ANGEL
It’sincredible the difference a day makes.
From discovering that Haley was missing, feeling the worst terror of my life; to the blissful contentment of a Christmas well-spent with the people I love.
Snuggling closer to Ronan, I rest my head on his shoulder and breathe in his familiar scent. Soap, but with a hint of pine from spending so much time near it. I nuzzle the sensitive skin of his neck, loving how soft and warm it is.
His arm curls around me, and his lips brush the top of my head.
We don’t talk. We don’t need to. And after the excitement of today, I’ll admit I’m glad for a bit of quiet.
Not that I’m complaining about how busy the day was. Or noisy. That’s what Christmas is about, especially when you have a kid. It starts first thing in the morning, often before the sun even rises. There’s the rush to the tree. The excited chatter over the presents. There’s the bustle in the kitchen while I make my special holiday pancakes—red and green M&M’s, plenty ofwhipped cream, and a healthy drizzle of chocolate syrup all over the top of them.
I smile, remembering Ronan’s reaction to the pancakes. “They’re very sweet, aren’t they?” he remarked after his first bite.
“I wanted more M&M’s,” Haley told him, looking slightly affronted by it. “But Mom said one cup was plenty.”
“More M&M’s?” Ronan sucked in one cheek; his little tell whenever he’s trying not to laugh at something Haley says. “Well. Idothink they’re good the way your mom made them.”
“Oh, theyaregood,” Haley was quick to add. “Really good.” Then she stuffed her last bite into her mouth before announcing, “I’m done. Can we open presents now?”
I might still be slightly traumatized from last night, but Haley seems to have shaken it off admirably. By the time we got back to the school, she was more worried about the understudy taking over her role than the reason for her disappearance.
Miss Webber didn’t give the part to Haley’s understudy, of course. And everyone waited until Haley fixed her makeup, so the show could go on.
Well, Justin left before that. Which I actually feel a little bad about.
Iknowhe doesn’t deserve my pity. Hazel said it. So did Ronan. So did everyone else on Ronan’s team, plus Lark, Winter, and Rory. Even Wendy, who’s the most forgiving person I think I’ve ever met, told me firmly, “Don’t you feel bad about that boy leaving, Angel. He made his own bed. Now he has to lie in it.”
But how must Justin have felt, knowing that his daughter would rather run away than be with him? No matter who you are, that has to hurt.
It doesn’t mean I’m going to just let him walk into Haley’s life. No way. That’s going to be a process that I’m not entirely sure how to deal with yet. But whatever I choose to do, I’ll be theone in control. And Haley’s feelings will always be my priority, not Justin’s.
But once Justin was gone and the play got going, the night quickly shifted back to the way it was supposed to be. After the performance was over, we headed over to Max’s for the snowmobile sleigh ride; a tradition he’s kept up ever since his parents started it. Then we came back here to enjoy our own Christmas Eve tradition of homemade pizza and‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. We all opened one small present—even Murphy—and Haley crashed out earlier than usual, which gave me extra time to set out all the presents.
Except it wasn’t just me this year. Ronan helped. And it was so nice, arranging the presents around the tree and taking little breaks to exchange kisses. I didn’t even worry that Haley might come out and see us kissing.
She knows we’re dating, after all. She knows he’s my boyfriend. She’s seen people kiss in movies and on TV. Oh, and she told me it was okay to have Ronan sleep in my bedroom since he was staying over for Christmas.
“Since Murphy will sleep with me,” she explained, “you and Ronan should sleep together, too. So you don’t get lonely.”
“What are you smiling about?” Ronan asks. He brushes my hair behind my ear and lets his fingers trail down my neck. “Thinking about today?”
“Yesterday, actually,” I reply.
His forehead creases. “Yesterday?”
I know he’s thinking about when Haley disappeared. “Not that part,” I explain. “But the other parts of the day. The good ones.”
“Ah.” He glances at the tree before looking back at me. “There were definitely some good parts of the day, too.”
Turning slightly, I drape my legs over his. “Did I tell you what Haley said to me yesterday morning?”
He thinks. “I’m not sure. She said a lot yesterday.”
I laugh. “True. But this was before you came over. We were talking about how you were going to be here for Christmas Eve and stay two nights. And the trip to your parents.”
“And?” Worry flickers in his gaze. “If she’s not okay with it… Should I go home? And if you’d rather not go to meet my parents yet?—”