#Best Holiday Rental Apartments

[limetreeapartment]

From the moment you step into our lobby, you will be greeted by an ambiance of refined elegance. Immerse yourself in the plush surroundings of our well-appointed rooms and suites, designed to provide a perfect blend of modern aesthetics and timeless comfort. Each room is meticulously crafted to cater to the discerning traveler, featuring luxurious amenities, premium bedding, and state-of-the-art facilities. hotels in delhi

[apartmentrentaltime]

Best Five Areas in Dubai for Holiday Home Rentals: Where to Stay

Discovering the dynamic metropolitan area of Dubai for a holiday season home rental may be actually an impressive endeavor, especially when considering the top 5 neighborhoods for accommodation. Each community supplies special knowledge and facilities that serve to various preferences and passions. From legendary spots in Midtown Dubai to the premier waterfront location of Dubai Marina, these communities deliver a series of options for a remarkable visit. Whether you seek extravagant beachfront holiday accommodations or tranquil desert gardens, Dubai's varied areas offer something for everybody.

Down-Town Dubai

Some of the very most popular areas for service apartment in Dubai is actually Downtown Dubai, recognized for its iconic landmarks and lively ambience. This bustling area offers a stable of luxurious service houses in Dubai, suitable for tourists seeming in the center of the urban area. Website visitors can easily pick from a variety of cottage choices, from relaxing workshops to large penthouses, all within close distance to tourist attractions like the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and Dubai Fountain. Downtown Dubai is actually certainly not simply a prime site for buying and eating but likewise supplies very easy access to public transport and primary roads, making it practical for checking out various other portion of the area.

Dubai Marina

Found along the shoreline of the Persian Basin, Dubai Marina sticks out as a premier waterside area for holiday home rentals in Dubai. Using a remarkable sky line and a vivid setting, Dubai Marina is actually a popular option for tourists looking for the very best service apartments for Dubai vacations. The place includes a large range of luxury flats and rental properties along with breathtaking sights of the Marina, making it a perfect place for those searching for a pleasant and convenient holiday. Along with quick and easy access to a plethora of eating options, looking around malls, and enjoyment venues, Dubai Marina supplies visitors with a perfect mix of leisure and enthusiasm.

Palm Jumeirah

A glamorous man-made isle in Dubai, Hand Jumeirah offers an exclusive and luxurious environment for holiday home rentals in Dubai. This renowned hand tree-shaped island is renowned for its own high end holiday accommodations, spectacular beachfront properties, and spectacular sights of the Arabian Basin. Site visitors can take pleasure in a stable of high-end amenities, consisting of luxury day spas, alright eating restaurants, and exclusive seaside get access to. The Palm Jumeirah is actually home to a number of Dubai's most distinguished resorts, extravagant rental properties, and elegant houses on call for vacation rentals. With its own unparalleled shopping locations, vibrant nightlife, and proximity to preferred destinations like Atlantis, The Hand, Hand Jumeirah stands out as a top choice for tourists seeking an elegant and permissive vacation experience in Dubai.

Jumeirah Beach Residence

Jumeirah Coastline Home (JBR) is a dynamic waterfront neighborhood in Dubai known for its lavish accommodations and lively ambience. Located along the sensational Arabian Basin, JBR uses a mix of domestic high rises, resorts, dining establishments, shops, and entertainment options, producing it a popular option for vacation home rentals. Website visitors can easily delight in the attractive beachfront boardwalk, The Stroll, which is edged along with cafes and specialty shops. The region additionally boasts The Coastline, a vibrant outside place along with water sports, children' tasks, and an assortment of eating choices. JBR's prime area delivers simple access to prominent attractions like Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.

Arabian Ranches

Nestled among the peaceful desert landscape of Dubai, Arabian Ranches provides a tranquil and high end bedroom community for best service apartment for Dubai. This distinguished community is actually understood for its luxurious villas, lavish green areas, and first-class amenities, making it an excellent option for tourists seeking a quiet retreat. Arabian Cattle ranches uses a series of leisure resources, featuring parks, ping pong courthouses, pool, and a greens, ensuring that visitors have lots of choices for relaxation and entertainment during the course of their remain. Along with a central site that offers simple accessibility to key attractions like Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai, Arabian Ranches is actually a prominent choice for holidaymakers seeking to experience the very best of Dubai while delighting in a tranquil and unique environment.

Final Thought

Finally, the top five neighborhoods in Dubai for holiday home rentals use an assorted variety of knowledge to satisfy various desires. From the dynamic atmosphere of Downtown Dubai to the spectacular beachfront holiday accommodations of Hand Jumeirah, each community delivers distinct possibilities for a remarkable stay in Dubai. Whether seeking legendary spots, sensational beachfront sights, or even tranquil desert gardens, these communities provide something for each tourist.

[adaptsmedia]

Maximizing Rental Returns: Expert Tips for Property Owners in Dubai

When it comes to investment opportunities in the real estate market, Dubai stands out as a thriving hub. Property owners in this vibrant city have the potential to secure substantial rental returns. With Dubai's dynamic rental market, it's essential to understand the factors that influence rental income and employ effective strategies to maximize returns. For valuable insights and support, many property owners turn to Silkhaus, a renowned property service provider in the UAE.

Where in Dubai Has the Highest Rental Income?

Dubai's diverse neighborhoods offer varying rental income potential. From luxurious waterfront properties to bustling urban apartments, the possibilities are endless. However, identifying the locations with the highest rental income can significantly impact your investment. Silkhaus, with its in-depth knowledge of Dubai's real estate landscape, can guide you towards areas that promise strong returns. Their expertise can help you pinpoint neighborhoods that match your investment goals, ensuring that your property remains in high demand among tenants.

What is the Return of Rental Properties in Dubai?

Dubai's rental market has historically offered favorable returns for property owners. The return on rental properties largely depends on factors such as property type, location, and market trends. Silkhaus excels in analyzing these factors, enabling property owners to make informed decisions. With their guidance, you can gain a clear understanding of the potential return on your rental property, ensuring that your investment aligns with your financial objectives.

Is Rental Income Good in Dubai?

The rental income potential in Dubai remains robust, making it an attractive destination for property investors. Dubai's status as a global business and leisure hub ensures a consistent demand for rental properties. Property owners can capitalize on this demand by partnering with Silkhaus. Their comprehensive suite of services includes property management, marketing, and tenant sourcing, all designed to optimize your rental income. Silkhaus' expertise can help you navigate the intricacies of Dubai's rental market and ensure your property generates the best possible returns.

How to Negotiate Rent in Dubai?

Negotiating rent in Dubai requires finesse and understanding of market dynamics. Silkhaus, with its deep industry connections and negotiation prowess, can assist you in this crucial aspect. Their experienced team can help you strike a balance between setting competitive rental rates and attracting quality tenants. By leveraging Silkhaus' expertise, you can secure rental agreements that benefit both you and your tenants, ensuring a steady stream of income while maintaining tenant satisfaction.

In conclusion, Dubai's real estate market presents promising opportunities for property owners seeking to maximize rental returns. By collaborating with Silkhaus, a trusted property service provider in the UAE, you can tap into their extensive knowledge and resources. From identifying high-yield locations to optimizing rental income through strategic negotiations, Silkhaus can be your invaluable partner in achieving optimal rental returns for your Dubai property investment.

For a seamless and lucrative property investment journey, entrust your needs to Silkhaus. Contact them today to unlock the full potential of your Dubai rental property.

[kaciidubs]

24 to 25 [Merry Christmas] | 8 Days of SKZcember

Prompt: meeting each other's family for the first time over the holidays

❣ Summary: There was a first for everything, and Christmas in Australia was definitely one of them. ❣  ❣ Word Count: 2.07k ❣ Warnings: Fluff, comfort, Chris is a doting boyfriend, slight humor, the whole Bang family is here ❣  ❣ Female! Reader [No use of Y/N] | You/Your pronouns ❣  ❣ Additional Tags: Chan is referred to as Chris, Channie, and Baby, Reader is referred to as Baby, and Love, unedited, this was meant to be short, not over 2k words ❣ Stray Kids Masterlist ❣ General Masterlist ❣ SKZcember 2023

Having family living in a different part of the world often meant having to visit whenever time off would allow; however, having a boyfriend in the industry whose family also lived in a different part of the world apart from your family meant those visits were even rarer.

“...and once again, we would like to thank you for flying with us this Christmas eve.”

Toying with your fingers subconsciously, you glanced out of the window of the plane at the vast expanse of land thousands of meters below, your stomach doing flips in the meantime.

“Baby?”

A soft touch brought you out of your thoughts, turning your head to see Chris’s hand covering yours with a gentle squeeze added for good measure.

“If you’re nervous about the landing just close your eyes - you can even close the blind if you want?”

Your heart fluttered and you had to stop yourself from swooning at how cute he was, squeezing his hand back with a small smile, “It’s not the landing that I’m nervous about, Channie - well, not entirely nervous about.” Looking down at your entwined hands, you deflated slightly in your seat, “I’m just worried they won’t… like me, you know?”

You were both currently on your way to Australia to visit Chris’ family for the holiday; the decision being made after a long winded debate and heavy consideration over you not wanting to take the opportunity away from his visiting home, and him not wanting you to sacrifice seeing your family just for him - the resolution resulting in two plane tickets and the promise of the next vacation dedicated to your hometown.

Chris scoffed your name lovingly, “You’re worried over that? You know my mom adores you, and my dad asks about you whenever he calls - and you already know how Hannah is, you guys basically talk everyday! Hell, even Lucas brings your name up, you know how rare that is?”

“Hannah doesn’t count cause I’ve already met her - but your mom, dad, and Lucas? We’ve only ever talked over the phone, it’s different from meeting in person - what if I’m not what they expected?”

“Love, look at me.”

Looking at him with a soft pout, he gave you a comforting smile, eyes shining with a fondness you’d fallen for time and time again.

“My family is going to love you, because I love you, okay? They’ve heard me talk about you so much that my mom actually started threatening me to bring you to visit!” When you cracked a smile at his confession, he felt a wave of relief wash over him, “Everything’s going to be fine, yeah?”

Giving him a small nod, you watched as he pressed a small kiss to your knuckles just as the seatbelt light turned on and the plane prepared for its final descent.

It wasn’t long until the plane touched down and you were both following the line of passengers toward baggage claim and car rentals, Chris claiming that having more than one car would be best this time around.

“Alright,” he clapped his hands, seat belt buckled and car running, “Hannah knows we’re on our way - apparently Dad’s busy grilling and Mom’s running around trying to make sure the house is in order.”

“And your brother?”

“Waiting to catch Mom’s reaction when we walk through the door, I’m sure.”

The time between the car pulling out of the rental lot and rolling down the familiar streets of Chris’ childhood neighborhood seemed too short to be true, and you found yourself fidgeting with the strap of your seatbelt as you looked through the window.

“Baby, you’re doing it again.”

Huffing out a short laugh, you shook your head, “I’m just excited - nervous, but excited. Don’t act like you wouldn’t be doing the same thing if you were meeting my parents!”

He puffed out his cheeks, “I wouldn’t!”

“Chris, you practiced talking on the phone for ten minutes before we video called my family for the first time.”

His silence was enough for you to laugh harder, cooing at the blush tinting his ears as he pulled the car into the driveway.

It didn’t take long for the two of you to gather your bags - or, rather, for Chris to gather the suitcases like the gentleman he was while you handled closing the trunk after - and make your way up the short path to the front door.

He looked at you with a glittering smile, tilting his head toward the entrance, “Ready?”

Taking a deep breath, you tried your best to quell the butterflies in your stomach and nodded, signaling him to ring the doorbell.

The sound of muffled barking soon followed suit, Berry readily alerting the home of their potential guests.

“Coming!”

No less than a second later, the door swung open to reveal a bright eyed Hannah, a wide smile stretching her lips as she practically flung herself into your arms with an excited squeal of your name.

“You made it! Oh my god, hi! Welcome to Australia!”

You hugged her back with a laugh, “Thank you! It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever!”

“I’m here too, you know.” Chris muttered, though the smile on his face betrayed any attempts of annoyance he tried conveying. “Your older brother? The person you grew up with?”

“Exactly, I grew up with you which means I’ve seen enough.”

“Hey!”

Breaking from the hug, she led you both into the house as she went to find the rest of the family, leaving you and Chris in the foyer with a very excited, yet curious Berry.

Your boyfriend wasted no time in crouching down, baby voice in full effect, “Hi, Berry! Berry! Hi! I missed you! I missed you so much!”

The king charles spaniel jumped onto his arms, panting happily before falling back down with a series of excited barks and tail wags, then turning her attention to you with similar gusto. 

Bending down, you offered your hand for her to sniff with a small smile, “Hi, Berry, it’s nice to meet you! Chris talked about you so much, part of me thought this trip was just to see you and no one else.” When her curious sniffing stopped, she ducked her head under your hand for you to pet her, which you graciously accepted, “Oh, aren’t you the cutest? You’re the best girl, aren’t you?”

The sound of footsteps broke you from your puppy praise break and you stood just in time to see his mom rushing around the corner with a bright smile on her face, “Oh my goodness!”

Taking the initiative, Chris stepped forward with an equally wide smile, an air of sheepishness surrounding him as if he were a teenager bringing home their first partner. “Hi, mom.”

She wasted no time in pulling him into a hug, holding him in her arms as much as she could despite how grown he had become - the epitome of a mother’s hug, always ready to cradle their child no matter how much they’ve changed.

Your heart swelled at the display, catching a few murmurs of how much she missed him and how big he’d gotten until she pulled away to look in your direction.

“I feel like I’ve heard so much about you already that I don’t even need an introduction,” she laughed, letting her son out of her arms to stand next to you, “but I’ll let him tell me anyways, I know he’s been practicing this moment.”

“Mom, really?”

“That’s hilarious,” Lucas snickered from the sidelines, which gave you the chance to notice him holding his phone, most likely recording for future memories.

Huffing lightly, Chris took your hand in his and you squeezed in earnest, watching him relax considerably. “Mom, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend,” he turned to you, a warm smile on his lips, “and this is my mom, the person responsible for giving me life.”

“And your good looks,” she teased, stepping forward to bring you into a hug similar to the one she gave him; welcoming, comforting, accepting. “It’s so nice to finally meet you - pictures do not do you justice!”

You could feel yourself melt in her embrace, your previous nervousness vanishing into thin air, “It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Bang.”

“Oh, please, it’s an honor finally meeting the person who’s responsible for my son being this happy,” holding you at arms length, she gazed at you with sparkling eyes, “I’m so happy you’re here.”

Just as you went to give another complement, the smell of grilled meat wafted through the air and Chris all but floated off of the ground; a weary sigh escaping him as he eagerly looked toward what you could only assume to be the kitchen.

“I missed dad’s grilling so much.”

“Good, cause he’s been at it all day,” Hannah shrugged, looking at you with a smirk, “He made one of everything - I’d like to think of it as pregaming Christmas dinner.”

Their mom let you go and headed through the hall, “I’ll go help with setting the table - Chris, your room is all set if you want to drop off your suitcases and give her a quick tour, other than that I’ll call when dinner’s ready.”

He gave her a short hum in response, sharing a quick hug with Lucas and a brief introduction between the two of you before guiding you to his old room - or, better known as the room you’ll be sharing for the next few days.

“If the bed’s too small, I can always camp out on the floor, you know.”

You scoffed out a laugh as you danced your fingers along the carefully laid out blanket, “You say that as if we don’t practically sleep under each other already - this is perfect, baby.”

You couldn’t help but take in the details of his old room, scanning over the posters and pictures that decorated the walls, and spotting the board of medals that laid propped against the floor - not that it was hard to miss considering the wide array it held. Before you could get entranced by any more trinkets and hidden gems, his hand gently grabbed yours and he pulled you into his space, trapping you in his arms with a careful gaze.

