We give him the tour, and Bianca is so excited to have him meet her beloved bearded dragon, calling us to come in when we get near her door. She brings Ozzy out and shows him to Taran, and the cute lizard runs right up Taran's arm onto his shoulder.
“He loves you!!” Bianca cries. “He never does that.”
“I’ve never met a critter I didn't like, he's cute!” Taran replies. Bianca beams at him, and then she not so subtly mouths to me “keep him, Auntie Lyra!”
I shake my head ruefully at her and smile. We've beenhere less than 15 minutes and it already feels like he belongs. The fact that we get to spend our first Christmas as a couple here makes me happier than I can express. It's that same sense of rightness I felt watching him play with Brody in my yard. Having Taran occupy space that is important to me just makes it feel like it is whole. Like the picture was somehow incomplete until he came along. I have never and will never need a man to complete me, but having him in my life as a partner adds so much and rounds it out so perfectly I find my breath catching. He grins at me like he can see those thoughts playing across my face. We hang out with my nephews, their girlfriends, and niece, play some cards, get settled in the office with our stuff, and take quick showers before we head out to dinner. The Mexican place near them is top notch, and is famous for its margaritas that you can get refilled to go in what is basically a Capri Sun pouch. I go for the strawberry basil while Taran goes for the mango lime. After the delicious dinner, we all head back to gorge on the Christmas cookies while we play games until bed. The Rummikub table gets vicious in this family. The foldout couch is not the most comfortable, but Taran and I fall asleep in a pajama tangle while he murmurs how nice a time he's having.
Christmas Eve is always my favorite night here. After a day of lounging around and a few rounds of pickleball at the rec area in their development, we're decked out in ugly sweaters and getting seated around the table. Christmas music is playing softly in the background, and Charlie has made his usual incredible feast of homemade spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and garlic bread. Smelling it on the stove all day has been torture. After a dessert of more Christmas cookies, the festivities begin. First, we sing the 12 Days of Christmas, with everyone getting assigned a number. Sincethere are 9 of us this year, a few double up. I get 9 ladies dancing, so I don't have my solo for a bit. Taran gets 5 golden rings. When it gets to him, he belts it out with jazz hands and gives it everything he has. The entire table loses it.
“That's it!” My sister wheezes between laughs. “That's your number no matter what, anytime you come here for Christmas. There was so much pizazz, everyone take a lesson from him!”
“Damn, you didn't have to go that hard and make us all look bad, Taran!” James says with a theatrical shake of his head, smiling ear to ear.
Taran chuckles and mock bows, then catches my eye with the most dazzling grin as he leans into me to whisper in my ear.
“Got assigned a number my first year here, Firecracker, you don't even have one assigned,” he teases. I roll my eyes, even as his warm breath on my ear makes me shiver.
“It's a pity number, because she knows it's insanity to be part of this family. I don't have a choice, you do,” I tease right back, making sure he shivers too when I whisper in his ear. He chuckles warmly and drapes his arm over my shoulders, tucking me into his side. Bianca lets out a little “awww” when he does it. Jeanie is smiling, Charlie is watching us like the protective big brother he is, and the boys take that as their cue to hug their girlfriends into their sides too. Their girlfriends are sweethearts, I've met Mikayla and Chloe a couple of times now. Mikayla and I actually text all the time about books, I talk to her much more than James. With the song now over, it's time for the most sacred part of the evening.
For as long as I can remember, my sister has read aloud "Twas the Night Before Christmas" everyChristmas Eve from a book that is way older than her. To me, it's not Christmas until she does it. We all join in at the end loudly with, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
If Taran thinks either the singing or the reading is weird, he doesn't show it. He seems downright delighted by it all actually, and I love that he has no problem being a part of our family traditions. When we get to bed and are snuggled next to each other, he starts softly talking into my hair.
“This has been the most fun I've had at Christmas since my dad passed away, Lyra. Our Holidays have always been subdued since then. Thank you. Thank you for making the holidays fun and light again. It means a lot to be here.” He kisses my hair, and I feel my throat thicken with emotion.
“It means a lot to have you here with me. I'm glad you don't think our traditions are weird.”
“Not weird at all, I love them. Your family has been so welcoming, too.”
“I think they love you more than me already,” I tease as I nudge him.
