GPI's CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA: Barbara S. Stewart

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Barbara S. Stewart

 

 



 

Lulu’s Christmas Cake




When I think about Christmas, the Christmas cake is my fondest memory. It’s the one tradition that means the most to me. I was seven the first year we did it, and it made such an impact that I continue to share it with those I love.



I was a dark-haired, wide-eyed, busy child, curious about everything. My dad’s mission was to keep me occupied and happy. It wasn’t the best time in our lives.







“Hurry, Daddy. Hurry!” I exclaimed, as we made our way into the grocery store. “We have to get the things to make the cake!”



I remember hurrying him through the store, packed with last-minute shoppers, on Christmas Eve. We waited too long to plan, but the idea had just come to us. He patiently pushed the cart as I charged in front of him to collect what we needed. This cake would be the most special cake we’d ever eaten.



“Cake mix,” I read from the list.



“What kind?” he asked.



“Do you think he’ll care?” I was nervous. What if we picked the wrong kind? My dad’s response made it all right.



“You’re right, Lulu; he won’t care. Chocolate,” he laughed.



“Icing.”



“Chocolate,” he replied.



“Candles.”



“How many, Lulu?” he asked, with the biggest smile.



“Oh my gosh. I don’t know. I didn’t think about that!” I panicked.



“It’s all right, Lulu, it’s your cake-your gift to him. We’ll do whatever you want. Since this is your seventh Christmas, let’s do seven.”



“That’s a good idea!”



We finished shopping and hurried home.



“Are you ready?” I asked, excitedly.



“Let’s go check in on Mom first,” he suggested, and reached for my hand.







My mom was dying of breast cancer. All I knew then was that she was very sick. It was 1983 and treatment was different from what’s available today. She was so thin and frail that it made me nervous to hug her. I was afraid I’d hurt her. I remember the hugs we shared before she got sick. How I wished I could hold her tight.



We went to the bedroom. She was resting in bed. Her mother, Grandma Pritford, was beside her. Mom was wearing a soft crocheted pink cap that Grandma made to keep her baldhead warm. We entered quietly, but she heard us, and opened her eyes.



“Louisa,” she said. Her voice sounded like she was whispering. She held her arm out for me. I stepped closer, and leaned forward to kiss her.



She reached to softly stroke my hair, and kissed my cheek. It was like she had to touch, had to smell, had to show me love.



“We’re ready to bake the cake,” I announced.



She smiled. “I can’t wait to share your birthday cake for Jesus.”



“Ready?” Dad asked.



“Yep.”



“I love you, Louisa,” Mom said, as we walked away.



“Love you bunches, too,” I replied.











The cake was a distraction, but it was part of a life lesson. My parents explained to me that Christmas wasn’t just about Santa and gifts. The Christmas cake was my Dad’s idea to help me understand that the holiday was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The week before Christmas, I always had to mark one gift off my list for Toys for Tots, to give to another child who was less fortunate than me.







When we were ready to start making the cake, Dad brought a stool to the kitchen for me to stand on, and tied my mom’s favorite apron around my waist. I smiled, because I knew how much she loved it. I read the instructions for the cake mix from the box three times. He was there to help, but told me he was my assistant. I followed the directions to a T.



Dad took many pictures. “So we’ll remember,” he told me.



Finally, he put the cake pans in the oven. We went back to her room to sit with mom. As I remember, I’m sure I drove my dad crazy.



“Is it time yet?”



“When you hear the bell,” he said.



“Do you think we should check on it?” I asked, a few minutes later.



“It’s fine, Lulu,” he assured me.



“I don’t want it to burn. It’s a very special cake.”



“I know sweetheart, but I promise it’s fine,” he told me.



I can still see my mom’s smile when I remember those moments. This made her happy.



“Was that the bell?”



“No Lulu; ten more minutes.”



Ding. Ding. Ding.



At last, the timer rang out. It announced that the cake was finished baking. I ran to the kitchen, urging my dad to hurry.



“Come on!” He smiled as he opened the oven door for me to look.



“It’s perfect.”



He pulled them out of the oven to cool. Together, we went to get a plate from the china cabinet. I inspected each one, deciding which was the best one.



“I like this one,” I told him. It was crystal with butterflies etched in the glass. I still have it today, and it’s only used for the Christmas cake.



He carried it to the kitchen and carefully washed it.



“My mom gave this to your mom for her bridal shower gift,” he explained.



“Then it’s really special, right?” He nodded. “It’s so pretty.”



He placed one of the layers of cake on the plate. Then, handed me a spatula, and the container of frosting. I’d seen Grandma Pritford do it before, so I carefully spread a layer of frosting on the cake. He lifted the second layer on top, and I went to town frosting it. I can still see his smile as I carefully applied the frosting, careful not to get it all over the plate.



“We’re ready for the sprinkles!”



We decided that the multicolored pearl variety would be best on the chocolate background. I shook them out of the container. Laughing, my dad quickly gathered the ones that rolled away.



When Dad finished frosting the sides of the cake, I thought it was the most beautiful cake in the world.



“It’s so pretty!”



“Now we have to wait until midnight to have a piece.”



“Why?”



“Because it isn’t December 25th until then,” he explained.



“That’s a long time!”



“It’s a few hours,” he agreed. “If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you, I promise.”



“Should we take it to show Mom?” I asked.



“I’m sure she would love seeing it. I’ll carry it.”



As we entered the room, Grandma Pritford looked up, and smiled. Mom stirred, and when she saw the cake, she smiled and clapped her hands.



“It’s a beautiful birthday cake, Louisa. You did a wonderful job. I can’t wait to try a bite.” She tried to hide it, but I saw her look at my dad with tears in her eyes.



~







The next year, my mom died on September ninth. I was afraid Jesus wouldn’t get a cake because everyone was so sad.



As Christmas Eve approached, Grandma Pritford made a declaration. “We need to get some happy going on around here! Dale, Louisa and I are going shopping. When we return, we’ll be baking a Christmas cake.



I saw my dad smile as we went out the door.



“He smiled,” I said, when we were in the car.



“I know. Sometimes smiling is hard, but life goes on, and we need to experience it. What kind of cake shall we make this year?”



“A HAPPY, happy birthday cake.”



“Just like last year, only we’ll make homemade frosting,” she said.



When we returned, Dad seemed happy to do something fun. Grandma helped me bake the cake that year, but every year, until I was old enough to do it alone, Dad and I baked it together.







I think he feared, as I got older, that we wouldn’t do it any longer, but the Christmas cake meant so many things to me. Each year the cake was something “more” than the year before. When I was fourteen, I learned that white cake, white frosting, and coconut, was my mom’s favorite. I decided to attempt making it. I made the frosting homemade, just like Grandma taught me. The cake was fluffy, white, and beautiful.



My Dad cried. “This one is the best one, so far. This was what she always wanted for her birthday. Thank you for choosing to bake this cake.”







My dad was the most special man. I’m pretty sure that many girls feel that way about their fathers, but we shared so much together over the years. He became both parents to me, after my mom died, and he did a fine job with the mothering part. I won’t say that we didn’t have struggles; the teenage experiences, and changes in my body gave him a run for his money, but he always said the same thing when we dealt with anything troublesome; “We’ll figure it out, Lulu, us Welks always do.”












Sharing The Cake







Through my college years, I was always there to bake, and share the Christmas cake with him. In 1999 I baked the cake, but it was the first time we weren’t together.



Earlier that summer, I’d gone on a vacation to Kiawah Island, South Carolina. After an intern position, I landed an awesome opportunity to teach English Literature at the university I graduated from, the University of Jacksonville, Florida. I chose Kiawah for a bit of respite before I began my new career. On that vacation, I met an incredible man. His name was Thom Miller.



Walking on the beach, enjoying a beautiful afternoon in the sun, I saw him approach. We walked and talked. Later, we shared lemon aide, and more conversation. That evening, we enjoyed drinks and dinner. I had no expectations of our encounter, but it felt like instant attraction, on both of our parts. I was twenty-three when I met him. His rugged good looks reminded me of Gerard Butler.



I figured we’d have a fling, and I’d go home, but it turned into many back and forth trips, and weekend getaways. I shared my first Christmas with him that year. He owned the Do Drop In, a pub on the island. I drove straight there after work to meet him.







When I arrived, I went to the bar. Danno, the bartender acknowledged me, as I shrugged off my coat.



“What’ll it be, beautiful?” he asked.



“Really?” I laughed. “You have to ask.”



He set a glass of white wine in front of me, and snickered. “I keep thinking one day you’ll test my abilities as the talented bartender I am, and walk in here and ask for something exotic, to allow me to show you my mad bartender skills. I can do more than pull a cork out of a bottle of wine, ya know. Just once, Lulu-one time, walk in the door, sit at the bar, and ask for a Slippery Nipple or Sex on the Beach. ANYTHING!” he laughed.



Thom came from the kitchen. “What’s he yelling about?”



“He wants me to have a slippery nipple or sex on the beach?” I roared with laughter.



“He what?” The look on Thom’s face was priceless.



“Drinks, Thom–liquor,” Danno chuckled.



“Pour, Danno,” Thom said. He set the drink in front of Thom, and we settled in to wait, as Ike, the cook, prepared dinner to take back to Thom’s. “I’m glad you’re here,” he whispered the words in my ear, and kissed my neck.



“Me, too.”







This was new, we’d only shared long weekends – this was a week. I think we were both anxious.



When we finished our drinks, we headed to Thom’s house. I walked in, and turned quickly, mocking shock.



“What is it?” he asked.



“No tree? No decorations?” I asked.



“Not really my thing,” he replied.



“It will be now! How can you celebrate without some Christmas spirit?”



“I have eggnog and Southern Comfort; isn’t that enough?” He smiled, and caressed my cheek, before leaning to kiss me.



“I can have Christmas without a lot of things, but not a tree or the Christmas cake.



“We can get a tree. We’ll go out tomorrow and get whatever you want to decorate it. I don’t know what a Christmas cake is, so you’ll have to guide me on that one.”



I smiled because he was willing to do these things for me.



“Would you like another glass of wine? I’ll light the fire on the porch and we can sit out there while you tell me about this cake,” he proposed, looking at me, with the biggest smile.



“What?” I asked.



“Just you, Lulu. You’re adorable. I’m so glad you’re part of my life.” He held his arms for me to step into. “I love you.”



His arms were heaven to me. He kissed the top of my head before he released me. We took our drinks to the porch, and I snuggled close to him on the sofa.



“Now, tell me about your cake.”



“It’s a Christmas tradition that I love.” I closed my eyes, remembering my mom. Thom noticed and eased me a little closer.



“Dad started it as a distraction, but I love it so much. I can’t imagine a Christmas without it. I’ll probably still be making that cake when I’m an old lady.” Thom’s smiled warmed my soul.