“How are you feeling so far? If you’re tired from the flight I can always ask my dad to save you a plate for later, he’ll understand and-”

“Baby, I’m okay!” Wrapping your arms around his waist, you smiled up at him, “I’m not tired, and I’m not worried anymore - meeting your mom made me realize I had nothing to be scared about, and just from smelling your dad’s food I know we’re going to get along just fine!” You narrowed your eyes slightly, tilting your head with a soft pout, “Are you okay? Not that I hate the sudden check in, but you seem stressed, Chris.”

Heaving a deep sigh, he ultimately relaxed in your arms, a tired smile falling on his lips, “I’m okay- more than okay, actually, I’m just…” He stared at you, brown eyes warm with love, “I guess I’m just excited over having you here with me, with my family - I want to make sure everything’s perfect and I’m not pushing you into things too soon.”

Cooing at his sentiment, you laid your head on his chest, surrounding yourself in his scent and warmth. “Channie, you’re not pushing me into anything, you hear me? I’m happy we decided to come here, and even if we haven't been here long, I already feel more than welcome.”

His hold on you tightened a bit more as he rested his cheek on the top of your head, grounding himself in the moment until his mother’s voice floated through the hall.

“Chris! Food’s ready!”

“Well,” pulling away from him, you shot him a teasing smile, “ready for your first family dinner featuring your extremely brave girlfriend?”

He chuckled at your antics, “My brave girl, for sure - I was born ready for this.”

As you led the way out of his room, his phone vibrated in his pocket and he snuck a glance at the screen to see a text from your mom; your family’s flight still on schedule to land tomorrow morning.

Biting back his grin, he sent a quick text in return before grabbing your hand and guiding you toward the dining room.

“Dad, there’s someone I’d like you to meet!”

✧. ┊Tagged lovelies: @goblinracha, @having-an-internal-crisis-rn, @midnightfrog625, @anyhow-everything, @bangchanbabygirlx, @sweetracha, @j-onedrabbles, @happilydeepestwonderland, @nightimescapes, @caitlyn98s, @ch4nn13luv, @ihrtlix, @sometimesleeknows, @jeonjungkookenthusiast1997, @maximumkillshot, @y-ur--i, @acker-night, @dreamescapeswriting, @specialstay, @broken-glowsticks, @s00buwu, @dancerachaslut, @junglyric, @tinyelfperson, @jj-stay, @katsukis1wife, @inlovewithmusician, @keen-li, @armystay89, @main-character0, @vampcharxter, @ddyskz, @prettymiye0n, @bbgnyx, @ivyisnotokay

✧. ┊If your username is in bold italics that means tumblr won't let me tag you. If you’d like to be added to the taglist, fill out this form!

[cellythefloshie]

;; A Secret for Christmas 𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼 from cellythefloshie

Summary: Katie had long abandoned trying to search for new romance, especially during the holiday season. But when her son’s teammate, Jeremy Swayman, joins them for the holidays, Katie can't ignore the memory of the night they once shared together in Boston a year prior. Will Jeremy’s persistence chip away at her defenses? Will Katie risk it all for a chance at a lust she never expected? Sequel to: Mama Bear. Kinks & Tropes: Age Gap (24 v. 41). Divorcee. Alcohol Consumption. Secret Hookup. Protected Sex. - If I missed something, yell at me. ABOUT THE OC’s: Katherine: AKA Katie. Face Claim: Bryce Dallas Howard. 40's. Mother of Parker Waylon-Stacy. Parker: Face Claim: Michael Provost. Boston Bruin's Forward. Dorthey: AKA Dottie. Face Claim: Kate Hudson. Best friend of Katherine. Word Count: 13k+ A/N: Another year has passed, and in almost that exact time, we return to Katie and Jeremy. I am not lying to you when I say that this fic has been planned since January. It has been a painful wait for me to have to wait to write/post this. For months I would return to my outline and read it with great excitement. I am so deeply satisfied to be able to finally share this with you all, and to have this fic be the last one I will write for 2024. (Though, a New Years fic has been queued, this is the last one I will be writing until 2025). I hope you're just as excited to return to Jeremy as I was! --- This fic was minimally edited.

Christmas didn’t feel like Christmas anywhere but home, Katie thought as she sat in bumper to bumper traffic, her hands wringing at the steering wheel. A symphony of honks sung their carols around her, but they went unheard as she daydreamed of home. 

The stockings hung in their usual spots, their names stitched neatly in gold thread—hers and Parker’s. She could almost hear his small voice from when he was just a boy, asking if Santa would really know to leave presents if they didn’t have a chimney.

Every corner of her home was dusted with memories—Parker’s laugh echoing down the halls, the smell of cookies burning when she got distracted by Dottie and the kids in the living room, the way he used to shake the snow off his boots, leaving puddles by the door. 

But this year, those memories were left behind, but not forgotten as Parker wasn't going to be able to come home for Christmas. The Bruins had a game the night before Christmas Eve, and they’d hit the road again just four days later. Katie had been forced to choose between the traditions she treasured and something new. As Stubborn as she was, there was never really a choice. She would always choose Parker. 

The drive to the grocery store and back took nearly two hours—a journey that gave Katie plenty of time to dwell on Parker’s idea of a "family holiday." When he’d told her he’d rented a house big enough for everyone, she hadn’t asked many questions. She trusted her son. But that trust began to waver at 5 a.m. on the morning of her flight when Dottie showed up at her door with her husband and her kids all left waiting in their Escalade. 

“Surprise!” Dottie had chirped, her tone almost too cheery to handle before a cup of coffee. But Katie smiled all the same. Having her best friend with her for the holidays, especially when she would have to deal with her ex, was a gift all in itself. 

And the surprises didn’t end there. 

For the entirety of the flight, Katie couldn’t fathom how Parker imagined cramming all eight of them into an Airbnb. But when the car pulled up to the property, Katie’s jaw dropped. This wasn’t some tiny apartment or cramped rental house. It was a sprawling villa, complete with a wide wraparound porch, floor to ceiling windows  and twinkling lights that sparkled in the crisp winter air.

The beauty of the home still left Katie in awe as she pulled up in front of it for the second time. The driveway curved through a yard blanket edge by freshly fallen snow. Snow that crackled beneath the slow roll of the car's tires until they  eased into a stop in front of the garage door. Katie leaned her back against the headrest, admiring how Christmas lights reflected off the snow capped roof. Smiling proudly at what Parker was able to accomplish, she turned slightly to look over at Dottie who sat in the passenger seat. 

Her phone was out, her fingers tapping feverishly against her phone as she tried to finish the work assignment she had promised not to touch when the plane landed in Boston. Katie shook her head slowly, her smile growing wider. There were two things Dottie would be doing from the grave, her final work assignment and polishing off an expensive bottle of chardonnay. Because while she worked hard, Dottie played harder. 

“You done?” Katie raised a brow up at her best friend, “because I'm not letting you touch it again once we get inside.”

Dottie was quiet for a moment, a small sigh rocking her shoulders before she let her eyes leave the bright glow of the phone screen. 

“Alright, alright, I'm done enough,” Dottie assured, her thumbs hovering over the screen as if she wanted to write just one word more. 

“Done enough?” Katie half laughed, “Last time I heard that I found you hiding in the bathroom at the twins hockey game.” 

Dottie laughed, raising her hands up in mock surrender, “I promise you won't find me hiding this time. Work-free holiday starts as soon as we pop the wine.”

“Then I guess we should get inside and open up a bottle,” Katie smiled and watched as Dottie tucked her phone away in her purse to free up her hands. They had a lot to bring in, and they were both firm believers in taking all the groceries in one trip. 

Fresh snow kissed Katie’s bare ankles as she stepped out of the car, the drifts spilling over her boots with every hurried step toward the front door. Dottie followed close behind, both of them cradling paper bags threatening to topple with each stride. A shiver climbed Katie’s spine as she stomped up the steps, rushing to the unlocked door she couldn’t open with her full hands.

Her boot met the door in three swift kicks, and as it swung open, a gust of warmth greeted her cold, rosy cheeks. 

“Thank you,” she spoke in a sing-songy tone as she was met by Parker's smile that quickly faltered. 

“Mom, you gotta stop doing this. You could have gotten me to help carry this in,” he pleaded with her, a single arm scooping on the bags from her hold. She hated it when he looked at her like that. Like she was frail. Incapable. Old. 

“I'm forty-one Parker, not a hundred. I can still carry in the groceries. Besides, Dottie helped,” Katie spoke pointedly as she stepped out of her shoes and led the way into the large kitchen that was like it was out of a dream. From the dark green walls and ebony cabinetry to the stacked ovens complete with French doors, Katie was going to be the last to complain about having to cook nearly twelve meals for eight people over the three days they would be spending in the home. 

“We've got more than enough hands here, Mom,” Parker continued as he placed the bag down on the marble countertops. “Between me and-” 

His words were broken by the slamming of the front door. Katie's neck quickly snapped in the direction of the sound. They hadn't abandoned Dottie. She stood beside her, her arm already lost in the depths of the paper bag as she blindly searched for one of their bottles of wine. Her brows furrowed as she leaned over the counter, craning her neck to see who's heavy steps clunked over the hardwood floors. 

Her face fell into a frown when her ex-husband, Ronnie, came into view, his winter boots and jacket still on and his arms carrying an array of luggage. Not once, during their twenty years of marriage, had he been so chivalrous as to carry her bags or help her with her groceries. Katie’s face fell into a sneer, there was no hiding it. 

“Dad! You made it,” Parker smiled as he stepped away from the counter to meet his dad who struggled with the bags. 

Monica strutted in behind them, her smile wide as she caught up with Ronnie. Her arms opened as she stepped towards Parker, taking her into an embrace he didn’t seem eager to return. Katie caught the tightness in Parker’s jaw, as he offered a half-hearted pat on her back. She knew he was trying–for Ronnie’s sake, if nothing else–but it was clear Monica hadn’t won him over. 

“By what miracle were they not going to make it?” Katie mumbled under her breath to Dottie who turned and hid her smile in the fridge as she started to put the groceries away. 

“Snow storm?” Dottie hummed. 

“Plane crash,” Katie bit out, sending Dottie into a laughter she could not contain. 

“So we’re not playing nice this weekend?” Dottie arched a brow, her voice laced with curiosity.

Katie smirked, her tone dry. “To their faces, sure.”

Dottie chuckled, shaking her head. “You know that makes you sound terrible, right?”

“There’s only so much fake smiling I can manage before I break something,” Katie said with a shrug.

With her back turned to the doorway, Katie worked with Dottie to fill the empty cupboards and the fridge with the groceries they bought from the store. Soon, the kitchen looked like someone called it home, and it was only the turkey left to put away. Cradling it in her arms, Katie opened the fridge, only to find another turkey sitting on the top shelf. 

“We didn’t buy two turkeys did we?” Katie asked, her brows falling in confusion. 

“No, we just got the big one,” Dottie confirmed, her one hand wrapped around the neck of a wine bottle as she searched for a bottle opener. 

“Then what’s this?” Katie stepped to the side and did her best to gesture the turkey with her full hands.

Dottie shrugged, and Katie let out a sigh. Was it horrible that they had two turkeys? No, but it was making Katie question her sanity because it wasn’t in there when they left for the store. 

“Parker? Where’d you get this other turkey?” She called out, but her son didn’t hear her. He no longer stood in the doorway with his father and Monica. He was lost somewhere in the house – probably showing them to their room - or maybe, he was the source of the laughter she could hear in the living room. 

Placing the turkey down in the fridge next to the other, Katie closed up the fridge and followed the shill laughter of Dottie’s twins, and the thunder of footsteps against the hardwood floor. She walked through the entryway, her socks getting wet from the trail of her husband’s footprints. If she was still his wife, she would have nagged him to clean up the mess he had created, but she promised herself that she wouldn’t let his bad habits get to her over the holidays. Instead she walked right through them, leaving her own soggy footprints behind as she walked to the living room. 

“Whoa,” her lips fell open in awe at the sight of the large Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the room, just to the right of the fireplace that blazed with the dance of fire. That hadn’t been there before they left either. Its branches were still free of ornaments, but the glimmer of white lights set it aglow.

“When did Parker have time for all of this?” Dottie gasped out from behind her, pushing past to stand with Brandon and Brayden who knelt on the floor, opening up the boxes of brand new ornaments. 

“He didn’t,” Megan said, her voice drifting lazily from where she was curled up in an armchair by the fire. “Jeremy did.”

Katie’s attention snapped to the teenager, whose wistful gaze was fixed on the snow falling softly outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The faint, dreamy sigh that followed spoke volumes. Katie didn’t need to ask—she recognized that tone all too well. But Katie couldn’t give herself time to dwell on it, her body had already gone still at the realization of what Megan had said. 

Suddenly she was hot, sweating, with nerves as her stomach jumped up into her throat. She had to have heard her wrong. Megan hasn’t said Jeremy. She couldn’t have. Katie refused to believe it, it must have been her mind playing tricks on her. 

“Where’s,” Katie's mouth was dry, and she paused, forced to swallow, “Megan, where’s Parker?”

“Upstairs with Uncle Ronnie,” Megan waved off, her eyes falling back to her book. 

Katie moved quickly, taking the stairs two at a time despite her arms feeling heavy and her legs unsteady. The laughter from the living room faded as her pulse roared in her ears. When she reached the landing, she blindly collided with a solid figure. 

Two strong hands caught her by the arms, steadying her before she could stumble back. Katie held her breath as she shut her eyes, praying to whoever would listen, that she had run into Parker, or for the first time in years, she wished that she had collided with her husband. But she knew it wasn’t either of them. 

She didn’t need to look to know who it was holding her so carefully in place. She’d feel this touch before– gentle but firm, it was a comforting touch she’d never forgotten. On so many nights it had crept into her dreams, leaving her craving more but Katie had told herself she could never feel again.

“Mom!” Parker’s voice broke through her thoughts, his concern heavy as he came up behind the figure that still held her. “Are you okay?”

Katie swallowed hard, her mouth dry as she let herself look up. Jeremy towered over her with a soft smile, and just past him was her son. 

“I’m fine,” she managed to say, her voice softer than she’d expected. 

Jeremy’s hands lingered for just a moment longer before they fell away. She felt the absence of them instantly, the cool air of the house passing over her skin in the absence of his warmth.  

“I just… Megan mentioned we had a guest?” Katie’s voice wavered, but she steadied it with a quick breath. 

“Oh, yeah,” Parker said, his grin sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry mom. Sway’s staying with us for Christmas. I thought it would be okay.”

Katie blinked, her stomach tightening. Of course it wasn’t okay, but on the surface, she had to pretend that it was. Because if it wasn’t, Parker would ask why and Katie would never be able to answer him…

Jeremy spoke, his tone warm, “I brought an extra turkey, and set up the tree, anything else you need, Ms. Stacey, just let me know. It’s the least I could do.”

Katie’s legs pressed firm together as his words, suddenly feeling weak right through to her very core. To anyone else, it would have sounded like Jeremy was being kind, but Katie knew that anything truly meant anything.

“Thank you, Jeremy. That’s very thoughtful. If you’ll excuse me, I should start dinner.”

She descended slowly, her mind spinning. Each step felt heavier than the last, her composure threatening to slip as she reached the bottom.

Dottie was waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. Her wide eyes met Katie’s as the twins chattered excitedly about the tree. No words passed between them, they didn’t need to, not when Katie’s eyes said it all. 

Yes, this was Jeremy. The Jeremy she had slept with for just a year before. Back when he had been nothing more than a stranger to her– and before she discovered he was the goaltender for his son’s hockey team. 

Dottie gave her a knowing look as she directed her twins towards the living room. “Go help Parker with the tree. Mom’s going to help Aunt Katie,” she said, falling into stride behind Katie. 

They said nothing, the kitchen quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and distant laughter from the next room. Among them, she could hear Jeremy’s laugh, a sound Katie had once thought she would never hear again. 

The bottle of wine thudded against the countertop as Dottie uncorked it with practiced ease. She didn’t ask questions, she didn’t push, just poured two glasses and slid one into Katie’s waiting hand. 

