Page 34 of The Knotty Clause
“Good morning, my stubborn little warrior.”
“Good morning.”
She smiled up at him and put her good arm around his waist, delighting in the fact that she could touch him so freely.
“The house smells wonderful,” he added. “What are you baking?”
“They’re called kolachin—they were a tradition in my village for the Eve of the Longest Night. My mother always made them for me.”
He looked thoughtful. “And now you’re making them for us and starting our own tradition.”
“I like the sound of that.”
He kissed her again, slowly and thoroughly. Despite the lingering ache in her shoulder, her body started to respond. Perhaps they should go back to bed after all…
“Why are you kissing Mama?” Liam demanded.
She blushed and tried to step back, but Yede kept his arm firmly around her waist.
“Because I love her and that’s what grownups who love each other do.”
Liam’s small face scrunched up in concentration.
“Does that mean you’re my new daddy?”
She felt his big body freeze, but then he released her to kneel down next to Liam.
“Would you like that?” he asked solemnly and Liam immediately nodded.
“More than anything.”
“Then yes. From now on, I’m your daddy.”
Her heart threatened to burst as Liam threw his small arms around Yede’s neck. He looked up at her over their son’s head and she could see her own joy reflected on his face. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to begin the new year together.
The day passed in a blur of happiness as they cooked and decorated and simply enjoyed being together. Late that afternoon she watched Liam fold another piece of shimmery paper into a star, his tongue poking out in concentration. She caught Yede’s eye across the room and smiled as he arranged evergreen branches above the windows, his big hands surprisingly delicate with the fragile needles.
“Tell us another story, Mama,” Liam begged once he’d finished his star and curled up next to her on the couch. “About the Longest Night.”
She pulled him close, breathing in his familiar little boy scent. “Long ago, when the world was young, people feared the darkness of winter would last forever. But they discovered that if they gathered together and shared their warmth and light, the sun would always return.”
Yede settled beside them, his eyes fixed on her face as she spoke, and the intensity in that silver gaze made her cheeks warm.
“So they decorated their homes with evergreen boughs,” she continued, gesturing to Yede’s handiwork, “to remind themselves that life continues even in the coldest times.”
Liam immediately jumped up and grabbed some smaller branches to weave into one of the garlands they’d made. His laughter bubbled up as glittery bits of paper stuck to his hands.
She went to check on her latest batch of pastries, relishing the rich scent of spices and sweet bread that filled the air when she opened the oven door. Behind her, Yede and Liam continued work on the decorations, Liam’s excited chatter a counterpoint to Yede’s deep voice.
Her heart filled with happiness as she looked around their transformed home. Colorful garlands draped the walls, twinkling in the fading sunlight. Paper and fabric stars dangled from strings, spinning gently in the warm air. But more than the decorations, it was the sound of their shared laughter and the feeling of belonging that made the space truly magical.
After such a full day, she’d hoped to get Liam to bed early. Instead he bounced from decoration to decoration, his energy showing no signs of waning despite the late hour. The candlelight caught the sparkle in his eyes as he pointed at each paper star, dreaming up with names for each of them.
“Time for bed, baby.”
“But I want to stay up!” He spun in a circle, arms spread wide. “It’s special tonight!”
“Come here, my little whirlwind.” She knelt down, catching his hands in hers. His skin was warm, his pulse racing with excitement. “The faster you sleep, the sooner tomorrow’s celebrations will come.”