Chapter 82

Taren couldn't stop thinking of Kiki for the rest of the day as he prepared to celebrate Christmas with his family and her later that night. Even though he hadn't been away from her for long, he already felt her absence and couldn't wait to see her again.
Later that afternoon, he brought in the last of the wood he'd chopped and dropped it into the wood box beside the fireplace.
"Careful there," his mother teased. "You don't want to break it."
Taren laughed. "After all these years, I don't think anything could break that thing." Then he had an idea, something he had been thinking of while chopping wood and looked at his watch. It would be tight, but he could do it.
"Going somewhere?" Evelyn wiped her hands on a Christmas dish towel, threw it across her shoulder, and straightened an ornament on the tree as she spoke to him. Then she stood back to admire her handiwork. "I'll be taking down the tree before long. It's really a shame. It's my favorite time of year."
"But don't take it down just yet." Taren pulled his coat from inside the closet and slid it on.
"Well, I wasn't going to take it down until after New Year's, anyway." A sly smile spread across her face as she folded her arms across her chest. "What, pray tell, are you up to?"
He raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the kitchen where his daughter was making a mess, dipping out the chocolate chip cookies that she had been making with her grandmother, quite content.
Then Taren placed his hands on his mother's shoulders as he looked into her eyes. "That's for me to know." After giving her a swift peck on the forehead, he headed out, closing the door behind him.
Even though he had already bought Abby gifts and she had opened them at Christmas, he felt like celebrating some more. So, he pointed his car toward town, headed toward Santa's Workshop, the best toy store in town. He had some money saved and it was worth it to him to spend a proper Christmas with his family, especially since he had to work the night before and he was late getting home the next morning after going by to check on Kiki. But luckily, he had gotten home in time to see Abby open her presents from Santa Claus when she woke. Because he had to work, it didn't feel as much like Christmas as he would have liked. But he had no regrets. Working that night and going by to see Kiki at the hospital early Christmas morning was one of the best things he had ever done.
But now, he had the opportunity to do Christmas properly. Rarely did one have the chance to have two Christmases, especially so close together. And he wanted to make it special for his daughter, to create special memories with her. If there was one thing he learned from his experience as a firefighter, it was that time was fleeting. You had to spend the time you have with the ones you love, because you never know how long that may be.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated, alerting him that he was receiving a text. He pulled his car into a parking spot near the toy store. When he looked down at his phone, he smiled. It was Kiki.
Don't bother coming by to pick me up.
Taren's heart sank. Surely, she wasn't canceling.
I'm driving over, she finished before he could reply. Text me the address and I'll meet you there.
He let out a breath, and smirked as he texted her back. You're not driving yet, are you?
There was a pause, and then she texted, Well, actually, I'm already in town.
Taren got out of his car and locked it up. Then he looked around and saw her dark blue Mustang parked just outside the toy store. I see your car. Want to help me pick out some toys for Abby? I was on my way over.
A moment later, she texted, Sure! Why not? I'll be here. Then he saw her walk out of the toy store, open her trunk, and deposit something inside.
A smile spread across his face at the prospect of seeing her again, wondering what she had bought. She looked up and spotted him. A smile spread across her face, touching her eyes as she waved and shoved her hands into her pockets, bouncing on her toes from the cold.
"What in the world are you doing out here?" Taren asked as he skipped across the street and slipped his arm around her waist. "You're freezing. Let's get you inside."
She shrugged as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her back toward the toy store. "I was only out for a minute. I'm fine."
"Yeah, but you just got out of the hospital." The bell rang as they walked in, alerting Mr. Cummings.
"Back again so soon?" The corner of his lips lifted into a smile, brightening his already plump, rosy cheeks. "Not that I'm complaining, you understand."
Her lips spread into a broad smile, inclining her head toward Taren. "I'm back with Taren."
Taren extended his hand. "It's nice to see you again."
"The pleasure is mine," Mr. Cummings replied, shaking his hand. "What can I do for you today?"
Taren glanced over at Kiki and then turned back to the man who looked so much like Santa Claus. "Christmas presents."
"Christmas is over," he replied.
Taren nodded, his lips curling into a smile. "Yes, but we didn't get to celebrate properly, so we're going to make up for it tonight."
"Well, in that case, you came to the right place. What would you like?" He raised his eyebrows, smiling as he peered at him over his spectacles.
"We don't want to take your time." He glanced over at Kiki again. "We'll just browse, if you don't mind."
"Just let me know if you need any help." He motioned around the store. "It's a bit dead, now that Christmas is over. Just finished up the last of the returns and exchanges this morning. Take your time."
"We will," Taren replied. "Thanks, Mr. Cummings."
Just then, the bell on the door rang and a woman walked in, holding the hand of a small child.
"Well, I'll leave you to it, then. Let me know if you need anything." Mr. Cummings gave him another smile and turned toward the other customer. "Merry Christmas! What can I do for you?"
Taren took Kiki's hand and pulled her down an aisle stacked high with toys. "Let's git while the gittin's good."