Corvin was outside all morning on Christmas Eve, shoveling snow with Silvanus, his father, and his uncles. In contrast, Livia was pulled into a Christmas cookie-baking spree, which made the hours of the morning fly by so fast she didn’t look up until lunch. Then after they ate, it was time to frost the cookies and eat them. Then it was clean up, and she hadn’t seen Corvin except when he’d scarfed down several frosted sugar cookies.

Corvin spent the late afternoon in the music room with Epiphany. Livia played cards with Alia on the kitchen table so she could listen to the music. Corvin didn’t sing, but Epiphany’s beautiful voice reverberated throughout the house. Livia hummed along under her breath when she recognized a tune. She’d enjoyed the day more than she’d expected. She’d loved showing Corvin’s sisters all her baking hacks and tricks. She had a long conversation with his Aunt Garnet, who Livia had always wanted to get to know better. Christmas Eve dinner was fancier than anything Livia had ever experienced before. Gold-rimmed plates, multiple utensils, chargers, cloth napkins, two glasses—

Livia touched the fancy one filled with a dark liquid that appeared to fizz. It didn’t smell the way alcohol should…

Alia slid into the chair next to her. “Mom has your present. It’s all set up!”

She caught Livia studying the glass.

“Oh, that,” she said. “It’s grape juice and sprite. Cause…you know? Corvin.”

Livia relaxed. “Good to know.”

“You’re not annoyed?” Alia asked.

“No.”

“Neither Bella nor Salina liked it—” Alia whispered.

“I thought Salina didn’t mind,” Livia said.

“No, she minded, but she was smart enough to hide it from him. Bella didn’t know how to hide her frustration.”

Livia took a tiny sip. It did taste like sprite and grape juice. However, the combination was pleasant. She even decided that she liked it.

She nodded. “Good.”

Alia smiled and lifted her glass for a toast. Livia clinked her glass against hers.

“Here’s to you being here next year,” she grinned and gulped.

Livia laughed and then took a drink. It almost felt like…a promise. A promise that she’d be here next year. That’s not what it means, she tried to tell herself. It was just a wish, a hope.

Lars stood a moment later and offered a real toast. “To all my loved ones, peace and holiday cheer.”

Corvin switched seats with Melanie after the toast. So he could sit across from Livia. There was a minor quibble about glasses, and then everything was settled. A burst of nerves scrambled Livia’s stomach.

But Corvin was smiling and warm the entire dinner. There was no evidence of the anger or frustration he’d shown when Livia first arrived. Clean-up was set aside in favor of doing the white elephant exchange faster.

“So, how do people choose which ones they get?” Livia whispered into Corvin’s ear.

Corvin leaned in toward her. “We don’t. Mom chooses.”

“Your mom chooses?” Livia asked.

Corvin nodded. “She’s in charge.”

“That’s not how things usually work, right?” Livia asked, confused.

“That’s how they work for our family on Christmas Eve,” Corvin whispered.

Livia nodded, and a slight warmth touched her cheeks. She hoped Corvin didn’t think she was complaining about his family. She was curious about the entire tradition. Instead of saying anything else, she looked forward and waited for the game to start.

Lars, Marcus, and Lucius set up the gift table. Aurelia waited, observing with an impatient glare that Livia noted the rest of the family found comical. Aurelia cleared her throat when they finished, and they took their seats with grins on their faces.

“It is time for the annual Tullian family white elephant gift exchange. All gifts have been entered. We welcome all the new participants this year,” Aurelia spoke in a very dry, formal voice as if mocking her own presentation.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Aurelia broke her faux demeanor to give Livia a genuine smile of welcome. Livia couldn’t prevent the smile that answered back. The simple gesture of acknowledgment made Livia feel more comfortable about her unexpected presence.

Aurelia adopted her demeanor again. “The only rules are that I am in charge.”

Lars grinned, his pleasure in his wife clear on his face.

“First, the finest offering from Silvanus to our esteemed Paterfamilias.” Aurelia strode to the table, plucked a present, and extended it to her Husband.

“I’m first?” he asked, surprised. “Usually, I’m last?”

“Not this year,” Aurelia said, urging Lars to take it.

Lars grasped the gift and opened it. Inside was a baby food jar filled with something Livia couldn’t identify.

Lars squinted. “Are those…fingernail clippings?”

“So you will never forget me,” Silvanus placed his hand over his heart and spoke dramatically.

Lars’ laugh boomed into the room. Everyone laughed while Aurelia only showed her amusement with a slight smirk.

“Second, our esteemed guest has prepared something for Corvin.”

Everyone’s eyes shot over to where Livia and Corvin sat together. Corvin sat up and rubbed his hands together. “One question: can I eat it?”

