A Daddy for Christmas

The New Project

JARED leaned back in his sleek leather chair, the morning sunlight streaming through the glass walls of his penthouse office. The view of the city skyline was breathtaking, but his mind was elsewhere. On the desk before him was a detailed architectural blueprint of his latest project, a luxury resort nestled in the snowy embrace of Aspen, Colorado.

“Almost finished,” Jared muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. He turned to Ben, his trusted assistant, who sat on the other side of the desk, holding a tablet. They were in a brief meeting.

Ben nodded with a satisfied smile.

“Yes, sir. Just in time for the holiday rush. The team reports everything is on track, and the final inspections are scheduled for tomorrow. We will have it ready for guests before Christmas.”

Jared smirked.

“Aspen. Perfect location for this. It is a magnet for the rich and famous this time of year. Tell me, Ben, how is the marketing buzz?”

Ben swiped through a few slides on his tablet.

“Strong, as expected. The exclusivity of the resort and its proximity to the best ski slopes in the area are already drawing attention. Our pre-booking numbers are through the roof, and the projected revenue for the first quarter is staggering.”

Jared leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin.

“And the location? You have seen it in person. How is the ambiance?”

Ben’s grin widened.

“It is perfect, Mr. Baltimore. Nestled in the valley with a view of the Rockies that is unrivaled. Trust me, this resort will set a new standard for luxury. The guests will eat it up, figuratively and literally. The restaurant alone is a masterpiece.”

Jared’s icy-blue eyes glimmered with satisfaction, he was more than satisfied.

“Good. Very good. I will head over to Aspen in a short while. I want to see it with my own eyes before we open the doors.”

Ben nodded.

“Already made arrangements. Your jet is fueled and ready to go whenever you are.”

Before Jared could respond, his phone buzzed on the desk. The screen lit up with a familiar name: **Kelvin**. Jared sighed, grabbing the phone and answering it with a curt, “Kelvin.”

“Jared, my man,” Kelvin’s deep, jovial voice boomed through the speaker. “We are meeting in a few hours. High Ridge Lounge, our usual spot. Be there.”

Jared frowned, already feeling the tug of annoyance.

“Kelvin, you know I’m swamped. I have got a million things to—”

“Don’t care,” Kelvin interrupted, his tone firm but playful. “It has been a while since the four of us sat down and chilled out. You are coming. No excuses.”

Jared rubbed his temple, muttering under his breath.

“I really don’t have time for this.”

“You will make time,” Kelvin said confidently. “Seven sharp. Don’t keep us waiting.”

Before Jared could argue, the line went dead. He stared at the phone for a moment, then set it down with a groan.

Ben raised an eyebrow.

“Trouble?”

“Kelvin,” Jared grumbled. “He has got the guys together. Wants me to meet them tonight.”

Ben smirked knowingly.

“You have been burning the candle at both ends lately. Maybe you need this.”

Jared shot him a look but didn’t argue. Deep down, he knew Ben was right. With a resigned sigh, he stood up.

“Fine. But first, we wrap up everything about Aspen. That is my priority.”

“Yes, sir,” Ben said with a slight bow, already tapping away on his tablet.

As Jared glanced at the blueprints one more time, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Aspen was just the beginning of his plans for global domination in the luxury sector, but first, he would have to endure a night with Kelvin and the guys.

***

The long, winding road to Aspen was as picturesque as Jasmine remembered. Snow blanketed the trees, rooftops, and mountainsides, giving everything a magical holiday glow. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel as she approached the gated entrance to her parents’ estate, her heart fluttering with a mix of anticipation and anxiety.

She had gotten to Aspen like an hour ago, and had immediately rented a car, with which she used in driving down home together with Karissa.

The towering wrought-iron gates opened automatically, and Jasmine drove through, marveling at the house she had grown up in. The sprawling mansion, with its high arched windows and perfectly decorated holiday lights, radiated warmth against the cold winter landscape.