Katie wrapped her fingers around the glass, staring down at the swirling red liquid as if it could solve all her problems. Taking a long steady sip, Katie drowned her senses in the flavor of the sweet red wine and tried to  ignore just how complicated her Christmas had become.

The warm glow of the chandelier above the dinner table bathed Katie in soft light as laughter and clatter of silverware filled the room. Brayden and Brandon, full of boundless energy, captivated everyone’s attention, and Katie couldn’t help but smile as she watched them. Christmas Eve was everything she had hoped for—a cozy, festive evening with her family, even if her definition of family included her ex-husband, his new wife, and her son’s teammate, Jeremy.

Despite the cheerful atmosphere that had fallen around the table, Katie couldn’t ignore the knot that tightened in her stomach. Jeremy’s presence, as he sat directly across from her, was both thrilling and unsettling. When he had joined them, he’d offered a soft smile, his voice low and warm as he spoke. “Everything looks great” he had said, and his gaze lingered just long enough to make her breath catch, before reaching for a dinner roll. Katie had nodded, a tight smile tugging at her lips, the brief exchange sending a ripple of warmth through her that she quickly tried to ignore. And she was thankful for his quiet demeanor. He didn’t ask questions, didn’t seem to push for conversation, and she appreciated that more than she expected. 

Katie kept her attention on her plate, chewing slowly and forcing herself to smile when someone looked her way. Though, it was hard to ignore the site across the table. Megan had seated herself next to Jeremy, and was leaning in close to him as she spoke in a soft whisper. Whatever she had said, Katie couldn’t quite hear, and Jeremy responded with a polite but brief nod before returning his attention back to his plate. The poor girl was doing her best to get Jeremy’s attention, but it was already devoted to Katie, though she was trying to ignore that fact. She avoided looking directly at Jeremy, but when she did, his gaze was always there, steady, like he was waiting for her to look back. And when they did meet, they met briefly, Katie’s pulse hastening as she found herself glancing away quickly, as if caught off guard by his quiet intensity. 

Instead of letting her eyes linger on Jeremy, she turned her gaze to Ronnie, seated at the head of the table, and Monica, who sat at his side, basking in the center of attention. 

Monica’s voice rose about the rest, her stories even louder than the laughter of the twins as they were entertained by Jeremy. "Ronnie’s taking me to the Maldives after the holidays," she said, pushing her blonde hair with a casual toss. As she did, the light caught Monica’s oversized diamond ring, its glimmer flashing in Katie’s eyes.

Katie’s gaze flickered to her own left hand, tracing the memory of the simpler rings Ronnie had given her– the ones that were never as big, or never as extravagant as Monica’s. They hadn’t had the money for such luxuries, or for the kinds of trips Monica seemed to collect like trophies. Watching Ronnie’s lavish midlife crisis, and his new wife with all the things they never had, made Katie’s shoulders slouch forward. Choking back a sigh, she reached for the bottle of wine at the center of the table.

The motion drew Monica’s sharp eye, like an eagle flying high above her prey. Her voice cut through the hum of conversation. "We were so sad when you couldn’t come to the wedding, Katie," she said, her tone pitched just loud enough for everyone to hear. "It was such a beautiful ceremony. You would’ve loved it."

Katie’s stomach churned, but she forced a smile, her eyes darting briefly to Ronnie, hoping for some sign that he’d put a stop to it. "I’m sure it was lovely—" she began, but Monica didn’t let her finish.

With a flourish, Monica extended her arm across the table, wiggling her fingers. "Look how gorgeous this ring is," she said, her smile gleaming, "And this is just my travel ring."

Katies brows knit together as her jaw slacked. "Travel ring?" Her words faltered, her mind scrambling for a response. She looked from Monica’s beaming face, to Dottie–but there was also something pulling her attention toward Jeremy—his eyes on her again, his lips slightly parted as if he had something to say but was waiting for her to speak first.

Her heart stuttered, and for a moment, the noise around her faded, leaving only the sensation of his gaze. Katie’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, before she pulled them away and looked to her ex husband with a pleading stare, silently begging him to get Monica to stop. 

"Oh yes, isn’t it wonderful?" Monica beamed. "Ronnie is so thoughtful. But don’t worry, Katie. One day, someone will love you as much as he loves me."

The sudden crash of silverware on a plate made Katie flinch, and she turned to see Parker, his dinner abandoned, and his hand dropped to his side in two fists. He leaned forward, his voice thick with disgust. “You know who you’re fucking talking to right?” 

Katie’s heart swelled with pride, but she quickly tamped it down though she wanted nothing more than to smile. She was so proud of him for so many things, but nothing made him prouder than this. She wanted to applaud him, but she couldn’t. Not now, not at Christmas when she needed everyone to get along. She shot him a soft look, her words a low but firm plea for calm, “Parker, language.”

Parker didn’t back down. “Mom seriously? She can’t say that kind of shit to you.”

He was right. Monica shouldn’t be saying anything like that. Not to her. No ever. The tensions between them were the highest they had been since they met, and it was clear that no amount of effort on Monica’s part would change that dynamic with Parker, not after everything. 

“Mom,” Parker spoke insistently, waiting for his mother to say anything to defend herself. 

Katie sighed and topped off her glass of wine, her gaze flickered briefly to her son. “She’s right Parker,” she said quietly. “She and your father are very much in love. It should be celebrated. Not all are so lucky to find love so late in their lives… or so early.” She punctuated the words with a long sip of wine, and from the other end of the table, Dottie’s soft laugh echoed through the tension. 

As the laughter faded, so did the conversation and the table fell into silence. The clink of forks and knives returned, and any words said were exchanged in whispers. Katie’s chest tightened as she took another sip of her wine, her fingers gripping the glass a little too tightly.  The sting of Monica’s words still lingered below the surface. Katie wasn’t sure what she had expected when she agreed to sitting down with everyone for dinner but it certainly wasn’t this– a cocktail of bitterness and forced civility. 

Her gaze wandered the table: Parker sat stiffly beside her, his fork clenched in his fist as he stabbed at his food. Ronnie and Monica whispered conspiratorially, their heads close together, while Dottie and Ben coaxed their kids to eat a few more bites.

Katie’s eyes stopped on Megan, leaning toward Jeremy with a bright smile. “If that happened to me, I think I’d die of embarrassment,” she said, her voice carrying just enough for Katie to catch it.

Jeremy didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at Megan. His gaze was elsewhere, steady and unflinching—on Katie. Not with pity or judgment, but quiet understanding. He shifted slightly, closing himself off from Megan’s proximity and angling toward Katie instead. The subtle movement felt deliberate, almost protective.

Katie’s breath caught, and she quickly looked away, her eyes falling to her empty wine glass. She wasn’t going to get through the night sober.

Blindly reaching for the bottle, her trembling fingers brushed against something warm. She froze, realizing it was Jeremy’s hand, just as he reached for the same bottle. His touch was barely there–just the faintest of feelings as they had met by accident. 

Katie watched as his thick fingers coiled around the neck of the bottle and poured himself more wine. But his touch had lingered just long enough that Katie could still feel it, as the legs of his chair squealed against the floor. Jeremy stood slowly, his expression neutral, as he reached out across the table and filled her glass with wine. 

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jeremy didn’t reply, just settled back in his chair with a quiet confidence that made her chest feel less tight. But then, as he sat, she felt the faintest pressure against her ankle. His foot, deliberate and slow, traced a line up her calf before retreating. 

Katie’s breath hitched, her grip on her wine glass beginning to falter as it suddenly felt heavy in her hand. It dropped to the table before she could try to catch it, the sound of the shatter had Katie snapping back to reality. 

“I’m sorry,” Katie gasped, scrambling to cover the spill with her napkin as if it would stop it from bleeding into the table cloth. 

“Mom, are you okay?” Parker asked quickly, his hand joining the mess of napkins at the center of the table. 

Katie forced a smile, her voice shaking, “Yes, just clumsy tonight.”

Dottie chimed in, her tone calm and reassuring. “It’s the stress,” Dottie was quick to say, “I keep telling you– what do I keep telling you?”

Katie nodded, grateful for the lifeline Dottie had thrown her. “It’s the stress,” she echoed, her gaze briefly meeting Jeremy’s before it dropped down to the table. 

From beside her, Parker leaned across the table, toward Jeremy, his voice carrying just enough for Katie to hear. “Mom and Dottie are weird like that—you’ll get used to it.”

It was almost enough to draw a genuine smile from her, almost. She brushed her hair back, her fingers lingering against her temples as if she could rub away the growing headache. “I think I’ll turn in early,” she murmured, her voice fragile but resolute.

“You should,” Parker said, his tone firm in the way only a son looking out for his mother could be. “There’s a hot tub out back—just go relax. We’ll take care of everything here.”

Katie hesitated, her instinct to refuse warring with the exhaustion pulling at her shoulders. She reached out, smoothing Parker’s hair with a soft touch. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she said, her voice thick with emotion she didn’t dare let show.

As she pushed back her chair and rose, she felt Jeremy’s eyes on her again—steady, watchful. She avoided meeting his gaze, but as she turned to leave, her steps faltering slightly, his quiet presence lingered behind her like an unspoken promise.

In the hall, the muffled sounds of the table faded, replaced by the echo of her own breathing. Katie pressed her palm flat against the cool wall, closing her eyes for a moment. Maybe the hot tub wasn’t a bad idea after all. She just needed to find a way to let the tension in her chest dissolve, even if it was only temporary.

And as she walked toward the back door, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Jeremy would somehow end up being part of that reprieve, whether she wanted him to be or not.

The crisp winter air nipped at Katie’s cheeks as she stepped onto the back deck, her breath curling in soft, misty clouds in front of her. She pulled her robe tighter around her body, the crunch of snow underfoot lost on her ears as she heard the sound of bubbling water ahead.

The hot tub was a small oasis in the frigid night, steam rising in soft tendrils against the dark sky. Katie hesitated at the edge, her eyes scanning the yard for any sign of life, but it was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the house settling. She exhaled slowly, peeling off the layers she’d brought with her until she was left in her swimsuit.

The water welcomed her like an old friend, the heat seeping into her muscles as she sank into its depths with a sigh. For the first time that evening, the tension in her shoulders began to melt away, replaced by a soothing warmth that wrapped around her like a blanket.

She settled into the corner, facing the sliding glass doors that led back into the house. The glow from inside cast a soft light across the deck, but it felt distant, as though she had managed to leave all the chaos and noise behind.

The sound of the water bubbling and the gentle rustle of wind through the trees dulled her senses. She leaned her head back, the steam curling around her face, and closed her eyes. For just a moment, she let herself drift, the night wrapping her in its stillness.

Katie let the calm envelop her, wrapping around her like a cocoon. For the first time since her plane had lifted off that morning, she felt at peace. She savored it, knowing it was fleeting—knowing it would dissolve the moment she slid the door open and stepped back into the noise of children’s laughter, Monica’s relentless self-importance, and the inevitable chaos of Christmas.

"You don’t have to go back inside yet," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the steady hum of the water. She felt the tension creeping back into her shoulders at the mere thought of rejoining the fray, but she pushed it down, letting the warmth of the water soothe her nerves.

Just as she began to reclaim the fleeting relief, the sharp sound of the sliding door broke the stillness. Her heart sank. With a sigh, she cracked her eyes open, fully expecting to see Dottie or Parker checking on her. But the figure stepping into the glow of the deck lights wasn’t who she expected.

It was Jeremy.

Her body tensed, her calm shattered in an instant. She shot upright, the sudden motion sending ripples across the surface of the water, the heat lapping against her skin. He walked toward her, his long strides careful, purposeful. Each step followed the faint path he had left in the snow, his breath visible in the cold air.

Katie’s pulse quickened. A part of her wanted to sink below the surface, to disappear into the steam and pretend he hadn’t found her sanctuary. But she couldn’t move—his presence rooted her in place.

He stopped just short of the tub, crouching in the snow until he was at her eye level. For a moment, he said nothing, just held her gaze with an intensity that made her breath hitch. Then, without a word, he extended his hand, offering her a glass of wine.

“I don’t think I should have another,” Katie told him, sinking deeper into the water, until it was only her head that bobbed above the surface. 

Jeremy smirked, holding the glass just out of her reach. “Considering your last one ended up all over the table, I don’t think this one will hurt.” 

Her arm emerged cautiously from the water, ripping the surface as she reached for the glass. Their fingers brushed, and this time, neither of them pulled away. They both held the glass, a sudden grounding force that had Katie easing herself out of the water. Her swimsuit clung to her skim, emphasizing the soft curves of her body. For a moment, and his warm eyes dragged over her body,  Jeremy looked as though he might climb in, fully dressed. 

But instead, he leaned in closer, his voice low and intimate, meant for her ears alone. “You left the dinner table because of me, didn’t you?”

Katie’s face flushed red hot. 

“There were many reasons I didn’t want to be seated at that table,” she said, her voice steady despite the way his gaze held her captive. For the first time all evening, she didn’t look away. Instead she allowed herself a moment to take him in–the quiet intensity of his eyes, the subtle curve of his lips, and the he seemed entirely at ease yet so focused on her.

“You weren’t one of them” she continued, her tone softening. 

Jeremy’s grin deepened, soft but unmistakably wicked. "Good, because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since you walked in tonight."

Her pulse quickened, the admission sending a ripple through her resolve. But she managed to hold her ground, her voice quieter now. "We can’t… do this."

Jeremy’s grin turned playful, though his eyes remained serious. “Dottie and Parker were busy in the kitchen-”

“You know that’s not what I meant, Jeremy,” Katie said, her tone growing firmer. 

“I know,” he admitted, exhaling as he let the glass fall into her hold alone. Then, he sat himself down on the hard plastic of the hot tub. His hand dipped down into the water, swirling it idly. “Anything else I can do to help you relax?”

Katie hesitated, gripping the rim of the tub as if it would keep her from doing anything stupid. “We can’t,” she repeated. 

“Why not? You didn’t seem to have any problem with us before.”

Her breath hitched. “I didn’t know who you were before.”

Jeremy’s brow lifted, his smirk returning. “Oh, so you only sleep with strangers, that’s it? Kinky.”

“No, no that’s not-” Katie stammered, her words tangling her tongue as she tried to protest. 

“Is it that you think I’m too young for you?” Jeremy pressed, his teasing tone refusing to let up. 

Katie groaned, the sound low and frustrated. His words hit a nerve. Her chest tightened at the thought—how similar their relationship was to the one Ronnie had with Monica. She hated that she could compare herself  to the man who had once made her feel small and uncertain of herself.

“I knew you were younger,” she shot back. 

“Then I don’t see the-”

Her voice dropped, heavy with finality. “I don’t sleep with my son’s friends.”

“That’s a shame,” Jeremy spoke, his tone low and edged with humor, “you would’ve been the perfect gift for me to unwrap for the first night of Hannukah.” Slowly, Jeremy pushed himself to his feet, and brushed the snow from his pants as he prepared to leave. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me, Katie.”

With that, Jeremy turned, retracing his footprints back into the house. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Katie alone once more. She stared down at the wine glass in her hand, watching it swirl as she twisted it between her fingers. The dark liquid swirled hypnotically, tempting her into taking a sip, to dull the tensions that crept back into her shoulders. But she knew better. Wine had a way of loosening her resolve, and the last thing she needed was to make the same mistake twice. 

Katie tipped the glass, slowly pouring it into the snow. The deep red stained the pristine white, fading to pink as the liquid seeped in. She smiled softly at the colors, a fleeting moment of calm, until the door creaked open again, followed by an exaggerated gasp.

“I can’t believe you just wasted perfectly good wine,” Dottie explained, her tone somewhere between mock horror and genuine disapproval.

Katie chucked, shaking her head without looking back., “How long have you been watching from the window?”

“The whole time,” Dottie smiled devilishly, “Thought you and lover boy were about to give me a show.”

Katie groaned, sinking further into the warmth of the hot tub. “You’re the worst.”

