❆⋆꙳•☃︎•꙳⋆❆

~ Destiny ~

Don't stress—everything's okay. Enjoy being with Christian González. Now is the time for us to connect and see how things progress.

Destiny tried to hide her insecurity when she saw him in her kitchen, seemingly at home. Despite knowing better, she had to acknowledge that he was flirting with her all night.

"Your home is beautiful, querido."

In Spanish, Christian called her "darling," causing her to look at him. She then noticed that he was staring out at the backyard's double doors.

"When the sun shines and the birds sing, the backyard is magnificent. You've got flowers blooming and the fish pond going crazy during the summer. Absolutely amazing." She scanned the pantry for her mother's buttermilk pancake ingredients. "It might not have been the best choice to buy a home just for the backyard, particularly in North Dakota where there is a lot of snow, but the yard was the only thing that sold me on this place."

"I'm worse. It was the attic that caught my eye and dragged me into my house." Destiny's heart leaped for joy when he flashed a smile. "I wanted a room like Cousin It from The Addams Family, and it was the only one I could find in town."

"That's... frightening. But I also find it amusing."

"I had my eye on the cellar at first. Those are my favorite elements in a house. I am as curious as a cat about the secret basements where spirits slumber beneath cozy residences."

"Well, well, well." Destiny gave him a sidelong glance. "I guess rooms like that make you feel intrusive?"

Christian gave a nod and chuckled. "Something like that."

"You should come with me." She opened the kitchen door and turned on the light. Christian proceeded down the stairs, and they entered the bottom floor, where she turned on a lamp. She gazed at him curiously. "The Williams owned the house. Patrick Williams was a dynamic host during game nights. His family moved to a Los Angeles townhouse after selling their house to me."

"Oh my. This room was probably heaven for the players." Christian took in the full kitchen and bar, pool table, poker table, leather couch, and a flat-screen TV with wide eyes. "I'd be down here all the time."

"You and my dad would get along fine," she said. "Four times since I have moved in, he and his friends have taken refuge down here playing poker and watching sports."

"I never expected such an incredible room like this in this house. It's like a breath of fresh air."

"Birds of a feather flock together. I'm sure Mr. Williams let his wife spread her wings upstairs to leave him here."

Christian cracked up. "Great strategy." Her heart pounded when he flashed his pearly whites. "Do you have other hidden treasures?"

"You're referring to an attic?"

One dark brow rose. "Wherever."

"I wanted to find a secret passage to Narnia in the wardrobe upstairs but no such luck."

"Yes, stepping into Narnia and crossing paths with Jadis the White Witch would be fascinating to experience. And even hanging out with Alsan sounds thrilling."

Destiny laughed while they stood still.

She nodded slowly with tight lips. "To answer your question, I have a couple more surprises inside this house that I'm not going to reveal just yet. There is more to me than meets the eye." She turned out the lights and winked at him while they proceeded upstairs.

"I see. Do you need any help?"

"That would be helpful. Would you mind filling the coffee maker with water and turning it on?" She gestured to the coffee pot beside the microwave.

"Of course."

Destiny grabbed the pancake griddle and placed it on the stove. "As long as you don't start an electrical fire, then we will be all right."

"I won't. You're giving a child's task."

She laughed as Christian grabbed a mug from the cabinet and placed it on the counter.

"How do you drink your coffee?" he asked.

"Just a little hazelnut creamer. I don't like a lot of sugar in my coffee."

After replying, "All right," Christian stood next to her, placed a coffee cup on the counter, and gently put his hand on her lower back. Being so close to him made her feel anxious, especially after thinking highly of him from afar. "I like hazelnut, too," he stated.

"The creamer gives my coffee an extra taste." Destiny's throat knotted when she acknowledged his proximity. Just a slight lean would bring their lips together. She held her drink. "So what are your plans for the day?"

He lowered his hand when she pivoted, resting her hip on the counter while facing him.

"My parents are arranging a huge dinner because my sister Paloma and her husband Mario are in town with my niece Maria. A very Merry Christmas celebration, you know." Destiny smiled at him as he continued. "What about you?"

"My parents are in Toronto for business, and my siblings are with their spouses in their hometowns for the week. My brother Devin and his husband have invited me to dinner in Fargo, but I'm not sure if I should go or stay at home and watch TV."

She shrugged.

Christian offered, "You could come and spend Christmas with us," and Destiny's stomach dropped. "You can expect a relaxed atmosphere and good food. Have you ever eaten Hallaca?"

She shook her head and said, "Um, I can't say that I have."