As she drove in, she noticed something odd, there were no annoying and funny questions coming from a tiny voice, and so she snapped her head behind to see her little pumpkin dozing away, and she smiled. Throughout the journey since they arrived Aspen, she would drift into sleep and wake again, then go back into sleep.

As Jasmine parked in the circular driveway and stepped out, the front door burst open. Her younger sister, Salma came rushing out, her coat flapping wildly as she ran.

“Jas!” Salma squealed, her arms wide open.

Jasmine smiled, crouching slightly to catch her sister in a warm embrace.

“Salma! You look amazing. College life suits you.”

“Hardly,” Salma laughed, stepping back. “Final year is killing me, but I’m surviving. And oh my God, look at you. You are glowing. Is that a new coat?”

Jasmine laughed softly, shaking her head.

“You and your fashion radar.”

Before they could say more, her mother appeared at the door, her face lighting up as she spotted Jasmine. Her father followed, his usual calm demeanor softening with joy.

“Jasmine, darling!” her mother called, descending the steps with graceful urgency, “what a surprise dear!”

Jasmine met her halfway, wrapping her arms around her mother.

“Hi, Mom. It is good to be home.”

Mr Marshall pulled her into a bear hug next, his voice deep and soothing.

“We missed you, sweetheart. Welcome back.”

“Mom! Grandpa! Wait for me!” a little voice chirped from behind Jasmine.

They all turned to see Karissa, Jasmine's little pumpkin, hopping out of the car, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She had obviously awoken from sleep.

“There is my little angel!” her mother exclaimed, bending down to scoop Karissa into her arms.

“Grandma! I missed you!” Karissa giggled, her tiny arms wrapping around her grandmother’s neck.

Jasmine watched the reunion with a full heart, grateful for her family’s unwavering love.

“You never told us you were coming Jas, this is a surprise,” Mrs Marshall said running her hand over Karissa's hair.

Jasmine sighed, then turned to Salma.

“Please get the bags,” she instructed and Salma got to work immediately.

“I'm talking to you Jasmine,” Mrs Marshall came again.

“Oh please Fiona, she is just arriving would you let her be?” Her husband jokingly came to Jasmine's rescue, “let us move in,” he added.

Inside, the house smelled of cinnamon, pine, and freshly baked cookies. The fireplace crackled warmly, and the Christmas tree in the living room was a masterpiece of ornaments, ribbons, and twinkling lights.

As they settled in, Salma couldn’t stop chatting about her college adventures and holiday plans. Jasmine sat back, listening and laughing, feeling a rare sense of peace.

“And oh! Lest I forget,” she squealed.

“What?” Jasmine, ever ready to listen to her sister's unending gospel said.

“There is a new resort in town, it is classic and looking chic,” she squeaked, demonstrating with her hands as she talked.

“Heard a billionaire owns it,” chirped in Mrs Marshall as she tries to keep Karissa in seat.

“Yes!” Salma exclaimed, nodding her head vigorously, “it is, a billionaire, a bastard son-of-a-bitch.”

“Hey Salma,” Jasmine laughed, “okay, that is enough. I have heard, a new resort in town, message gotten. Okay,” she laughed, and for the first time in weeks, she felt at peace.

But that peace soon shattered when her mother, seated across from her, suddenly leaned forward.

“Jasmine,” she began softly, her eyes searching her daughter’s face. “I noticed you didn’t mention Collins. Where is he? Isn’t he coming home for Christmas?”

The room fell silent. Salma froze mid-sip of her hot chocolate, her eyes darting between Jasmine and their mother. Her father’s expression tightened ever so slightly, though he said nothing.

Jasmine’s throat went dry. She hadn’t prepared for this moment, though she knew it was inevitable. Her mother’s question hung in the air, heavy and unyielding.

“I…” Jasmine started, but the words caught in her throat.

Her mother tilted her head, concern knitting her brows.

“Jasmine? Is everything all right?”

Karissa, oblivious to the tension, played with a small snow globe on the coffee table, her giggles a stark contrast to the silence surrounding the adults.

Jasmine took a deep breath, her chest tightening.