Chapter 31: Christmas Together

As the sun brightens Maryanne’s room, causing her to stir, she stretches, squinting. Finally, it’s Christmas. She rolls to the side of her bed in a rush. Grabbing her phone from her nightstand, Maryanne sends a quick mass text to her entire family before throwing off her blankets and jumping up. She wonders if her family is spending today together, since she is unable to be there with them.
Next year she will hopefully be able to spend it with them. Her plan is to bring Riley along if she is granted sole custody.
It is odd for her not to hear any shouting from Riley. Geneva and the rest of the staff were given the day off, thanks to Max’s generosity, so it is up to them to feed and care for Riley. It is a good opportunity to showcase their parental abilities.
She cannot help but grin when she thinks about Riley opening her presents. The giddiness takes hold and she fights down the urge to jump around.
Maryanne changes into a comfy pair of Christmas themed sweatpants and throws on the cardigan that Max had given her. As she wraps herself up, she realizes that there is a happiness building in her chest with the thought of spending the entire day with Max and Riley. She pockets her phone before heading out of her room and going to Riley’s first. Opening the door, she notices that there is no one inside.
“Odd, where is she,” she questions aloud. She peeks under the bed and in the closet before she slowly exits the room.
Next, Maryanne walks down to Max’s door, nervousness fluttering within her heart. They have grown closer recently and she finds herself unable to calm down when she thinks about his face or his smile. Before Maryanne can gain the courage to knock, she hears giggling and a loud squeak from downstairs.
Pivoting away from Max’s door, she wanders down the stairs, now able to hear the upbeat Christmas music playing. A grin is forming on her face before she even reaches the bottom step. The rich aroma of sausage fills the air and her stomach begins to growl.
Maryanne follows the smell to the dining room where Riley sits at the large table, scarfing down her eggs. She barely glances up at Maryanne as she devours the food, her eyes wide. It is hard for Maryanne not to laugh at the sight of the young girl. It is almost as if she hadn’t eaten in ages.
Max swings through the door connected to the kitchen, a plate of neatly cut, steaming sausage in hand. His fiery hair that is normally slicked back is left down for the day, accenting his freckles that try to hide under his building beard. His large arms are bursting from his tight Christmas sweater. Maryanne tries not to laugh at the sight of the billionaire looking so normal.
“Oh, good morning.” His eyes light up when his gaze lands on Maryanne.
“Morning.” Heat builds in her neck, but Maryanne looks away from Max before she reveals too much. “You made breakfast?”
She chastises herself for acting so obvious and for not being able to contain her warring emotions.
“Yes, I hope you like it.” Max sets the plate down and steps back, eyeing the table full of food with pride.
Maryanne looks down at the heaping plates of eggs, toast, hash browns, and now sausage. Her stomach rumbles.
“Max, you do know Riley doesn’t eat much of anything, and there’s only two of us.”
He only shrugs, “I figured we’d stuff ourselves.”
“What a good idea,” she laughs.
“Open presents,” Riley questions through a mouthful of eggs.
“You have to finish your breakfast first,” Maryanne warns as she sits down and dishes up her own plate of food.
“Awe,” tears begin to form in the child’s gaze as she peers up at her guardians.
Maryanne’s heart melts but she stays strong, “Come on Riley, it’s not much more. I promise you’ll love your presents.”
Riley jumps up and down, “Yay.” Her cheeks are covered in pieces of egg and hash brown but her smile is adorable to Maryanne.
As they go about eating, Maryanne is very aware of the subtle glances that Max gives her. It causes a blush to permanently reside in her cheeks, and her body to start to perspire. She focuses on finishing the contents of her plate, trying not to make a mess and embarrass herself.
It is a few minutes before Max asks, “What do you want to do for the rest of the day?” He finishes a slice of toast as he waits for a response.
“I suppose Riley will want to play with her toys for a while, but then we can go outside with her. I also bought a few games Riley might enjoy.” Maryanne shrugs as she continues talking. She isn’t quite sure what the girl will want to do for the day, or if Max will even find it fun. She wants to ask him what he usually does on Christmas but decides not to.
He nods, “That’ll be fun. Maybe we can all watch a movie together tonight, or just us when Riley falls asleep.”
“Oh, uh, yeah that sounds fun.” Maryanne swallows her food and fights the heat budding once more in the pit of her stomach.
She refuses to look at Max who has paused to watch her carefully.
Riley clanks her spoon on her plate as she sets it down, “Done.”
Maryanne laughs as she watches the girl jump down from her chair. “Okay, okay, let’s clean up quick and go open the presents.”
Running around in circles, Riley shrieks, “Yay!” She grabs her plate and carefully tries to walk towards the kitchen.
“Just wait,” Maryanne calls through laughs as she tries to stand. “Let me help.”
She reaches the kitchen door before deciding to glance back at Max to see his reaction. She wishes she hadn’t, if only to protect her wavering heart.
The softest smile Maryanne has ever seen adorns Max’s lips, his eyes radiating emotion. She swallows her pounding heart and she pivots away. The image of his expression burned into her mind.