed with the Christmas trees and decorations. The front door open at the sound of the car driving into the garage.

My brother bore a wide smile at the sight of me. “Mum, Sierra is home!” he yelled.

I got down and helped Elvis out of his seatbelt. Quickly, he ran to Jackson. “I missed you too, little man” he ruffled his hair.

“Sierra?” my mother's soft voice reached my ears before she came to view.

“Mum,” I called, rushing over and giving her a big hug.

Her lavender scent hit my nostrils, and I sank in deeper into her shoulder. She smelt like home. My eyes stung for a moment, tears threatening to fall, but I held it back. “Rea” my father called.

I hugged him, feeling his protection all over me. He placed a kiss on my forehead, sealing the calmness I felt soak into me. “Hey, Dad, what happened to Riri?” Jackson teased.

We all chuckled. It was his little way of saying he didn't like the emotions rolling around. “She is grown, Jack. Riri would make her look six again,” Dad humoured him.

“I don't mind,” I commented.

I didn't need that much change. I might be twenty-six, but that name struck something inside of me. A part of me I had missed for a long time, and so I would take it. “Really? Okay” Dad said.

“Grandma, Granddad” Elvis ran to them, hugging them the much he could.

“Hey pumpkin,” Mum pinched his puffy cheeks and Dad ruffled his hair.

“Come, come. I made some cookies for you,” she added, leading him into the house.

“Come here, little sis,” Jackson said as he hugged me.

I felt his lips on my head and I chuckled. “What happened to-”

Before I could finish, he ruffled my hair, and I chuckled. “Should have seen that coming,” I commented.

He shrugged. “I love you, but ruffles are a necessity,” he said, making me smile.

“Come. I'll help with your bags later,” he added, leading into the house.

Mum has just baked her favorite cookies. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla enveloped the room. Mum's cookies were so tasty that it became everyone's favorite. Elvis was already munching down the many cookies Mum served him.

My parents stared in delight at their little grandchild. “And where is ours?” Jackson said.

“Go get yourself some from the kitchen,” Mum waved him away.

“Riri, here,” Dad said, bringing a cookie to my mouth.

The taste exploded in my mouth. I could never hate this cookie, but it tasted a little different, though. “Changed your recipe?” I asked, taking the rest of the cookie from my dad.

“Yes, I've been experimenting,” Mum replied.

“Fortunately, she didn't kill us,” Jackson commented, stepping out of the kitchen with a plate of cookies.

“When I said get yourself some, I didn't mean half of it,” Mum said.

Jackson shrugged. “I eat on my own, I take half,” he said, and I could not help but laugh.

Jackson and Mum always have their little banter when it came to food. “It's slowly turning dark. Jackson, help your sister with her bags,” Dad said.

“I will take Elvis to his room,” Mum said with a smile.

“Bye Mum,” Elvis waved at me as Mum led him away.

I knew how excited he was being here. Since he was born, he had only come to know them through voice and video calls and never in person. He had always requested to visit during the holidays, but I always made up an excuse to prevent that.

When I finally told him, we would come here for the holidays, he could not stop jumping around. For the first two nights of the information, he barely slept like we were going there soon. “I'll handle the boxes. You don't have to worry,” Jackson said, wiping his lips with a napkin.

“Sure?” I asked.

“I haven't seen my little sis in years. Of course, I will be more than okay to help her with her boxes,” he said, and I nodded.

“Thank you,” I appreciated, then headed up the stairs, towards my old room.

Stepping into the room, I was both shocked and thrilled to find that everything was still the same. From the posters and drawings, even my ice skates were still intact. I'm sure Mum must have tended to it a little more than other rooms.

I walked over to the window. The moon was slowly peeking out. My only wish right now was a simple holiday with my family and my son. “Mum!” Elvis called out.