“When my mom was sick, his goal was to keep me occupied. It was the Christmas before she died. I think he knew it wouldn’t be much longer, and wanted to make her last Christmas special. I’m not sure he knew the impact of the idea of the cake going forward.”



“He explained that Christmas was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I decided if it was his birthday, we needed a cake. It was just something special that stuck with me. Each year the cake kind of evolves. Do you like coconut?” I asked out of the blue. I needed to change my thoughts because I felt so sad.



“I love it.” He looked at me.



The look was so endearing. I felt a lump in my throat. I choked back my tears. It was breezy and a strand of hair blew in my face. Thom tucked it behind my ear, leaned closer, and kissed me. I melted into his arms, and cried.



“I only had seven Christmases with her, and the last two are the only ones I remember, because she was so sick.” He stroked my hair, and drew me nearer.



“Thanks for telling me about the cake. I look forward to sharing your tradition.”



“Thank you for sharing it with me.”







The next morning, we were up and out of the house early. Our excursion took us off island, on a mission to find a Christmas tree and decorations.



“Real?” he asked, as we drove.



“It’s your house.”



“It’s your wish,” he laughed. “If you want a real tree, then real it is.”



“Real!”



We stopped at a tree lot, and looked around. It seemed to take forever, but finally, we found one just the right size. We took the tree back to Thom’s to drop it of, standing it in the garage until we returned with a stand. Inside, we quickly moved things around so we’d be ready to start decorating when we came back with decorations. A corner in the living room was the perfect spot.







“What all do we need?” I asked, when we got to the store.



“A tree stand, but the rest is up to you,” he said. As we wandered the aisles, there was a big smile on his face.



“Why are you smiling like that?” I giggled.



“You make me happy, Lulu. Watching your excitement over this has me caught up in it,” he replied, kissing my forehead.



“What kind of decorations?” I asked.



“Whatever you choose. I’ll help with whatever you need, but this is your special project,” he said with a ‘chk’ and a wink; a quirky habit of his that I loved.



“Hmm…” I thought a moment. “Fun! Our tree will be fun!”



“Our tree. I like it,” he said, emphasizing the word, and grinned.



I grabbed white blinking lights that were replicas of lights used in the 1950s. I put them in the shopping cart. I looked at the ornaments, trying to decide what would work best for a fun tree. Finally, I found balls in all the primary colors, and added them to the cart. We made our way down the aisle, and I turned around to find strings of artificial popcorn. Plastic cranberries found their way into the cart, too. With each item I added, Thom’s smile grew wider.



“This is fun!” I squealed.



“It is,” he laughed.



“Pick something else!” I told him.



He looked around and found garland that looked like peppermint candies. He added them to our stash. Then, with the biggest grin, he added a package of ceramic gingerbread men.



“Lulu, your excitement is contagious. I haven’t put up a tree in the ten years I’ve been in the house, and here you are, and the idea of a fun Christmas tree makes me smile.”



I was looking for one more thing, and turned the corner to look on the next aisle.



“There it is!” I proclaimed. I found a star, made of multicolored beads, and white lights for the top of the tree.



“Perfect!” Thom said, as I placed it in the cart.



We went to pick up groceries, and what we needed for the cake, and something for diner tomorrow. We were going to the resort for Christmas dinner.







We stopped by the pub to pick up something to eat that evening. Thom went to the kitchen, and Danno set a glass of wine down in front of me.



“Was he humming Christmas tunes?” he asked, leaning on the bar to talk to me.



“Why yes, I believe he was!” I laughed.



“Really?” he shook his head. “Lulu, I’ve been working here for eight and a half years, and I’ve never heard him humming Christmas tunes.”



“That’s good, right? I mean that he’s humming them now?” I asked, with a grin.



“It’s just an amazing thing,” he said, as Thom returned.



Danno poured him a glass of bourbon, and Thom sat beside me. “What’s amazing?” he asked.



“You,” I replied.







Thom put up the tree, while I sorted the decorations, organizing them in the order they’d go on the tree. Once the tree was in place, he went to the garage for the ladder. He placed the star on top of the tree, and began stringing the lights, still humming. My heart swelled.



As the afternoon came on, the temperature dropped considerably. Thom lit a fire in the gas fireplace.



He was enjoying this as much as I was. He’d look over his shoulder at me, and his grin would break into a smile. He had his camera, pausing often to take pictures.



“So I’ll always remember our first Christmas.”



I fixed eggnog with Southern Comfort, and we began adding the ornaments.







Finally, we finished. I thought I was looking at a masterpiece! I knew Thom did, too. He couldn’t stop grinning. While we ate sandwiches from the pub, we admired our work.



“Wow, Lulu.”



“Wow, you too,” I laughed.



“It’s the fun that you wanted, but it’s really beautiful, too.”



He rose and turned off the other lights so that he only light came from the tree, and the fireplace. He went to the entertainment center, and I saw him digging in the cabinet. Finally, it appeared he’d found what he was looking for. He fiddled with something, and music began- Christmas music. No words–just music. He turned the volume so that it was loud enough to hear, but we could still talk.



“Nice,” I said, as he returned to the sofa.



He put his arm around me, and eased me closer. “Thank you for suggesting the tree. I haven’t shared this with anyone in a long time. It’s nice. I’m glad you shared it with me.”



I turned into him, to kiss him.



“I love you, Lulu.”







On Christmas Eve, I made breakfast, and we talked about the day, as we ate.



“We can make cookies, so you’ll have them after I leave…”



“Shh…” He scooted closer, pressing his lips to mine to stop me. “Don’t talk about that.”



I smiled, and rephrased. “I’ll make some cookies for Santa.”



I whipped up chocolate chip cookie dough. Thom rolled it into balls, and I noticed for each one he popped in his mouth, only one ended up on the pan.



“There’ll be no cookies to bake,” I laughed.



“It’s good,” he smiled. “But more importantly, it’s us making memories, Lulu.”



Thom manned the cookie-baking project, while I began the cake preparation. This was no cake made from a mix; it was homemade from scratch. Thom was right there beside me helping, measuring, and dumping, while I mixed it together. When the cookies were finished, the cake was ready to go in the oven.



“I love this time with you, Lulu. I didn’t know what was missing in my life until you came along.”



“I feel the same way.”



After I slipped the cake in the oven, he pulled me into a hug. “I need to run to the pub and pick up last night’s receipts. Want me to wait for you?”



“No, go ahead.”



“Want me to grab something for lunch while I’m there?”



I nodded. “You know what I like.” I turned to find him looking at me with a sexy grin, and a raised eyebrow. “Go!”







An hour later, he walked in the kitchen through the garage door. I’d just taken the cake from the oven. He set his things down, and inhaled deeply. “Damn it smells good in here! The tree. The cake. You.” He came up behind me and put his arms around me, teasingly nibbling on my neck.



When I’d finished making the frosting, he frosted the cake. He scraped the last bit of frosting from the bowl and licked the spoon.



I added coconut to the cake, while he helped clean up from the frosting. “Done!” I said, finally.



“Now we can relax, right?” He eased the cork out of a bottle of wine, as he asked.



“Now we can relax,” I agreed.



It was after five. He went to the porch to light the fire, so we could sit out there. It was cool, so I grabbed a blanket, to wrap around us.



“I love this. I’m going to hate when you leave.”



“We still have four more days,” I reminded him.



“When do we eat cake?” he asked.



“Midnight.”



“Really?” Surprised, he turned to look at me.



“Really,” I laughed. “It’s not Jesus’ Birthday until the 25th.”



We settled in to watch the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie.







Finally, it was time. Thom was like a kid, excited for the cake. I put twenty-four candles on it, and we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. When we cut the cake, Thom proclaimed it the ‘the best cake ever.’



“Lulu, that was special. Thank you for sharing it with me.”



“Thank you for letting me. I know it’s a silly thing, really, but it really tells the meaning of Christmas.”



“A great tradition that I hope I can share with you for many years.”







~



I loved the Christmas cake tradition. There have been many over the years. The tradition came to mean something to other special people in my life. These two memories are among my favorites.

 

I'm Barbara, I read. I write. I come from the northeast, born in Havre de Grace, MD, and grew up in Pennsylvania. In my teens we moved to the Space Coast area of Florida. Now I live in Middleburg, Florida (Jacksonville area) with my husband, Gene.

I've worked in the electronics industry, and most recently in healthcare. I give back by volunteering whenever I can, and in 2009, I received The American Cancer Society's HOPE Award for volunteerism.

The stories I write come from my heart. I'm never sure where they are going until I get there. Most often, a song begins to paint a picture that becomes a love story. Sprinkled through my stories are humor and sadness based on real life experiences shared with family and friends. I write with emotion, pulling from memories and events that made me who I am. My readers tell me they feel like they know the characters I share with them. I like to call my writing 'the sound-track of my life.'

A reviewer on Amazon recently said, "This isn't a romance, it's a love story." (readingmaven)

As a writer, I hope you continue this journey, travel with me, see what song inspires me next, and I hope that you see more growth with each page you turn.

I love to read; it's a gift that was shared with me by my mom - Alis. She introduced me to her favorites like Little Women, Christy, and the Nancy Drew books. Books are an escape, a journey into new and different places and I've been many places I never dreamed of. My favorite genre is romance. I to explore and support other authors who paint a picture through words that allow me to feel the story. Some of my favorites are Adriana Trigiani, Maggi Myers, and Nora Roberts.

Visit Barbara S. Stewart's Website: http://barbarastewartwrites.com/

 

 

Purchase Links:

Rock and Roll Never Forgets (The Rock and Roll Trilogy #1): http://amzn.to/1MWe5Ve
When I Look To The Sky (The Rock and Roll Trilogy #2): http://amzn.to/1jpdyCs
Feel Like Makin' Love (The Rock and Roll Trilogy #3): http://amzn.to/1jpdFy0

Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under: http://amzn.to/1MWeeI6

Tate: http://amzn.to/1MWefM6
Read GPI's Review of TATE

Sweet Surrender: http://amzn.to/1MWeirs

Lulu's Loves: http://amzn.to/1MWegjo

 

1. If money was no object what would take out the number one spot on your Christmas list?

 

If money wasn't an object I would love to tour the United States with my husband (MAYBE ON A BOOK TOUR!) There is so much here that I've read about that I'd like to experience. I've pretty much explored the east coast, I'd like to explore the middle US and west coast.

2. What was the first book you read that made you think “wow this is what I want to do, I want to be an author”?

The first book that made me think I could do this was written by a friend - Stranger Than Fiction. It made my creative juices start! I've always been a story teller, but it was kind of that thing where I thought, "If she can, I can give it a try." After a few rounds of rejection, it took me over twenty years to believe in myself enough to hit SUBMIT on my very first book - Sweet Surrender.

