A Christmas Spark (Part 1)
Staying away from my current home was not the only opportunity for my daughter Kit. But it was also an opportunity for me.
My parents have allowed Kit and I to stay at their place for a couple of days, which I thought it was a good idea. The last time I visited their home was when I was with my ex-husband. Now I have the chance to see my parents in New Jersey.
It took Kit and I three hours from London to New York on a flight, then an hour from there to New Jersey by car. So basically, it was an exhausting four hours of traveling.
“So are you happy to be home, Belle?” My father turned for a brief second before fixing his gaze back on the road. Fortunately, my dad was the one who had picked Kit and I up from the airport, since he was too stoked to see the two of us.
With a small amount of energy, I shrugged. “I guess so. I hope this trip will go well.”
As my dad gradually stopped at a red light, he turned his attention to me. I realized now that he was worried about me, after I gave him the news. “I know it was hard on you, Belle,” his tone was gruff but sad. “It was hard to believe that Stan-- you know?”
I knew what he meant. It pained me that Stan wanted a divorce. It also hurt Kit and my dad, too, considering they were very close to him. Even I was close to my ex-husband, until the day he shattered our hearts.
My father wanted a son that he never had, since my dad only has me-- the only child in the family. Stan won my father with his kindness and shared interests that my dad has like football. But that only lasted for nine years.
And for eight years, Kit had bonded with her father, since the day she was born. She thought Stan would be her knight and shining armor, while Kit would be his little princess. Now, the bond has broken; Kit didn’t want her shining armor anymore.
I forced a smile, trying to show my dad that I was not weak. I couldn't bear to see my father even more after I broke down and cried during our chat on Skype. “I know, dad, but I’ll be fine.”
My father was frowning at me, so I added, “At least Kit and I are happy to come here. Right, sweetie?”
Kit, my eight-year-old daughter nodded and gave a dimpled grin.
I gazed upon the bricked house when my father parked in the driveway. It was not gigantic as a mansion, but it could make you comfortable once you enter inside.
And it was a blessing because Kit and I needed it.
As we got out of the car, I grabbed my luggage out of the silver Corolla, after my dad opened it. “Honey, I should carry them for you,” he insisted. “Besides, you had a long flight.”
“I’m alright, dad,” I assured him. I couldn’t risk him doing everything for me, anyway.
Before we could walk over to the door, my mom came out, beaming with excitement. “Did my ears deceive me?” she exclaimed. “Because I was sure that my daughter is here.”
“Mom!” I approached her, giving my mom a warm hug as she returned it. “It’s so good to see you, again.”
“So am I,” she sighed in relief before letting me go. “You still have my youthful face.”
When I was living in America, people were fussing over me, how I was the younger version of my mom: heart-shaped face, blue eyes, auburn brown, curly hair, and small dimples. At first, I was not used to it until the age of seventeen. Though, I would still blush whenever somebody says that.
“Now, where’s my sweet pea?” she asked. When Kit trod towards my mom, she couldn’t help but pull my daughter close to an affectionate hug. “There, you are! It is so good to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, grandma,” my daughter giggled.
Back when Stan and I were together, we were so busy with our priorities. So it was best to Skype with our parents-- the best way to see each other, despite the distance.
But this was in the past. This was now.
The winter’s breeze made me shiver, causing me to hug myself as Kit and my mom did the same. “Let’s go inside before we catch a cold.” She cast her eyes down on Kit and grinned. “You are going to love it here, sweet pea.”
“Ok, grandma.”
With that, she dashed over to the house, as I followed her along with my mom and dad.
Entering inside my childhood home, the scent of cinnamon welcomed me. And scanning around the area, the living room and dining room were covered with decorations, consisting of a Christmas tree and lights. A statue of angel Gabriel, hovering over baby Jesus who was resting in the manger, while Mary, Joseph, and the three kings stood there to adore it. Last but not least, red ribbons were hung by the mantel, above the fireplace.
As I gazed in awe, both my mom and dad kissed me on both cheeks. I was about to question why, until my dad pointed up what it was: the mistletoe.
