( family at feast – Depositphotos )
In the coming week or two, there will be lots of scenes like the one above all over the country and the world. We used to have large family holidays when I was growing up, with grandparents, sometimes aunts and uncles and cousins, too. Holidays are a lot easier for kids than for the adults, aren’t they? All the kids have to do is wait until the big day, though that seems interminable to a six-year-old, whether it’s a birthday or Christmas. Kids don’t see all the work leading up to the holiday, even if they “help” to decorate cookies. I remember cookie-baking days, and I’m sure we made even more work for my mom with our help decorating sand tarts and gingerbread men.
Over the years, our gatherings have grown smaller for holidays and birthdays. Siblings and cousins scatter for school and then jobs. Older family members are no longer with us. These days for holidays and birthdays, it is usually just the four of us. Small, cozy holidays are a lot different than long-ago holidays, but still a nice way to spend a day, with closest family gathered around the table for a good meal.
I have a little holiday snippet from my fourth tiger shifter story for you today.
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Laney looked like she might cry.
Anton tamped down the urge to smile. “Oh,” she said after a few seconds, “you really shouldn’t have, Lareina.”
“Nonsense.” His aunt hugged her tight with one arm. “You’re family now. And they’ll look much better on you than sitting in a locked box.”
Laney’s gaze flicked to his, and he grinned at her.
“Put them on, dear.” His aunt winked at him. “Let’s see.”
Reluctantly, Laney took the earrings out of the box and fumbled them on.
“Perfect,” Lareina said firmly.
Laney murmured another thank-you, but he’d bet she was wishing for a way out.
“And they’ll go with Mom’s necklace,” he said helpfully.
Laney shot him a drop-dead look, which he ignored, crossing to sit on the arm of the loveseat beside her. He brushed her hair back to see the platinum and emerald dangling from her ear. “Very pretty.” He leaned down and feathered a kiss at her temple.
Exhaling a long breath, she turned to his aunt. “They’re lovely.”
Anton rubbed his hand in a small circle between her shoulder blades, feeling a little of the tension ease.
His aunt patted her knee. “Why don’t I refill your glass? I need to check the bread anyway.”
He waited until Lareina had bustled away with Laney’s half-empty wineglass, then he claimed the spot beside his mate. “What’s wrong?”
She met his gaze, then dropped her gaze after a moment. “It’s too much.”
He dragged in a slow breath. “It’s family.”
She swallowed. “But I’m–”
“My mate,” he said firmly, and her gaze snapped back up to his.
She clamped her teeth on her lower lip.
Anton set one hand at the back of her neck and leaned closer. “Merry Christmas, Laney,” he whispered.
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Now I have some eggnog cookies that need to be put into a cookie tin if the glaze has set, and some fudge that needs cut. Here’s hoping that your holidays this week, no matter which ones you celebrate, are wonderful and filled with family and friends you love. And I hope you all find a few moments of quiet to catch your breath, too!
( tea with Christmas Cookies – Depositphotos )