Midnight Mistletoe

Derek Sawyer

Kate’s eyes meet mine as she pleads with me to say something. “Actually, Mme Bennett, we have an announcement to make.”

With everyone’s eyes on me, eagerly anticipating my next words, I can’t help but question why I ever agreed to participate in her little scenario.

I never back down from anything, and I won’t start now. I made a commitment, and I intend to do my part no matter what the cost may be.

Without hesitation this time, I reach for Kate’s hand, intertwining our fingers together. “I’m glad that Seamus and Kate aren’t a couple anymore because the pain we experienced in both our parts helped us grow closer together.”

“What are you trying to say, Derek?” My mother asks me, her voice filled with hope.

Kate clears her throat, putting her hair behind her ear. “Why won’t we continue this conversation in the living room?”

To play the part right, I don’t let go of Katherine’s hand as we make our way to the living room.

In one corner of the room was the Christmas tree decorated with bright twinkling lights and colourful ornaments. A Christmas wreath with lights was hanging on the wall above the fireplace. Just like the pages, we find in the magazine.

I sit beside Freckles, and everyone is surprised to see us so close. “We don’t want you all to make this a big deal because it’s new…”

“What’s going on?” My mother cuts me off as she’s impatient to learn what's happening.

“Jenna, let him talk.” My father warns her.

“Sorry.” She raises her hands as if surrendering. “Please continue.”

Inhaling deeply, I prepare myself for what I have to announce next. “As I was saying.” Looking at my mother, I want to make sure this time she won’t interrupt me. “We don’t want you all to make this a big deal because it’s new for us, and we don't want to jinx it. Kathrine and I are an item. We are a couple.”

Clasping her hands together, my mother brings them to her lips with a smile. “Finally!” Our mother says at the same time.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but I stopped myself. I have a role to play here. I can’t afford to make a mistake that will lead them to see right through our lies. Instead, I leave a kiss on Kate’s hand.

“So, how did this happen?” Hank, Kate’s father wonders.

“Do you want to tell the story, Freckles?” I ask her.

Since It was her idea, I’ll let Kate tell the story. If we are going to embarrass ourselves with this, she’s going down with me, as the three musketeers would say—all for one and one for all.

Kate bites her lips nervously as it is so clear that she’s not too happy with me to have put her in the spot like that.

She quickly clears her throat so no one will notice anything out of the ordinary except for me. I don’t like to admit it, but since I have known her ever since we were little, I know everything there's to know about Kate, even the little things.

“It will be my pleasure, love.”

Did she just call me love?

I’m sure it means nothing. She’s just playing her part.

So why did my heart jump a little while hearing her call me this?

What am I fucking saying?

We are playing a dangerous game here, and we don't even realize it. It's too late to back down now since it’s already started.

“Struggling with our loss drew us closer together. When Seamus ended things with me, I needed to talk to someone, and that someone was Derek. I learned what Amanda had done and suggested to him if he wanted to meet for a coffee, and little by little, we realized that we should give this a try.” Kate takes my hand as she leans closer to me. I kiss the side of her face as I play along.

“It’s about time that you see what we saw in both of you. I’m sure you will make a great couple.” Amy, Kate’s mother, says while my mother nods her head, agreeing with her. “Soon, we are going to plan your wedding!” My mother’s smile goes up to her ear to show how excited she is.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Why am I not even surprised?

Before I have a chance to reply to my mother, someone else beat me to it.

“Jenna, leave them alone. They just got here.” My father comes to our rescue. “You wanted them to be a couple. It is done. Don’t push your luck.”

Getting off the couch, Katherine stretches her body. “We had a long ride. I think it’s time to go to bed.”

Good Idea.

I had enough of this charade for one day.

I stand up as well. I’ll go grab the rest of our things from the car. I glance at Amy. “Is my usual sleeping spot still the same as every year?”

She smiles. “Of course not. Now that you are with my daughter, you can share her room this year.”

My eyes widen.

“I’m sorry, what? I thought that we had different rooms.” Kate hurries to say. “What will Nana say when she learns this? We aren’t married.”

Her mother chuckles as if Kate said something absurd. “Honey, we live in the twenty-one century. Besides, your grandmother will be thrilled by the idea.”

I wrap my arm around Kathrine’s waist. “Perfect. We love to snuggle, don’t we, Freckles?” I squeeze her waist slightly, reminding her we’re still acting like we're in love.

This was her fucking idea. She has to deal with what’s coming our way. I’m not thrilled about this, but now that the wheel is spinning, it’s too late to stop the process.

While touching my cheek with one hand, she kisses the other. “That’s right. We love to snuggle.”

“Trust me, freckles, one way or another, you’re going to pay for this,” I whisper in her ear.

She gasps at my words.

Excellent, that’s the reaction I was hoping for.

Kate steps away from me. “So you said you are going to bring our luggage from the car. In the meantime, I put the presents I bought under the tree. I will then help you bring them to my old bedroom.” She avoids my eyes as she walks away.

I smirk. “Not so fast, freckles.” I walk toward her, but before I have a chance to do anything my mother speaks first.

“You guys, look up.” She says with excitement. “You have no other choice but to kiss.”

I wanted to tease her, but it backfired because of that stupid mistletoe.

We both lift our heads at the same time, and we see with horror that, indeed, we are standing under a mistletoe.

Kate searches my eyes, uncertain of what to do next. I lean down to leave a kiss on her cheek.

Before I have the chance to step away, my father says. “Come on, son. You can do better than that.”

Dad? Not you too.

As she cups my face, Kate surprises me by giving me a peck on the lips. I can’t explain why, but when our lips meet, I find myself wanting more. Listening to my desire, I kiss her lips and Kate responds unexpectedly. The kiss ends abruptly as we both realize what we’re doing.

What the fuck was that?

It’s my turn to walk away, and I’m happy no one is trying to stop me. I need some fucking fresh air. Maybe it will knock some senses out of me. There is no way I enjoyed kissing her.

Which is a total lie because I fucking did.

This is so messed up.

What the hell did I get myself into?