"Serendestiny, you are missing out. We make Venezuelan dishes during the holidays. A tortilla is slightly rolled out, and the inside is a mix of meat, pork, and chicken. It has cornbread, onions, bell peppers, raisins, and olives on top. Then we wrap it in plantain leaves, tie it, and let it boil."

"Sounds delicious."

Christian chuckled as he elbowed her. "I can't wait to serve it to you. I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"Possibly. But do you think it's smart to eat dinner with your family? We had no more than a handful of conversations before last night."

"Are you afraid they will think we are dating?"

Destiny spoke with a tone of "yeah" since she didn't want anyone to assume anything other than what they already knew. Between them, they never really got along.

"Well, I'll be careful with what I say and do around you," he declared.

"Okay," she whispered as he cupped her neck and ran a fingertip over her jawline.

"There is no rush, Destiny. We can take this slow. Don't panic."

"I'm not panicking," she said, but her heart was beating fast. "It's been a while since I spent time with a friend's family. A guy friend at that."

"I get it. We will move at our own pace, since my parents taught me patience. For me, the travel from Venezuela to the United States was tough when I was ten, so patience helps."

Taking a deep breath, Destiny nodded. "You have a soul as bright as the sun, Christian. Thank you for the invitation."

"That means you are joining me for a family meal with my parents?"

When she locked eyes with him, a heavy cloud of sorrow settled upon her, should she choose to decline. With a whisper, Destiny exhaled and said, "Count me in."

"That's music to my ears." Shivers ran down her spine as he touched his nose with hers.

"Now, you better quit messing with me before I set the kitchen on fire." Destiny put her palm on his chest and pushed him away to continue cooking.

As she flipped the first pancake, Christian stood by the counter, keeping an eye on everything. Like most people, he bit and nibbled, making noises as he chewed and swallowed. "This is incredible. You know how to make these brilliantly."

"Adding butter and warm syrup to pancakes makes it taste better, but I appreciate that." She smiled at him, and they chatted while finishing breakfast.

After she finished, they piled a plate full and ate in the breakfast nook with the snow falling outside the window.

It seemed like they'd been best friends since middle school. Destiny couldn't help but wonder if there was a dash of holiday magic in their interaction. This season was precious to her, and she wanted to hold onto it forever.

❆ ❆ ❆

Destiny cracked up as Christian predicted all the Pictionary answers─except pancakes─from a bowl of scribbles on the whiteboard. She overcame her past reservations and felt welcome in his family's house. She compared Gabriela to her mother, although Christian's mother was more open-minded and had Christian's personality. Christian's father, Manuel, was polite and authoritative like Destiny's dad.

"Eee!" Paloma yelled. "So close!"

Christian sighed and reclined on the couch.

"Pancakes." Destiny gave him the card. "I drew pancakes. How did you miss that?" She chuckled as he dragged her onto the couch and threw his arm around her shoulders.

"I thought it was a picture of a tornado. It looked like that, Destiny."

"I figured since a tornado was the only thing you kept saying over and over." She teased him while Gabriela laughed. Destiny noticed that Christian's mother had a bright smile on her face.

"You know, telling my mom we're not dating will be terrible for her if you keep being so cute," he said. "I don't see the harm in pretending for a while, do you?"

"Do you want to lie about us dating or make it a real thing?" Destiny spoke in a low tone, making sure no one could overhear their conversation.

"I'd rather take you on a date before declaring anything between us. Does tomorrow night sound okay?"

With a nod, Destiny held his gaze. "That would be great. I look forward to it."

"That's what I like to hear," Christian murmured before his phone rang. He took it from his front pocket and frowned at the screen. "Sorry, but I must take this call. It is likely a taxi reservation." Rising from the couch, he kissed her cheek. "Don't have too much fun without me."

"I wouldn't dream of it." She beamed.

"Who is ready for some cake?" Gabriela asked, and Destiny considered eating the red velvet cake in the kitchen she spotted earlier, despite being full.

She rose and said, "I can set the table."

"Thank you, dear." Christian's mother smiled and led them to the dining room.

When Christian told someone in the corridor that Destiny was the town's secret Santa, she froze. Anger made her gut burn as her hands clenched into fists.

She should have gotten her coat and shoes from the foyer and left, but she couldn't. It was hard for her to believe he would betray her after confiding in him after everything. His betrayal stung because he disrespected her wishes.

Christian regretfully watched her enter the kitchen from the corner. "Why did you tell someone about what I do every year?" she questioned.

"Destiny, Cariño─"

"You promised you'd be quiet about it."

"You didn't hear the whole story," he said, placing his phone into his front pocket. "Please hear me out."

"Explain yourself, Christian." Destiny gritted her teeth, suppressing tears.