3. What does Christmas mean for you?

Christmas has so many meanings to me, of course the birth of Jesus, but most importantly to me is that it was the day of the birth of my mother - Alis. Each year I would try to make sure her special day so didn't get lost because of the hub-bub surrounding the holiday. I lost her in 2006 and each year I'm trying to add a butterfly to my tree in her honor. I miss her. Christmas is about family.

4. What’s your guilty pleasure, the one thing you hate admitting out loud?

Guilty pleasure that I won't admit out loud... I had to think hard on that one. I'm not much of a "closet anything", but I guess my rock concerts in the car blasting and blaring CLASSIC Journey with Steve Perry is one. I sing like a fool (in every aspect of the idea!). When I put the car in park, I step out like nothing happens! ha!

5. What’s next for you in terms of writing?

I am still a work in process. My ninth book is releasing VERY soon and with each one I publish I receive the best comment - "This is even better than your last one." I am growing - pushing all of my boundaries. Lulu's Loves is my first step into a sexier story. To this point they have been sweet and suggestive. I took a leap of faith on this one in the content as well as "kicking it up a notch." I have another on in the completion stages of the story and will be getting it cleaned up after the holidays - tentative title is Just a Tad.

 

GPI's CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA: Liz Lovelock

 



AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Liz Lovelock

 





A Christmas Surprise


Finally a warm Christmas. It’s been years since I’ve been in Australia. Corban surprised me and the kids with tickets a week ago. He came home from work while I was in the middle of chasing a buck naked Finn around the house. He loves the feeling of being free; it’s such a battle to get him dressed. Now his sister Esme is a different character. She loves getting dressed, and even makes her own bed and she’s three! Wow, three years have flown by.



After I finally managed to get clothes on the little monkey—he enjoys swinging from my neck as I attempt to put pants on him—Corban sat us all down and handed me a delicately wrapped rectangular box.



“It’s not Christmas yet.” Giving him a small smile. The happiness in his sky blues was evident, there’s excitement there. An eagerness filled me as the kids bounce beside me waiting to see what’s inside the pretty wrapped box.



As I lifted the lid I spotted airline tickets, I screamed with excitement jumping off the chair and flinging myself into Corban’s open arms.



“Surprise,” he shouted. “We’re off to Australia for a warm Christmas!” The kids then screamed with excitement, and once we had finally got the kids settled and into bed, I began planning our trip. I only had a week to prepare everything.



I still managed to get everything done with the help of Rachel, who was just as excited for us. She was pretty jealous she wasn’t coming. Axel’s family was having a big get-together so they couldn’t swing it this time.



Now I sit on the beach with warm sand through my toes and the harsh sun tanning up my skin. No doubt, I’ll burn to a crisp, but it will be worth it when Corban gets to run cream all over. A smile creeps over my lips at the thought.



“Momma, look!” I open my eyes and am met with a sandy little girl pointing to something out of my vision as I’m laying down. I sit up looking to where she’s pointing. “Why is he in his jockies?” Oh dear…there, running on the beach, is an elderly man in his budgie smugglers. I break out in laughter as I pull Esme into me sand and all.



“Honey, they’re togs or what Daddy likes to call them, bathers. You have your bathers on and so does Daddy.”



“But Daddy’s don’t look like that?” The question burns in her eyes.



“No, Momma won’t let Daddy wear bathers like that in public.” I laugh.



“What’s going on here?” Corban’s arrived after a soak in the salt water with a super-excited Finn on his shoulders.



“Oh, we’re having a little discussion about some swimwear.” I nod my head toward the man further down the beach. Corban chuckles when he sees what we’re discussing.



“Should Daddy get a pair of those swimmers?” he asks Esme playfully tickling her as he places Finn on the sand. He quickly races over to me wrapping his tiny arms around my neck.



“No Daddy, they jockies.” A loud rumble of laughter comes from Corban and me.



“I’ll make sure Daddy sticks with his swimmers, should I?” I look to Corban ogling his smooth bare chest. Esme nods in answer to my question.



“What’s Santa going to bring you tomorrow?” Corban asks the kids as he takes a seat beside me. He leans into me placing a small kiss on my cheek. All those tingles and feelings still dance around within me with every touch from him. From the very first kiss to now, nothing has changed.



“Dolly!” shouts Esme excitedly.



“Truck!” Finn shouts equally as loud. Good thing we went for a quick shop yesterday. I took Ezzy and Corban went with Finn. They purchased the girls presents and we got theirs. It worked out nicely. It’s still so hard to find anything for Corban. How do you buy something for someone who just buys when they want? I’m sure the lacy outfit will please him just fine. Oh, and of course, the new watch Esme picked out. I had to talk her out of getting the pink one. Although I’m sure, he would have worn it. She has Daddy wrapped around her little finger.



We continue to play the rest of the day. Swim in the ocean, building sand castles and having fish and chips for lunch. It was a beautiful day, a day for the family. These are the times I want my children to remember. Corban and I have been trying for another baby lately, and I’m thinking this Christmas I have the best surprise for him.



Back at our cabin we’ve set up a small Christmas tree. Esme and Finn loved putting little decorations on it, even though we couldn’t put a lot on it due to its size, it was perfect for our family.



“Mommy, cookies and milk for Santa?” Esme reminds me. It’s a tradition. Corban loves it. Finn begins to bounce up and down shouting for a cookie. He has so much energy, but I’m glad he passes out easily at bedtime.



“Yes honey, let’s go get it ready. Come on Finny.” I get up and we walk to the little kitchen and pull out the cookies. The kids each put some cookies on a plate. I think Santa might need to go on a diet after visiting our cabin. We set the cookies and milk upon the table and Corban ushers them to bed.



“Story!” Finn shouts with so much enthusiasm. How can we resist the happy little man? Finn and Esme bring so much joy into our lives. Corban’s a perfect father with a heart of gold, and he shows me a love that I cherish each and every day.



After reading a Cinderella and Cars book to the kids, we finally get a little alone time. Alone time is a treat, it’s so hard to get a moment together without one of the kids around.



“Gosh, this is so great.” I sigh and snuggle up to Corban, who wraps his arm around pulling me in closer. We’ve placed all the presents around the tree, and Corban is finishing off the last cookie. Everything is perfect. After everything we went through all those years ago, I’m so glad we made it out the other side happier than ever. “Thanks so much for this surprise again.”



“You deserve it, and I think it’s good for the kids to see the place where their mother grew up.” He places a tender kiss on my head. I glance up at him and see the hunger in his eyes, the swirls through my stomach begin. I lean in placing my lips on his. With every touch of our lips, I fall more and more in love with him. His touch ignites my soul and our love continues to grow. Our hands become busy touching and enjoying our time together. Corban quickly scoops me up in his arms and takes me to our bedroom, where we are soon lost within each other. Sparks fly all over again.







****



A loud piercing scream wakes me, I bolt upright and scramble out of bed. Racing to the living area of the cabin I see Esme standing there with Finn. Their eyes bulging out of their heads.



“What’s wrong?” I ask still trying to wake up from my panic attack.



“He came…” she whispers slowly, but still excited. This girl will be the death of me. I shake my head cursing under my breath. Corban is a no show, that man can sleep through anything. When the twins were younger, I’d have to shake him awake for his help. “Can we open them?” Esme squeals again.



I look at the clock on the wall reading 6:00 a.m. Well, that’s still a good sleep in for Christmas day. I remember getting up at 4:00 a.m. most Christmas’. Abby and I would try our hardest to wake our parents, but I suspect that they would purposely ignore us. One Christmas they decided to even lock their door, so we couldn’t go in and bounce on them as soon as the clock hit 7:00 a.m. They were great memories, I try not to think of the ones we’ve lost with Abby gone. Happier times always override those painful ones, though.



“You better go bounce on Daddy and drag him out of bed,” I excitedly say to Esme and Finn, their eyes light up and they take off to our bed screaming out to Corban, who I imagine is pretending to be asleep after all the screaming the kids have just done.



I quickly slip another present under the tree, the one I secretly had packed away for this Christmas.



“Good morning, Mommy!” Corban announces when he walks into the room, every morning he gives me a kiss without fail.



“Good morning.” I smile. He has both kids hanging off his hips.



“Daddy, Santa came,” Finn pipes up.



“I see that! Should we open them?”



Esme and Finn can’t get off him quick enough. Their smiles are the brightness of the sun in my life. Corban is the love of my life, he claims my entire heart and I never want to be without him.



As the kids are ripping open their gifts and crying out with joy while asking myself and Corban to look at what Santa had brought them. They are side-tracked so much by one present they forget to open the others they have by their sides. Corban finally picks up the small box I placed under the tree on the sly. He looks to me as if asking if it’s okay for him to open it. I nod.



I’m unable to keep the smile off my face as I watch with anticipation for his reaction. He lifts the lid and sees its contents. He drops the entire present and rushes over to me wrapping me in his arms, shouting and bouncing around excitedly. I laugh so hard tears are falling down my cheeks.



“Are you telling me I’m going to be a dad again?” Placing me back on the ground, the question burning in his eyes.



“Yep! I only found out just before we left, and I wanted it to be a surprise.” My cheeks hurt from smiling, but this is the most perfect start to the perfect day.



“This is the best present!” His lips crush mine with such ferocity it takes my breath away.



“Daddy, don’t you love my present I got you?” We unlock our lips and look down to a sad looking puppy dog eyed little Esme. Worried her dad won’t like his present.



“Oh, baby girl, yours is perfect! I love it and I love you.” Her face lights up like the lights on a Christmas tree, so colourful and bright.



My life has done a complete three-sixty from the day I moved to New York all those years ago. All the pain we went through, and to now be here in Australia celebrating a family Christmas with our two beautiful children—and to be expecting our third one—I can only hope it’s not another set of twins. The mere thought instantly drains me. I love Corban for the man that he is, and the father he is to our children. Spending the day together, and enjoying the warm weather of Australia for a few more weeks is bliss.



I have truly been blessed in my life, and I wouldn’t change anything.



Life is beautiful and perfect.

 

 

 

I’m a wife, mother, reader, blogger and now an author. I’m always busy doing something as I have so much going on and my two little ones keep me on my toes regularly.

I’m from bright sunny Queensland, Australia. I have always been a reader. When I was little I would be up late reading Garfield and Asterix comic books and also Footrot Flats. When I hit high school they gave us Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden and from there my love of books continued to grow. I can’t remember all the ones I read through school but I always had a book beside my bed at night and to this day there has and always will be a book along with a note book beside my bed.
My debut novel The Lost One(Lost Series #1) just came to me one day and with the help and pushing of some wonderful friends I decided to sit down and write. Let’s just say that it changed from the original idea I came up with in September 2013 but I can’t wait to share this story with you all along with many more to come.