“I’m the best,” Dottie corrected, perching on the edge of the tub like a cat ready to pounce. “So? What did he say?”

“Nothing appropriate,” Katie groaned, leaning back in the comforting warmth of the hot tub. 

“I like him!” Dottie announced with a grin. 

“Of course you do,” Katie deadpanned.

“So you’re going to bang, right?”

“Dottie!”

“What?” Dottie said innocently, though her grin only grew. “He’s hot, he’s into you, and you’re clearly into him. Win-win.”

“He’s Parker’s friend,” Katie reminded her, her face falling into a semblance of a frown. “And practically his age. If Parker ever found out… he’d never talk to me again. It can’t  happen, not here, not now. Especially not here, not at Christmas.”

Dottie’s teasing expression softened. “I get it. I  do,” she said, her tone gentler. “Parker’s your whole world. He’s been it since the moment he was born. Your number one priority, and he’s done all of this for us this year because of what you’ve sacrificed to get him here–a loveless marriage, a career that paid well but wasn’t your dream job. You’ve sacrificed everything for that boy. Just once, can’t you put yourself first? For me? Please.” Dottie punctuated her words with a soft pout. 

Katie sighed, reaching for her robe as she climbed out of the hot tub. The icy air hit her like a slap, sending a shiver down her spine. “It’s not that simple, Dot,” Katie said, pulling her robe tightly around her. “This isn’t like buying a purse at TJ Maxx as a treat or not going to my ex-husband’s wedding.”

“No,” Dottie agreed, “It’s so much better. He’s a good guy, Katie”

“I know he is.”

“And a good lay,” Dottie spoke pointedly, as if Katie needed to be reminded. 

Katie froze, her cheeks heating despite the cold. The memory of Boston was etched in her mind–the way Jeremy’s hand felt on her skin, the heat of his lips on hers. It had been intoxicated, a high she hadn’t been able to replicate since. 

“He was,” Katie admitted quietly. 

“And the opportunity may never come again. So why waste it?” Dottie challenged one last time, before she was gone, disappearing into the house. 

Katie stood there for a moment, staring after her friend. By the time Katie reached the door, her mind was racing. She knew Parker was reason enough to say no, but deep down, she couldn’t help but wonder how much longer she could keep saying no– to Jeremy, and to herself. 

Katie stood in front of the mirror in her room, twisting a damp strand of hair around her finger. The heat from the hot tub had left her skin pink and glowing, a small consolation after the tension-filled evening. She sighed, pulling on the soft flannel pajamas she’d bought for everyone weeks ago—a coordinated tradition she’d insisted on, despite Parker’s protests about dragging family traditions across the country for Christmas.

Everyone except Jeremy.

She tugged at the sleeves of her red-and-green plaid top, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles as her mind lingered on him. If she’d known he’d be here, she might’ve sent him a pair too. Or maybe not. Matching pajamas felt too… intimate.

Katie shook her head, banishing the thought as she grabbed the pile of neatly wrapped presents from the top of the dresser. She’d even bought one for Monica, a gesture that left a sour taste in her mouth. The wretched woman didn’t deserve a gift—not when Jeremy, so sweet and thoughtful, would go without. Her frown deepened as she glanced at each tag one last time before heading upstairs.

The Christmas tree’s glow bathed the living room in soft, warm light. The house had grown quiet, the others retreating to their rooms as the night stretched on. Katie knelt by the tree, arranging her presents carefully beneath the branches. Her fingers lingered on a ribbon as she gazed at the growing pile of gifts.

This was supposed to be a time for joy, for family, for simple traditions. But tonight felt different—complicated, like an invisible thread pulling her toward something she wasn’t sure she wanted.

With a sigh, she padded downstairs to her room, her bare feet quiet against the cold floor. She wasn’t ready for bed, not yet. Not when there were a few stolen moments left for herself.

Grabbing her book from her bag, Katie settled into the basement’s common area. Beyond the bathroom door, she heard the shower running, but she paid it no mind. The soft pages of her book soon drew her in, offering an escape from the thoughts she wasn’t ready to face.

Katie wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting there—minutes or hours, time blurred by the quiet escape of her book. She didn’t look up until light spilled into the room, stretching across the floor and casting her shadow. 

“Parker, is that you?” she called softly, tilting her head to catch a glimpse of the figure beyond the bathroom door.

Katie’s gaze drifted upward, and at first, all she saw was the stretch of a shadow across the floor, long and shifting as if testing its reach. Her breath caught as the figure emerged from the light—a broad silhouette that sent a prickle of heat to her cheeks before her mind even registered who it was.

Jeremy stepped into view, a towel slung low around his hips, his hair damp and dripping. The droplets of water rolled down Jeremy’s chest, catching the light in a way that made her stomach twist. He didn’t seem to notice her staring—or maybe he did, and he was just taking his time, leaning casually against the doorframe as if oblivious to the effect he was having on her. Katie’s breath hitched, her earlier curiosity replaced by a sudden wish she’d stayed silent.

At first, neither of them moved. The hum of the bathroom light buzzed faintly, a subtle intrusion into the heavy stillness between them. Katie swallowed hard, the weight of his gaze pressing down on her as if daring her to speak first. Her mouth opened, words poised on her tongue, but nothing came out. Her brain screamed at her to look away, to act normal, but her eyes betrayed her, tracing the path of a water droplet as it slid down his collarbone and disappeared beneath the edge of the towel.

“Didn’t realize anyone was still up,” Jeremy said, his voice low as he ran a hand through his wet hair. “Did I wake you?”

“No,” Katie replied, holding up her book. “Needed a distraction to wind down.”

“A distraction from what?” he asked, stepping closer, one hand securing the towel at his waist.

“Everything,” she admitted, closing the book and setting it aside.

“Even me?” Jeremy’s voice was softer now, a faint edge of something unreadable in his tone.

“Especially you,” She didn’t mean for it to sound like a confession, but the way his brow lifted told her he’d heard it that way.

Rising from her chair, Katie moved toward him, her pulse quickening as the space between them disappeared. “I feel bad. If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve…”

“Would’ve what?”

“Gotten you a gift to unwrap,” she said, her words catching on a breath. For a moment, she hesitated, the tension between them thick and unspoken. “But I guess…” Her lips curled into a small, teasing smile. “I’ll have to do.”

“Come here,” Jeremy murmured, his voice barely audible, and before she could decide whether to step back or lean in, his hand moved—leaving the towel at his hips precariously loose.

Her stomach fluttered as his fingers found her waist, warm and firm through the thin flannel of her pajamas. The fabric bunched beneath his touch, the sensation sending a shiver skimming down her spine.

Jeremy lifted her effortlessly, the movement fluid and sure, his strength impossible to ignore as her pulse quickened. Katie’s breath caught, her hands instinctively finding his shoulders, while her legs wound around his hips. Her fingers brushed against his damp skin, warm and slick from his shower, and the contact sent a shiver coursing through her.

She barely had time to process the rush of feeling his body against hers, before she leaned in, her lips seeking his.

The first brush of their mouths sent a jolt through her, soft and electric. Her hand cupped his face, her fingers slipping into his damp hair as she deepened the kiss. A soft sound escaped her, unbidden and raw, as her body seemed to melt against him, surrendering to the moment.

Jeremy’s grip shifted, one hand leaving her waist to slide down and settle firmly against the back of her thigh. The possessiveness of his touch sent heat spiraling through her, igniting a spark that made her dizzy. Without breaking the kiss, he carried her with purposeful strides into the bedroom that had been assigned to him for the holidays.

A single arm reached out blindly as she sought out the door. Her knuckles hit the door frame first, sending a stinging pain through her hand as it found the door and shoved it back with the flick of her wrist. It was her body that secured it shut, Jeremy pressing her back firmly up against it, trapping her frame between the door and the strength of his body. 

“Lock it,” she panted against his lips, “lock it.”

Katie wanted to be sure that if she was going to fall into bed with Jeremey again, she wasn’t going to make the mistake of getting caught. 

A single hand strayed away from her for but a moment, the sound of the lock engaging was like the strike of a match that ignited the smoldering ashes inside her into a burning rage. Inside his room,  nothing beyond the door mattered. It was just her and Jeremy. 

With her body pressed up against the door, and the door locked, Jeremy’s hands traced the curves of her body. They dipped down as they traced her waist, and out over the swell of her hips before gripping at the softness of her thighs as he drew her away from the door with an effortlessness that left Katie gasping. 

It never ceased to amaze her how Jeremy carried her like she weighed nothing at all. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t falter, not even when his towel slipped or his steps tangled in the fabric. He only chuckled softly, against her skin, his hot breath washing over her cheek warm and reassuring as his lips teased her with the ghost of a kiss. 

Katie’s fingers brushed against his damp skin, feeling the strength beneath, the steadiness in how he held her. He didn’t complain—didn’t call her too heavy, or too demanding. Those words, the ones Ronnie had thrown at her like weapons, dissolved into nothingness in Jeremy’s arms.

Instead, Jeremy’s grip on her was firm but gentle, his touch reverent, as though he cherished the weight of her against him – he welcomed it even, as he sat down on the bed and welcomed her into his lap. He didn’t make her feel like a burden. He made her feel wanted.

Her chest tightened–just as her legs did around his thighs–and she bit her lip, a wave of emotion catching her off guard. He made her feel wanted. The feeling of needing him–and being needed– was all consuming, so unexpected, Katie had to fight back tears as her eyes danced over the soft expression on Jeremy’s face. 

She couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes flickered down to meet hers, a quiet smile playing at the corners of his mouth. There was no blame, no irritation, only quiet determination and an unmistakable softness that made her feel like the most precious thing in the world– and she would be for as long as she let herself be in his arms. 

Her touch was trembling as it left his shoulders, the tips of her fingers traced up the back of his neck and into the wet curls that hung there. Slowly, her grip tightened, twisting the soft strands between her fingers. Jeremy’s head eased back into her pull, and his mouth fell open in a ghost of a slack jawed moan. 

The sight of him left Katie breathless, her entire body tensing at a single fact; she was the one doing this to him. 

With her heart pounding so hard Katie thought her ribcage might rattle, her hips began to roll. The soft cotton fabric of her pajama bottoms was the only thing keeping her dragging her aching core over the expanse of his thick thighs. Her body quivered, her eyes fluttering shut, at the feeling of his hands on her hips. His fingers dug into her soft flesh, pulling her body in close, further up his lap so she could feel the stiffness of his cock between her legs. 

Jeremy whispered against her cheek, his hot breath washing over her with every word. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”

Katie wanted to groan as angled her hips over him, her clothed core dragging up his length as a distraction from her racing mind that had wanted nothing but to ignore the very thought of his body against hers. Even as she was so close to having him, the last thing Katie wanted to do was think. So, she did the only thing she knew would cloud her mind in the best ways. She acted. 

With her fingers still tangled in the curls of his hair, Katie’s lips swallowed every word that threatened to spill from his mouth with a kiss. The kiss was deep and hungry.  Katie could taste the sweetness of his toothpaste on his tongue as her own parted his lips and stroked only his teeth. 

Jeremy’s body vibrated with the vibrato of his satisfied hum, his kiss meeting the eagerness of her own before it left her lips and left a heated trail across the angles of her jaw and down. His tongue stroked along her neck slowly, priming the delicate skin there for the careful graze of his teeth. 

“Don’t,” Katie gasped out, her grasp on his hair tightening. As much as she liked it, the risk in letting her mark up the curves of neck was too great. If it was another time, another place, when her family wasn’t going to greet her in the morning, maybe Katie would have let him. 

“Alright, alright,” Jeremy assured with soft understanding against her neck before he peppered soft kisses where her neck met her shoulder, “I’ll be good. No teeth,” he continued as he hands coasted over her hips and found the bottom of her shirt, “but this, this comes off now.”

His hand then dropped to the top of her thigh, stroking over the thick expanse slowly. “And so do these.”

Licking her lips, Katie raised her arms up slowly. For a moment, she saw only darkness as her shirt was pulled up and over her face. It was lost somewhere in the room. The floor, the foot of the bed—she didn’t know where it ended up. All she knew was that as quickly as her shirt came off, she was flipped onto her back.

A gasp escaped her, one that quickly became a soft moan as the heat of Jeremey’s mouth traveled over the curves of her body. His kiss started as a simple peck against her neck, but as it continued downward it became a sloppy kiss over her collarbone. Hockey hardened hands were coarse but gentle over her breasts as he caressed them, bringing them together and giving them the brief attention of his kiss before he was kissing her stomach and the peak of each hip. 

His every breath washed over her, heating the cotton of her panties as he lay between her legs. Katie lay there, biting her lips as she waited for the touch of his hands to flutter over the fabric, but her eyes went wide as she only felt his mouth. Jeremy kissed over her clothed core slowly, his teeth tugging at the fabric that snapped back against her body with a satisfying sound. 

“Jeremy,” she breathed out, her head leaving the pillow to look down at him as he smiled from between her legs. 

His tongue traces slowly up and down the length of the fabric, her legs tensing at the teasing stroked. Slowly she bent them, her hips widening for him. Then, as if she had welcomed it, Jeremy’s fingers traced along the edges of her panties. He teased the sensitive flesh there, pausing only to trace over a small constellation of freckles, before he dipped two fingers inside. They hooked the crotch of her panties, surely feeling the wetness of her arousal there as he pulled them aside. 

Jeremy tucked the fabric off to the side, placing them carefully to assure they wouldn’t slip back into place. His two fingers dragged up and down her slick cunt, dragging the wetness of her core up to her clit before circling slowly. 

A spark of electricity ran its course through Katie’s body, straight from her core to her finger tips, sending her hips bucking up into his touch. Each circle of his fingers was like twisting up a wind up toy, building the pressure up closer and closer but Jeremy wasn’t ready to let her reach her release. 

Dragging his fingers down, he parted her and slowly slipped his digits inside. Her warm embrace welcomed him as Katie angled her hips down, welcoming the slow and steady pulse of his fingers. Jeremy worked her slowly, his fingers seeking out the most sensitive part of her, sending her dripping down his fingers with the careful roll of her hips. Getting her so close with the mere touch of him, until he pulled them free and sat up on his knees in the bed. 

Their eyes met, Jeremy making sure she was watching, as he brought his glistening fingers to his lips and tasted her. 

Katie fought back a moan. 

“You taste as good as I remember,” he hummed, the rumble of his words forcing Katie to take in a sharp inhale. They left her holding her breath until her lungs burned, suffocating, as he dragged her panties down the length of her legs and lost them among the rest of her clothes on the floor. 

Katie lay still in the bed, her eyes fixated on the ceiling as she felt Jeremy’s weight leave the bed. The sudden sound of his suitcase zipper had her jolting on the bed, her hand raising to her chest, only to be calmed by the rip of the condom wrapper. He was gone just long enough to work it onto his cock before Jeremy was crawling back onto the bed, his body hovering over hers. 

“Let me spoil you,” Jeremy spoke in a dreamy whisper, his hand raising to stroke her hair back over her shoulder. He leaned in, and Katie welcomed his kiss with a desperate one of her own. Her hands clutched to his back, one travelling up into the curls are the nap of his neck as Jeremy worked blindly between her legs. His cock fumbled up and down, searching for her core, and only did he find it when she angled her hips up. 

Her core flexed at the mere feeling of him, Jeremy letting out a satisfied hum into her mouth as he kissed her. His mouth didn’t leave hers, not even as his hands stroke down the curves of his waist in search of her hips. His firm hold held them in place as he angled his hips, his cock hitting the safe place his fingers had teased her. 

Katie’s lips fell agape in a gasp. 

“See,” Katie could hear the satisfied grin on his face in his words as he spoke, “I remember just what you like.”

“You do,” she panted, her hand coming up to rest over her lips to muffle her own words in fear that someone might hear her, “you do.”

“What do I do, Katie? I want to hear you say it.”

