The Eleventh Hour

Chapter 52

I was awoken by somebody jumping on the bed.

“Lolaaaa, get up, come on!”

I groaned out loud but smiled. I pushed the duvet over my face as she continued to jump energetically on the bed, chanting ‘it’s Christmas! It’s Christmas!’ over and over again.

I heard her sigh as the jumping stopped, then felt her settle beside me. She shook me lightly. “Nate said if you don’t get out of bed we’re going to start opening my presents without you.”

My eyes snapped open. “No!” I called out without thinking, sitting bolt upright.

I looked at Roxy who was sat next to me grinning triumphantly. “He also said that would work.”

I rubbed my eyes. “What time is it?”

“Seven thirty.”

I groaned and closed my eyes again. “Is Melody and Joey up?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. We have to jump on them next.”

I smiled. “Fine, where’s Nate?”

She smiled wryly. “In the kitchen, making breakfast.”

My eyebrows shot up with surprise.

“He was even up before me,” she said as I got out of bed. “he’s set everyone’s presents out in piles –“

“You mean Santa did,” I corrected, yawning.

She snorted. “Please.”

I giggled as I rubbed the top of her head playfully, messing up her already messy bed hair. “Go and pounce on Melody and Joey while I wake up properly.”

“Okay!” she said, far too energetically, before she disappeared out the door.

I sleepily made my way to the bathroom. When I was done, I wrapped myself in my red satin dressing gown and made my way to the main room, smiling as I heard the sound of Roxy’s voice singing ‘Christmas!’ over and over again from Joey’s room.

As soon as I entered, the smell of fresh pastry hit me, making me inhale contently. It smelled like a fresh bakery in here. I smiled as I saw Nate by the breakfast bar, setting small plates out.

He looked up as I entered and a wide, dazzling smile lit up his whole face, giving me butterflies. He was wearing a snug white cashmere turtleneck jumper and black jeans, and his hair was sexily tousled and still slightly damp from a shower, so he couldn’t have been up that long. I smiled widely back at him as I approached him.

“Good morning,” he said softly, putting the plates down.

“Morning,” I murmured back, wasting no time wrapping my arms around him and giving him a tight hug.

He responded instantly, holding me just as tightly. “Merry Christmas,” he breathed into my hair.

I smiled and pulled away to look at him. “Merry Christmas.” I peeled my eyes away from his perfect face to look at the assortment of pastries on the table. “This looks lovely, why didn’t you wake me? I could have –“

He shook his head. “There was no need, I knew Roxy would have wanted that job.”

I rolled my eyes playfully. “How did you know she’d need to threaten me?”

He made a ‘pfft’ sound then smiled down at me. “I know how much you love to lie in.”

My cheeks prickled at the jubilant look on his face – his eyes were lit up and sparkling, his relaxed smile just as bright. This was the sight of Nathaniel on Christmas morning, and it was the best Christmas present I could ever get.