I keep a note book and pen beside my bed when those late night ideas pop into my head, plus I’m a stationery addict and love pen’s, notebooks, well anything stationary.

I have a fair few ideas the will keep me busy for a while. Come follow me on Facebook and keep up to date with all new things happening with the Lost Series and other future projects to come.

 

 

 

 

Purchase Links:

 

 

The Lost One (Lost #1): http://amzn.to/1OYO7Dt

 

 

The Missing One (Lost #2): http://amzn.to/1NMoqHc



 

 

1. If money was no object what would take out the number one spot on your Christmas list?

Hmm… That’s a hard one. I have so many things I would like but, I would have to say a new car or my house built.


2. What was the first book you read that made you think “wow this is what I want to do, I want to be an author”?

I can’t really pin point one book, it was more I slowly discovered the world of self-published authors and an idea for a book came to me one day so I sat down and began writing. I’ve had so many wonderful books that have inspired me and I fall in love with the authors words which push me to write so people can fall in love with the words I write.


3. What does Christmas mean for you?

Christmas is time with family. I love being with family and watching the kids open their presents and enjoy being with each other and playing with each other’s gifts.



4. What’s your guilty pleasure, the one thing you hate admitting out loud?

Well… When it’s about 10 minutes till my kids go to bed I’ll usually go have a shower, so I don’t have to do bed time, I’d rather hubby do it as he has the patience. I know it sounds bad, but I really hate the fight of getting the kids actually into their beds especially my 3 year old monster.



5. What’s next for you in terms of writing?

At the moment I’m currently working on Dangerous Love, and then hopefully will work on book 2 in the Unforgiven series. I have many ideas dancing around up there but finding time with 3 kids isn’t easy some days.



GPI's CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA: Aleya Michelle

 

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Aleya Michelle

 

 

Kade & Roxy – A Saucy Christmas to Remember


Roxy



"So Jem, do you think Kade will like my seductive choice of sleepwear?" I ask my bff a question I already know the answer to, but I love her blatant and straight up responses.



"Fuck yeah, his dick will be harder than Thor's hammer the minute he sees you Rox," Jemma responds. Her answer is even better than I envisioned and I laugh hysterically.



The sexy red slip I purchased is very revealing. My breasts, which are large and engorged with milk from feeding my angel Brody, are popping out. I know Kade - my boob’s man - will love. It is extremely short showing off my tanned legs and lucky I still have the red heels from when I dressed as Sandy from Grease at Jem’s 80's party.







Brody, our gorgeous son is only six weeks old and I can't bring myself to leave him.



This charismatic little man has my heart with his big blue eyes and dimples to die for.



The plan is to get him settled and then seduce my neglected, sexy, surfer husband.







It's Christmas Eve and Brody's presents are wrapped along with Kade’s and the rest of our family, the tree looks immaculate in silver and blues.







It’s our first Christmas as 'The Thomas Family'—somebody pinch me. What an amazing feeling having a husband and a son to share my life with. This is without a doubt the best Christmas present ever.







I have always loved Christmas. Even without my father for most of it, Mum was always in the festive spirit. The tree, our house, and table pieces were always bright and shining with heartfelt decorations.







Our stunning beach side sanctuary is decorated with an array of tinsel, Christmas banners, hanging streamers, flashing lights, and two immaculate Christmas trees on the inside. Outside is my favourite with over three hundred fairy lights, a flashing Santa and reindeers, and a star as a feature in the centre.



The funny thing is that Brody is too young to enjoy it.



But I'm not...



I love everything about this holiday, now it's one hundred times more special and cherished.







Right on schedule, I take our dinner of Chicken Fettucine bake from the oven to cool, give Brody his bath, and then his usual six pm feeding and put him into bed. So far so good…



Kade is in the shower, so I dress in my red little number, smirking to myself as I take glimpse in the mirror, then head out to light the candles and sit patiently waiting.



Within minutes my sexy and irresistible husband makes his way to our special dinner for two.







“Well I’ll be damned woman, Christmas has come early,” Kade tells me smiling widely at me like I’m a delicacy. His smile alone makes me wet in all the right places.







“Your dinner is served, Mr Thomas, but save room for desert, which will be me with a little whipped cream on top. What do you think of the menu?” I ask him in my most seductive and sexy voice.







“I think we should skip straight to dessert,” he replies and saunters towards me looking fresh and edible from his shower.







“Well I do love a good dessert, so take me to bed or lose me forever hot stuff,” I declare as Kade gathers me in his arms and carries me to our bedroom, where we make love in multiple positions until we are well and truly famished and ready for dinner.



Married bliss…







Kade



I’m feeling a little like the Griswold’s in “National Lampoons” thanks to Roxy and her overly festive spirit.



I can't help but smile...



My wife and my son—what a fucking perfect Christmas.



I must admit ever since winning the World Championships of surfing, marrying the woman of my dreams, and now having Brody, I’m sitting on top of the world.







We spend the morning just the three of us, Roxy made a gourmet breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and she even cut the pancakes into Christmas trees! What a cute yet sexy wife she has made.



Though I never expected her to wear granny pjs and not brush her hair, she has taken on the role of wife and doting mother like she was meant for both roles.



She is a M.I.L.F!



A damn insatiable one at that, surprising me with last night and my first Christmas present was waking me up for more bedroom antics again this morning.







It was Roxy’s idea to have both families here for today. I was hesitant at first, but Dad and Mum seem to be getting along better, plus we have this gorgeous place and it’s perfect for entertaining.



Lunch is perfect, Roxy’s lamb is cooked to perfection, everyone else brought a plate of food and the serving table is filled with scrumptious baked vegetables, colourful salads, breads, gravy and desert of Pavlova, chocolate cake, and tiramisu.



Damn the sugar overload will have me training for the rest of the week to work it off. Still totally worth it.







After we eat, I top up everyone’s glasses with champagne and prepare for the surprise that I lined up with Jeremy.







“A toast to Christmas, the perfect way to bring all of our amazing families together for one day,” I announce and everyone smiles and clings glasses together for cheers.



“To Christmas,” they all say together.







“NowJeremy and I have a little something lined up for Roxy and Seline.”



Jeremy disappears to the lounge room and returns with his guitar and two, cord free microphones.



“Merry Christmas everyone,” he announces.



“This is a little something for the special ladies in our lives.” Then we sing together as we have practiced secretly for the last couple weeks.







“I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, yeah.”



Our families cheer and clap.



“This song was for you, Roxy, the absolute love of my life, the light in my dark, my soul mate, best friend and amazing mother of my first born son.”



Even though my voice sucks, seeing the smile spread across her face and a tear trickle down her cheek has made the humiliation and embarrassment worth every second.



Roxy mouths the words ‘I love you’ and that does it. I am drawn to my angel, the only angel I want on top of my Christmas tree. I pull her in tight and bring her plump delicious lips to mine, and kiss her lovingly and tenderly—showing her with one kiss that forever will never be long enough as her husband.



The end.



 

I'm a born and bred Aussie Chick:)
An indie author with three books released in My Heart Series. Breaking my Heart, Healing my Heart & Forever in my Heart.

I'm married with 3 crazy kids, never a dull moment in life, I love to write and read to escape daily routine.
My favourite author would have to be Abbi Glines.

 

Visit Aleya Michelle's Website: https://aleyamichelle.wordpress.com/

 

 



 

Purchase Links:

 

 

Breaking My Heart (My Heart #1): http://amzn.to/1OYN0ne



Read GPI's Review of BREAKING MY HEART

Healing My Heart (My Heart #2): http://amzn.to/1NMme2k

Forever In My Heart (My Heart #3): http://amzn.to/1NMmgr3

My Heart Boxset: http://amzn.to/1OYN85Z

Tainted Deception: http://amzn.to/1NMmluC

1. If money was no object what would take out the number one spot on your Christmas list?

 I’m not ashamed to admit that I can be a little materialistic, so how about diamonds, a huge diamond ring, sparkling bracelet, necklace & earrings the whole deal.

 Diamonds are a girl’s best friend after all…

 2. What was the first book you read that made you think ‘wow this is what I want to do, I want to be an author’?

 Hmmmm Fifty Shades of Grey definitely got me back into reading. I used to read Patricia Cornwell while catching the train to work years back.

Abbi Glines Fallen too far is my favourite type of writing, I guess after reading about Blaire & Rush I though damn Kade & Roxy are dying to have their story told.

 3. What does Christmas mean for you?

 Christmas means a lot; to me it is all about family and friends. It’s the one day where it can be relaxed and chilled out, no stress, just feeling tranquil.


A big highlight is seeing the kids’ faces Christmas morning when Santa has been.

Since losing my mum in 2014 it is definitely a hard time of year, but mum was such a big fan of Christmas that it is easy to celebrate for her, we keep a spare seat for her.

 4. What’s your guilty pleasure, the one thing you hate admitting out loud?

 Just one? Lol.

I am a chocolate addict no doubt about it…

 I need my regular fix or I am a grumpy lady

5. What’s next for you in terms of writing?

 Right now I am working on ‘Tyson Caine’ – Brothers in arms book 1.

 Blurb and Goodreads link will be coming this month.

 Releasing February 2016

‘Secretly Swift’, about a male romance writer.

 Releasing May 2016

Then of course Brothers in arms books 2 & 3.

Jemma from My Heart Series will be getting her own book, as will Jeremy and his band.

 

GPI's CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA: Penelope Louleas

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Penelope Louleas

 

 A Harbour Christmas

 

My hands are shaking but it's not from fear, or the insanely cold temperatures outside, it's from excitement. As I wrap Lincoln's present, I think back to the year we've had. It's been a busy twelve months. York is running around and falling every so often like a typical 18 month old but his doting dad is never far behind to pick him up.


I smile as I look up at our stunning Christmas tree. The ten foot high pine tree stands tall in the middle of our great room. Adorned by glass baubles of green, red and gold, the small hidden twinkle lights flash in a sequence that is almost synchronized to the carols playing from the surround sound speakers. The tree is encircled by a short, intricately carved wooden gate, not for decoration but to keep it safe from our curious little boy.