“You make me feel so good. You-You-” she stuttered through her words, her entire body weak as her climax became closer and closer to being all consuming. She was so close her words left in a rush of air from her lips, “you make me feel beautiful…”

“You are beautiful, Katie,” Jeremy spoke out in a breath, his words firm and genuine as he gripped at the pillow beneath her head. It anchored him as he leaned in burying his face in her hair and placed a simple kiss there. 

His hips collided with hers a little harder, each impact filling the room with a flat smack, pushing his cock to the very limits of her body. It left her reeling, her core clenching around his cock as her fingers clenched into fists around the sheets. 

“My beautiful,” he panted, his teeth gritting as he buried his face further into her hair, until he was placing a sloppy heated kiss to the curve of her neck. It was a kiss that became a strangled groan as he came, “my beautiful gift.”

They lay there together, still and panting for a moment, Katie’s hands releasing the bedsheets and finding Jeremy’s body. It became heavy over hers as she relaxed, her fingers tracing down the strength of his back like raindrops. And when they fell back down to the bed, and Jeremy had stroked her mess of red hair from her face with the gentle touch of his hand, Jeremy eased his weight from her, and his cock out of her. 

The cold air began to settle over her naked body, the sweat that was either his or her own, was left feeling like ice as she was left with nothing but the void of him. Katie brought her legs together slowly, and her arms reached out blindly for the blanket that was left wrinkled over the bed. She drew it into her chest, hugging it to her naked frame and the vulnerabilities that came with being in his bed. 

Rolling over, Katie watched as Jeremy moved towards the trash bin in the corner of the room. He stood there, still naked, with his back to her as he pulled off the condom and crouched down to bury it at the bottom of the bin.  

Katie’s head lulled, her eyes taking dreamy blinks as he moved through the room. She knew she should have been getting dressed. That she should have already snuck back into her own room. But there was something about Jeremy that made her feel calm, comfortable, and it had her burying her head in the pillow just to stay a little longer. 

When Katie glanced back up, her eyes met the sight of his pajama pants draped low on Jeremy’s hips, the red-and-green plaid matching the family set perfectly. It was an absurd sight—this six-foot-something man lounging in her carefully coordinated Christmas tradition. Her gaze lingered on his Adonis belt and how it disappeared into his pants, but her curiosity quickly got the better of her. 

“Did Parker get you those?” she asked softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the unease still sitting in her chest. 

Jeremy nodded, looking down at the pants like they were some rare artifact. “Yeah. Said he didn’t want me feeling left out.”

Her heart squeezed painfully at his words. Parker was thoughtful like that, always looking out for everyone—even her. And how did she repay him? By sleeping with his teammate, not once, but twice. Her stomach did a flip in her stomach, bile creeping up the back of her throat – or maybe it was a sob. Katie couldn’t help but feel guilty. Leaning her head back against the headboard, she brought her hands up to cover her face.

“Hey,” Jeremy said gently, reaching out to brush her knee. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” she asked, her voice muffled behind her hands.

“Regret this,” he said simply, his tone so full of warmth it made her chest ache.

Katie pulled her hands away, letting out a bitter laugh. “He’s my son, Jeremy.”

“And I’m not,” he replied, his voice steady but careful.

She blinked, fighting back the hot acid of tears that began to build in her eyes. “But you’re—”

“I know,” he cut her off, his voice dropping lower, like he wanted to spare her the burden of finishing the sentence.

“Is that why you’re here?” she asked, her words trembling as she tried to keep her composure. “Because he’s my son, and you knew I’d be here?”

Jeremy hesitated, his silence weighing heavy in the room. He ran a hand through his hair, damp curls sticking to his forehead. 

“It’s a half-truth,” he admitted finally, his gaze locked on hers. “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t asked. It beats spending the holidays alone. But I won’t lie, Katie—you were a factor in me saying yes. I wanted to see you. And… you never called.”

Her breath hitched. She looked away, her lips pressing together in a firm line. Her shoulders sunk under the weight of everything she’d been carrying. She had gone on dates since their nights together. Men closer to her age. Friends of friends, her own coworkers, and men she had met on trendy dating apps. But none of them had looked at her the way Jeremy did—with respect, with adoration, like she was the only thing in the room worth noticing.

 “I couldn’t,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Not even when I wanted to.”

“You wanted to?” Jeremy spoke, his voice breaking. 

Katie nodded slowly, her throat tightening as tears welled in her eyes. She hesitated, her gaze faltering before finally lifting to meet his stare that was fixated on her. 

Jeremy’s grin softened into something tender as he reached for her, cupping her face in his hands. He kissed her, his lips warm and gentle, and she melted into him, her hands sliding over his as she held him there, savoring the moment.

“Stay in bed with me tonight,” he murmured against her lips.

“I shouldn’t,” she whispered, pulling back just enough to look at him, her resolve wavering.

“We can lock the door,” he offered, his tone light but his eyes searching hers. He knew the risk. They could get caught by anyone at any moment, but to him, she was worth the risk. “I want to wake up next to you on Christmas morning.”

Slowly, she slipped out of bed and crossed the room to the door. She turned the lock with a quiet click, the sound oddly satisfying.

When she turned back, Jeremy was watching her, his smile growing as she climbed back into bed beside him. She settled against his chest, his arms wrapping around as if this wasn’t the very first time she had crawled into bed with him for anything more than just sex. 

“Goodnight, Katie,” he whispered, pressing a kiss into her hair. 

“Goodnight, Jeremy,” she replied softly, her eyes closing as the warmth of his embrace lulled her to sleep.

There was no morning light filtering into the basement bedroom when Katie stirred. The only light, the soft green glow of the digital clock on the bedside table. Katie stirred awake, only because she heard footsteps overhead, the first signs of someone else being awake. It should have panicked her, but with the haze of sleep still heavy on her, Katie was quickly distracted by the  steady rise and fall of Jeremy’s chest beneath her cheek. His arms were exactly where she had left them when she had fallen asleep, securely around her waist.

Her breath caught for a moment as she shifted slightly, careful not to disturb him. Her eyes landed on the clock across the room—it was early, but not too early. Upstairs, where a single set of footsteps wandered in careful steps, Katie was sure it was one of the adults that was awake, not the children. And with the assumption, Katie gifted herself a rare moment of peace– one she wanted to savor.

Katie lifted her head just enough to look at him. His features were softened in sleep, his jaw slacked in such a way that a soft snore left his lips. Without thinking, Katie leaned in, pressing a feather-light kiss to his chin, the scruff of his jaw rough against her lips.

Jeremy stirred, a low hum escaping his throat before his eyes fluttered open. A drowsy smile spread across his face as he took her in. “Merry Christmas to me,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

“Someone’s awake upstairs,” she murmured gently, pressing a soft kiss to his chest before reluctantly pulling away from his warmth and slipping out of bed. “I can’t linger, but you…” She glanced back at him. “You need to wait before coming up. Give it a few minutes—maybe an hour, just to be safe.”

Bending over, Katie collected each of her articles of clothing from where they had ended up in the room. Her shirt had been tossed on the floor, a heat on the carpet that she almost tripped on as she reached for her pants that were left tangled with the top sheet at the foot of the bed. She held them both in her arms, hugged her body, as she searched for her panties. 

“I’ll give you a 10 minute head start,” Jeremy offered her, his words firm and free of sleep, drawing her attention back to him. Katie saw his smile first, his warm brown eyes taking her in as she stood frantic and naked in his room. Then coming between them, was his hand raising her red panties in the air like a trophy. 

Her hand lurched out to them, but Jeremy tugged them away with a playful chuckle, “You get 10 minutes, because I make my girl breakfast after a night cap.”

Katie crawled onto the bed, her movements deliberate as she stretched across his body, reaching for the silky red fabric he held just out of reach. Jeremy’s teasing grin only fueled her determination, and it wasn’t until she straddled his lap—her knees sinking into the mattress on either side of him—that she managed to grab hold of them. The duvet draped over his hips did little to shield the heat between them, her fist curling tightly around the panties as she froze, suddenly aware of the position she’d put herself in.

Her breath hitched, her chest rising and falling with a rhythm she couldn’t quite control. For a moment, she let her gaze drop, her pulse thundering in her ears as she took him in. The way he was watching her—smirking yet his face soft with amusement, and the way his hands rested lightly on her thighs—was too much and not enough all at once.

Shaking off the rush of emotions that threatened to consume her, Katie tilted her head, fixing him with a look meant to convey the control she didn’t entirely feel. “I’m not your girl,” she said, her voice low but firm, though the pounding of her heart betrayed the words.

“You were last night,” he chirped, and Katie’s entire body ignited with a heat that left her sweating as she climbed off of him, and out of the bed. 

“Enough of that,” she pointed a finger at him to try to get her point across, but as firm as she was, there was no hiding the color that flooded her cheeks. 

Katie quickly turned in place, hoping that he hadn’t seen the effect he had on her– which she undoubtedly already knew. She hopped into her clothes, one article at a time before tugging her shirt over her head and fixing the buttons just right. 

Behind her, Jeremy’s hum of amusement reached her ears. “Don’t pretend like you don’t like it, Katie.”

Her fingers froze mid-button for a split second before continuing their work. She didn’t dare look back, knowing his grin would only make it worse. Instead, she raked her fingers through her messy auburn hair, took a steadying breath, and reached for the door handle.

The lock clicked, and a gust of cool air washed over Katie as she left the seclusion of Jeremy’s bedroom and ventured into the rest of the house. She moved on the tips of her toes, pausing at her bedroom door. The bed inside was still perfectly made, untouched.

A lump caught in her throat, tight and suffocating. She reached out, pulling the door shut with trembling fingers. The sharp sound of the latch falling into place almost made her jump—or maybe it was the sudden crash of dishes upstairs.

Her heart leapt as her feet carried her quickly up the stairs, past the landing that overlooked the kitchen and dining room. “What the hell just happened?” she called out, her hands raised for emphasis.

Dottie popped up in the kitchen, bright and cheerful, her grin as radiant as the morning sun. “Morning, Porn Star!”

Katie recoiled, as if Dottie’s words had struck her square in the chest. Her breath caught, her body stiffening under the weight of the teasing. She stood frozen, heat rushing to her cheeks as her mind scrambled for a response. But Dottie, as carefree as ever, simply leaned against the counter with a smug grin, her words landing like a well-placed jab that didn’t miss its mark.

“I was hoping you’d have that reaction,” Dottie said, practically glowing with mischief. “Means you listened to me, for once.” She rested her chin in her hands, elbows on the counter, poised to devour Katie’s juicy secret. “So, how was it?”

Katie crossed the kitchen in a few quick strides, lowering her voice as she leaned closer to Dottie. Through clenched teeth, she hissed, “We are not talking about this right now.”

To Katie’s relief, before the conversation could continue, the twins tore down the stairs, their excitement carrying them straight toward the mountain of gifts under the tree.

“Ah, ah!” Dottie tutted, snapping them back in line with a pointed look. “You know the rules—breakfast as a family before presents!”

The boys didn’t argue. They knew better. Instead, they dropped into the same chairs they’d claimed at dinner the night before, their murmured chatter barely audible over the soft strains of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas floating from Dottie’s Bluetooth speaker.

Their father appeared moments later, kissing Dottie’s cheek as he passed through the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. The quiet routine of family life settled over the house, and for a moment, Katie almost let herself relax. She busied herself alongside Dottie, both of them working in sync to prepare a feast of eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, and fresh fruit—a classic Christmas breakfast meant to keep everyone full until dinner.

It wasn’t an easy task for just the two of them, but they worked in a comfortable rhythm… until Jeremy emerged.

Cresting from the shadows of the basement, Jeremy strode into the kitchen, all smug smiles and sleepy-eyed confidence. His gaze locked onto her immediately, unrelenting, like a spotlight she couldn’t escape.

Katie bit her lower lip as she glanced at the clock on the microwave. Eight minutes. He’d waited all of eight minutes.

“You ladies need help here?” Jeremy asked, his voice far too cheerful for someone who had just rolled out of bed.

Katie hummed to hide the groan that threatened to rip up her throat. She had hoped he’d shuffle up half-asleep, groggy and disheveled, like a teenager dragged from bed. Instead, Jeremy radiated a just-been-fucked glow that buzzed with energy. A good night's sleep after sex would always be more effective than caffeine ever could be.

“We’ll manage,” Katie said stiffly, pressing her lips into a firm line.

“I insist,” he said with an infuriatingly easy grin, stepping into the space Dottie had conveniently vacated.

His elbow brushed hers as he slid into the chaos of their morning with a natural ease that made her stomach tighten. He moved like he belonged there, like this wasn’t the first time he’d stood beside her in the kitchen during Christmas breakfast.

Katie struggled to stay focused, her movements stiff and mechanical as she whisked the eggs. Beside her, Jeremy was too close, too casual, and far too smug for her liking.

And Dottie? She hid her knowing grin behind the rim of her coffee mug, her eyes twinkling as they darted between Katie and Jeremy. “You two look cozy,” she teased lightly, before turning toward the living room. “I’ll go make sure the kids don’t sneak any presents while you two finish up here–”

Unlike dinner, there were no forced pleasantries over breakfast. No conversations. Only sleepy morning greetings and yawns before the clink of clamor of cutlery against plates. And after breakfast was enjoyed, and the remnants of breakfast were cleared away, everyone gathered  around the tree for the long-awaited exchange of gifts. 

The twins dove straight into their stockings, a tradition upheld, the stocking filled by family instead now that the twins were too old for Santa. Each and every one of them had them, filled with trinkets, toys and novelties that would be lost and thrown away by next Christmas. 

Katie sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the couch, watching the joy light up on everyone’s faces, her own stocking untouched as it leaned against her lap. It remained untouched, as she stood up, leaving it half spilt on the floor as she carefully handed out gifts one by one. Her gaze softened as she watched the others unwrapped their gifts, her heart swelling at the simple happiness that surrounded her. Even her own gifts, unwrapped one by one, were thoughtful—reading socks from the twins, a bottle of wine from her ex and his wife, and a spa day from Dottie. But when Parker sat beside her, a small box in hand, she couldn’t be left more in awe by his sweet gesture of taking the time to single her out and exchange his gift to her one on one. 

“This one’s from me,” Parker said, his voice low and almost hesitant as he handed her the gift.

Taking it in both hands, Katie carefully peeled back the wrapping paper and lifted the lid, revealing a delicate necklace that caught the twinkling lights from the tree. Katie’s hand flew to her mouth as her eyes welled with tears.

“You deserve nice things, Mom,” Parker murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You always have.”

Setting the box aside, Katie pulled him into a tight hug, her cheeks wet with tears as she whispered, “What did I do to deserve you as my son?”

She wiped at her cheeks, smiling through her tears, and held the necklace out to him. “Help me with it?”

Parker hesitated, glancing toward Jeremy. “Actually... there’s one more thing upstairs I forgot. Big Dog, you mind helping Mom?”

Jeremy didn’t need to be asked twice. He rose smoothly from his seat where he had perched himself, a simple observer of their Christmas morning. He knelt down behind Katie as she held the necklace in her hands. His fingers brushed over hers as he took the delicate chain. Katie’s next movements felt like they were in slow motion. Both arms reached up, clutching her hair up and opening her neck up for him. His fingers brushed against the delicate skin of her collarbone, sending a jolt of electricity through her body, as he clasped the jewelry around her neck. His touch lingered, longer after he let his hands all away– so long that Katie thought his touch might have etched into her skin forever. 

Katie raised her hand up, letting it splay flat over the pendant and where the ghost of Jeremy’s touch was still on her body. 

“Thank you,” she smiled softly. 

“He spent hours picking it out,” Jeremy said, his voice low, “Parker wanted it to be perfect.”

“It is perfect,” Katie murmured, her voice thick with gratitude. She couldn’t imagine anything better.

Jeremy chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Which is why my gift is going to look pathetic in comparison.”

“Your gift?” Katie tilted her head, curious. “Jeremy, you didn’t have to do that.”

“Don’t worry,” Jeremy smiled, “I got gifts for everyone.” 

