Chapter 28

It was Christmas eve, and it smelled like cinnamon and freshly baked cookies and cloves. The Peterson house was full of noise and laughter. Faith didn't remember the last time it had been this full. In fact, she didn't think it had ever been close to being this full. Christmas had always been just her and her parents, and she never expected that such a big house would one day feel too small. The wood in the fireplace was burning and everyone was in the living room waiting for the desserts.

This whole ordeal was a last-minute decision. Lydia was supposed to go met her kids and grandkids, but where they lived, a snowstorm was preventing any trains to go in and out, so she had to stay back and postpone her visit to new year's. No Peterson would allow for Lydia to be alone at this time of year, so they immediately invited her. As for Kade, the entire Grant family had decided that for a change, they would be the ones to visit him so, somehow, they ended up all being invited too since they were already in town. And since the house was already full anyway, why not also invite Mira and Richard and their parents? In just a matter of days it was decided that Christmas would be held at the Petersons. Between last minute present and grocery shopping, everyone managed to get all the presents and enough food and sweet treats to feed everyone, probably enough to feed the whole town.

Mira and Faith couldn't escape the claws of the Grant twins and were forced to wear tiaras and play pretend. Meanwhile, Callum couldn't keep his eyes off Faith and his brother couldn't stop taunting him about it.

"We all knew it. Took you long enough, though."

"Shut up, Zack." The Grants chuckled, but Callum felt restless and uneasy. He wanted just a moment alone with Faith. Just enough time for her to open the presents he got her.

As the timer on the oven rang, Faith ran away from the twins and into the kitchen. The smell of the apples baking had been flowing through the air and she couldn't wait to eat the pie Callum had made her. She smiled seeing the little heart cut outs on the pie crust.

"Mr Grant," Faith yelled out from the kitchen.

"Yes, Faith?" Kade asked, getting up in a jolt.

"I think I broke the cabinet door. It came off one of the hinges. I was just looking for the mittens."

"I'm coming. Don't touch anything." Everyone laughed as Kade speed walked towards the kitchen.

Kade put the cabinet door in place while Faith tried to the get the pie out of the oven and struggled with it.

"Let me do it, Faith."

"No. It's fine. I got it."

"Holding it like that, you'll burn yourself."

"I won-" Faith touched the side of the oven with her forearm. "On second thought, I'll let you do it."

Kade shook his head while putting on the oven mittens. "Rinse that under cold water."

"I know. I know."

They went back to the dining room, where everyone anxiously waited for Callum's apple pie. Kade placed it at the centre of the table, and everyone inhaled the delicious scent of apples and cinnamon and sweetness.

"Did you burn yourself again?" Callum asked, while gently grabbing Faith's slightly red arm.

"Already rinsed it."

"You should've hired me full time." Callum chuckled and pulled her closer to him and wrapped one arm around her. "You clearly need a walking first aid kit chasing you around all day."

"I'm not that bad," she grumbled.

"No. But I wouldn't mind chasing around you all day." He smirked while she blushed.

Once the meal was over and the girls were making a mess while opening up their presents, Callum took the opportunity to finally pull Faith aside. From inside his pocket, he grabbed a small photo of Daisy, the dog they had seen at the adoption event.

"She's still free for adoption if we want to get her."

"We?"

"I said that I would help you, right? And I did say coparenting a dog, didn't I?"

"You were serious about it?" Faith raised her eyebrows, eyes wide open.

"Of course. So, do you want to get her?"

"I do."

"Great. Because I already filled out the forms. We only needed to wait for the approval after Christmas and then we'll go get her."

"What?" Faith squealed.

"I mean... I hope it's okay. Is it okay?" Callum mumbled. "Was it rushed? I'm sorry if-"

Faith wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Perfect gift. Thank you. Wait here, I'll go get your gifts."

"Faith, wait, there's more-" Too late, Faith was already running around like crazy.

Callum chuckled as he opened one of his gifts, an apron saying prince charming.

"As much as I think you look adorable in your aunt's purple floral apron, I think you deserve one of your own."

"I'll wear it while making you breakfast every morning." He winked.

"That sounds like a dream." She chuckled.

The next gift was something that took Callum back in time, and he was sure was to feel about it. It was somewhat of a bittersweet feeling. A tennis racquet. He used to love playing. It was a way for him to destress after his shifts at the hospital. Ben used to be his partner. He had completely forgotten about it. The past was behind him. He didn't want to look back at any of it, but by doing so, he was also erasing the good things. Erasing his hobbies and passions and, with it, part of himself too. Not all of it was bad... And the past made me the man I am today. A man worthy of her...

"Mr Grant told me you used to play a lot. That... Uh... You really enjoyed it. I thought you might want to give it another try. I also have a place for you to train and a partner if you want."

"Don't tell me you play tennis, princess?"

"I don't have the coordination for it. I'm pretty sure that somehow, I would end up stuck on the net. But Josh is really good so I thought that maybe you could join him."

"Are you sure it's okay for me to hang around your nemesis?" He smirked.

"What do they say? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?" Both chuckled.

"Thank you, Faith."

"Really? You like it? I thought that maybe, because..."

He shut her up with a kiss and then showed her one of the smiles he knew she couldn't resist. "I've moved forward. And I do miss playing. Thank you, Faith."

Faith smiled, feeling relieved that her gift hadn't been a miss. Thank you, Mr Grant... she sighed.

As they kissed, hiding away from wondering eyes, lost in their own fairytale, the chanting of the small crows gathering in the living room brought them back to reality.

"Mistletoe. You have to kiss," the twins yelled in unison.

Callum and Faith glanced at each other and the curiosity took over them. Who were the next victims of the mistletoe that Jenna and Anna and strategically placed right above the living room door?

No one had ever seen either Kade or Lydia looking as flustered as they did in that moment. As they both tried to cross the door carrying the dirty plates into the kitchen, they were caught by the twins who wouldn't forgive anyone that didn't respect the tradition.

"Kiss," they screamed and the adults, unable to also contained their enthusiasm, chanted with them.

"Do you think we can do anything to help them?" Faith whispered to Callum.

"I don't think we need to." He smiled.

Both Kade and Lydia glanced in despair at Faith, as if crying for help. She smiled at them and winked, and then touched her cheek with one finger. Mr Grant understood the message. He placed a soft kiss on Lydia's cheek and despite the booing from the twins, they let it go, since it did count as a kiss and the tradition was met.

"You know," Mira whispered as she approached Faith and Callum, "there's something else going on there, isn't it?" She pointed at the flustered duo that had run away as fast as they could from the mistletoe.

Faith and Callum glanced at each other, smiled and then shrugged.

"I know there is." Mira grumbled as she walked away. "I'm always right about these things."

Faith and Callum chuckled as Mira went back to Richard's arms.

"Hey, princess..." Callum pulled Faith aside, to where they were before being interrupted by all the commotion. "I also got you something else." Callum took a small flat and rectangular box out of his pocket. "I hope you like it."

Faith slowly opened the box and inside there was a gold butterfly shaped necklace.

"You said you wanted to find your butterflies."

"I already did." She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a tender kiss on his lips.