Invisible String

42

"I'll text Kylie a selfie later," I added. "Maybe we'll guilt her into naming the baby after one of us."

Travis grinned. "Middle name: Cocoa."

I rolled my eyes but kissed his cheek anyway. "Let's go make memories."

The moment we stepped out of the car, Lily bolted ahead into the crisp December air, her little boots crunching against the frost-covered path.

"Wait for us, Lily!" I called, adjusting Mira's hat as I carried her against my chest in the baby carrier. Travis held the thermos of hot chocolate and the fold-up blanket like we were heading into battle.

The park was already glowing with a thousand lights-arches made of twinkling candy canes, wire-frame deer lit up in gold, a giant inflatable Santa that made Mira blink and then giggle.

"I think she approves," I said softly, glancing down at Mira. Her cheeks were already red from the cold, but she kicked her legs and waved her mitten-covered hands in delight.

"Look at her go," Travis said proudly. "Future Christmas queen."

We found a bench along the path where a lot of people had gathered. Music played faintly through hidden speakers-classic holiday songs-and the smell of kettle corn and roasted nuts hung in the air.

Lily tugged on Travis's coat. "Daddy, can I go get the sparkly wand from that man?"

"Let's go together," he said, taking her hand and walking over to the little booth. I watched them go-her jumping with excitement, him crouching to pick out the brightest, most obnoxious blinking wand.

I sat on the bench and poured a bit of hot chocolate into Mira's sippy cup. She gnawed at it halfheartedly, still distracted by the moving lights and sounds.

"Big day, huh?" I whispered to her. She leaned back against me with a little hum.

Soon Travis returned, Lily now proudly waving her new wand like a light saber. He sat beside me and leaned close, pressing a kiss to my temple.

"Should I tell them we're staying out for a bit?" he asked.

"Yeah. Let's stretch it out. I don't want to go back yet. This feels... good."

"I'll text the group," he said, pulling out his phone. He typed quickly, then held it out for me to see:

Travis: We're staying a while-lights, cocoa, screaming children with blinking wands. Christmas spirit is thriving. 🎄☕️

I laughed. "Very accurate."

He turned to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "I love this, Tay."

"Me too," I whispered, snuggling in closer. "Even with all the chaos, this is the dream."

And somewhere under all the twinkling lights and tangled scarves, we just sat. A family wrapped in the warmth of the cold.

I looked up from where I was fixing Mira's hat again-seriously, the girl had a vendetta against keeping anything on her head-and saw a figure walking toward us, bundled in a big fuzzy coat with a beanie pulled low.

"Wait... is that-?" I squinted, and then grinned. "No way."

"Is that Aunt Selena?" Lily asked, hopping up and almost tripping on her own feet.

"Hey! I made it!" Selena called out, waving both hands in the air, a huge smile on her face. "You think I was gonna miss hot chocolate and lights with my favorite little family?"

Lily shrieked, darting toward her. "Aunt Selenaaaaa!"

Selena crouched just in time to catch her in a hug, letting out a soft oof. "You've grown since the last time I saw you. What are you, fifteen now?"