“Ive invited Mum and my sister over for New Years,” Tom announced one evening on the 30th of December. “Do you think youll have time to prepare everything?”
“Finally, a proper break!” Emily sighed happily, sinking onto the hallway stool to kick off her boots. “Ten whole days off.” She stretched, easing the tension in her shoulders, and smiled to herself, imagining all the peaceful days ahead.
“Sounds perfect,” Tom nodded, leaning against the doorframe. “By the way, I just spoke to Sophie. She said they still hadnt decided where to celebrate, so theyre coming here,” he added casually.
Emily frowned, looking up at him.
“And Mum, of course. She always spends it with them,” Tom finished, noticing the shift in his wifes expression.
“Do you even realise New Years Eve is tomorrow?” Emily snapped. “Ive been working late all week to meet my targets, and now youre telling me Ill spend the whole day slaving over a hot stove?” Her voice rose in frustration.
“Whats there to cook?” Tom shrugged. “A couple of salads, a main, some nibbles”
“Tom, I suggest you step back right now unless you want a frying pan to the head,” Emily said flatly. “If your family wants to come, they can bring their own food. Call them now and tell them.” She crossed her arms. “I remember last New YearsI spent the whole night running around with plates while your lot lounged on the sofa sipping wine and watching telly.”
“Emily, come on,” Tom sighed, taken aback.
“Oh, how else should I react?” She shot him a look before marching off to change into something comfortable.
Emily was furious. Tom had been off work since yesterday, while shed barely had a moment to breathe. The only consolation was her bonus this monthhalf again her usual pay. She exhaled sharply, wiping off her makeup as she weighed her options for tomorrow.
Ideally, shed sleep till noon, enjoy a lazy breakfast, tidy up, order a grocery delivery, and cook something simple. No chaos, no noisejust peace. After the relentless pace at work, she craved a quiet, cosy celebration.
*How can I make this go my way?* she wondered, running through possibilities.
Ignoring Toms restless pacing, she poured herself lemon tea and sat down to eat. Outside, snowflakes drifted past the streetlamps, painting the night with a festive glow. For a moment, Emily lost herself in the viewuntil reality snapped back. Then, a bold idea struck her.
The next morning, Emily woke at noon, just as planned. Stretching, she heard Tom bustling in the kitchenrare, especially before a holiday. She threw on her robe and shuffled in.
“Whats all this?” she squinted against the bright light.
“Thought Id treat my lovely wife to a festive breakfast,” Tom grinned, whisking something in a bowl.
“Somethings burning,” Emily snorted as smoke curled from the pan.
Once they settled at the table, she finally asked, “So, how exactly are we hosting guests when weve bought nothing and the house is a mess?”
Tom hesitated. “I couldnt say no to Sophie…”
“Of course not,” Emily rolled her eyes. “Your sisters impossible to refuse.”
“Youve got that lookwhats your plan? Honestly, Im impressed you didnt explode last night.”
“First, call Sophie and ask if theyre bringing food. Theres four of themtwo adults, two kids.”
Tom nodded, dialling with a nervous glance.
“Soph, hey. Emilys planning the menuwhat are you bringing so we dont double up?”
Sophie laughed. “Youre joking, right? When would I cook? Ive got two kids! We assumed Emily would handle it, like always.”
“Theyre in primary school, not nappies,” Tom pointed out.
A crash sounded through the phone. “Sorrytheyve broken something again. Talk later!” The line went dead.
Tom returned, baffled.
“Theyre bringing nothing, are they?” Emily guessed.
“Nothing. Mum too. Both said they just want to relax and enjoy themselves.”
“Thought so,” Emily bit her lip. “I want to go to my parents for New Years. They asked us days agoI just didnt mention it because I wanted to stay home. Are you coming? We dont have much time to decide.”
“Thatll start a row with my lot,” Tom frowned.
“Or with me,” Emily arched a brow.
“Fine. I choose you,” he sighed, raising his hands in surrender.
Emily tidied while Tom dashed to the shops with her list. The mall was alive with Christmas lights and carols. Passing a display, he stopped. “The tree! How could I forget?”
Abandoning the list, he headed straight for the tree lot, returning with a small but lush spruce, its needles tickling his cheek as he carried it home.
When he walked in, Emily gasped. “A tree?” Her face lit up.
“Youll decorate it? I still havent bought anything elsejust wanted to surprise you.”
“But youve always hated real trees.”
“Dunno,” he shrugged. “Fancied a change this year.”
The mood shifted instantly. Emily dug out the decorations, carefully hanging baubles and stringing lights until the room sparkled. She was so absorbed she barely noticed Toms return.
“Got everything?” She peered into his bags, stuffed with groceries and treats.
“All but the salmonit didnt look fresh. Well stop on the way,” he said, and Emily felt a rush of warmth. She hadnt expected him to embrace her plan so wholeheartedly.
By seven, they were loading the car. Toms family would arrive at ten, but Emilys parents lived just an hour away.
“Hope we didnt forget anything,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Just dessert. Well grab something en route.”
She nodded, and they set off.
Her parents cottage, though rural, was modern and cosy, strung with fairy lights. “We never took them down last year,” her dad, William, chuckled when Emily complimented the decorations.
Inside, they unloaded bags. “Brought a bit of everything,” Emily said. “No idea what youd planned, but hopefully it helps.”
“Brilliant,” William clapped his hands. “While you two cook, Tom and Ill sort the sauna.” Hed built it himselfa proper wood-lined retreat, always scented with oils.
Emily and her mum, Margaret, put on a Christmas film and lost track of time prepping. At nine, Toms phone rang.
“Tom, open up! Were outside,” Sophie demanded.
“Were not home,” he said carefully.
“Where are you? When will you be back?”
“Gone to the countryside. Last-minute change. Back in a couple of days.”
“*What*? And what about New Years?”
“Were celebrating here,” Tom said firmly.
“So youre leaving us stranded?” Sophie hissed.
“Youve got time to get home and sort your own plans.”
“You expect me to entertain the kids all night?”
“If you must,” Tom said flatly.
“I never thought youd stoop this low. Are the keys at least under the mat?”
“Ah. So thats why you always mooch off others,” Tom laughed. “Sorry, lovemy wife outsmarted you. Happy New Year!” He hung up.
Seconds later, his mother, Eleanor, called.
“Yes, weve left,” Tom cut in. “Celebrating in the countryside. No keys.”
“How *dare* you? We were counting on you!”
“Funnyyou never host us. Always our tiny flat, while youve got space to spare!”
“After all Ive done for you”
“What, exactly? Take and never give?”
Eleanor fell silent.
“Fine,” she said stiffly. “We wont trouble you again.”
Tom exhaled as the call ended.
“All right?” Emily rested her head on his shoulder.
“Mum called.”
“Did we do the right thing?”
“Absolutely,” Tom turned to her. “Here, were *wanted*. My family just *takes*.” His voice wavered. “Ive let it go on too long.”
Emily hugged him tightly.
“Come on,” he forced a smile. “Lets get ready.”
That New Years was unforgettablequiet evenings by the fire, sledging like kids, long talks. No stress, just warmth.
Life would return to normal, but the memory stayed: happiness wasnt in grand gestures, but in choosing who truly valued you.
