NOT ANOTHER CHRISTMAS LOVE STORY

CHAPTER FIVE

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Dylan, and it’s been ages since I’ve seen his sister. Since she moved to the US she barely visits but that’s fine everyone is probably busy with life. Anyway, that’s not what I should be thinking about though, it’s Christmas, my favorite time of the year, it’s a time where I hang around family, and friends as we sunbath and kayak in the river. I was thrilled when Dylan agreed to let me stay for Thanksgiving all through till the New Year. It was always a wonderful time in Willow Creek, and I couldn't wait to hit the beach and go kayaking at Dylan's resort. A notification popped up, and my phone came on revealing a picture of my girlfriend ....ex-girlfriend, and I was reminded of the real reason why I took this trip.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel as I recalled finding out my girlfriend cheated on me with a colleague. He is also a travel blogger but specializes in visiting hotels, restaurants and shopping sites. I did those too, but my focus was on tourist centers. Willow Creek was the perfect site for a tour, and I drove my rental car through the town. I appreciated its beauty. The place had not changed since the last time I was here, and that was what made it unique. My parents moved out of Willow Creek some years back, but it will always be home to me.

I drove through the rocky road leading to Dylan's house, which was his parent's house, and the familiar smell of grilled turkey filled my nose. It was still weeks away from Christmas, and just a week from Thanksgiving, Dylan was probably testing out recipes for his turkey this year. He has always been fond of cooking, and I'm surprised he doesn't own a restaurant.

I packed the car in the driveway and picked up my bag in the back seat when a young boy, about seven or eight years old, ran past me with a ball. He had chestnut hair and was unfamiliar. Dylan must have gotten someone pregnant or he has a visitor.

I shook off the thought of my best friend having a baby mama outside marriage. He was a one-woman man and had eyes for just one woman. If he was having a visitor, then that was something I looked forward to.

I rang the doorbell twice before hearing voices coming from inside, it was familiar, and when the door opened, my heart skipped twice. I counted. Jules smiled in recognition and hugged me.

“Henry! How are you? It's been ages since I saw you”. As I entered the house, all I could think of was, What was she doing here? What am I saying, it's her parents' house, of course, she'd be here. I was too stunned to speak, the last time I saw her was at her graduation twelve years ago, and while she looked amazing, she was even better now. I stared at her as she laughed and joked with Dylan who had entered the living room. I zoned out their conversation and stared at her.

The wrinkle lines on her face were visible, but that could be from work stress or fatigue. She pushed a lock of hair from her face and revealed the most beautiful smile I had seen in years. A boy ran into the house, and I realized it was the boy from earlier. “Mum, can I have some ice cream?” Mum? He was hers?

“You stink Toby, you'll get ice cream after you shower. Go up to your room and take your bath please”. As I looked at the boy, I noticed the similarities between him and Jules. He had her eyes and nose, but he was a younger version of Aaron. Like a carbon copy. I watched as they bickered back and forth with Dylan chipping in when he could to support either of them, but he reluctantly did as instructed. I wasn't surprised to know she was married, I would have been more surprised if she didn't. We all knew Aaron was going to get married to her, they were inseparable at the time, and he often told her that he would get married to her. I felt a pang of jealousy in my chest, she was married with a child, and the best I could do for her was to be happy.

“Congratulations, Jules. I didn't know you had a child. Dylan never tells me anything” I said and he turned his head in defense. That wasn't true, he told me everything. He even invited me to their wedding, but I was too scared to go, so I chickened out. He told me how long they had been trying for a child, which was why I didn’t believe the boy was hers.

The timer in her hand rang, and Jules headed to the yard to check on Dylan's turkey, then we were alone. “Dude, a f*****g heads up would have been appreciated”. I said and sank onto the couch. I had no issue having Jules around, but I thought it would be just the two of us. I called some days back to confirm our arrangement, and he didn't mention it then. I don't need a reminder of my past, I wanted a guy's trip away from women and my issues from the past months. I heaved a deep sigh and rubbed my temples gently.

Dylan hurled my bag to his shoulder in one swing, “She’s my sister, not a random girl. It wouldn't change anything if I told you or not. Now, stop whining like a baby, and let me cook you a turkey”. I wished it was a random girl, then I wouldn't be having all these feelings.