Although I'm deliriously happy, I miss my family back home. They've chosen to stay in Australia as my sister in law is pregnant again and too far along to fly. I convinced them that I was fine with the decision, which I am, but I'm still a little sad that they won't be here. Lincoln offered for us to go there but with the drama surrounding his brother, we thought it was best to remain in New York.
"What are you wrapping there?" Lincoln leans over my shoulder attempting to sneak a peak at his now fully wrapped present.
"It's for later tonight. You'll love it." I turn in my seat and kiss his cheek. I feel his face move as he smiles under my lips. "You always give me the best gifts." With a wink and a quick peck on the lips, he's off again. I don't know where he gets the energy.
I clean up the table, putting away my wrapping supplies and placing the presents under the tree. My phone rings, "Pierce." I say to myself. I answer the call with a huge smile on my face. "Hi baby girl, how's life?"
I walk to the fridge for a water while filling Pierce in on all the recent happenings in the Whitmore household. So much has happened but Pierce knows most of it, we speak almost daily.
"How's Noah? And please, spare me the details." I could pretend to be disgusted but we both know I love hearing about the sexy things these two get up to. "Picture this. Noah sitting next to the tree, naked, wrapping a present that looks like it'll be fun to play with..." Pierce is interrupted.
"It's a crystal apothecary glass for your mums candy! Jesus Pierce." I hear Noah feign frustration.
"It looks like a giant, fancy butt plug." Pierce calls out to Noah. "It really does Har. I swear. My dad will see it and give me that raised eyebrow over his glasses look, you know the one? The 'I accept your homosexuality but please don't shove it down my throat' or up his arse as it may seem." I cough as the water I was attempting to swallow gets caught in my throat. Finally clearing it and sending Lincoln a reassuring smile, I try to admonish Pierce for being so crass. "I feel like I should say something 'adulty' like, don't talk like that, you're shocking etcetera but that's gold. Damn I miss you. When are you back in New York?" He pauses for a moment and I hear some shuffling around in the background. "We'll see each other soon enough." I don't respond and Pierce acknowledges it. "Relax baby girl, I promise I'll see you soon. Enjoy Christmas with your handsome boys and I'll see you next year."
We say our goodbyes for now and I disconnect the call. He's right, as usual. I need to focus on my family. Everyone I need to worry about is in this room. I walk over and take a seat on the rug next to them. "What 'cha building?" I ask York who is focused on his Lego. "For momma! Big house!" I look over at Lincoln who is wearing the same huge smile I am. We share a look which says, "look what we made! He's cute and smart!" Maybe the look doesn't say all that but I'm sure I'm close.
Our silent conversation is interrupted by Lincoln's phone, "Excuse me beautiful family, I have to take this." He leaves the room and I watch York slowly put the house together block by block.
"That's a really big house mate. It looks great! Do we get a pool?" He nods enthusiastically.
"Yup! It hot." With his limited words we have somewhat of a conversation. Lincoln returns and asks what he missed so I fill him in. "From what I'm understanding, he's building me a big house in Australia with a pool and a pet kangaroo. It sounds pretty awesome actually." Lincoln smiles and shakes his head, "He's not doing that, I am." I laugh, "You're getting me a kangaroo?" I look over at him and he smirks waiting for the penny to drop. It takes me a moment to comprehend what he's said, "Wait. What?" My heart rate picks up speed as I wait for him to explain himself. I know my mouth is open and my eyes are wide. I can feel the excitement and shock radiating from me. It's taking all my will power to stay seated where I am. "I'm building us a house in Melbourne. I love New York but with everything that happened with Artemisia, it was a huge wake up call. We need to be close to our families, they won't be around forever." He pauses and waits for a response but all I can muster is a slow nod and some tears. "My parents are away for over half the year, they will be happy to come visit us in Australia and the business is in good hands. What do you think? Say something." He's smiling because he knows exactly how I feel. I lunge at him from my spot on the floor and hug him tightly. "Lincoln are you sure? I want you to be sure." I hold him and wait for his response. I know he'll say whatever makes me happy makes him happy. He nods and smiles into my neck. "I love you Harbour. I want you to be happy." I sit back and bite my lip. It's time for his present. I stand up to fetch it but before I turn back to him, I take a deep cleansing breathe.
I hand him the box and he gives it a small shake. "Hmmm I wonder what this is?" York realises there is a present being opened and he isn't involved so he quickly jumps up into Lincoln's lap to help rip the paper off.
Once the paper is off, the long black box is revealed. Lincoln's facial expression tells me he has no idea whats in the box. He opens it and his eyebrows arch high into his forehead. "Um babe, sex vouchers? Maybe this could've waited." My eyes widen and my face reddens. "Shit! I mean, um that's the wrong box!" I fumble to take the present back while York is screaming that he wants the 'stickers'. Oh god. What a fail.
Lincoln finally gets his laughter under control long enough to accept the correct present. As York rips through the wrapping, Lincoln tells me in child friendly words that he is very excited to use his first present and would like to cash in the quickie voucher whilst Master York naps. I roll my eyes but a giggle escapes me. Of course me announcing to him that I'm pregnant wouldn't go to plan. I'm just too uncoordinated for that.
He opens the box and this time the correct item is in there. As lovely as the thought is, all I can think is that I just gave my hubby a stick I pee'd on for Christmas.
He drops the box and looks between the stick to I several times. His smile widens with every glance. "Har, are you really? Are we having another baby?" I nod and give him a huge smile but I don't move. York loses interest in the present and returns to his Lego. I don't expect him to understand exactly what's going on just yet.
Lincoln shuffles the two feet of distance between us on his knees. I'm still standing so he places his hands on my slightly protruding belly. No, I'm not blaming the pregnancy, that's all me. "Yeah, York is going to be a big brother in 7 months." After a quick kiss on my covered belly, Lincoln rises and takes me up in his arms. This. This is the response every woman deserves when she announces she's pregnant. His kisses are soft but strong, his hug is tight and reassuring and his smile is more vibrant than I've ever seen it. It's the smile he reserves for York and I. And now these babies get it too.
"Lincoln. There's two in there." He doesn't hear me properly or maybe he just needs a few seconds to process the information. He puts me down, takes a step back holding my hands and looking at my belly again. "I fucking love all three of you." He takes me in an all encompassing hug and I hear York admonish Lincoln, "Daddy naughty. Bad word daddy." I giggle and kiss my husband who releases me only long enough to pick up our son, quickly apologise for cussing and include him in the hug. "You're going to be a big brother buddy."


These guys, my husband, my son and our two little seedlings are what make my life complete.
They will fill my world with love, laughter and they will give me my happily ever after.



 

 

Penelope Louleas is an author from Melbourne, Australia. She lives with her husband and young daughter. Penelope began writing several years ago but only recently decided to try her hand at independent publishing. When she's not writing, Penelope is an avid reader and daydreamer. Her debut novel, Harbour, was released on May 16th, 2014.

 

 

Head to Penelope Louleas's Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7538313.Penelope_Louleas

 

 

 

Purchase Links:

 

 

Harbour (Runaway Home #1): http://amzn.to/1OYM9CT

Read GPI's Review of Harbour

 

 

Pierce (Runaway Home #1.5): http://amzn.to/1OYMci7

Read GPI's Review of PIERCE

 





If money was no object what would take out the number one spot on your Christmas list?


Full renovations on my house. Pretty much knock it down and build it again. (With a HUGE ass library of course)


What was the first book you read that made you think “wow this is what I want to do, I want to be an author”?


Breathe by Abbi Glines


What does Christmas mean for you?


Family. Im so excited to spend it with my kids. My daughter is three so this is the first year she’s really understood what christmas is. She sang the chorus to Jingle Bells the other day and I cried for 20 minutes.


What’s your guilty pleasure, the one thing you hate admitting out loud?


An occasional cigarette. I quit before i fell pregnant with my daughter but every time I drink, which isn't often at all, I crave one.


What’s next for you in terms of writing?


Im working on book 2 of the Runaway Home series, Artemisia. I’m really excited about this book because it’s different and surprising. People will love me or hate me, either way, I'm happy.

GPI's CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA: Lori L. Otto

 

 

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Lori L. Otto

 

 A MAX & CALLUM CHRISTMAS

I stare at Nolan sitting in the big, cushioned chair, his red suit stuffed with pillows, and ponder the little girl’s question to me. Shouldn’t Santa already be delivering presents to kids in other parts of the world by now? She’d made sure to remind me that it’s already morning in Asia.



Matty should have prepped us better for this volunteer gig for A Kinder New York.



“I’m pretty sure this is just a layover,” I tell her, swallowing. “Have you taken a plane before?” I ask her.



“Yes.”



“It’s just like that.”



“But doesn’t Santa make his own schedule? Who’s he waiting on?” she asks.



This girl’s too smart to be in line for Santa. I look to her mother for help, but she’s busy reading something on an iPad, not even listening to us. I could just be honest with her now… rip off the Band-Aid.



“Reindeer,” I say suddenly, a stroke of brilliance coming to me. “The reindeer can’t go non-stop. Sure, Santa gets to sit on his ass and–”



“Ahem.” I glance up at the little girl’s mom glaring at me. Sure, now she listens to me.



“He gets to sit on his assss-tronomically big sleigh that holds all those toys all night, but the reindeer have to do all the work. So, yeah, they’re up on the roof right now, noshin’ on some reindeer kibble and stretchin' their hooves.”



“Hooves don’t stretch.”



“Lookie there, Santa’s ready for you,” I say, walking her up to Santa-Nolan. “She’s a smart cookie,” I whisper in his ear.



“Amber, give the elf your toy for the poor kids.”



Before I help her up into Nolan’s lap, she gives me a colorful box that she can barely hold. “It’s a construction set for girls. Girls can build things, too.”



“Of course they can,” I say, nodding and taking the toy set from her. “Some little girl’s going to love this. Thank you!” After taking her place and starting to list the things she wants, I stand back with her mother for a second before delivering the gift to the tree.



“She can’t just like princesses like all the other girls,” her mom says to me, clearly disappointed.



“Just disown her at sixteen, like my dad did. Problem solved. Merry Christmas,” I tell her curtly.



“I didn’t mean… that.” She puts her tablet away and looks at me, horrified.



“I think Amber’s pretty cool. Nothing wrong with being different.”



“I’m sorry,” she says, and I can tell she genuinely means it. She moves closer to her daughter and listens to the list she gives to Santa. “Merry Christmas,” she says to me as I walk away.



“Easy there, Mascot,” Zaina says, setting down the gift under the tree that she’d collected at the same time I do. “That was a little harsh, wasn’t it?” she asks me, fixing my collar as I adjust her matching one. The costume shop obviously didn’t iron the tops we’re wearing before handing them out.



“I call it like I see it. I don’t bring a filter on holidays. Not even Christmas Eve,” I tell her with a wink.



“Fair enough.” She links her arm with mine and we walk back to the line together, undoubtedly looking completely ridiculous in our identical unisex elf outfits. It’s okay, though. As long as I’m in it with her, I’m having fun doing it.



I open my mouth to greet the next person in line, but she interrupts me before I can say anything. “Are you Max? The guy who’s dating Callen McNare?”



“On any other day, yes. Today, I’m Mascot the Elf, workin’ hard for Santa.”



“Oh, my God!” she squeals, rallying her tween friends to do the same. “So it’s true? Callen’s here?”



“I want to see Callen!”



“Callen’s here?”



I guess the fact that I–a guy–am dating Callen–another guy–doesn’t speak to the hormones of twelve and thirteen year old girls. They’re still going nuts over my boyfriend.



