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Chapter 90
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Christmas Cove Chapter 91
When Taren walked into the living room, it had already been cleaned and the wrapping paper stowed in bags and left by the door for him to take out. He made a silent promise to do it in the morning. Prissy was once again lying by the fireplace in what was quickly becoming her spot.Hearing the musical peals of laughter coming from the other side of the house, he followed the sound. He peeked around the corner into the family room from the kitchen. A fire already burned in the fireplace, and Kiki and his mother were sitting on the couch with steaming mugs."Hey! We're in here." Kiki waved to Taren when she saw him walk in."What are you two ladies doing?" Taren asked from the kitchen, amused that Kiki and his mother were getting along so well. He poured himself a cup of coffee, and then headed into the family room and sat on an armchair, kitty corner from the couch.They looked at each other and giggled. "Oh, just having a bit of girl talk," his mother replied and then looked back at
Christmas Cove Chapter 92
"Get up, Kiki!"Kiki thought she heard someone- a child- yes, it was a child- calling her name. She felt the sudden shift of the bed on the left behind her. Prissy nuzzled against her shoulder, trying to wake her, too."Kiki, get up!"Kiki couldn't gain her bearings. Who was in the room with her? Then someone shook her shoulders hard- and the hands belonged to a child. Child. Abby. Her eyes opened wide as the reality of everything that had transpired the night before flooded her mind. "Kiki, you won't believe it!" Abby shook her shoulders again. "Santa came- again! Just like Daddy said he would!""Okay, okay," Kiki mumbled, feeling like someone had just run her over with a truck. "I'm up." She propped herself up, sure that she wasn't quite herself yet from just getting out of the hospital the day before. She fell back and closed her eyes, but Prissy rubbed against her arm, just like she did every morning at home when Kiki had to go to work early. Home-.Abby took her hand and pu
Christmas Cove Chapter 93
After they ate breakfast and Abby had her fill of playing with her new toys, Abby jumped up and down, still dressed in her pajamas. "Let's go sled riding!"One corner of Taren's lips curled into a smile. "You didn't forget, did you?" he asked flatly."Nope!" She smiled, knowing her father's sense of humor. "Plus, I need to try out my new sled.""That you do, but let's get you dressed first." He leaned in conspiratorially. "I think it might be a bit cold out there if you go in your PJs.""Oh, Dad!" She took his hand and started pulling him toward the hallway. "Let's go!"Taren gave Kiki an apologetic look over his shoulder and then asked his daughter, "You can't dress yourself yet?"Kiki laughed as she watched the exchange."Nope! But you can teach me!" she yelled, both of them halfway down the hallway."Well, you know how to do everything else-." Taren's voice became muted when they disappeared into her bedroom.Kiki went to her room to change, too, knowing that she had better
Christmas Cove Chapter 94
"Wow! That was fun!" Taren cheered as the sled came to a stop at the bottom of the hill, enjoying the feel of Kiki in his arms a bit too much. They had veered a bit off course, but he had made a few turns and quickly got them back on track.He had guessed it was the same with his life. He had been so in love as a teenager and, somehow, his life had gotten derailed. Yes, Scarlett had left him, but he couldn't blame only her for his life. During their breakup, there had been enough blame to go around for them both.But he had no regrets. Abby had been a result of their marriage and the best thing that had ever happened to him. And no matter what Scarlett had done to him, she had given him the greatest gift of all- his daughter.Kiki laughed, bringing him from his reverie. Since he started seeing Kiki, he had thought of Scarlett less and less."Again, again!" Abby yelled, her voice music to his ears."Okay, pumpkin. Let Daddy get up first."Kiki got up first and then turned to him a
Christmas Cove Chapter 95
"Come on, baby girl," Taren said as he lifted her into his arms. "I think it's time to go in before you freeze to death.""I- I- I'm- n- not- c-c-cold." Abby curled her hands under her and laid her head down on her father's shoulder."Here." Kiki reached for the sled. "I'll take it and you carry her inside."Taren shook his head. "You can leave it and I'll come back."Kiki smiled. "No, I have it. Let's get her out of the cold."His daughter was too cold for him to disagree. "Come on, baby. Let's get you inside where it's warm."Taren knew she was cold and tired when she didn't put up a fight. He scooped her into his arms and rushed inside. "I'm so sorry, baby. I should have brought you in sooner.""N- n- no-"When she didn't say more, he knew she would probably be asleep as soon as they walked into the house."Well! It's about time you came in," Evelyn said, opening the door. "Lunch has been ready for a bit." She took one look at Abby and said, "Heaven's sake! She's chilled to
Christmas Cove Chapter 96
Kiki woke in her apartment the next morning with Prissy rubbing against her shoulder, trying to wake her. It was their usual morning routine. Prissy heard the alarm, Kiki hit the snooze, and Prissy went to work. This morning, the cat didn't need the alarm. The rays of sunshine glaring through the windows was enough.As she began to gain consciousness, memories of the day before rushed to her mind. The memory of spending a would-be Christmas with Taren and his family. The memory of Abby opening her gifts, of sled riding with her and Taren. Kiki's fear when Abby nearly froze, and the relief when she recovered.Prissy meowed loudly in her ear as she nuzzled against Kiki's arm again, determined to wake her this time. She knew Prissy really must have missed her."Okay, I'm getting up." Kiki sat up on the edge of the bed and Prissy nuzzled against her, wanting to be petted. "You don't seem to know that I haven't gone back to work yet, do you?"Prissy looked up at her as if Kiki had lost
Christmas Cove Chapter 97
Kiki smiled as she headed out the door and to the elevator. Downstairs, Mr. White was passing through the great hall."Mr. White!" Kiki called after him, hurrying to catch him.Turning, he raised his eyebrows and smiled when he saw it was Kiki. "Ms. Long," he replied, extending his hand. "Have you found your room to your liking?"Kiki smiled as she shook his hand. "Yes, sir. Thank you so much for all you've done. It's not a room, but an apartment. Thank you for everything. And the clothes-.""Well, you have Ms. Bennet to thank for that," he interjected.Kiki's eyebrows rose almost into her hairline. "Really? She did a wonderful job."Mr. White chuckled. "Actually, she had a ball shopping with my credit card, filling your apartment. Maybe a bit too much fun. She should be the one thanking you."Kiki's eyes opened wide. "Oh! We can return some things if it was too much. There are a lot of things I haven't touched yet--""Don't be silly," Mr. White cut her off as a smile spread ac
Christmas Cove Chapter 98
As she stepped over the crime tape, she sighed, knowing she would have to contact her parents about the insurance, but not now. At this moment, she just wanted to assess the damage and salvage what she could. Or so she told herself.Assessing the damage, she tried to disconnect her emotions, but when she saw her childhood doll, still sitting on the mantle half burned, tears started rolling down her cheeks. A charred stick was once the Christmas tree, remnants of wires and lights still on it. Most of the ornaments that had belonged to her and her parents were burned, except for one that was covered in soot. She wiped it away and it was one of her favorite ornaments, one that she had dubbed The Angel Ornament as a child. The angel's wings still sparkled as it had in her childhood and her kind eyes bored into Kiki's, as if reassuring her that everything was going to work out. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cradled the ornament next to her cheek, letting her childhood memories of C
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