Love Reborn on Christmas Eve

"It's that time of the year." Ayva let out a heavy sigh that carried the weight of her heart. Ayva Martins stood in front of the cosy kitchen window, sipping hot cocoa and watching the snowflakes dance outside the window. She felt a pang of sadness wash over her as she thought about the fact that she would be spending Christmas alone this year. Well, not alone per se. She also couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over her. It had been a decade since she'd spent Christmas with her parents. After she had gotten married, they never spent Christmas together again. She sighed, feeling a lump form in her throat. She had always loved Christmas, and she loved it even more because she was spending it with him, but this year felt different. This year, she was spending Christmas away from him. Away from her husband, Alex. She never imagined a day would come when she would be spending Christmas without Alex. They had always spent the holidays together, and the thought of being apart from him felt wrong. Ayva felt a tear roll down her cheek as she thought about all the holidays she and Alex had shared. They had always made it a special time, just the two of them. Before Emma came along. They would decorate the tree together, make cookies, and watch their favourite holiday movies. This year feels so different. She misses Alex a lot and wishes she was at home with him, spending the holiday together. Her only wish this Christmas is for Alex to knock on the door, apologize for everything he's done and rekindle their relationship. As bad as it sounds, she's willing to give him a second chance. She just wants her husband back. She wants her family back. She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling of sadness that had settled over her. She knew that she couldn't change the circumstances, but she could try to make the most of the holiday season. She was determined to make this Christmas special in her way. And maybe, just maybe, she would find a way to make this Christmas feel a little bit brighter, even without Alex here with them. After her divorce, Ayva had their house to herself. But it was a huge space filled with all of their memories and she just couldn't handle spending the holiday there, alone. So she moved to her parent's vacation home in Paris, seeking comfort and solace in the homely environment and spending the holiday with her family. With her siblings, nephews and nieces around, she was sure this Christmas would also be a memorable one. Maybe even too memorable. Her eight-year-old daughter, Emma, was the light of her life, and she was determined to make this Christmas one to remember for her little girl. The evening of Christmas Eve, Ayva decorated the Christmas tree, baked cookies, and happily sang carols with Emma, her nieces and nephews, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. This was what she needed – a simple, quiet holiday with the people she loved. Just as she was starting to relax, the doorbell rang and Ayva's heart skipped a beat as she wiped her flour-covered hands on her apron and made her way to the entrance. Is it Alex? Did he realize how much he loves and can't live without her? Did he miss her presence in the house and his life? Is she about to get her Christmas wish granted by Santa? Or is she about to be disappointed once again? With a hopeful heart and shaky hands, she grabbed the doorknob and twisted it open, praying for it to be Alex, the one person she wanted the most. When she pulled the door open, a familiar face smiled back at her. "Hi Ayva! It's been a while." He said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. Ayva stood frozen in her doorway, her heart racing as she stared at the person standing in front of her. What the....?? It is him. But.... But what's he doing here? She was expecting to see Alex, but it looks like Santa decided to send another surprise instead. One she had never even thought was possible. "Austin!" She managed to stutter, trying to play it cool. "What are you doing here?" Austin—her brother's best friend— stood in front of her with a charming grin and a twinkle in his eye as stared at her. He wasn't only her brother's best friend since childhood, but he was also the man Ayva had s*x with the night her divorce was finalized. The s*x she had described to her friends was the best s*x she had ever had in her entire life.