“What am I? Chopped reindeer liver?” I tease them, knowing I’m just as good looking as Callen. Screw that, I’m hotter than Callen any day of the week. Except today, when I’m dressed like an actual fairy. Today, I’m just cuter.



“We love you, too, Max!”



“Is Trey Holland here?” one of the girls asks. I glance over at Zaina. She’s heard her boyfriend’s name, and is already walking toward the conversation.



“Hey, look, here comes Zany the Elf!” I say, introducing her to the girls.



“He and Callen are working in the back today,” she answers for both of us apologetically.



“Can we see them? Pleeeeease?” they beg.



I scoff at their plea. “Trust me, you’ve got their better halves right here.” A few of the girls giggle.



“I like you better than Callen,” one of them says. “You’re funnier.”



“And I like you,” I tell her. “You get to see Santa first. Oh, and here, have a reindeer cupcake.” I take my favorite design off the stack and hand it to my admirer.



“I want a cupcake,” the other girls start to whine.



“Everyone gets a cupcake,” Trey’s uncle, Matty says, breaking up our conversation. “Hey, elves, let’s keep the line moving, please.”



“Nothing like being a second-rate significant-other, huh?” Zaina says as we walk to the next group of visitors with toys for the displaced children we’re collecting gifts for.



“Wow, you call yourself significant?” I tease her, finding a little boy with a big, plastic dump truck filled with a bunch of pieces in the back of it. After talking to him, I drop him off with Nolan and take the toy to the side of the tree where there’s room for it.



“Who’s making your toes curl?”



Unaware that anyone else was around, I drop the toy dump truck on the black and white marble-striped floor of The Mark Hotel lobby when I feel his hot breath on my neck.



“Damn it, Callen!” I exclaim, getting my red and green cap caught in the Christmas tree as I try to stand up.



He shushes me, laughing as he nods toward the families standing in line fifteen feet behind me. “Good thing you’re the elf. My big feet wouldn’t fit in those shoes.”



“For the millionth time,” I say, standing up straight to speak to him directly, “my feet are one size smaller than yours.” Zany looks over at me curiously as the white, fluffy ball at the end of her cap flops over her right eye. “And it’s no indication of the size of anything else,” I say loud enough for her to hear.



She presses her lips together to stifle a giggle, returning to the crowd after she places a few stuffed animals under the tree.



“I know, Max,” he says. “You’re just such an easy target in that costume.”



“Yeah, well, I’m not wearing it for you, okay?” I look down at the red, white and green striped tights that tuck into the black boots that coil at the toes and wonder how Trey convinced me to do this in the first place.



“They couldn’t get you a longer… shirt-thing?” he asks, looking around to make sure no one’s watching before he puts his hand at the top of one of the zig-zagged hems and tugs it down. “I can see your package, you know.”



“Well, the sign out front does say to bring unwrapped packages…” I tell him, looking up at him with a straight face. “Why are you out here bugging me, anyway? Shouldn't you be in the back room, organizing toys and shit with Trey?”



“Can you try to watch your language?” He smirks at me, knowing I can’t help it.



“What are you gonna do about it?” I ask him, quirking a brow. “You gonna hurt me?”



“Shut up, Max,” he warns me, looking beyond me and turning red.



“Do it, Callen. Hurt me. Hurt me good.” I get turned on when I say it, even though I was just teasing him. The fact is, it’s been too long since I’ve said it for real. When his eyes settle back on me, the look in them is a direct reflection of mine. His tongue juts out of his mouth to moisten his lips, and for a a second, I forget where I am and start to take a step toward him.



“Move behind the tree, Callen.”



“The line goes behind the tree,” he says, shaking his head and running his hand through his short, blonde hair, clearly frustrated.



“Boys,” Matty says as he claps us both on the shoulders. “What’s going on?”



Callen’s eyes dart below my waist quickly. When I look down, I can see that the stupid triangular cut of the shirt is sticking straight out parallel to the floor.



“Matty, these fucking shirts–”



“Oh, Jesus Christ, Mascot, put that thing away,” he says, “and Callen, get to work. Stop being a distraction and doing… that… to my elf. It’s completely inappropriate.” He pushes my boyfriend toward the back room. “It’s Christmas Eve.”



I look at Matty. There’s no way in hell I’m facing the crowd like this. “Kids are gonna be frightened by this oversized candy-cane, man.” I angle my hands toward it as if I’m trying to show off a prize on a game show, causing Matty to swat frenetically at my arms to get me to stop.



“Take five minutes, but if I find out you went somewhere with Callen, I’ll make sure you’re taking the subway home in nothing but those pantyhose and that hat. You understand?”



“Yes, Matty.” He sure is uptight when he’s running the show.



Immediately, I go to find my boyfriend in a private room just off the lobby that they’re using as a staging area. Without being too obvious, he follows me. I make a gesture toward the men’s room, but he shakes his head. Turning a corner down an empty hallway, I lean my head against the wall and bang it four times, just wanting two minutes alone with him.



“Don’t do that,” he says, taking my hand and leading me farther down the hall to a small area where the wall juts in for two ornate doors. Taking one final look around, he pushes me against the wall, removes my glasses and hangs them on his long-sleeved St. Ignatius Spartan t-shirt, and kisses me roughly.



His skin is salty from sweating. He and Trey have been doing manual labor all afternoon while Zaina and I have been traipsing around in face paint and our silly costumes, looking like Christmas pixies and making little kids–and older ones, too–laugh.



“Watch out for my cheeks,” I say, not wanting Matty to know I was with him. Matty’s husband, Nolan, had meticulously painted red circles and black freckles on my face, and I didn’t want them to be smudged when I went back out there. Our Santa doubles as our makeup artist. He’s even busier than most.



“These?” Callen asks, grabbing my ass. The thin fabric of the tights allow me to feel every movement of his fingers, and they explore freely.



“This sucks, Callen,” I complain, running my hands through his hair. “I don’t think we’re ever going to get to be alone again.”



“I don’t either,” he says.



“Twice,” I remind him. “Twice, we’ve played our parents. Twice, we’ve been together. In four fucking months.”



“If it was just our parents, you know this wouldn’t be so hard.”



“I’d still be this hard.”



“You’re an idiot, Max,” he says, but he can’t hide the sexy smile I bring out of him.



“You love me this way,” I say, shrugging. “And you left it wide open for that comment, come on,” I say. The fact of the matter is, we can’t go anywhere without people following us around, taking pictures of us, or posting our whereabouts on tabloid sites. It’s the most stressful relationship of my life, no doubt, but he’s still one of my best friends. We have so much fun hanging out and talking to each other that I have no regrets in dating one of the most well-known guys my age in Manhattan… but I still go mad sometimes with how badly I want to be with him. “It’s kind of sick that you’re turned on by an elf, by the way.”



“You always have an elfish look to you,” Callen says. “It’s your long lashes… and your nose.”



“Fuck you, my nose is cute,” I argue with him, touching the tip of it.



“I never said it wasn’t. It is cute. A little button nose. You have very youthful features, that’s all I’m saying.”



“Yeah, because my ears are anything but pointy.”



“Your ears are perfect, Max,” he says softly, kissing my right one.



“I know they are.”



“Careful, your vanity’s showing.”



“Callen McNare!” I hear my best friend, Trey, yelling from the end of the hallway. “I know your parents have hundreds of missing posters left over at your house, and the only reason I’m not calling them right now to have them deliver some to this hotel is because I can smell your Dolce & Gabbana cologne from here!”



I stick my arm out to my side and point my middle finger skyward, saluting Trey.



“Hey, Mascot!”



“Hi, Trey! Thirty seconds!” I holler back to him. “And don’t say a word to Matty!”



“Fine,” I hear him say stubbornly.



I bring my hand to the back of my boyfriend’s neck and start to massage his tense muscles. “When I sit on Santa-Nolan’s lap–”



“Please don’t,” he says, interrupting me.



“Well, if I did, I’d tell him the only thing I wanted was one night alone with you. And not a night at your house where we pretend to have a sleep-over with Trey, and he finds something to occupy his time for a few hours in another part of your mansion… I mean a real night alone with you.”



“I’ll return the Diamondback.”



“Wait. What?” I ask him, looking up at him with wide eyes.



“That bike you wanted?” He smiles and takes my hands into his. “Yeah, I bought it. I got one for me, too.”



“Well, shit, that may solve all our problems! We’ll just ride until no one can find us…” I say dreamily. He laughs. “I can’t believe you got me the bike…”



“Why wouldn’t you get what you wanted for Christmas?” he asks me.



My eyes shift to the floor. “I don’t know… a lifetime of disappointment has prepared me for that, I guess.” I can count on one hand the number of Christmases I’ve actually received what I asked for. Granted, I was born into a poor family, so I was predisposed to be set up for that sort of let down. Fortunately, the past few years have been better since Jon’s been making money.



“Well, you’re at least getting the bike. I can’t promise you the night alone… but the first opportunity I see, I will seize it, trust me, Max. I want it, too.”



“Thanks, Callen.”



“Love you, Max.”



“Love you, too.” We kiss again, this one sweeter.



“You okay to go back out there?”



I look down and check myself. “Yeah.”



“I’ll try to leave you alone…”



“Please don’t,” I tell him, taking my glasses from his shirt and putting them on. He bites his lip. He’s developed this thing for me in my glasses these days, which is why I only wear them now instead of my contacts. I think he likes my sexy, nerdy vibe. He really likes it when I’ve got them on and my shirt off. Something about the juxtaposition of my newly defined muscles and my geeky specs.



“Okay, I won’t.” He gives me another quick peck on the lips and walks next to me back to his temporary stock room, holding my hand the whole way. I pull down my elf shirt, cursing it under my breath, before I return to the ornately decorated lobby to continue meeting kids and taking their toys.



“You’ve been with Callen,” Zany accuses me, eyeing me suspiciously.



“How can you tell?”



“You have that dumb smile on your face.”



“Nothing dumb about this smile,” I tell her, grinning about as big as I possibly can.



“No fair. Did you see Tria?”



“Don’t think he wanted to see me,” I comment, walking up to the next family in line. “He’s all business, your boyfriend…” I whisper to her.



“That’s Trey,” she says to me as she walks back by me, stopping to readjust her grip on two video gaming systems.



“That’s you, too, come to think of it,” I tease her as I take my gift to the tree.



She meets me there. “Well, we are here to work. We’re volunteering for A Kinder New York. Matty’s counting on us, you know? So are all the kids who wouldn’t have a holiday without our help.”



“I know, I know. That’s how Trey suckered me and Callen into this all-night gig.”



“It’s for a good cause, and it’s the organization that brought Callen home. Don’t forget that.”



“I would never forget that,” I tell her. “Hey,” I say, looking toward the check-in counter. “Zany, look.”