He handed them out one by one, distracting everyone with their gift, before he stepped over to the tree and pulled out a small gift bag for her. “Just a little something,” he said, handing it to her. 

Katie dipped her hand into the bag, rustling the tissues paper, as she pulled out a leather bound journal. It had a beautiful golden floral pattern on the cover, and its crisp pages were accompanied by a set of sleek pens. Smiling, Katie opened the journal, only for her smile to waver when something began to fall from the pages. Quickly, Katie pressed her thumb down against the page, stopping the paper–no photograph– from falling to the floor. 

Katie’s heart gave a jolt as she flipped it over. Just a glance at it and she was taken back to the dark bar with warm amber lights in Boston. The picture was taken on the very night they had met. Her back had been turned to the camera, her drink meeting the very tips of her fingers as it was served to her. Jeremy had taken the photo. Why? She didn’t know, but now, he was sharing it with her. 

Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him, speechless. 

Jeremy looked around, at what? Katie didn’t look away from him to know, before he leaned in with subtle instruction, “I figured it belonged with the first page.”

Katie’s let her gaze drop, looking over the elegant front on the page that would guide her along the entry. But Jeremy’s messy scrawl had already overtaken the page. 

November 2021 – Boston. 

Katie,

For You, Wherever You Go.

Boston was the first place I met you in that hotel bar. From that moment I knew you were something special. You weren’t just passing through my life; you were leaving an imprint on it. One that I will carry with me always. And I hope I left the same impression on you. 

This journal is for all the places you’ll go and everything you’ll see—whether I’m with you or just cheering you on from wherever I am. But know this: my favorite journey started the moment I met you. 

Katie’s lips fell apart, a shaky breath leaving them as she struggled to find the words today. Then,  she spoke in a soft whisper. “Jeremy–”

Before Katie could thank him, Parker returned, slightly out of breath from his sprint up and down the stairs.

“His gift goes with mine,” Parker said, his smile boyish and proud.

“Oh?” Katie replied, curiosity lacing her voice. She passed the journal off quickly to Dottie, trusting her to guard its secrets.

Parker handed her a simple envelope, Mom written in neat, capital letters across the front. Katie opened it carefully, not wanting to tear the card. Before she could even pull it out, Parker began explaining. “Plane tickets. So you can come back to Boston and watch me play.”

Her breath caught, her hands trembling slightly as she closed the card and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Pulling back, she gazed up at him, her smile soft and full of pride. “It’s perfect. Everything is perfect.”

From the cozy house he had chosen for their holiday to the thoughtful gifts he’d chosen for everyone, Parker had planned every detail with care. Katie’s heart swelled with gratitude and a twinge of guilt for ever doubting that Christmas could be special anywhere but home.

The moment was interrupted by Dottie’s enthusiastic call. “Alright, everyone in front of the tree—family photo time!”

The twins groaned loudly, dragging their feet away from their new mini sticks. They had been gearing up to play hockey with Jeremy as their goaltender, but they knew better than to argue. Reluctantly, they joined their sister and dad by the tree. Ronnie and Monica took their places to the left, leaving room for Parker and Katie on the right.

In their matching pajamas, everyone lined up, leaving Jeremy sitting awkwardly in an armchair nearby.

“I can take the picture,” Jeremy offered, raising his hand.

“No,” Katie said quickly, her voice firmer than intended. Her gaze flicked to him, softening under the weight of his curious eyes. “You should be in the photo too.”

“Oh, I don’t—”

“We insist,” Dottie chimed in with a knowing smile.

“You can stand next to me!” Megan piped up eagerly, but Jeremy was already moving.

“Looks like I can squeeze in right here,” he said softly, stepping behind Katie.

The warmth of his body pressed lightly against her back, grounding her. Then, his hand found its place at the small of her back, where her shirt met the waistband of her pants. The touch was subtle against the skin that played peek-a-boo there—so casual it could be dismissed as accidental by anyone else—but Katie felt the slow, deliberate circles his palm traced.

It wasn’t just a touch. It was a silent message. A thank you. Maybe even something more.

The careful gesture drew her eyes back to him, a fleeting glance that warned him not to get caught. Jeremy’s lips twitched with a hint of a smirk, as if to say, I couldn’t help myself.

Wearing a small smile of her own, Katie turned her attention back to the camera. Around her, the room was filled with the warmth of Christmas morning—the hum of quiet laughter, the sparkle of lights on the tree, and the lingering scent of fresh coffee and pine.

For the first time since her divorce, the holiday didn’t feel like something to get through. It felt like a gift—a quiet, unspoken promise that maybe, just maybe, this was how it was meant to be.

The flash went off, capturing not just the moment, but the secrets she would forever keep, wrapped in the glow of a Christmas they’d never forget.

TAGLIST: @mp0625 , @starshine-hockey-girl , @wingedwheelprxncess , @kurlyteuvo , @couldawouldashoulda50, @callsign-denmark , @xciciix , @puckmaidens , @hockeyboysimagines , @hagelpoint-3821

[ladamedusoif]

Fairy Lights (Frankie Morales x F!Reader)

A Merry Fic-Mas - December 23

Part of A Merry Fic-Mas: A Pedro Boy Holiday Fic Calendar - click for masterlist.

Follow my writing blog, @ladameecrit, and turn on notifications to keep up with my fics.

Pairing: Frankie Morales x F!Reader

Word count: 1450

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Established relationship; fluff central; no use of Y/N; no physical descriptions of reader; Frankie is a girl dad

A/N: Can be read as the same relationship/pairing seen in ‘Sweets’ and ‘Candles’ from this series.

When you’d finally made the decision to move in together, Frankie had one stipulation: his little girl should have her own room, for when she came to stay. 

You’d both agreed that moving into your place was best - you owned it, it was a proper house, as opposed to Frankie’s small rental apartment, and it had a large back garden that you just knew Frankie was scoping out for a swing set and summer barbecue parties.

His lease ended in early December, so it made sense to move in then - but you could tell he was anxious.

“It’s my turn to have her at Christmas,” he explained, “and I’m just - I dunno, I’m just worried she won’t feel at home here, not yet.”

“We don’t have to do this, Frankie,” you’d offered, trying not to let your own anxieties show. “If you feel it would be better for her not to.”

He shook his head and took your hand, bringing it to his mouth and covering it with kisses. “I need to wake up beside you every day, baby. I want this so much.” 

“Me too. Frankie - does she like me?”

“C’mon, baby,” he’d sighed, pulling you to him for a hug. “You know she loves you. You know that, right?”

You nodded as he continued. “It’s just…no matter how much she loves you, it’s a new environment. And with Christmas and all, it might be a lot.” 

“And that little room isn’t in great shape,” you’d added, cursing your decision to put off decorating the smallest bedroom. “It’s a little…bare.”

Frankie’s dark eyes searched yours as you sucked thoughtfully on the inside of your cheek. “You plotting something, bebita?”

***

Frankie and his daughter’s mom agreed that it would be best to have a couple of trial sleepovers in the weeks leading up to Christmas, just after he’d moved in with you. Better that than expecting a five year old to feel comfortable spending the biggest holiday of their year in an unfamiliar house.

You found him staring into the little box room a few days before his daughter’s first visit. With limited funds, you’d had to make the best of the basics in sprucing it up - a simple white bedframe, with pink and purple bedsheets; a matching nightstand, and a wardrobe. There hadn’t been much left for little touches, save for a pink fluffy rug on the hardwood floor and some brightly-coloured curtains. Frankie’s old place had come fully furnished, so he’d only been able to add a few familiar items from her room there: a small bookcase filled with copies of her favourite books, as well as her toys and dolls that lived with her dad. 

You’d tried. He’d tried. But you could tell from his downcast expression that he was still worried.

“She’s got her own bathroom at her mom’s,” he said, eyes revealing how hard he was trying not to offend or hurt you. “That’s Gavin, though.”

Gavin, Frankie’s ex’s partner, was a successful local businessman with a home to match: large, comfortable, perfectly decorated and wanting for nothing. You knew it grated on Frankie, no matter how often his little girl - or her mom, for that matter - reminded him that he was and would always be her daddy, her number one - huge room or no huge room.

“She loved her little room at your old place, Frankie, and this is even more hers - we can paint it and decorate it however she wants, we don’t have to worry about asking for the landlord’s permission.” You reached for his hand and squeezed it. “What matters is that she feels at home here, not how big the room is.”

He’d nodded before changing the subject, asking when you wanted to finish decorating the house for the holidays. As he meandered off to take down a few boxes of decorations from your loft, you stared back into the little room and tried to think.

***

On our way over now. She’s looking forward to seeing you! xxx

On the day of her first stay at your place, Frankie and his little girl had spent the morning hanging out with his mom, doing some Christmas shopping, and visiting their favourite diner for lunch. You sip your coffee at the kitchen table as you wait for them to arrive, hoping this will work out - for Frankie and his daughter’s sakes, above all.

They arrive in a flurry of shopping bags and chatter, the little girl racing into your living room to look at your Christmas tree with her dad. You pop your head around the door frame to say hi, your heart melting at just how like him she is: thick, curly dark hair, olive skin, and those beautiful, sparkling dark eyes. 

She smiles her usual sweet, shy smile and runs over to give you a hug. “I’m excited for our sleepover,” she mumbles, voice muffled by the fact that her face is pressed against your leg. “Daddy said I have a whole new room here.”

“And he’s right,” you add, bringing yourself down to her level. “We made a room just for you, for when you come visit here.”

Frankie rubs the back of his neck nervously. “After the holidays we could look at painting the room however you want, mija,” he suggests, pre-empting a less-than-enthusiastic reaction to the little bedroom. 

You stand up and offer your hand. “Would you like to come see the room?” Her small hand slots into yours and you trot down the hallway together, the little girl detailing exactly what her abuela had for lunch while her dad follows closely behind. 

Frankie had affixed a name sign for her to the bedroom door, and she points at it excitedly. “Maybe Daddy can open the door for you?”, you prompt, and with a deep breath Frankie turns the handle.

You’re not sure who’s more dumbstruck by what they see: Frankie or his little doppelganger. While she starts to wander around the room, mouth slightly open as she takes everything in, he stands just inside the door and keeps looking from the room to you and back again.

“How did…You…How?”

The walls and basic furniture and decor haven’t changed at all, but the room has been transformed since Frankie saw it last with a few simple additions. A stack of folding plastic crates in complementary shades of pink and purple, picked up for a couple of dollars each, stands in the corner, providing storage for art supplies and her toys. You have added a set of stick-on mirrored squares to one wall, creating a sort of full-length mirror that the little girl is already twirling around in front of, her favourite teddy bear in hand. A beanbag with a pink cover is neatly positioned beside the little bookcase, ready to be a perfect reading nook.

But what makes all the difference are fairy lights. One set has been affixed to surround the mirror, entrancing Frankie’s girl as she admires her reflection. Another, this time with pink lights, is wound around the head of her bed, casting her pillows in a warm, rosy glow. And as a seasonal touch, you’ve strung a set of gingerbread man-shaped lights along the top of her wardrobe.

She spins to look at you and Frankie before racing over to him for a tight hug. “Thank you, Daddy. It’s like a magic room.”

He scoops her up and looks at her. “A magic room?”

She nods, expression serious. “With the twinkly lights. It feels like it’s magic.” She wraps her arms around his neck and tells him he is the best.

***

Frankie settles her to sleep that night and returns to flop beside you on the couch. You’re about to pour him some wine when he sits up and mutes the sound on the TV.

“Alright, you didn’t correct her when she thought it was me who did that but I need to know - how.”

You smile as you sip your wine. “What do you mean, how?”

“You know what I mean. The room. The fact you made it look literally magical to her with no budget. How?”

“You just gotta know where to look for bargains, baby,” you explain, thinking about how excited you’d been to find the crates for next to nothing in your favourite bargain store. “And the beanbag is my old one. I just had to get a new cover. Oh - and little girls love fairy lights.”

He shakes his head, amazed and affectionate. “You did all that in a few hours, and for her.”

“For her. For you. But mostly for her. And I’m so glad she likes it.”

[myth-blossom]

Ooh, let's do "Remember Me" !

Did someone order some cute family fluff for their OC? 😊

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISSY! I hope you’re having a great day! 🥳

~

It was another perfect day in their little paradise. The sun shone brightly from a cloudless sky as the pleasant sea breeze kept the family cool and comfortable, their afternoon spent once more with a casual picnic on the private beach. Diana had chosen the location well, the seaside residence a fitting rental for an assassin and handler celebrating their secret child’s second birthday. She enjoyed a moment to bask in the sun as 47 watched over their daughter Madeleine, her bouncy curls tamed by a purple sun hat while she played underneath the safety of a large beach umbrella.

Madeleine seemed to have grown in the blink of an eye from her father’s perspective. Her mother did her best to arrange their visits and exchanges whenever possible, but it was difficult to do so often with the demanding schedule of their profession. Many times 47 had said goodnight to his daughter over the phone and across the world as she laid in her crib, worrying that his presence was becoming unfamiliar to his own child with the many days they spent apart. He felt the weight of that distance as he watched her play on their holiday, her milestones proving how much she had learned in just a matter of months. She was piecing more words together nowadays, a skill she indulged in while pointing at things her mother held and correctly identified them. She was able to kick a ball on her own and blew many kisses with her little hands to both of her parents. They were wonderful achievements for 47 to witness, but a bittersweet experience all the same.

He felt Diana stir from the sand to sit at his side. She wrapped her sun-kissed arms around his waist as he placed his arm around her. He didn’t need to explain for she knew what was on his mind.

“Madeleine asks for you often,” she reminded him. “She likes hearing your voice—she hardly goes to sleep without it.”

He watched their child wave at the sea birds skimming the ocean waves. “I’ve missed so much already. What if she forgets about me?”

“She knows her father, 47,” Diana murmured, pressing a soft kiss to his chest. “She’ll always know.”

They eventually returned to the beach house as the afternoon gave way to evening. Diana unlocked the door and held up a finger to 47 before he could enter, asking him to wait as she searched inside for something. She reappeared a minute later with a Polaroid camera, much to 47’s surprise.

“Here,” she offered, exchanging Madeleine for the camera. “To carry us with you, always.”

47 chuckled softly and kissed Diana tenderly, taking a moment to rest his forehead against hers. He stepped back as Diana stood with Madeleine propped on her hip, kissing her daughter’s cheek and earning a happy giggle in response. They both smiled brightly as 47 snapped a picture.

Madeleine’s giggling slowed as she blinked from the camera’s flash. She looked at her father curiously, unsure of how to react to the unfamiliar device as it ejected the photo of her and her mother. 47 smiled and she smiled back, reaching her hands out for him and asking for Papa Up! next. He nodded to Diana as they again traded Madeleine for the camera. Diana felt a warmth bloom in her chest as 47 looked down at their daughter and she grinned up at him, their hearts fuller than they ever thought possible. 

Prompt Meme

[siriuslysatorusimping]

Merry Christmas! And a lil update from Kiko

Hi. I just needed to get some things out and I’m honestly not sure if I’ll even post this after I finish typing it.

I hope everyone is doing well and having a restful holiday with their families. I’m grateful for everyone here in our lil corner, and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and am looking forward to what 2025(that’s insane to type) brings all of us! (Especially more Goinko 👀)

My update below the cut.

I finished moving today. Finished moving out of a house that, when I moved into it, I thought it would help improve my marriage that was already failing. I thought the things that were happening around us in our old apartment were the catalyst for our arguments and constant fighting, for his refusal to try marriage counseling. I thought that our apartment flooding and the black mold growing in the corners were what caused so much discontent and anger. I thought my boss constantly yelling at me was the reason I was exhausted and unable to handle my husband’s constant criticism and arguing when I got home. But those were only small factors that piled on top of larger issues that lay beneath two incompatible people, one of which was reaching her absolute limit with existing because she was constantly told that any version of who she really was was hard to love and impossible to like.

When we moved into that house, we were so excited. I was so excited for the new possibilities. Then we adopted Atlas and I really thought things could only go up. I was wrong.