“Not possible, but I'm glad they like me,” he says, stroking my hair as I feel my eyes get heavy. Between the wine, the huge amount of food, the laughter, and the warm, wonderful person beside me, I drift off instantly. Christmas morning is always a lazy, languid morning of Charlie's incredible pancakes, followed by presents. Jeanie always gets me snarky mugs or tea towels and other fun things, and she did the same this year. Even though he was a slightly last minute addition, Taran gets the most wonderfully soft fleece hoodie and a gift card from the family. He puts it on instantly. Christmas dinner is always a repeat of Thanksgiving food, and the smells of roasting turkey and stuffing fill the house. I am always in charge of the side dish Jeanie and I love the most. It's syrupy peach halves, stuffedwith fruity and spiced mincemeat before it is baked. It could not be more simple to assemble or delicious. Jeanie and I make our obligatory FaceTime calls to our parents and John in Vancouver so the kids can see their long distance family. My mother and younger brother are together with his family, plus my aunt and uncle. My dad and step-mom are home with my step-sisters and their boyfriends. Jeanie and I exchange pleasantries, the kids chat, and Taran doesn't miss a beat saying how nice it is to meet them all. My parents and brothers have been made aware of Taran, but today they get to virtually meet him, and it is all fine. My dad has the distinct undertone of, “I’ll kill you if you hurt my daughter” underneath his pleasantness, but it is all fine. The next day, I take the girls out for manicures as their present, and we have a fabulous spa afternoon while Taran hangs out with the guys playing video games and watching a movie. My sister and I are seated next to each other getting our nails done, and she keeps looking like she's itching to say something.
“Out with it. What's on your mind? Since when have you ever held your tongue with me?”
“I was trying to not give my unsolicited opinion for once in my life, but you're right. I need to say this. Taran is really special, Lyra. I hate making comparisons, and Derek was fine until he cheated, but he never lit you up the way I see Taran does. I'm so happy for you. You deserve this. I need you to know just how much you deserve this after everything you've been through. Your intrusive thoughts can go pound salt, because I know you've had them.”
I let out a weighted breath, letting her words settle in. “I did have them, I told you what happened the night he came over. They're quiet now, though. He quieted them.”
“Good,” she says simply, turning back to watching hernails get done. “Keep me posted on the surgery date, too. Charlie and Bianca can man the fort, I'll come up to stay with you for a bit. I know Taran will be there, but while he's working I'd like to be around.” I nod, knowing that even if I didn't want her there, she'd come anyway. Having her there will mean the world, though.
All too soon, Taran and I are heading back to reality the next day after a really wonderful slice of cozy family time.
Chapter 27
Taran
3 MONTHS LATER
Lyra is quiet and introspective next to me as we drive from White Plains hospital to the hotel I have a room at for the next week. We'll be staying here tonight for the night before her surgery. Then if she wants space, or for some reason I can't stay in her hospital room, I'll have somewhere to go. Work was good with me taking the week off since my PTO replenished at the beginning of the year, and I'll still head back home for a few hours a couple of times during the week to attend my classes and check on Ma. My classes have been fantastic, and it won't be long until I become a CNA. The schoolwork is challenging in the best way.
It helps that I go home every night now to Lyra and Brody. Last month when my lease was up, it just seemed silly to keep living apart, and I officially moved in with her. Not only do I adore living with her and my favorite dog, with all of my domestic bliss fantasies coming true, but it sure also helps both of us out financially to split our bills.
All of the preparations and pre-testing that Lyra has needed before her surgery have taken much longer thananticipated, along with it being challenging to get calendars aligned. So her surgery ended up pushed back to the middle of March, and here we are. The biggest hitch has been that the initial EKG she had to have was slightly abnormal, so they had to schedule another one, which was much more normal. Now she had a third this morning that was good, along with her bloodwork looking perfect, so the green light for tomorrow is on. Apparently there is a lot of worry about her heart with being under anesthesia for so long. It was a pretty full day of testing, she had to get final jaw x-rays and a basic physical as well.
Now the sun is beginning to set on a fairly sunny, mild day and we're going to go out for her last meal before she can't eat the way she wants for six months. She won't be able to eat after 8pm tonight, so we’re going a little early. It’s actually lovely here, with pretty views, and the sky dappled in reds and purples. Under normal circumstances, I think we’d have a blast walking around the quaint town. The look on her face, though? It has me wanting to drive us straight home and not have her go through this. She looks scared and exhausted, and it's absolutely crushing to see. I'm hoping the meal will lift her spirits. We did our research to see what was around, and a very highly rated Italian place is only 15 minutes from our hotel. Once we get back to our room, we decide to clean off the day at the hospital in the shower together before we dress for dinner. Needing to get rid of some of the tension she’s carrying, I let the warm water soothe her while I make her come on my fingers. It seems to help, she’s more herself as we towel off.
“Sorry I’ve been off,” she tells me quietly while we're getting dressed. “I am sick of being poked and prodded by doctors, that's all. It's not the end of the world, nothing hurt, and the doctors were all great. I like tothink I'm brave, and can handle anything without breaking a sweat. It just always feels like I'm some kind of science experiment, you know?” I pull her into my arms and kiss her forehead, and she squeezes me tightly around my middle.