Before I knew it, I started laughing and relaxed on the beige, leather sofa. “You really have outdone yourselves with the Christmas decorations,” I announced.
“Well, you know me,” my mother smiled when she walked into the living room. “I get so ecstatic when the holidays come that I get crazy with the decorations!”
“Me too, mom.” I peeled away my red scarf, black trench coat, and navy-blue mittens, revealing my grey wooly sweater and skinny jeans. “Thanks for letting Kit and I stay here for a couple of days. It’s just what we need.”
“Great!” Gingerly, she took the plate filled with gingerbread men cookies and extended it toward me. “Would you like one?”
“Would I ever?!” I grabbed one and took a bite of the sweet-cinnamony taste that made me moan in delight. “Best cookies you ever made.”
“Glad you love them. Would you like a cookie, sweet pea?” my mom asked Kit when she entered the living room. Kit’s royal red coat and pink mittens that she wore earlier were removed, only wearing a pink sweater and red leggings.
She beamed at the treats and grabbed only one before she took a huge on its head.
“Don’t eat too fast, Kit,” I cautioned her.
Swallowing, she chuckled softly. “Alright, mom.”
“May I take you to your room, Belle?” my father asked, standing behind my daughter.
“A little later,” I answered. “But maybe Kit would like to see it.”
“Ok.” My dad escorted Kit to the winding stairs.
When they were gone, I cleared my throat. “So anything new and good while I was gone?”
“Well…” She stared blankly up at the glittering ceiling, think over before returning her gaze on me. “After your father and I have retired, we’ve been getting a helping hand.”
I arched my eyebrow at my mother’s statement. “Really? Isn’t too early to have a nurse?”
My mother made an abrupt laugh while shaking her head. “Heavens, no. If we did, there would be one by now.” I was still baffled by my mother’s explanation, so my mother added, “He was just offering your father and me some help. He even helped out with the Christmas decorations.”
“He?”
The doorbell rang, and my mother was clasping her hands, as she darted towards the door. I went behind her and, when she opened it, my mouth went agape at the presence.
(Tune for more, tomorrow. Stay up-to-date for my posts on both Goodreads and Twitter. One more thing, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the holidays).
My parents have allowed Kit and I to stay at their place for a couple of days, which I thought it was a good idea. The last time I visited their home was when I was with my ex-husband. Now I have the chance to see my parents in New Jersey.
It took Kit and I three hours from London to New York on a flight, then an hour from there to New Jersey by car. So basically, it was an exhausting four hours of traveling.
“So are you happy to be home, Belle?” My father turned for a brief second before fixing his gaze back on the road. Fortunately, my dad was the one who had picked Kit and I up from the airport, since he was too stoked to see the two of us.
With a small amount of energy, I shrugged. “I guess so. I hope this trip will go well.”
As my dad gradually stopped at a red light, he turned his attention to me. I realized now that he was worried about me, after I gave him the news. “I know it was hard on you, Belle,” his tone was gruff but sad. “It was hard to believe that Stan-- you know?”
I knew what he meant. It pained me that Stan wanted a divorce. It also hurt Kit and my dad, too, considering they were very close to him. Even I was close to my ex-husband, until the day he shattered our hearts.
My father wanted a son that he never had, since my dad only has me-- the only child in the family. Stan won my father with his kindness and shared interests that my dad has like football. But that only lasted for nine years.
And for eight years, Kit had bonded with her father, since the day she was born. She thought Stan would be her knight and shining armor, while Kit would be his little princess. Now, the bond has broken; Kit didn’t want her shining armor anymore.
I forced a smile, trying to show my dad that I was not weak. I couldn't bear to see my father even more after I broke down and cried during our chat on Skype. “I know, dad, but I’ll be fine.”
My father was frowning at me, so I added, “At least Kit and I are happy to come here. Right, sweetie?”
Kit, my eight-year-old daughter nodded and gave a dimpled grin.
I gazed upon the bricked house when my father parked in the driveway. It was not gigantic as a mansion, but it could make you comfortable once you enter inside.
And it was a blessing because Kit and I needed it.