I’ve been working on getting things moved over the past month, emptying out the three bedroom house and moving into a one bedroom apartment. I had to figure out how to try to pay rent on unemployment that was only a fraction of what the expenses were, and ended up having to deal with my ex-husband’s condescending accusations that my lack of savings and inability to pay the rent was due to my own shortcomings and not the lack of a job, or the fact that my entire life’s savings disappeared and never returned not long after we got married. I had to deal with him treating me like a stupid teenager who got in over their head when I didn’t get to up and leave all of my rental problems behind for him to fix. I had to fix the broken light switches and stained walls and carpets from his tantrums when he would throw and kick things in my direction but never directly at me so that he could still brag that he’d never hit me. He left within six days of me finally admitting I wanted a divorce, after he forced it out of me by threatening with it like he always did. He up and left, took Atlas without letting me say goodbye, and left everything he didn’t want for me to deal with and try to figure out how to get rid of or sell. Half-finished DIY projects and an electric lawn mower with no battery because he took that to be spiteful.

The past month has been a constant go-go-go while I worked part time, applied for jobs, and cleaned out the house as best I could while living with the constant dread of what I’m going to do once unemployment runs out. It may seem like nothing to some, but I’ve been at my limit all year and I’ve been running on empty for at least the past two years.

I felt a whirlwind of emotions today as I stood in the doorway and stared at the empty house, wiped clean of the evidence that I ever lived there. That the space once held all my hope that if I could just do better, my marriage would be fine, now empty and perfectly spotless thanks to the cleaners who did an incredible job. With the scent of cleaning products and carpet shampoo in the air, it all hit me at once that even though I’ve spent the past month cursing everything to do with that house and saying I wanted nothing more than to be done, I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to leave it behind because it was the last connection I had to the illusion of happiness I’d clung to for so long. A happiness that never truly existed in the first place. Instead of spending Christmas Eve with family, I was finishing up leaving behind a place I’d called home and genuinely loved so much when I moved in. I spent Christmas Eve alone, sobbing as I tried to come to terms with the fact that I felt so unbelievably sad for reasons I couldn’t begin to understand or explain. I don’t miss him. I don’t miss how he treated me or looked at me or spoke to me. I don’t want him back in my life in any way, so why did I feel so damn sad and reluctant to close that front door a final time?

There’s also the anger and bitterness that’s really begun to creep up lately. The rage that burns my chest at the fact that he gets to pretend he did nothing wrong and still treat me like it was all my fault. When he claims he couldn’t pay rent for a place he signed a contract for while he still has a full time job and a $6,000+ bonus coming in a week, while I scrape by on unemployment and still manage to make ends meet after being left with thousands in debt and no savings from the divorce.

Today was me closing out a chapter of my life that there was a time I never thought would come to an end. Officially leaving behind the last thing that truly tied me to my ex husband in any way. I won’t get my full deposit back because there was too much for me to do alone, and I didn’t have any type of energy left to keep working on it. But it’s done. I’ll have more time now to focus on something other than moving, which means I’ll be working and applying for jobs, but also trying to get back into writing more regularly again.

I’ll be around a bit for the holidays because I have a few days off. But like I said before, I hope everyone is resting and having a wonderful time with their families or whatever they’re spending their time doing!

This lil corner has been one of the few positive things in my life, something I never thought would come of my random Gojo brain worm almost two years ago. Thank you all again for the support and love you’ve given this year. I’m really excited for what next year will bring. (Like maybe a short tattoo au one shot)

- Kiko 💕

[ansonghq]

the holiday season is soon approaching and that means the yearly ansong holiday market is upon us!

downtown ansong is dressed up beautifully just in time for the upcoming holiday season! stores and buildings are decorated with lights, garlands, poinsettia's and snowflakes galore and some places even have mini decorated pine trees placed in their window displays. and, if you listen closely, you can hear holiday music playing wherever you go.

in the heart of downtown ansong is where the holiday market takes place. held every year in the month of december, the holiday market serves as downtown ansong's place to be for seasonal gifts, various food, and other holiday themed things to explore and enjoy. this year the market takes place between december 9th until december 15th.

with free entry to all residents, it is one of the premier events that many look forward to during the month. open from 10am to 10pm, people are free to drop by whenever they like to enjoy the market and all it has to offer.

some things to do around the holiday market are:

visit the outdoor ice skating rink right in the center of downtown! rental ice skates are available for residents to use, or even bring your own!

visit the various food stalls that are selling seasonal winter street foods and drinks (including hot chocolate) sponsored by local shops and residents!

build snowmen in our mini winter wonderland area! enter the 'best snowman' contest to possibly win a prize!

enjoy live entertainment by local artists who will be playing various types of music, including seasonal and christmas tunes!

enjoy the winter parade held on the 14th that runs from 5pm to 6pm!

visit the seasonal photobooth & visit various picture areas around the market that has props and other items available to get that perfect winter season snapshot!

come explore the various seasonal light shows & witness the tree lighting ceremony on december 9th at 8pm!

take a stroll through the winter art walk hosted by infinite impressions that showcases various winter themed-art created by our very own local artists!

and, of course, come buy & sell your various seasonal goods at the holiday market! from christmas trees, custom snow globes, ornaments, and more, there is a little bit of everything for everyone!

PART TWO — SNOWED IN?!

the snow seems to be piling up... with no end in sight. a weather report will be addressing the concerns of many residents at 5pm on the local news. more info to come in the upcoming week!

✽ ooc.

welcome to ansonghq's second event, the ansong holiday market! this event is optional and lasts a week in character but runs until january 4th at 11:59pm est out of character! you may continue threads after the event ends, but you cannot start any new ones!

please tag all starters, threads & edits that relate to the event as #ansongholidaymarket!

if your muse would like to be a vendor, have a stall at the market, or play live music during, please dm the main to let us know!

if you would like any of your event edits to be showcased on our hub, make sure to @ the hub ( @ansonghub ) in the post!

this event can unlock multiple base memories centered around winter time and the holiday season, if the player so wishes! these can be done either through threads, event-related edits, or self-paras!

and as always: have fun!!

✽ part two: snowed in.

the second part is a mini-event that will involve lots of snow, the residents of the jeoseung apartment complex, and some questionable weather conditions that cause some... issues regarding the building. this will place muses together in pairs to deal with a mildly precarious situation that we hope will help foster new connections!

just like the main event, this is optional to members and will take place on december 26th & 27th in character but runs between december 20th until january 3rd at 11:59pm est out of character. full details regarding the mini-event will be posted on december 20th @ 10 am est!

if you're interested in your muses participating, sign ups for this will be held from december 9th until december 19th and can be submitted here in this google form!

[gardening-guy]

since i'll eventually take down my holiday tree and pack it away, i wanted to share some of the sentimental and nice ornaments my household of friends and i have collected over time!

oli's sentimental holiday ornaments (part one) 🎄💖🌟

meet chou chou the rainbow sheep and mumé the lil owl! these are two fair-trade, handmade wool felted ornaments bought by my best friend! she was obsessed with chou chou at first sight and consistently wanted to buy out the store's entire stock of them lmaooo. but... they sold out like immediately, so she developed a soft spot for mumé in place lol.

this is a couple fake chandelier crystals from the very shitty rental apartment of two of my close friends! their very shitty apartment came with this huge gaudy chandelier in the living space, and they let me take a few crystals out of spite for the housing complex. now, they make lovely holiday ornaments on my tree.

this is a silly lil felted monster that an old friend from scouts made for me! i haven't come up with a name yet, so i'm open to suggestions if you send them to my ask box! i was considering the humble name "mustard" so far lmaooo!

another fair-trade, handmade wool felted ornament of some cute lil cottagecore mushrooms! this one i bought, from the same store my best friend bought chou chou and mumé from! isn't it cute?

here's my grad cap tassel, from graduating with my bachelor's of science in anthropology last month (dec 2024)! thought it'd be nice to have a lil holiday reminder for future years of my accomplishment! :)

presenting the mysterious lil hair barrette clip found in our house when we first started renting... it's probably from the previous tenants, but it's nice to let it have a cozy home on our holiday tree instead of on the dusty floor of a closet where we found it.

a ceramic ornament my parents bought me for christmas. i still celebrate christmas with my family, but i think i personally prefer just celebrating "the holidays" in general. i do think the ornament is nice, but i'm on rocky terms with my parents rn, soooo it's a bit awkward. still nice though.

a lil 3D-printed rat from one of my anthropology professors! he's specifically an archeology and museum anthropology specialist, and he runs a lab on campus where we work with museums to scan, 3D-print, paint, and replicate artifacts from their collections so they have a replication that they can put on display for exhibits that potentially will get damaged. i had an internship there a while ago, and omg all the free 3D prints i received have been getting made into holiday ornaments!

a lil random keychain we found on the street by my current job (a small non-profit, fair-trade shop)! we alternate between calling him dumbledore and gandalf! now he has a nice home off the streets!

find part two here!

[limetreeapartment]

Gurgaon, the bustling corporate hub of India, welcomes travelers with open arms and promises a plethora of accommodation options. For those seeking a budget-friendly yet luxurious stay, Lime Tree 1BHK Service Apartments emerge as a beacon of comfort and convenience. In this article, we explore the unique features that make Lime Tree Service Apartments the ideal choice for the budget-conscious traveler in Gurgaon.

[villasrental]

The Mudanya Apartments is one of our most preferred holiday homes options located in Guzelyali - Mudanya. Houses with its 2 bedrooms, shared pool and a location close to the sea and the beach, will be the ideal vacation rental alternative for families of 4 peoples and groups of friends. Designed with extremely modern and ultra-luxury furniture, Mudanya Apartments has all the comforts you may need in a holiday homes.

1st Bedroom: 2 single beds, wardrobe, air conditioning, shared bathroom,

2nd Bedroom: 1 double bed, wardrobe, air conditioning, shared bathroom,

Living Room: Seating groups, TV, Air Conditioning, Dining Table,

In line with the demands of our guests staying at holiday homes, where you can rent annually, seasonally, monthly, weekly or daily, we offer the most affordable price for daily tours of Mudanya, which are frequently mentioned in Mudanya promotional videos and travel pages, as well as daily house cleaning. You can get detailed information about our Mudanya Apartments prices and the availability of the apartment, which change during the peak periods of the season, from our call center, and you can take advantage of the best price advantages we will offer you.

*** As Dreamofholiday, one of the most reliable companies in the villa holidays and villa rentals industry in Turkey, we can guarantee that you will not have any problems in our holiday villas and Bursa vacation rentals that you have chosen for your Mudany villa rentals options and that you will definitely be comfortable.

Mudanya Apartments - Transfers

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport to Mudanya Transfers: 120 km

Istanbul Airport to Mudanya Transfers: 170 km

Yalova Port to Mudanya Transfers: 90 km

Bursa Bus Station to Mudanya Apartments Transfers: 20 km

Things to Do in Mudanya

* Daily sightseeing tours,

* Water sports,

* Shopping,

* Faith tourism,

* Yacht tours in Mudanya,

* Helicopter tours in Mudanya,

* Our subsidiary Arsis Vip Transfer offers you an additional 10% discount on airport transfers and daily travel tours in Mudanya.

Happy Holidays..!

[dominickeating-source]

Dominic Keating Interview (2002)

In her own words, Cyndee Rowe is "a freelance writer, who loves sci-fi, fantasy and a lot of really cool indie films. Okay, okay. I admit it I am a rental movie junkie! There, I said it. I have a very understanding husband, three high-spirited children, a greyhound, a siamese cat and two birds and we all live peacefully, in spite of the two year old yelling, 'mine! mine!' in our house in Texas."

She spoke to Dominic Keating via telephone about two weeks after the San Antonio convention.

Were you always interested in acting?

I was about ten I think, when the school I was at decided it was time to put on a play. My mum had been an actress, so I guess it was in my genes, my blood. But it was never talked about in our house. My father had rescued her from the devil's jaw, if you will. Well, as I say, this English mistress auditioned for this school play. I went along because all my mates did, and she went and gave me the lead part, and I loved it. I don't remember very much about it. I remember on the first night having my make-up applied behind the scenery, backstage and her telling me I had impossibly high cheekbones, and I liked that. And I guess my fate was sealed. I went to another school, a big school that had quite a theatrical tradition. Then I went to University in London at University College and they had a West End theater at their disposal, so I did a lot of plays there. But it was quite a while after I left university that I pinned my flag to the acting mast. I was a bit nervous, given the education that I'd been afforded. They weren't being paid to tell my parents that their son had to be on stage, if you know what I mean. I was meant to be a lawyer or an accountant or you know, go into advertising or something. So I battled that for quite a while before I found myself at the age of about 24, sort of washed up and unemployable in my mind. And I just thought, you know what? I really want to act. And that's how it started.

What made you decide to move to the U.S.?

Fame and fortune and uhm, I suppose I'd met a girl too. I had finished a show I had done at home for five years. I did a half hour sitcom at home called Desmond's. I came out here on a holiday, actually to Northern California. I had some friends up there and their brother was getting married. We had a bachelor party in Vegas, and I ended up in L.A. after that for about a month at Christmas. Christmas of 1993, and I met a girl of course. I had been hanging out at Dantana's on Santa Monica Blvd meeting quite famous people and they all thought that I was terribly funny and I thought I should give it a shot. So, I went home and I started, you know, opening my big mouth about moving to America, and I rented out my apartment and I sold a car that I had and God knows, eight years ago that was now in January.

What's the biggest difference between working in America and working in England?

(Laughing) You get paid a lot more money!

It seems that there is a lot more emphasis on the theater in England…

Only in as much as there is more theater and an actor starting out can get their licks and chops sharpened in pub theater. People do, at least they used to… I don't know what attendance is like now. But I think that people in London do tend to go to the theater probably just as much as they do in New York. Los Angeles is a film and television town, it's just that simple. You don't come here to do great theater, so don't imagine that you're going to. That's not to say that there isn't a live and thriving theater community here, 'cause there is. But I think, a lot of the time, you know ask any actor quite honestly and you know, they want to be doing film because you get paid and you get recognition. I've done some of my best ever work and three hundred people have seen it over a five week run. Now I'm doing Star Trek, I did an incredible episode two weeks ago and you know what? Millions and millions of people are going to see it. You know that's a buzz! So that's why I came here to L.A. I tell you what I really thought, I wanted to do movies. Still do. I've done a couple along the way here. At the time England just wasn't making any films. Merchant Ivory was the only group going through London with a movie about every eighteen months to two years. I nearly got cast in plum roles two times running. Both those guys that actually got the jobs in front of me became movie stars. I got impatient, I didn't want to wait around. I thought, you know what? I'm going to go to L.A. where they make movies and try my luck. I was 32. I was single. I had some money in the bank and I thought if I don't do it now, I'll never do it. And thank God I did.

Do you like working in the sci-fi genre?

I do, you know a lot of the stuff I've done here on television has been that genre. I've done Buffy, Poltergeist, The Immortal, G vs. E . . . You know if you throw a stone at sci-fi shows, you're going to hit one of them. It's not that I've made a conscious decision, it's just what you go up for. What you get until a certain point in time where you might start to try to pick and choose a bit more.

Do you have any favorite films or television shows?

I loved a lot of The Sopranos. And favorite films, what have I been watching? I often don't go to the movies a great deal. Not a lot of time at the moment. Amelie is wonderful, well worth seeing. I don't like, what I'm not a big, huge fan of is these big blockbuster, blow 'em up, shoot 'em up. I can't care less about things like that. I don't mind watching them on cable one Friday night when I just happen to be in and I want something to chew my eyes out. But I don't make a point of going to see films like that. I need some characters and I need to have some empathy with these characters in order for me to watch a movie and go, "that was really good."

Do you have a favorite actor or director that you would like to work with?

