The days leading up to Christmas were so magical. The huge tree in the living room was decorated and full of gifts mostly for Hazel with a few for Vic and Normani. The house was highly decorated and Vic even had a small white tree in her room with brown ornaments for Hazel that also housed gifts for her.
Bows and lights hung in the windows, a wreath adorned the front door, and mistletoe hung above the doorway leading to the hallway that was lined with lights like an airport runway. The Christmas hand towels in the kitchen were put out, red table place settings were put out, and Christmas music played softly in an endless loop.
If it was one thing Vic would make sure of was that Hazel would have a great Christmas. The house smelled of pine and peppermint and cinnamon, the fireplace roared and a train whirred in an infinity loop on the mantle. Stockings hung off the edge stuffed with trinkets both fun and expensive the soft glow of the lights made the ambiance cozy and slightly romantic. It was perfect and just what the girls were going for.
Since it was the holidays Normani decided to give her business a break. The tea shop was closed down and she put the company on temporary hiatus so everyone could enjoy family time, and gave them holiday pay. Hazel stayed home from school and her Mimi was coming to stay. Vic planned activities for the last five days leading up to Christmas.
"You sure I'm not inconveniencing you by staying in your room?" She asked Victoria nervously over the phone.
"No Ma it'll be fine. I'll just sleep in Normani's room. Problem solved. And Hazel sleep through the night so she wouldn't give you no troubles. If that's too much then I can move her to Norman's room too." She rattled off as she lit the burner on the stove to put herher simmer pot on. Hazel was squealing and giggling in the background with Normani.
"You don't need to do all that. Leave Hazel with me." She insisted. Victoria smiled. The whole year things have been shifting between her and Normani. Their girls nights felt more intimate, the tension between them thickened, they were often nervous around each other, something that never used to happen. For Victoria she got excited to seeing Normani in a way she never did before. The compliments hit different and their eyes seemed to linger on each other longer than usual, and Normani became more protective over them.
When she looked into the living room everything she wanted for Christmas was sitting right there. Normani was making Hazel fly around the room in her arms and the toddler was loving every second of it. Her heart melted watching them together.
"Vic you still there?" Her mom's voice came through interrupting her moment.
"Yea sorry I zoned out." She turned her back to them to finish up the call with her.
"I was saying- never mind, I'll see you later this evening. I love you. Give my girls kisses for me."
"Yes ma'am I will. I love you too and see you later." The call ended and when she turned back around Hazel was squeezing Normani's cheeks giving her kisses under the mistletoe. Victoria opened her camera and captured the sweet moment with a fond smile.
She never could have imagined her life would turn out this way. That she would be raising her daughter with her best friend, giving her two parents that love her, living in this beautiful townhouse, and ultimately secretly falling in love with her grade school widowed best friend. It was happening and she couldn't be more grateful for it.
"I know you not giving all of mommy's kisses away." She fake pouted to the toddler who giggled. Every time she passed by the mistletoe she wanted kisses, and every time they gave them to her.
"Tell mommy to come get some kisses before I steal them all!" Normani motioned Victoria over with a grin. Victoria moved to where they were and Hazel reached out for her, lips pursed for action. She gave her mom kisses all over her face.
