Chapter 494 Christmas Eve 1
Esme got up early to prep for dinner. She'd already stocked up on groceries over the past few days, but she hit the supermarket again this morning for more.
Rachel and Nicholas were up early too. After getting ready, Rachel pulled out the string lights, and Nicholas helped her hang them. This was something Rachel used to do with her dad, then with her mom, and eventually on her own.
They had bought the string lights a couple of days ago, and Rachel had picked them out herself. Nicholas watched nervously as she climbed onto a stool to hang them. "Rachel, get down. It's too dangerous. I'll do it."
Rachel turned with the lights in her hand and smiled, "It's fine, I've always done it this way."
"No, seriously, come down. I'll handle it," Nicholas insisted, looking worried.
Rachel stuck out her tongue. "Alright." She carefully got down, holding onto his arm.
Nicholas climbed up, and Rachel handed him the lights. He hung them up carefully.
They worked well together, with Rachel handing the lights and Nicholas hanging them. They finished quickly.
Esme came back from the supermarket and smiled when she saw them. "The lights look great."
That evening, they had dinner early. Christmas dinner in Frostpine was always early. Every household set off fireworks before dinner. Around three in the afternoon, the fireworks would start, signaling the beginning of Christmas dinner.
In previous years, Esme would set off the fireworks first, using a long pole with a newspaper to light them. It was a bit dangerous, so she had never let Rachel do it. This year, when she took out the pole, Nicholas stopped her. "Mrs. Ximena, let me light them. You and Rachel go inside."
Esme paused, feeling a wave of emotion. Knowing someone was there to take care of her daughter put her at ease. She quickly said, "Alright," and put the pole away.
Nicholas took the lighter from Esme, walked over to the fireworks, and lit them. As the fireworks went off, the Christmas dinner officially began.
As the fireworks ended, Nicholas saw Sawyer standing at the gate, holding a plastic bag. He walked over. "Sawyer's here."
Esme also came out at this time. Seeing Sawyer, she quickly invited him in.
Sawyer walked in and handed the bag to Esme, saying quickly, "Mrs. Ximena, my mom asked me to bring this to you."
Before anyone could react, he bolted.
Esme opened the bag and found some meat and sausages. She muttered, "I've told Sawyer's mom a million times not to bring anything. I can't eat all this by myself, but she always sends Sawyer over with something during the holidays."
After grumbling, she called Nicholas in for dinner, "Nicholas, come on in and eat."
"Okay," Nicholas replied, following her inside.
Rachel had already set the table with knives and forks, and it was loaded with dishes. Esme had outdone herself this year.
The three of them sat around the table. Besides drinks, Esme had also prepared some fruit wine. She poured a glass for Nicholas. "Nicholas, try the fruit wine and enjoy yourself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Ximena," Nicholas said, taking a small sip. It tasted amazing.
They had a warm Christmas dinner.
Dinner lasted about an hour. It was only a little past four when they finished.
After dinner, folks in town usually headed to the central park for Christmas activities. There were always big events there, so it was a common post-dinner activity for families to stroll around, making it very lively.
The three of them went out together. They walked slowly for about twenty minutes and arrived at the central park. From a distance, they could see various lights shining, looking beautiful. Rachel held Esme's arm with one hand and Nicholas's hand with the other, smiling as they walked with the crowd.
The roadside was decorated with all kinds of beautiful lights, and some little girls were taking pictures. Esme told Nicholas and Rachel to go explore while she wandered around on her own. Esme happened to meet a neighbor and chatted with them, agreeing to call later. Rachel then pulled Nicholas to go see other places.
At a wishing fountain, Rachel and Nicholas each tossed a coin, clasped their hands together, and made a silent wish. They thought about asking each other what they wished for but then remembered that saying it out loud would make it not come true, so eventually they decided against it.
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