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Chapter 88
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Christmas Cove Chapter 89
After dinner was over and the dishes put away, they headed into the living room where the Christmas tree took center stage. During the course of the meal, Taren had excused himself and had placed presents under the tree. And from the look of it, Kiki had, too."Wow! Presents!" Abby clapped her hands excitedly."Kiki, would you like some hot cocoa before we get started?" Evelyn asked, smiling.Kiki chuckled. "I couldn't eat another bite if I tried. But thank you." She placed a hand on her stomach and sat down on the end of the couch, slipped off her high heels, and curled her feet under her. Prissy quickly made her way to her and curled up on her lap. Kiki started petting her, both appearing content.The room was aglow, bathed in candlelight and the colorful lights from the tree. Taren slid a wooden chair over beside the tree and Abby sat down on her legs in front of the tree, bouncing on her knees, and Evelyn perched on the loveseat, smiling."Look! Presents!" Abby clapped her han
Christmas Cove Chapter 90
Kiki perched on the edge of the couch in her stocking feet, leaning her elbows onto her knees, her eyes wide. He picked up the gift and tore it open, revealing a ski jersey and a gift certificate to go skiing at The North Pole Lodge. "Wow! This is wonderful! Thank you! You didn't have to do this!""Yes I did," she replied and then her eyebrows pulled together in concern. "You do ski, don't you?""Yes, of course I do!" He slipped on the jersey and it fit perfectly."Well, I knew you were into sports, so I thought we could go skiing together sometime- that is, if you skied....""This is perfect!" Taren quickly closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her in for a hug. "I haven't went skiing in a long time, so it'll be fun.""If you'd rather take a friend, that's okay, too--""The only way I'll go is if you go with me," Taren cut her off.Kiki's shoulders relaxed and she smiled in relief. "Good. I'm glad you like it. It's not as extravagant as wh
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
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