“It’s the best gift ever.” Chloe lit up like a Christmas tree as he slid the ring on her finger. “Absolutely perfect. Like you.”
“So that’s why you planned to quit school.” I let go of Lydia, who seemed to need both hands to hold Ryan back. “To get married.”
No one was holding Dad back anymore. He strode toward Axel, fire in his eyes. “Now wait just a minute.”
Axel gulped.
“It’s one thing to come here for Christmas and be all new relationship lovey-dovey.” Dad glared, going so far as to tap Axel on the shoulder with one finger. “But quitting school,getting married at your age—how do you expect to provide for my daughter?”
“Oh, easy. I’m going to be a lawyer.” Axel straightened his shoulders and grinned. “I’m graduating this semester with a 4.0 and have a head start toward my juris doctor.”
My jaw joined the icing on the floor.
“Yourwhat?” Ryan’s eyes bugged.
“Yeah. I’ve already started studying for the bar.” Axel lifted one shoulder. “UCLA has a five-year combined BA plus JD program, so I’ll finish that up next year. I’ve spent every school break clerking. I’m most interested in entertainment law, being in California. But I’ve got a sticky note full of firms that want me to come intern with them after the holidays.”
We stared at him.
“I just took time off to meet you all.” He smiled.
“A lawyer.” Dad cleared his throat. Smoothed the sleeve of Axel’s shirt. “Very well, then.”
“Wait…” Axel frowned, turning a slow circle, taking in the silence and our expressions. “Why is everyone surprised? Did you all think I was just a freeloading surfer dude or something?”
“Um…” We all looked at each other, heads tilted, stammering.
“I’m not quitting because of marriage, anyway.” Chloe huffed. “Duh. My influencing is really taking off. I could do more reels and have more time to represent brands if I’m not in school.”
We turned our staring to her.
Chloe wrinkled her nose. “I mean, why bother with the degree if I’m already making money doing this now?”
“We talked about this, babe.” Axel shot a wary look at Dad, then crept toward Chloe in a half crouch, as if he were afraid Dad might snatch him back up. “You should do both. You’ll graduate soon enough.”
“Maybe.” Chloe shrugged. “Let’s talk about it later, okay?”
“Okay.” He kissed her nose.
Dad peered at them like maybe he approved more than he leton.
Huh. Talk about a Christmas miracle.
“Presents!” Kat clapped suddenly, saving us all from further awkwardness. “We should open gifts!” She grinned up at Devin. “And by the way, I have areallygreat present for you.”
Christmas Day
Me:
I miss him. Is that normal?
Piper:
Nothing about this Christmas has been normal, friend
Half an hour later, the living room was full of discarded wrapping paper, red ribbon, and a remnant of cold sausage balls. I sat surrounded by a pile of gift cards, hardback novels, a beautiful handmade scarf (from Lydia, of course), and an endearing homemade coupon book from Janie, offering discount hugs and the opportunity to play with one of her new toys.
The invite probably didn’t extend to the new baby doll she’d opened, however. She hadn’t put it down (or fed it yet, much to my dad’s relief) for the past twenty minutes. She sat quietly by the tree now, brushing the doll’s long dark hair and singing “Jingle Bells” under her breath. On the sofa, Ryan and Lydia shared a plate of powdered donuts, while Dad finished off thelast sausage ball and Mom flipped through the pages of her new cookbook.
