Coming Home For Christmas Novels & Stories

I stand alone on the icy field, turning back every few minutes to look at the road behind me. When my hands grow numb from the cold, I scroll my social media feed and see a recent post from my younger sister, Giada Soave. Holding gifts in her arms, she sits beneath a luxurious crystal Christmas tree with my parents embracing her from both sides. Ivano stands behind her with his hand resting lightly at her waist and his eyes full of tenderness. The caption reads, "Merry Christmas, I'm grateful to spend the holiday with those who love me most!" The comments section buzzes with blessings, praise, and envious messages.

North The weeks dragged by, and the one phone call he’d received from his mother had filled him with trepidation. “So you’re not coming home for Christmas?” “Your father and I will both be home for Christmas, along with the D’Arc family,” she said. “He got to you,” North mumbled. “He did,” she said softly. “I’m not sure how much I can say over this line, North, but I’ll figure out another way to contact you.”

The navy coat packed up to go, a cream one already on me for the walk out, while she struts out herself in a cheetah-print one. On the walk back to the car, bags swinging from both hands, Cortney brings up her mom out of nowhere. "She's staying through Christmas this year. Mom." "That's... good?" "No. Not good. Dad's also coming home by the end of the week. The whole family will be together for Christmas." "Isn't that what everyone's supposed to want? Mave stopped by yesterday with Sam, the kids, all staying through New Year's. It happens every year in my house, you know that. Except last year, when she had to stay with her mother-in-law instead."

"Why did you come outside? It's cold. Get back in the car. We'll be done soon, and then I'll take you home to rest." Looking at Evan's gentle expression, something inside me fluttered. His tenderness used to be just for me. Then, the pain hit my head again, sharp and clear. Shane's howls echoed in my ears, but I was glad. The magic potion I had taken was working. Evan could not tell how much I was hurting. I could feel my wolf spirit getting weaker. The pain snapped me back to reality. I had no more chances to bargain with Evan. All I could do was obey.

His eys seemed to say, “This is what I have to deal with in my home every day.” Well, that’s your choice. And that’s when Jessica traced where Cicio’s eyes had gone, and found me. Jessica stopped all the tears at once when she spotted me. Somehow she stood more straight in front of me. “Why are you here?” She asked coldly. “I didn’t get the invitation to your homecoming party. Apparently my Don got one.” She pointed at Cicio. As if the dramatic catastrophe at this moment wasn’t enough for her, Jessica snatched the collar of her son and flung him right in my direction.

On Christmas Eve, my mother sent a long gift list to our family group chat. It had everything from sports cars to diamond necklaces. I was full of anticipation, but when the gifts were finally handed out, I realized the sports car was for my brother, Luca. The rest—the diamonds, the Hermès bags—were all for Mia. Mia was our family’s adopted daughter. Her father used to work for my Papa and took a bullet for him. Because of that, the Sterling family had raised Mia as their own flesh and blood for ten years. Not a single gift was for me. When I asked my mother about it, she stated the obvious: "Julian is your fiancé. He’ll have something prepared for you." "Mia is so pitiful for losing her fat

“His girlfriend is visiting her parents in Vancouver. He’d like to spend Christmas here. With us.” I looked at him. “Here.” “He doesn’t have anywhere else. My father’s house has been sold.” He said this without inflection, the way you’d say the store is closed. “He usually spends it at mine, but this year — “ A pause. “He wants to see us. Together. Christmas is — specific, for families.” “Yes,” I said. “He should come.” He nodded. Something in his shoulders settled. “I’ll tell him.” I picked up my mug. “Is Christmas usually hard for you?”

Dominance layered beneath beer, leather, and rain. Hollow Creek Bar & Grill had not changed much. Same long wooden bar. Same scratched tables. Same green-shaded lights over the pool tables. Same mounted deer head above the fireplace, still wearing the ridiculous Santa hat someone probably forgot to take down five Christmases ago. For one stupid second, I almost smiled. Damien had hated that deer. Said it looked judgmental. I pushed the memory down before it could become something softer. The second I stepped farther inside, conversations thinned one by one.

"Okay, that's good, 'cause we were considering kicking him out of our special Christmas this year." "Your what?" "Special Christmas. We celebrate Christmas here together before we go home. That's why we're here. Are you going back home tomorrow?" I can already see where this conversation is going. While home is tempting, I'll be gone much longer than at Thanksgiving. And while Mom and Dad are the best, they can get on my nerves a lot. Especially when I've been at home for more than a week. "Uh, I was going to, but now, I'm kinda curious about this special Christmas."

“The way it’s looking, you could be back home before Christmas.” Back home… Away from Kaleb... Away from what she was beginning to feel for him… Probably best, Sparkle told herself, though right at the moment, she didn’t quite believe it. As irritating as the man could be, he was so much more. And that more was drawing her in. “I appreciate that, too,” Sparkle said. “We’re just here to pick up some Christmas decorations, then we’ll get out of your hair in no time.” Buddy grinned and scrubbed one hand across the top of his head.