Last Christmas As Miss 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.

"Mrs. Couser was just being impulsive the other day. You know how she is. Short fuse. Don't take it personally." When I still didn't answer, she moved closer. "I need a favor. My son sent me this limited-edition toy, and it's arriving today. Can you watch for it and hold onto it for me? I don't trust delivery people leaving packages in the hallway anymore." I almost laughed at the nerve. A few days ago, she was standing there accusing me to my face. Now she was acting like none of it happened and asking for favors again? "Mrs. Tate, did you forget? I'm not holding packages anymore."

Michael particularly liked the pony rides a local farmer had provided, and Melody was pretty sure he’d stay glued to the back of that horse all day long if Reid didn’t tempt him down with the promise of a trip to Delaney’s for a muffin. Once the sun started to drop below the horizon, the Christmas lights began to twinkle, and the crisp air had a note of magic in it. Melody had always thought Christmas Eve was the most magical night of the year. A light snow began to fall as she and Reid walked hand in hand—Michael grasping her other hand—toward the church so that he could get ready for the Christmas concert. He was skipping along, attempting to catch snowflakes on his tongue, bubbling over w

He clicked a few shots and frowned. "Hold your pose, guys." Peyton cleared her throat. "I think we're going for true giggles here. Perhaps we could get Mr. Gaines to sing karaoke at this year's Christmas party. A little rendition of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus?" Chuckles sounded behind Xavier, and he forced a grin as Mitchum fired off several clicks of the camera, moving slightly from side to side and crouching for a few. He rose. "I think we're good."

Chapter 80: Christmas Proposal Kathleen’s P.O.V Christmas had been a lonely time for me these past few years. I had usually spent the holidays working or at the hospital, during my mother’s treatment. But this year, everything changed when I met Arthur and his little girl, Hayley. Today, Hayley turned to me with a big smile as we all gathered around the Christmas tree after dinner to exchange gifts. "Miss Kat, remember when I asked Santa for a mommy this Christmas?"

Third POV Three years later. It was Christmas Eve, and the mansion was alive. The scent of cinnamon, roasted turkey, fresh bread, and pine needles danced in the air. Lights twinkled from every corner of the villa, and the large fir tree in the center of the living room was buried beneath glittering ornaments, plushy figurines, and wrapping papers messily tucked under its boughs. Miss Maria stood in the kitchen doorway with her arms crossed, surveying the house she had helped turn into a home. “This year better not end in a fire,” she muttered under her breath.

Roth has heard a lot of jokes like this from him over the years, enough to be entertained instead of being insulted. Do you want me to remind you of how finding a mate works, V? Or should I just give you a mental recording with the right amount of sarcasm? "Well, bah humbug to you too, Roth. I just can't believe this is the 32nd Christmas that we won't be having anyone celebrating the holidays. I was hoping you've already made up your mind by now." When I find her scent, you will be the first to know. Meanwhile, it's bah humbug to you too, Vince. So, are you going to continue working as you usually do, or go home and rest, which I know you dislike at this time of year?

Killian immediately shrugged out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders, and she pulled it tight around herself, breathing in his scent. "I loved Christmas here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was—they made it so special. So magical. Mrs Morales would start decorating the day after Thanksgiving. She had made us all hot chocolate and put on Christmas music–Mary's Boy Child by Bonney M precisely, and we'd spend the whole day turning the house into something out of a Hallmark movie. And Mr Morales, he'd read us the Christmas story every single night in December, counting down until the actual day. And Daryl would—" She couldn't finish. "I hated the smell of Christmas

I've been ignoring him, but his persistence is becoming problematic. I deleted the message without reading it. The Christmas gala is in two days. The annual event where the city's elite gather to see and be seen, to make deals and alliances over champagne and caviar. I'll need to bring Ava, show her off as my devoted wife, maintain the illusion that everything is fine. She'll smile and play her part because she has no choice. Because I've made sure she has nowhere else to go and no one else to turn to. And I'll stand beside her, touching her waist, playing the role of perfect husband, hating myself a little more with every passing moment.

Christian looked genuinely confused. “To decorate it!” “That makes no sense.” Marcus held up his hands. “I'm staying out of this.” I ambushed Diana during our morning tea session, spreading holiday decoration catalogs across her desk like battle plans. “Christmas,” I said. “We're doing it.” Diana's eyes lit up. “Oh my god, yes.” “Christian thinks I'm insane.” “Christian thinks most things are insane until you convince him otherwise.” Diana grabbed a catalog, flipping pages. “Outdoor lights?”