**December 30th Evening**
*Ive just invited Mum and my sister over for New Years,* my husband announced as I kicked off my boots in the hallway. *Do you think youll have time to prepare everything?*
*Finally, a proper break!* I sighed, sinking onto the footstool and stretching my aching muscles. Ten whole days of freedom stretched ahead, and I couldnt help but smile at the thought of lazy mornings and cosy evenings.
*Sounds brilliant,* Tom nodded, leaning against the doorframe. *Oh, and Ive just spoken to Lucy. She and Mark still havent decided where to celebrate, so theyre coming here.*
I frowned, looking up at him sharply.
*And Mum, of course. She always spends it with them,* he added, watching my expression darken.
*Do you realise New Years Eve is tomorrow?* I snapped. *Ive been working late all week to meet my deadlines, and now youre telling me Ill be stuck in the kitchen all day?*
*Its not that much,* he shrugged. *A couple of salads, some nibbles, maybe a main dish*
*Tom, if you value your safety, I suggest you back away slowly,* I said, dead serious. *If your family wants to come, they can bring their own food. Call them right now and tell them.* I crossed my arms. *I remember last yearI spent the whole night running around with plates while your lot lounged on the sofa drinking wine and watching telly.*
*Come on, love, dont be like that,* he protested.
*Then how should I be?* I shot back before storming off to change.
Fuming, I peeled off my work clothes. The only silver lining? This months paycheque was nearly double the usual. Sighing, I wiped off my makeup, my mind racing.
Ideally, Id sleep till noon, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, tidy up, order groceries, and whip up something simple. No chaos, no noisejust peace.
*How do I make this happen?* I wondered, sipping tea at the kitchen table. Outside, snowflakes drifted past the streetlamps, casting a magical glow. For a moment, I forgot my irritation. Theninspiration struck.
**December 31st Morning**
I woke at noon to find Tom already bustling in the kitchenuncharacteristically proactive.
*Whats all this?* I squinted against the light.
*Making breakfast for my lovely wife,* he grinned, stirring a bowl.
*Somethings burning,* I laughed as smoke curled from the pan.
Later, as we ate, I finally asked the inevitable. *So, whats the plan? The house is a mess, and weve got no food.*
*I couldnt say no to Lucy* he mumbled.
*Of course not,* I rolled my eyes.
*Got any ideas? You looked scheming last night. Honestly, Im impressed you didnt throttle me.*
*Call Lucy. Ask what theyre bringing. There are four of themtwo adults, two kids.*
He hesitated but dialled.
*Lu, hi. Just checkingwhat are you bringing tonight? So we dont double up.*
Her laugh crackled through the speaker. *Youre joking, right? When would I have time? The kids are chaos! We assumed Emily would handle it, like always.*
*Theyre not toddlers, theyre in school,* Tom pointed out.
A crash echoed down the line. *Gotta go!* She hung up.
Tom returned, sheepish.
*Nothing, then?* I asked.
*Mum too. Both said theyd rather relax than cook.*
*Thought so.* I bit my lip. *Tell you whatlets go to my parents. They invited us ages ago. I just didnt mention it. Coming?*
*But the family*
*Or you can argue with me instead,* I smirked.
*Fine. I choose you,* he surrendered.
I cleaned while Tom shopped. When he returned, hed abandoned the listinstead, he lugged in a small fir tree, needles brushing his cheek.
*You hate real trees!* I laughed.
*Felt like a change.*
We decorated together, the room glowing with fairy lights. By seven, wed packed the cargifts, food, everything but dessert (*well grab something on the way*).
**Later My Parents Cottage**
Their house was a picturetwinkling lights strung along the eaves.
*We never took them down last year,* Dad chuckled.
Inside, Mum and I cooked while Tom and Dad fired up the saunahis pride and joy, hand-built and fragrant with cedar.
At nine, Toms phone rang.
*Were outside!* Lucy barked.
*Were not home,* he admitted.
*What? Where are you?!*
*At Emilys parents. Back in a couple days.*
*And what about us?!*
*Youve got time to sort your own plans,* he said calmly.
*So Im stuck entertaining the kids all night?*
*If thats what it takes.*
*Unbelievable!* She hung up.
Next, Mum called, furious. *We were counting on you!*
*Funny,* Tom snapped. *Youve never once hosted. But showing up to ours? Always welcome.*
Silence. Then a quiet, *Fine. We wont bother you again.*
*All right?* I asked, resting my head on his shoulder.
*Yeah. Did we do the right thing?*
*Absolutely.* He pulled me close. *Here, were wanted. There, were just convenient.*
The evening was perfectquiet chats by the fire, sledging like kids, no stress.
Back home eventually, but the memory stayeda proper holiday, just us, warmth, and simplicity.