As we got out of the car, I grabbed my luggage out of the silver Corolla, after my dad opened it. “Honey, I should carry them for you,” he insisted. “Besides, you had a long flight.”
“I’m alright, dad,” I assured him. I couldn’t risk him doing everything for me, anyway.
Before we could walk over to the door, my mom came out, beaming with excitement. “Did my ears deceive me?” she exclaimed. “Because I was sure that my daughter is here.”
“Mom!” I approached her, giving my mom a warm hug as she returned it. “It’s so good to see you, again.”
“So am I,” she sighed in relief before letting me go. “You still have my youthful face.”
When I was living in America, people were fussing over me, how I was the younger version of my mom: heart-shaped face, blue eyes, auburn brown, curly hair, and small dimples. At first, I was not used to it until the age of seventeen. Though, I would still blush whenever somebody says that.
“Now, where’s my sweet pea?” she asked. When Kit trod towards my mom, she couldn’t help but pull my daughter close to an affectionate hug. “There, you are! It is so good to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, grandma,” my daughter giggled.
Back when Stan and I were together, we were so busy with our priorities. So it was best to Skype with our parents-- the best way to see each other, despite the distance.
But this was in the past. This was now.
The winter’s breeze made me shiver, causing me to hug myself as Kit and my mom did the same. “Let’s go inside before we catch a cold.” She cast her eyes down on Kit and grinned. “You are going to love it here, sweet pea.”
“Ok, grandma.”
With that, she dashed over to the house, as I followed her along with my mom and dad.
Entering inside my childhood home, the scent of cinnamon welcomed me. And scanning around the area, the living room and dining room were covered with decorations, consisting of a Christmas tree and lights. A statue of angel Gabriel, hovering over baby Jesus who was resting in the manger, while Mary, Joseph, and the three kings stood there to adore it. Last but not least, red ribbons were hung by the mantel, above the fireplace.
As I gazed in awe, both my mom and dad kissed me on both cheeks. I was about to question why, until my dad pointed up what it was: the mistletoe.
Before I knew it, I started laughing and relaxed on the beige, leather sofa. “You really have outdone yourselves with the Christmas decorations,” I announced.
“Well, you know me,” my mother smiled when she walked into the living room. “I get so ecstatic when the holidays come that I get crazy with the decorations!”
“Me too, mom.” I peeled away my red scarf, black trench coat, and navy-blue mittens, revealing my grey wooly sweater and skinny jeans. “Thanks for letting Kit and I stay here for a couple of days. It’s just what we need.”
“Great!” Gingerly, she took the plate filled with gingerbread men cookies and extended it toward me. “Would you like one?”
“Would I ever?!” I grabbed one and took a bite of the sweet-cinnamony taste that made me moan in delight. “Best cookies you ever made.”
“Glad you love them. Would you like a cookie, sweet pea?” my mom asked Kit when she entered the living room. Kit’s royal red coat and pink mittens that she wore earlier were removed, only wearing a pink sweater and red leggings.
She beamed at the treats and grabbed only one before she took a huge on its head.
“Don’t eat too fast, Kit,” I cautioned her.
Swallowing, she chuckled softly. “Alright, mom.”
“May I take you to your room, Belle?” my father asked, standing behind my daughter.
“A little later,” I answered. “But maybe Kit would like to see it.”
“Ok.” My dad escorted Kit to the winding stairs.
When they were gone, I cleared my throat. “So anything new and good while I was gone?”
“Well…” She stared blankly up at the glittering ceiling, think over before returning her gaze on me. “After your father and I have retired, we’ve been getting a helping hand.”
I arched my eyebrow at my mother’s statement. “Really? Isn’t too early to have a nurse?”
My mother made an abrupt laugh while shaking her head. “Heavens, no. If we did, there would be one by now.” I was still baffled by my mother’s explanation, so my mother added, “He was just offering your father and me some help. He even helped out with the Christmas decorations.”
“He?”
The doorbell rang, and my mother was clasping her hands, as she darted towards the door. I went behind her and, when she opened it, my mouth went agape at the presence.
(Tune for more, tomorrow. Stay up-to-date for my posts on both Goodreads and Twitter. One more thing, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the holidays).
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