A Light in the Dark // Flicker Series Part I #wattys2019

Secret

Of course, I can't forget the most important item on Evie's Christmas bucket list: Driving around to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. The grand finale of my plan.

"Any word from James today?" She asks and I see the tiniest wave of nerves fall over her, otherwise excited, features.

"He said he would let us know something today." I reply, curving her question.

I technically not lying...

James did say he would let us know today. But what I didn't tell Evie is that he called this morning and confirmed that the house is ours.

Evie has been nervous for days thinking that no news from the sellers means that they aren't going to accept our offer. Little does she know that they accepted our offer right away and I've been in talks with them all week. I signed the paperwork yesterday and got the keys and James called this morning to confirm that everything was official. 

"Uhg I just wish we knew something! I'm so nervous." She sighs, combing her fingers through the hair hanging around her face until it's exactly where she wants it.

"We'll know soon enough. I promise everything will be ok, love." I tell her, hugging her waist from behind and placing a kiss on her shoulder.

I feel bad for keeping her in the dark, especially seeing how nervous she is thinking our house is hanging in the balance. But I know that everything will make perfect sense tonight and she will be ecstatic. It will be worth it. Just a few more hours now.

"I love you." She says, turning to kiss my cheek since my chin is resting on her shoulder.

"I love you more."

Evie and I walk downstairs together and after getting an earful from my mum about sleeping in so 'late', she and Evie are out the door to start their Christmas Eve shopping extravaganza.

I sit down eat the breakfast Evie and my mum had prepared this morning. I should have known that it would be french toast --it is a special day after all.

Today is special to Evie because it's Christmas Eve...if only she knew that tonight I would be carrying her over the threshold of our house.

"Are you with us, lad?" Chris asks when he enters the kitchen. His clap on my shoulder breaks me from my daydreaming about tonight and how happy I am and how happy Evie will be.

"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking about everything I have to do today." I chuckle lightly, while Chris pours a cup of coffee and joins me at the breakfast table.

"You didn't forget to get Evie something for Christmas did you?" He asks, stilling his hand with his fork stuck in a piece of french toast as he looks at me in shock and terror.

"No! Of course not! I was just thinking about what I got her..." I laugh.

"You're smiling like the cat that ate the cream!" Chris laughs heartily. "Would you like to share or is it a surprise?"

I reach into my pocket and pull out the small chain of keys and I feel the smile on my face grow wider than I thought possible.

"They finally accepted the offer." Chris breathes, examining the keys in his hand.

"They did." I nod proudly. "They accepted it days ago, but I haven't told Evie anything. I wanted to take her there tonight and surprise her."

"She asked to go look at lights tonight if I remember correctly?"

"It's a Christmas Eve necessity." We both chuckle, remembering Evie saying exactly that a few nights ago. I'm always happy to do whatever she asks, especially since she rarely ever asks for anything, but it's just so cute to see how insistent she is about her Christmas 'must-do's.

"I plan to drive around the neighborhoods around our house and then take her to our house for the big reveal. I'm going to string up some lights and set up a tree inside." I beam with excitement about my plan.

"She'll be a puddl-a tears." Chris chuckles, passing the keys back to me with a proud smile. "I'm proud of you, son." He compliments, patting me on the shoulder as he walks away.

"That she will." I chuckle "Thanks." I nod sincerely, feeling my cheeks blaze a little bit.

"I mean it." Chris nods, regarding my proudly from the kitchen a few feet away. "You know we're proud of your work, but seeing you with Evie... I don't know, it just makes me feel like a proud dad." He shrugs, and his cheeks turn rosy. "You treat her well and you do whatever it takes to make her happy. I can't help but notice how much happier you are because of her. But that's makes us happy, your ma and I."

"I love her." I say simply. There is no other option for me. She's everything to me.

"I know. And that's what makes me so happy." Chris says, looking at me for a moment. Just when I think I see a tear in his eye he turns to busy himself in the kitchen.

Chris isn't my biological father, but he is just as important to me as my dad is. I know my parents are proud of all my accomplishments, but Chris' words about Evie and I mean the world to me.

This is all I've ever wanted. Outside of my music career which went above anything I ever could have dreamed of, all I ever wanted was to love someone who loved me just as much.

Loving Evie is the greatest thing I've ever done, and I hope I get to do it forever.