“What?” she asks, taking my hand and pulling me back toward the line.



“No, look! Is that my brother?”



“Where? No,” she says, not even stopping to check.



“That looks like Jon from the back.”



“Why would Jon be at The Mark Hotel on Christmas Eve?” Zaina asks, blowing me off. “He’s home with Livvy and the baby. Or didn’t you say they were doing something with the Hollands tonight?”



“No, they’re doing their family thing tomorrow, since Trey’s going to be here all night. They figured Edie’d never know Santa came the day after on her first Christmas.”



“That’s right. And you guys did your family thing last night? Here, help me with these scooters,” she says, giving me a task. I swear that’s my oldest brother.



“Yeah.”



“You didn’t tell me what you got.”



“I did, too,” I tell her, stopping her and looking in her eyes. “We had a very long conversation about the red leather jacket Jon got me. And remember I told you about the rainbow-colored dart board Will found while he was on tour?”



“Oh, right.” I finish pushing the scooter to the tree and step toward the counter, looking for the man I saw a minute ago. He’s gone. “Were you distracting me?” I ask her suspiciously.



“I don’t know what you mean. Go help that little boy with the broken leg, Mascot. He’s struggling with his crutches.”



“Fine, Zany.”



After finding out Cary injured himself playing hockey, I have a ten minute side conversation with the seven-year-old about his burgeoning sports career before Matty gives me his death stare and I take the kid up to see Santa. As he hobbles up the red carpet-lined path, he confesses to me softly that he doesn’t actually believe in Santa Claus, but he doesn’t think he’ll get big presents anymore if he admits that to his parents. He found out three years ago, but Santa’s the only one who gives him the “good stuff.”



I wish him luck and take the wagon that his mother had been towing behind her to the tree. In it are about thirty new baseballs. I remember a number of Christmases when just waking up to one of those balls would have made it the best holiday of my life.



“Santa’s sick today, Max.” I’ll never forget that feeling. I’d believed my mother, and actually felt bad for the jolly old man for the rest of my Christmas vacation. It wasn’t until I went back to school that I started questioning things. Santa had been well enough to visit all the other kids in my class. When I’d asked Will and Jon about it that afternoon, they’d both produced for me presents that they said they’d found waiting on the doorstep for me when they’d gotten home from school. There was a card, too. Santa apologized that my gifts were late.



I don’t remember what the gifts were now. The only other thing I remember from that day was that when I asked Will what he got from Santa, he’d said, “that old fat man doesn’t give a shit about me.” Jon had smacked him on the back of the head.



“Daydreaming about someone’s balls?” I blink twice out of my reverie and chuckle at Callen, who’s collecting more toys from the tree.



“You know it.”



“Let me have that wagon.” He deliberately closes his fingers around mine before I let go of the handle. His taut arm muscles strain, his grip purposefully tight. I trace my finger up his arm quickly and smile coyly at him. “I’m sure we’ll find a few more minutes tonight to do a little fooling around.”



“Not if Trey and Zany and Matty have anything to say about it,” I argue.



“I’ve got to take these things to the back. Looks like your line’s almost clear. Then you get to come help us organize and wrap presents.”



“And I get to put on normal fucking clothes, thank God.”



“That room is almost entirely full. I have no idea how we’re going to get everything done. We’ll definitely be up all night.”



“Yeah, there’s no way we’re getting out of doing any work,” I tell him, dejected. “See you in a few.”







After handing out the final cupcakes, we say good night to the last of the kids and ceremoniously wave goodbye to Santa, letting Nolan leave before the rest of us since he has a sleigh to catch. Once all the kids are cleared out, Nolan corrals all the volunteers from the back, bringing everyone to the lobby where we’ve been staged all night.



“Alright, everyone. You guys have done an amazing job so far. All of my elves were perfect!” Matty exclaims, coming over to me–of course–and pinching my cheek. I glare at him, which just encourages him to pinch the other one. The only good thing that comes out of it is that he now has makeup caked in his fingers. “Everyone give yourselves a round of applause.”



We all clap for the hours of work we’ve put in today for Matty’s organization.



“We’ve literally collected hundreds of toys today,” Nolan says, looking at a clipboard that Trey has handed him. “Our back room staff has been keeping everything organized in different areas in a meeting room on the second floor. Everyone who’s working the overnight, you’ll be assigned a section to work in. We’ll bring you wrapping paper and bags and ribbon and tape and scissors and everything you need to make things pretty.”



“And if you can’t wrap pretty,” Matty says, “you need to learn quick, or you’ll be on trash and box duty. Wrapping’s easy. Just slow down and take your time. Remember that we have all night. Vans will start picking up the gifts at seven in the morning. You’ve got ten hours.



“So, everyone who’s only signed up until nine, you're free to go! Get one of the reserved cupcakes on your way out, and have a very Merry Christmas, happy holidays, etcetera… Thank you for your kindness!



“Overnighters, let’s take fifteen. Elves, feel free to change into something less… elven.”



“Max, Callen,” Trey says, grasping Zaina’s hand, “can you guys help us with a few boxes of supplies? We need to take them to storage on another floor to make sure they don’t get mixed in with the rest of the gifts.”



“Can’t Zany and I change first?” I ask.



“After,” Trey says. “This will just take a minute, I promise.”



“Yeah, you wouldn’t be making people wait if it was your junk squished in peppermint hooker stockings.”



“My poor Mascot,” Callen says, laughing as he puts his arm around me.



“Zai, you look hot,” Trey says to her as they push a hand truck of boxes toward one of the elevators.



“Yeah, clearly this unisex outfit is geared more toward the ladies,” I comment, following my friends and wondering what they need help with since they’re pushing everything on a cart. “What’s my purpose here?” I ask when we get on the elevator. Callen taps the button for the third floor, but Trey hits a different one.



“What’s on twelve?” Callen asks.



“The storage room we’re going to.”



“It’s on one of the guest room floors?”



The elevator opens on the third floor, but no one makes a move to get out, since we’re still trying to figure out where exactly we’re going.



“Yeah,” Trey says, turning around to face the wall of the elevator.



“You lie.” I grab him by the shoulder and turn him around as the elevator starts moving again. He’s the worst liar I know. “What’s on the twelfth floor, Trey?”



“A storage room, Dyo,” Zany says sweetly, stepping in between me and my best friend. She hasn’t called me that nickname since Mascot took its place a few months ago. She’s lying, too, and she’s normally a damn good liar.



“What’s going on?” Callen asks. Both of our friends stay silent until we reach the twelfth floor. When the doors open, Trey hurriedly pushes the dolly out, leading the way for the rest of us.



“Twelve-oh-seven,” he murmurs, rounding a corner. “There we go.” I stop walking when I see a crowd gathered at the end of the hallway.



“Whaaaaat the fuck are our siblings doing here?” I ask Trey, seeing Will, Jon, and Livvy all standing in front of a room. “Callen, what’s going on?”



“Don’t ask me!” he says, walking a step behind me when I finally start moving again.



“Holy shit, what are you wearing?” Will asks me, running his hand over his stubbled jawline and eyeing me from head to toe.



“A fucking superhero costume, what does it look like, genius?” I ask him, the actual genius of the family. I guess, technically, both of my brothers are. “Why are you here?”



“Merry Christmas, Max and Callen,” Trey says, opening the largest of the boxes on the push cart and pulling out two suitcases.



“Merry Christmas,” my family chimes in, and Zaina does, too, adding a little applause to her greeting.



“I’m not quite sure I get what’s happening,” Callen says.



“Yeah, me, neither, because your uncles are waiting for the two of us to come back downstairs and wrap presents for the next ten hours.”



“Is he?” Zaina says with a funny grin.



Trey picks up a clipboard and hands it to me. “You see, I convinced you guys to sign up for the overnight. You told your parents you were doing the overnight… but I told Matty you were only staying until nine. So your alibi’s solid.”



“No way…” I say, grasping Callen’s hand tightly. I can’t believe what I’m hearing.



“The room’s under my name,” Jon tells me. “Please don’t wreck the place.”



“I didn’t even have to sit on Nolan’s lap!” I exclaim. Callen backhands me in the chest. “Fucking best Christmas present ever. But please still give me the bike.”



“You’re getting the bike,” he assures me.



“I packed you some clothes,” Will tells me.



“And I stole some stuff from your house when I was at your family’s Christmas party last weekend, Callen,” Trey admits. “I really thought I was going to be arrested or chased down by your guard dogs.”



“Yeah, I guess we need to tighten up security,” Callen jokes with him.



“I don’t ever want to go through your underwear drawer again, though.”



“Sorry, man, but thanks for doing that.”



“And I packed you both a little present,” Zaina says. “Just something special for Christmas.”



“You didn’t have to do that, Zany,” I tell her.



I go to both of my brothers and Livvy and give them all hugs, thanking them for the gift.



“You’re welcome, but this was all Trey’s idea,” Livvy says.



I smile at my best friend and hold my arms out wide. “Come give your peppermint hooker fairy a big hug.”



“Oh, Max, really?”



“I owe you one!” I say, grabbing him in a bearhug and squeezing him tightly. “Thank you so much for this.” Callen descends on us both, getting in on the action.



“Wanna join us?” Callen teases Trey.



“Fuck that, Callen, I said ALONE,” I remind my boyfriend, messing with him.



“As tempting as your offer is, I do have to go wrap presents for the next ten hours.”



“Man, when you could have finagled your way into something like this for you and Zany?! It’s brilliant!” I say, stunned that he wouldn’t take advantage of his own master scheming. Granted, it’s way beyond what I thought innocent, rule-abiding Trey Holland would have come up with.



“You know it’s not like that with us,” Zaina says, taking Trey’s hand in hers. “When we’re ready, we’ll find a way to be alone–”



“And we won’t have to hide it from anyone,” my best friend adds.



“My sweet, little brother,” Livvy says, throwing her arms around his waist and looking up at Trey. He’s nearly a full foot taller than she is.



“Unlike our cursing, obnoxious, sexually-active one…” Jon says.



“He’s barely sexually-active,” Will says as an aside to our oldest brother. “Cut the kid some slack.”



“Can we go back to the obnoxious part?” I interrupt, holding my finger up, but no one’s listening to me.



“No, but we’re helping him along here now,” Jon says.



“They’re in a committed relationship,” Livvy cuts in.



“Yeah, none of us had a problem with this when we were sixteen,” Will says.



“If Mom catches wind of this, we’re all dead. That’s all I’m saying,” Jon clarifies. “Use protection, that’s all I care about.”



“I packed some,” Will says, winking at me.



“Thanks, Will.”



“I’ve got you covered, Mascot.”



“Literally,” I say to him, earning groans from everyone. Callen puts his arms around me and pulls me into his chest.