Well, you know, a lot of them . . . I guess that Soderburgh fella is pretty hot right now (laughter). One would always like to, you know, be in that gang, the number one gang. You know, given the break I reckon I got the talent if you know what I mean. It's just a lot of . . . it is luck, you know, they happen to be in the right place at the right time, any one of those actors. What I feel with this gig is that the door has opened up and I'm looking through it right now. It could just be that I become, you know that Star Trek is my professional life now for the next ten or eleven years if we do the movies. And that fortunately or unfortunately the business won't allow me to do anything else because I will be so associated with it. And if that's the way it is, that's fine you know? I would love to be uhm . . . to have the luck to be an actor that can span, . . . to have that notoriety, that he is just a good actor, and that we want him to do this as well as he can do it. It could just be that the business doesn't allow me to, I'm ready for that too.

Is there more pressure with being involved in a potentially long-term series?

Well, in as much as that . . . you know it's got two edges to the sword. One is, it's the only job in town that's virtually guaranteed you a seven year gig. That is incredible as an actor. You can actually make plans, you know (laughing) buy a dog, and have a life like normal people. Not worry whether or not your show is going to get picked up. Can I afford that car? Shall we go for that house? You know this is a fabulous opportunity to uhm, you know, I'm a cancerian. There is nothing I like better than security, let me tell you. It's incredible that I chose to be an actor in the first place! The other edge of the sword is that it stamps you completely with the insignia of only that and no one can really see past or beyond it. So, you have completely null and voided any opportunity to do anything else. You know I am at an age now and a place in my life where I don't care quite honestly. (Laughing) I've been through the rigors and outrageous fortunes of this game. I am very, very happy that this has come along right now.

Do you have any desire to direct?

I actually do. I've already started that wheel rolling. I'm doing a directors course at the L.A. film school here. I have to follow in the footsteps of Roxann Dawson and Robbie McNeill. I talk to LeVar Burton quite a lot on the phone. So, yeah I would love to add that little feather to my cap.

Do you think Lt. Reed will get to have a romantic interest?

It's feasible, I wouldn't rule it out, I don't know. They're not going to make him the first gay character on Star Trek like I read in the tv guide. (laughing) They said that I would be the first gay character on Star Trek. And I like… What!!?? I'm playing another poof, I can't believe it. Will this follow me around for the whole of my career? Not to say it disparagingly, but I have played a lot of gay characters cause I'm good at it I guess. But no, I don't think he is going to be that. And, seven years we've got to go and I would imagine they'll have us run the whole gamut.

If you could play any character from any Star Trek series who would it be and why?

Well, I'm not that familiar with all the incarnations but hmmm… I think I'd make a pretty good Data, Brent Spiner's character was a very interesting character and a wonderful acting challenge. I actually just met him the other day for the first time. I was on set on the movie that they're filming right now, Nemesis. Yeah, it's either that or Patrick Stewart's character, just cause it's a hell of a part and he's the captain and he plays it so well. He is a charming man, I met him for the first time too. I'd been making fun of him since I got this job. Just saying that as an English actor we all looked at him when he first came over to do Star Trek. Throwing our arms up in the air, oh why, oh why Patrick? You could be playing Mistress Quickly at Leatherhead right now! (laughing) So yeah, one of those two.I think for me, Enterprise seems a little closer to a more believable time.

Yeah, it definitely has a human element that you can accommodate. It's funny and it's more dramatic dare I say? There's more room for drama. And there is a lovely chemistry between all the characters and as actors we all get along so well. You know I've been in two shows, long running shows. Well, this I hope is going to be the second. When I was in Desmond's at home in England, right from the read through, from the first table reading there was a simpatico between all the actors that sat round that table. And sometimes the scripts weren't great. But you know? It didn't matter, because the chemistry between all of us as we rehearsed and as we shot came through on the TV screen. That is what really made that show run. People liked tuning in and it never felt, it wasn't, it never felt anything but easy to watch. And I think that Enterprise is going to be the same. Characters you feel comfortable watching, I hope this is going to be the same with us. And with Scott [Bakula] at the helm, he's comfortable, he's so comfy to be around. He's a great guy, he truly is, a top-notch geezer as we say in London. (laughing)

A lot of fans can be very detail oriented . . .

(laughing) The "Techie Trekkies" I've nicknamed them.

Has that caused you to research some of the technical aspects of the scripts?

Yes and no. I mean I'm learning, it's all pretty simple to be honest, once you . . . it's not, it isn't rocket science and it does make sense when you read the scripts. It truly makes sense what they are talking about. You don't have to be a complete physicist to understand the concepts that they are outlining. And as an actor, why wouldn't I want to know exactly what it is I'm saying? It lends more credulity to what I'm doing. It's not that I'm rushing off to buy Star Trek encyclopedias and bibles. But I'm surrounded by it on a daily basis, now at the production office and at Paramount, and even just talking with you guys. I'm learning all the time and it's not water off a duck's back, it is all being absorbed and integrated.

There are a lot of different types of people who attend the conventions . . .

Yeah, it crosses the gamut. When I saw my first pack of portly Klingons waiting at the stoplight to come across the street to the convention. I look out the window of the car and I go, "there are my peeps!" It truly is interesting, you get the mother of two young sons and then you get the nineteen year old babe who is just into sci-fi. It really is an extraordinary demographic.

In fact, I saw you at a convention in San Antonio . . .

Oh, you did. Isn't that a beautiful town? We had such fun there. You guys that come to those conventions. I have a quiet moment in the airport as I come away from them to get on the plane and go home. There is a great sense of thanks in my heart. You know without you guys, the people that come to the conventions and those fans that truly love the show. You know none of this would have been possible for me. I am eternally grateful, I really, really mean that.

I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me, and I want to wish you the best of luck. This new series has definitely held my interest . . .

Yes, it's got something about it, doesn't it?

Source: www.dominickeating.com

[regineau]

fun things from furina's various lore bits that i will inevitably write headcanons on !

—character story 1. as archon of fontaine, furina held the right to speak whensoever she pleased during a trial . of course, most people will speak of her frivolousness, &. penchant for asking questions that have, at best, tenuous importance pertaining to the trial . let it be known though, that once in awhile, she would speak up with opinions that were, quote: ' worth their weight in gold ' .

—character story 1. it became customary amongst theater troupes to send an invitation to furina, seeking her participation in their production before they begin preparing &. casting . occasions where she performs with said troupes become entire festivals &. holidays in their own right .

—character story 2. furina infrequently spent her time swimming among small animals in the fontainian waterscapes, and enjoyed it dearly ... the same could not be said for some of the animals, which did not take kindly to her antics .

—character story 4. centuries spent reacting in a way that was grandiose to avoid suspicion, it has become her very way of life . she questions how she ought to act, if not in exaggerated means, quote: ' how should she react when glad, if not to laugh loudly ' .

—character story 5. she spent what would likely be weeks as a shut in to her rental apartment . she did not unpack her things, she did not tidy the place or properly move in— all she did was lay in bed and stare at the ceiling until clorinde paid a visit , intending to invite her out to a gathering of mutual friends ( &. promptly offered to pay for better living accomodations, as well as helped her in unpacking ) .

—more about furina 3 &. 4. something of a habit furina's formed in her time after the trial™, she tends to flit between hobbies . she's bought several things on a whim, thinking they might bring her joy, only to end up quickly donating them to a troupe, &. she's even taken up &. mastered surfing at someone else's recommendation

[southtarngites]

Website : https://www.southtarngites.com

Address : Lautrec, Montpinier, France

South Tarn Gites offers a deluxe gite suitable for 2 people, located near Lautrec, a recognized 'Plus Beau Village de France'. Notably, Lautrec is situated 5kms away, Castres is at a distance of 10kms, and the UNESCO World Heritage site, Albi, is 30kms away. Each location boasts boutiques, exquisite restaurants, bakeries, banks, and markets. The gite, named Gite Martinet, is well-equipped and spacious, providing a serene and comfortable stay with amenities like a fitted kitchen, English and French TV, DVD, and WiFi. The owners, Tom and Sheda Savage, reside on-site, ensuring guests are well-assisted during their stay.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/SouthTarnGites/

Keywords: france travel guide france holiday rentals holiday rentals france holiday rentals south of france travel guide france serene vacation spots romantic getaways france romantic getaways in paris france south of france romantic getaways france holiday home rental holiday apartment rentals paris france holiday rentals cassis france holiday rentals france with pool holiday rentals montpellier france holidays france rentals long term holiday rentals france luxury holiday rentals france culture trip france culture trip nice france culture trip south of france european heritage coach tours european heritage tours jewish heritage tours eastern europe cheap holiday rentals france farmhouse france holiday rental holiday apartment rental nice france holiday rental properties in france nice france culture trip jewish heritage tours central europe most serene vacation spots best romantic getaways france best romantic getaways in france cheap romantic getaways france france romantic getaways luxury romantic getaways france most romantic getaways in france northern france romantic getaway romantic getaways in south of france romantic getaways northern france romantic weekend getaways in france romantic winter getaways france france relaxing vacation best french villages to holiday french fishing village holidays french village holiday cottages french village holiday houses for rent french village holidays village inn holiday french silk to book a holiday in french french gite holiday rentals french gite rental french gite rentals french gites for holiday rental french countryside retreat french countryside retreats beautiful small towns in france the culture trip best restaurants in france culture trip cultural student trips to france cultural trips to france culture trip 10 best hotels marseille france culture trip lille france culture trip luxury sancerre france culture trip lyon france culture trip normandy france culture trip south france culture trip southern france culture trip tours france france culture trip south of france culture trip southern france culture trip eastern europe jewish heritage tours eastern european jewish heritage tours european heritage bus tours european heritage day tours european heritage tour boutique family holiday france boutique family holidays france boutique holiday cottages france boutique holiday homes france boutique holiday rentals france cheap boutique holidays france south of france holidays boutique hotels

[originalsurfmorocco]

How to Choose The Perfect Surf Camp in Taghazout Area

The appropriate surf camp may make all the difference when it comes to organizing a great and exciting surf holiday. Morocco has gained popularity as a surfing destination due to its beautiful coastline and top-notch waves. This thorough guide will walk you through the crucial considerations to make when selecting a surf camp in Taghazout, Morocco that completely satisfies your needs and interests.

1. Location Matters: Proximity to the Waves

The location of the camp in respect to the surf spots should be taken into account first and foremost. You can easily access and spend more time in the water at a surf camp that is near the best waves. Instead of driving long hours searching for the best waves you’ll spend more time catching them when you are closer to them. Find surf camps that are well situated close to well-known surf spots including Anchor Point, Banana Point, Devil’s Rock, and Boilers.

2. Experienced and Knowledgeable Instructors

Your surfing experience can be considerably impacted by the level of experience of the instructors. Select a camp that offers qualified, experienced instructors that excel both as surfers and teachers. They need to be familiar with the local weather, tides, and wave patterns. Beginners will catch their first waves with the assistance of patient and knowledgeable teachers, while experienced surfers will improve their skills by taking them to the best, uncrowded wave of the day.

3. Comprehensive Lesson Plans

It’s a great find to find a surf camp that provides an organized training program for all skill levels. Whether you’re an experienced surfer trying to master advanced tricks or someone new eager to learn the fundamentals, a camp with a range of lesson plans catered to different levels is crucial. To speed up your progress, These plans should include land-based theory sessions either at the surf camp or on the beach, in-water practicals, video analysis, and feedback sessions to accelerate your progress.

4. Accommodation and Amenities

Your lodging plays a significant role in your overall experience. Choose a surf camp that provides comfortable accommodation options that cater to different budgets. Whether you’re seeking shared dorms, private rooms, or apartments. Additionally, on-site amenities such as healthy meals, relaxation areas, and equipment rental services can enhance your stay.

5. Camp Size and Vibe

Your experience may be impacted by the surf camp’s size and atmosphere. You can develop close relationships with both fellow surfers and instructors at smaller camps, which frequently provide a more individualized and cozy environment. Larger camps, however, could provide more amenities and a more active social scene. Think about the atmosphere that most suits your tastes for a satisfying experience.

6. Equipment Quality and Availability

High-quality surfboards and wetsuits are needed at the surf camp because surfing demands the right gear. To ensure a fun and safe experience in the water, pick a camp that keeps its equipment up to date and maintained on a regular basis. Furthermore, availability is essential, particularly during times of high equipment demand.

7. Cultural Immersion and Exploration

Morocco is known for both its varied landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Look for a surf camp in the Taghazout area, that provides chances to experience the local culture and attractions. A complete experience goes beyond the waves, whether it’s enjoying authentic Moroccan food, exploring the neighborhood markets, or going on excursions to surrounding destinations.

FAQ

Q1: How do I know if a surf camp is suitable for my skill level?

A1: Reputable surf camps often offer lessons for surfers of all skill levels, from absolute beginners to guides to experienced surfers. Ask about their teaching programs and whether they have options for different ability levels while looking into potential surf camps. This guarantees that the coaching and guidance you receive are appropriate for your current level of ability.

Q2: What should I consider when evaluating a surf camp’s location?

A2: The camp’s proximity to surf places is a key factor. To reduce travel time and increase your time in the water, look for surf camps that are strategically positioned close to well-known surf breaks. To improve your entire experience, take into account the accessibility of the services, restaurants, and cultural sites in the area.

Q3: Are all instructors at surf camps certified?

A3: Reputable surf camps typically employ certified instructors who possess both surfing expertise and teaching qualifications. Inquire about the instructors’ experience to ensure that you’re learning from knowledgeable coaches who prioritize safety and skill development.

Q4: What kind of accommodations can I expect at a surf camp?

A4: Accommodations vary among surf camps and can range from shared dormitories to private rooms or even apartments. Select lodgings that fit your preferences and budget. Additionally, inquire about amenities such as meals, relaxation areas, and equipment rental services that can contribute to a comfortable stay.

Q5: How do I decide between a smaller and larger surf camp?

A5: The choice between a smaller and larger camp depends on your preferences. Smaller camps often provide a more intimate and personalized experience, fostering close connections with instructors and fellow surfers. Larger camps may offer more facilities and a livelier social scene. Consider the atmosphere that resonates with your desired experience.

Q6: Is it necessary to bring my own surf equipment?

A6: While some surf camps offer equipment rental, it’s recommended to check with the camp beforehand. Quality equipment is essential for a safe and enjoyable surfing experience, so ensure that the camp provides well-maintained boards and wetsuits. During peak seasons, confirming equipment availability is especially important.

Q7: How can I immerse myself in the local culture during my surf trip?

A7: Look for surf camps that integrate cultural experiences into their offerings. This can include trying traditional Moroccan cuisine, exploring local markets, and participating in cultural excursions. Engaging with the local community adds depth to your surf vacation, allowing you to appreciate the destination beyond its waves.

Q8: Are there any age restrictions for joining a surf camp?

A8: Age restrictions vary among surf camps. Some camps cater exclusively to adults, while others welcome families with children. When considering a surf camp, inquire about their age policies to ensure that the camp aligns with the composition of your group.

Q9: What should I bring with me to a surf camp?

A9: Packing essentials include swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, flip-flops, and casual clothing for off-water activities. If you have your own surf equipment, consider bringing it along. Additionally, don’t forget to bring any necessary travel documents, such as passports and visas, if required for your trip.

Q10: How can I make the most of my surf camp experience in Morocco?

A10: To maximize your surf camp experience, come prepared with an open mindset and a willingness to learn. Engage with fellow surfers and instructors, ask questions, and take advantage of the diverse lessons and activities offered. Embrace the local culture, explore the surroundings, and most importantly, enjoy every moment in the waves.

As you embark on your journey to select the perfect surf camp in Taghazout, Morocco, keep these frequently asked questions in mind to ensure that your experience is exceptional and memorable.

Conclusion

Selecting the ideal surf camp in Taghazout, Morocco involves careful consideration of factors that contribute to an unforgettable surfing adventure. From the camp’s location and instructors’ expertise to the accommodation and overall atmosphere, each aspect plays a pivotal role in shaping your experience. By focusing on these critical factors, you’ll be well on your way to choosing a surf camp that aligns perfectly with your surfing aspirations.