Chapter 6 - Christmas on Mercer IslandThree days later, the snow over Lake Washington fell in thick, silent flakes, frosting the cedar shingles of the sprawling Mercer Island estate in a blanket of pure, untouched white.
Inside the grand living room, a twelve-foot Noble fir Christmas tree scraped the vaulted ceiling, glowing with hundreds of warm white lights and handcrafted ornaments. Beneath the branches sat a mountain of presents that looked as though a toy store had exploded, though half of them were simply boxes that Damon had panic-ordered online in a 48-hour shopping spree to make up for three Christmases of missed memories.
On the plush Turkish rug by the stone fireplace, Luke and Violet were currently tearing into a giant wooden train set with ferocious, toddler-level enthusiasm.
Damon walked into the living room carrying two mugs of hot cider with cinnamon sticks. He wore a heavy knit fisherman’s sweater instead of his usual Brioni suit, his sleeves pushed up to his elbows, looking less like a merciless tech titan and more like a man finally learning how to breathe.
He walked over to the bay window where Cassandra stood watching the snow fall over the glassy surface of the lake.
He handed her a mug and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin comfortably on her shoulder.
“Your mother called from Chicago,” Damon murmured, pressing a soft kiss against her neck. “She’s boarding a private flight with your brother. They’ll be here for New Year’s. I had my team clear out the west guest house for them.”
Cassandra smiled, leaning back against his chest, sipping the sweet, spiced cider. “You didn't have to buy out a private airline for my family, Damon.”
“I didn't buy out an airline. I just chartered a jet,” he corrected playfully. “Besides, your mother thinks I’m a reformed criminal who finally saw the light. She brought three extra apple pies to bribe me.”
“She’s right, you know,” Cassandra turned slightly within his embrace, looking up into his green eyes. “You are a bit of a criminal.”
“Guilty as charged,” Damon whispered, his voice dropping an octave as his gaze drifted to her lips. “The sentence is life imprisonment in this house with you and the kids.”
From the rug, Luke pushed a wooden locomotive across the track, making loud choo-choo noises, before looking up and shouting, “Mommy! Daddy! Look! The train is going to the North Pole!”
Damon’s breath caught. Daddy.
It was the first time Luke had used the word naturally, without prompting, without hesitation.
A wave of profound, overwhelming gratitude washed over Damon. He looked down at Cassandra, whose green eyes shone with unshed tears of absolute joy.
May you like
He bent down, lifting both children into his arms in one effortless motion while keeping one arm securely around Cassandra’s waist, pulling his entire world into a single, unbreakable circle.
Outside, the snow continued to fall over the silent lake, blanketing the past in white and wrapping their future in light. The storm was over, and for the first time in three years, everyone was finally home.
