Midnight Mistletoe
Priceless

Derek Sawyer

Earlier today, when I was driving, and Charlotte mentioned the word children, I knew she wasn’t joking around when she claimed she did.

That specific word didn’t scare me. I lost control while driving because I didn’t expect Nana to mention it.

Of course, I want to become a father one of these days.

I was ready to have it all with Amanda, and look where it got me.

No fucking nowhere. All those times wasted just wasted. That and a fucking engagement ring I can’t even return.

That’s the reason I want to take my time with freckles. I want to make sure that whatever we have won’t blow on my face.

Looking around the table, my parents and everyone else are ready to eat. My eyes automatically land on Kate.

My Kate.

Wow! Where did that come from?

“Son.” My father asks for my attention while he distracts me from my thoughts. “Can you please pass me the two sauces in front of you?”

I cough. “Sure thing, Dad.”

First, I give him the chilly sauce and then the yogurt mint and cucumber.

As for me, I go for the garlic bread, and before I know it, freckles snatches it from my hand. I turn my attention towards Kate, arching my eyebrows.

She quickly bats her eyelashes, giving me an innocent smile.

I chuckle, shaking my head. She always did that when I caught her doing something she shouldn’t have.

I take a fondue skewer, wrapping the meat around it before submerging it into the fondue broth until it’s cooked.

“So,” Charlotte clears her throat to have everyone’s attention. “Who’s attending Midnight Mass with me tonight?”

“You can count me in as always, Mother,” Amy says before she looks at her husband. “Honey?”

Hank answers, nodding his head.

“Jenna? Ryan?” Charlotte wonders.

“Of course, we’re going to go as well.” They respond simultaneously.

Midnight Mass is celebrated at midnight on Christmas Eve.

When I was little, I didn’t have a choice to go with my parents. Now that I’m no longer a child, I won’t go with them. Besides, if Kate decides to stay as well, it would mean that I could spend some alone time with freckles.

I take a bite of my meat after dipping it into the chili sauce. I did promise her that she’ll be the one coming later tonight, and I intend to keep my promise.

I want to see my name in her ass again.

“I think I’m going to skip it this year.” Freckles looks at Charlotte apologetically.

Did her cheeks turn red all of a sudden?

Was she thinking the same thing as me?

I can’t help myself but smirk at the thought.

I run my fingers over my lips, remembering how her lips tasted like. “Same for me,” I announce to everyone.

At first, Charlotte seemed disappointed about our decision not to go, but then she smiled while she looked at Katherine and me.

I let out a snort as I knew exactly what she was thinking.

After eating, we men do the dishes since the women prepared the meal.

While I’m in the middle of a conversation with my father and Hank, someone rings the doorbell.

I frown as I wonder who this could be, especially at this hour. It could be the carollers singing the Christmas song outside.

“Honey, can you get the door and see who it is?” Amy asks her husband.

“Sure thing, hun. I’m on it.” Hank dries his hands with a dishcloth before answering the door.

“Kate.” He calls the name of his daughter. “Someone is at the door for you.”

Someone came all the way here to see Katherine specifically.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Without hesitation, I follow Kate as I want to see who this is.

Fists tighten at my side as I see who has the audacity to come to Kate’s parents’ house on Christmas Eve.

Didn’t she say he broke things off with her, and that’s why we pretended to be together until it became real?

“Seamus, what are you doing here?” Freckles is surprised to see him standing in front of her.

Impatiently, I fold my arms and begin tapping my finger on my forearm above my elbow.

“Isn’t it obvious?” He asks confidently. “I’m here to take you back.”

My fist inches to punch him.

Her lips part in surprise. “Why? We are through. You ended it, remember?”

“I know, and it was a big mistake.” Seamus tries to take Kate’s hand, but she doesn’t let him.

To see her refuse him calms me a little.

My nostrils flare as Seamus ogles at my woman.

What did I just…

I nod my head. That’s right, my woman!

Kate turns around as her mother, my parents, and Charlotte walk to the living room to see what’s going on. She looks at me before she turns to speak to Seamus again.

Freckles take a deep breath. “I think you better leave.”

His eyes widen. “What? I came all over here to…”

“You heard the lady.” I cut him off. “Time for you to leave,” I warn him.

Seamus glares at me. “And who are you supposed to be?”

That’s right, he never met me. I saw his pictures on Kate’s Facebook page.

Before all this, when I learned that Kate was in a relationship, I wanted to see what kind of man would be interested in her. Who would be dumb enough to be with her?

Funny how things work sometimes because now I was the one who was with her.

“I think it would be better to leave them alone,” Hank suggests. “Kate, if you need us, shouts.”

“I sent you a text earlier telling you I was coming,” Seamus says after the other had left the room.

I frown, looking at her. “He did?”

Kate pinches the bridge of her nose. “Yes, he did, but I deleted his message before I read it.”

“Again, who are you?” He put his hands in his pocket, puffing on his chest.

Is this guy for real? Did she actually sleep with this guy?I ask myself as he tries to look impressed.

I smirk, ready to strike. “Me? Well, I’m the man whose name is branded on Kate’s beautiful tight ass.”

His expression written on his face is priceless.