“You left yourself wide open for that, Will,” he says, sticking up for me.



“I did,” my brother concedes. “Anyway.” He checks his watch. “She’s probably wondering where we are,” he says to Livvy and Jon.



“Yeah, we have reservations up the street. Oh, and room service is bringing you guys dinner in twenty minutes,” Jon tells me. “I figured you’d be starving.”



“Totally.”



“Thank you.”



“So, you guys are expected downstairs at ten in the morning for the volunteer breakfast,” Trey says as everyone heads back toward the elevator. “Meet me on the second floor and I’ll put your suitcases in my car.”



“Have a good night, guys.”



“Merry Christmas!”







Callen and I had just enough time to shower before our food was delivered. After dinner, we open the cards attached to the wrapped presents that Zaina had stuck in each of our suitcases. There were explicit instructions on each envelope that said to read the cards first.



“Go to a different room and put these on. Then let the games begin. Merry Christmas. What does yours say?” I ask Callen.



“Go to a different room and put these on, then take the reins and have some fun. Merry Christmas. Shit. Why am I suddenly frightened by what’s in these boxes?”



“Suck it up. I’ll take the small bathroom,” I say with a smile, nearly running with my gift and tearing off the paper on the way. I can’t even contain my laughter when I see what’s folded inside the box. I take out the underwear and hold them up, examining both sides and feeling my cheeks turn the color of the plastic red nose attached to the front of them. “Oh, fuck!” I say as the little orb lights up when I touch it. “No fucking way!” I strip down to nothing and quickly put them on, looking at myself in the mirror and chuckling at the ridiculousness of it all.



“I’m not wearing these!” I hear Callen yell from across the suite.



“You’re wearing them or you’re wearing nothing at all!” I holler back.



“Nothing at all is fine.” He’s right outside the door now.



“Please just put them on so I can see what she got you. Are you a reindeer, too?”



“Oh, hell, no,” he says. “Get out here.”



“Let me know when you’ve got yours on and I will,” I bargain with him.



“I don’t want to, Max.”



“You really think we’re going to have these on for that long anyway?”



He’s quiet for a few seconds. “Good point. No pictures.”



“Wouldn’t dream of it.”



“Wait, before you come out–”



“I came out months ago, love,” I tease him.



“Yeah,” he says, ignoring me and continuing his question. “Why in the world would Zaina even think to buy us shit like this?”



“You know she’s going through a guy-on-guy romance novel phase,” I say to him. “I told you that… she thinks we’re hot…”



“Oh, Jesus. To think she knows we’re wearing these…”



“We’re never admitting to wearing these, Callen. Gag gifts. We never took ‘em out of the boxes.” We have to get our lies straight.



“Wait, does Trey know she reads gay erotica?”



“I don’t think so.”



“Straight-laced Trey has a girl with a little kink.” I can hear the smirk in his voice. “Come on. Get your reindeer ass out here,” he says.



“You’re ready?”



“Yeah.” I turn around and open the door, showing him my ass first and saving the best asset for last. “Oh, my god, there’s a tail on yours.” He yanks it, attempting to pull me toward him by it. I stretch, glancing behind me to see his skimpy undies with a Santa face, a white beard hanging from the growing underside of them.



“Oh, those are bad,” I say. “What’d your card say? Take the reins and have some fun? Santa’s gonna get him some reindeer love tonight,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows and turning to face him. “And this isn’t just any reindeer.” I take a step away from him so he can see the full picture.



“I’m riding Rudolph tonight, huh?”



“Want to touch his nose?” I ask, looking down at the perfectly placed globe. Callen grins and reaches his hand out, ready to palm me, but the second his warm hand touches the reindeer nose, it glows red, and he shirks away from it, bursting out in laughter.



“I’ll guide your sleigh tonight, Santa,” I tell him, trying to flirt, but then shaking my head at how incredibly stupid that sounded. “Just come with me to the fucking bedroom.”



“Yes, deer,” Callen says.



“Ha!” I laugh, turning around and high-fiving him for the Max-worthy pun. He wraps his arms around my waist, slowing my gait to the bedroom, but I don’t mind as he starts kissing my shoulders.



When we get to the bed, we both look out the window and notice other windows across the street. I don’t think either of us have ever moved faster in our lives to close the curtains.



“That would have been the most embarrassing tabloid story we’ve ever been involved in,” he says, leaning against a chair. “I’m pretty sure we’d both have to quit school.”



“Fuck that, we’d have to move to another country.” I sit down on the bed.



“One without the internet.”



My eyes flicker down Callen’s body and linger. “It’s Christmas Eve,” I say to him.



“I know,” he says, walking toward me.



“I think Santa has better things to do than to be hanging around you.”



“Is that what you think?” I nod my head. “Like what?”



“Giving people what they want,” I say softly, looking him in the eye as I tuck my fingers under the black waistband of his underwear and push them down his muscular legs. His arms wrap around me and down my body, and I can tell his fingers of one hand are pinching the reindeer tail while his other hand tucks beneath my underwear. He angles his head to ensure full, deep kisses as he brings my body closer to his.



“And I already know what you want…” he says as he takes a breath.



“In case you didn’t, though, I think Rudolph’s giving a hint.” We both look down to see the red, glowing nose, getting up close and personal with Callen. He moves his hands to my side and plants kisses on my neck and chest, then drags them further down my body as he kneels in front of me.



Finally, he takes the orb in between his teeth and grips my hips tightly, moving me to the edge of the bed. I stop breathing in anticipation of his next move. His tongue encircles Rudolph’s fucking nose, driving me fucking crazy.



“Callen, Jesus,” I say, grabbing his blonde hair in my fists. “You’re killing me.”



“No more reindeer games?” he asks.



“Clever,” I tell him, hoping that particular Christmas carol doesn’t stay in my head while my boyfriend and I have our first true night alone. “And no.”



“Okay,” he says softly, removing Zaina’s gift from my body and standing up to kiss me.



I break away from his lips but hold him close, feeling my heart pound wildly against his chest. “Callen, this is already the best Christmas of my life,” I tell him. “I just want you to know that.”



“We haven’t done anything yet,” he says as he nudges me onto the bed. I scoot back, making room for him.



“I’ve got my night alone with you.” I reach my hand out to him. He gets on his knees and climbs on the bed toward me. “That’s what I wanted.”



“You wanted more than that,” he says, leaning over and taking off my glasses. After setting them on the nightstand, he returns to me, kissing my torso. “I guess I’ll have to top the best Christmas of your life with the best night of your life… in the same night. I bet I can do that,” he boasts.



“Hmmm,” I say, challenging him and laying back on my arms, watching him settle between my legs. “Good luck with that.”



His hands trace down my V muscle that he often admires when we’re swimming together. “No luck needed. Merry Christmas, Max.”



“Thanks for the best night of my life,” I tell him, “until I get the bike.”



He stops what he’s doing and glares at me, but one side of his lip curls up. I smile back at him playfully so he knows I’m kidding. “Either way, at least I’m responsible for giving you the best night of your life.”



“It’s tonight,” I whisper to him an assurance and push myself off the bed toward him. He sits up to meet me in another kiss. I don’t want there to be any doubt.



“Good,” he says, putting his hands on the back of my neck and dragging his thumbs against my cheekbones as he looks into my eyes.



“Merry Christmas, Callen.”

 

 

 



 



 

After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Lori Otto worked in the billboard industry for ten years. Frustrated with trying to communicate entire messages in “seven seconds or less,” she decided to leave outdoor advertising and return to her love of creative writing.

 

 

Visit Lori L. Otto's Website

 

 

Purchase Links:

 

Not Today, But Someday (Emi: Lost & Found #0.5): http://amzn.to/1O1nosM

 

Lost and Found (Emi: Lost & Found #1): http://amzn.to/1O1nC33

 

Time Stands Still (Emi: Lost & Found #2): http://amzn.to/1O1nEI5

 

Never Look Back (Emi: Lost & Found #3): http://amzn.to/1NUvhtG

 

Emi Lost & Found series: http://amzn.to/1NUvmgQ

 

Number Seven: http://amzn.to/1O1nZe6

 

 

Contessa (Choisie #1): http://amzn.to/1O1o6WS

Read GPI's Review of CONTESSA

 

Olivia (Choisie #2): http://amzn.to/1NUvAEW

Read GPI's Review of OLIVIA

 

Dear Jon (Choisie #3): http://amzn.to/1O1oaWI

Read GPI's Review of DEAR JON

 

Livvy (Choisie #4): http://amzn.to/1NUvEEG

 

 

Crossroads: http://amzn.to/1NUvJZ1

 

Love Like We Do - Side A: http://amzn.to/1O1ojt5

Love Like We Do - Side B: http://amzn.to/1O1oiFE

Read GPI's Review of LOVE LIKE WE DO SIDE A&B

 

 



 

1. If money was no object what would take out the number one spot on your Christmas list?



I would probably go on a nice, long vacation… and take my family with me, but make sure there was plenty of stuff for them to do while I have my Lori time.



2. What was the first book you read that made you think “wow this is what I want to do, I want to be an author”?



Back in junior high, it was probably the Outsiders, and then everything else S.E. Hinton wrote, because she made me cry a lot. But more recently, it was the Twilight series (and the ensuing fan fiction) because it seemed like there was a need for a more mature love story, and I thought I could write that story.



3. What does Christmas mean for you?



Christmas means family to me, and more specifically, my parents. My sister moved away fourteen years ago, and I rarely see her around Christmas anymore, but even if my mom and dad don’t spend the actual day with me, we have a day or two that we celebrate together. We like looking at all the ornaments my mom has collected over the years–and there are some really good stories behind them! Mom typically makes breakfast casserole and we have mimosas and listen to Christmas music. We don’t always have a traditional Christmas dinner (I’m not big on that, and it seems silly to go to that much trouble for three people), but we have a good time together.



4. What’s your guilty pleasure, the one thing you hate admitting out loud?



I’m really not attracted to guys my age. I seem to like guys in their mid-twenties… I don’t know what it is, but I can’t get enough of Logan Lerman or Dylan O’Brien these days. (I’m on Season 4 of Teen Wolf… that’s how bad it is.) Oh! And if you haven’t watched The First Time, you MUST. I’ve watched it twice in the past week, and it’s just adorable. (Or Dylan’s just adorable…)



5. What’s next for you in terms of writing?



I’m working on a novel for Will Rosser. He’s the younger brother to Jon Scott (from the Choisie series) and older brother to Max Rosser (from the Love Like We Do series). He’ll be 24 in this book. It’ll be a standalone, but it does have a prequel that’s out now called Crossroads that explains how he got to be the way he is.



After that will probably be a novella for Max and some other Love Like We Do characters that takes place just after high school graduation, and then a novel for Trey Holland (from the Choisie/Love Like We Do series) when he’s in college.