“Would you want to?” Mel laughed. “What if she put pickles in it or something else horrible,” Mel shuddered.

“Not a food item,” Aurelia said brusquely as she retrieved the box from the table.

Livia could feel her cheeks heat as she realized she was giving Corvin scented Lavender spray. She threw him a nervous look.

Corvin accepted the box from his mother and shook it. He frowned. “That doesn’t give me any clues as to why Livia’s giving me that look.”

His family chuckled.

Corvin savored making a dramatic production out of opening the gift. It was funny, and Livia laughed along with his family several times. He finally revealed the bottle of lavender spray.

His surprise was followed by a sly smile, “Why, Livia, you must think I smell—”

Livia’s face turned red at the gentle flirt in his tone. “Corvin, your Mother was in charge.”

Corvin read the back label of the bottle, then uncapped it and started spraying himself—his underarms, the back of his knees, the bottom of his feet, until he reeked with the smell of Lavender.

He pulled Livia against his side. “How do I smell, Love?”

Did he just call her Love? It must have been a mispronunciation of Liv. Livia’s nose tickled with the harsh scent of Lavender. She wiggled it to avoid sneezing.

“Overwhelming,” she muttered.

This made a burst of laughter escape from his family. Then Livia sneezed. It was the perfect timing, and everyone howled with laughter.

Corvin wrapped both arms around her. “Perfect gift, love. I’ll treasure it.”

Livia sneezed again.

Corvin pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. Livia stiffened in surprise. Corvin released her, a degree of uncertainty in his countenance.

Livia wanted to reassure him, but she was so uncertain herself. It seemed forever since they’d kissed at Alexander’s party, yet it seemed just yesterday that they’d shared their first kiss during the fall festival games. She nuzzled her nose into his shoulder, returning his affection. Corvin smiled and relaxed.

Aurelia continued the game. Prudence gave her Uncle Lucius a frosted sugar cookie with a bite already taken out of it. His eyes twinkled as he ate the rest of it without flinching. Mel had braided a lock of her hair which ended up in Silvanus’ possession. Aunt Silvia had purchased a circle-shaped blanket that looked like a tortilla. Garnet spent the rest of the game wrapped up like a burrito.

Livia laughed every time she looked over at her. Aurelia paused as she looked at her list, confused.

“Corvin, you were supposed to give me your gift,” Aurelia said. “It’s not up here.”

“That’s because it won’t fit in a box,” he said.

Aurelia gave him a look.

“Trust me, Mom,” he said.

She made a decisive decision. “Marcus’ gift goes to Livia, and your invisible gift will go to me.”

Corvin lips turned up in a pleased smile. “That’s perfect.”

Marcus’ gift was a paper towel holder shaped like a brachiosaurus dinosaur. It made Livia smile. She knew the exact place she’d put it in her apartment kitchen. She’d have Whitney help her come up with a name for it. Something that would make them laugh when they had a hard day.

“Thank you,” Livia said. “I like this.”

“Corvin,” Aurelia looked at her son expectantly.

Corvin stood from his seat. Then disappeared into the next room and reappeared with his guitar. He lifted his chair and set it in front of his mother. Then sat and began to play a Christmas Carol.

Aurelia smiled and seemed to appreciate the music, but there was sadness in her eyes. The last chords of Corvin’s excellent guitar solo hushed the room.

“That’s lovely, Corvin,” Aurelia said kindly.

Corvin strummed his guitar a few times. Finally, he plunked the tune for “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Then his warm tenor voice sang the first line. A shock wave stirred the room. Before, everyone had politely paid attention. Now, they straightened up, leaned forward, and listened intently.

Aurelia’s face lit up as Corvin continued the song. Her smile grew, and a mother’s pride beamed from her as he sang. She pulled Corvin’s face into her hands when he finished and kissed his forehead.

“My sweet boy, thank you,” she said. “It’s been so long since I’ve heard that voice.”

Corvin pulled her into a hug. “Terrance talked me into it.”

“I’ll have to send him an enormous gift,” Aurelia said as she pressed another kiss to Corvin’s hair. “I’ve missed you singing so much.”

“Maybe I will more often, but not tonight. That was enough for tonight,” Corvin said.

He stepped back from his mother’s embrace. Epiphany immediately ran to him and squished him in an embrace. Tears were running down her cheeks.

Corvin wiped them away. “Don’t start that. If you cry, I’ll cry.”

She laughed, tears clearing up. “You did it! You sounded amazing.”

Corvin hugged her, resting his chin on the top of her head.

“Can we sing together again sometimes?” Epiphany whispered.

“Yeah,” he said. “We can try.”

The white elephant portion of the evening was officially adjourned.