"My company's sponsor asked about your departure from Sherfield. The media wants to write about your act of goodwill after a few security cameras spotted us at two locations last night." Christian took her hand. "I know you'd rather stay quiet, but you'll feel better once the truth comes out. You deserve the credit."

"Credit has never been the goal. I don't want that."

"I know we didn't have time to discuss this before, but it came up suddenly. Local TV stations received surveillance footage from homeowners who spotted us."

Destiny sat on a kitchen bar stool, legs jiggly, to understand what happened. In all her years doing this, nobody has filmed her or disclosed what they saw. This was new for her.

"So, you're the reason these kids receive presents and a Christmas tree every year?" Christian's mother prodded her with wide eyes. "It has been you all along?"

"What has Uncle Christian's new girlfriend done?" Maria asked, as her parents entered the kitchen.

"Mapleton's Secret Santa is Destiny Cross." Christian glanced at her and clasped her hand. "She helped these families secretly for three years. Several security cameras spotted her and me with a small tree, gifts, and a bag of canned goods outside several homes. All of the families have already given their footage to the news station in town."

"You've been helping her, son?" Manuel asked.

"Only yesterday." Christian inhaled a breath and exhaled. "Destiny's minivan broke down, and we worked together to get everything done in time. I told Reed Philips that over the phone so no one would think I'm taking part in her yearly deeds." He kissed Destiny's cheek and wrapped his arm around her hips as he hugged her. "I'm sorry that everyone knows, sweetheart."

"I'm washing my hands of it. I knew that my secret would eventually get out. I never thought about the fact that some families take safety precautions."

Christian raised an eyebrow. "You can at least make plans for it next year. Now put on your cape to show off those superhero skills you were bragging about."

"Hilarious. Since everyone knows it's me, I doubt I'll do it again," she said. "I don't want to be in the spotlight."

Paloma spoke up, "But you have to keep going," and Destiny gave her a knowing glance. "Does it matter if everyone knows what you're doing? By performing this remarkable deed, you are bringing back the true spirit of Christmas. I think it's safe to say that we all admire your heart of gold when it comes to caring for other people."

Christian squeezed Destiny's hand and said, "I agree with my sister. If you want to do what you're passionate about, don't let anyone get in the way."

She said, "You're right. All of you."

"Listen to me. You're incredible. Next year, we can plan things differently."

"You're planning to do this with me next time, Christian?" Destiny cast her eyes upon him.

"Without a doubt." Gabriela was all smiles. "You two work well together and are a perfect match. I'm so happy that my son has met someone who puts others before herself. Here we thought he'd never catch a break in the romance department."

"Hey. Don't scare her off," Christian begged, embracing Destiny. "I don't want her to leave before we even had our first date."

She said, "Don't worry about that. The only place I want to be is here with you."

"Good." His mother moved around her husband and grabbed a slice of cake. "Let's continue to enjoy this day and play more games together."

Destiny smiled. "That's fine with me."

"Welcome to our familia." Gabriela smiled at her, brightening Destiny's evening.

❆❆❆

The following Christmas...

Destiny stared at the diamond on her left ring finger as she poured pancake batter onto the warm griddle. Turning it around made her smile and feel thankful. The last 364 days changed everything for her. She never imagined that so much could happen so quickly.

Christian took her to Hawaii after they started dating, and they had been inseparable since returning to Mapleton, North Dakota. They visited Venezuela three months ago to explore Christian's home country before his family moved to the northern United States.

He moved in with her a month ago after he sold his house. They set up the last of the dozens of trees they received, and a new squad of angels delivered them to homes around the community.

Despite her initial anxiety, Destiny realized that being the secret Santa was the best thing to have happened to her. After her story went viral, people from around the world called her to help and share ideas for doing the same in their hometowns, with the spirit of the holidays permeating every corner.

"Breakfast smells so good." Christian randomly kissed her and wrapped Destiny in his strong arms. She felt his lips on her neck. "I might end up eating twelve pancakes."

"I take it that you're hungry?" She grinned as he nodded. "So am I."

She spun around in his embrace and gazed into his eyes. After a year together, Destiny still got butterflies when Christian supported her during the holidays. The way she felt was insane. She eagerly anticipated their lips brushing even now.

"Te amo, Destiny Cross."

"Te quiero más." She leaned in as he dropped his head, and her heart jumped when their lips met. "I will always love you, Christian González."

This holiday season brought magic, and she couldn't be happier.

❆ 𝓜𝓮𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓶𝓪𝓼 ❆

What a pleasure it is to have you read my novella. Be on the lookout for more Christmas stories from me if you have enjoyed this one. Thank you for reading, and I wish you and your loved ones a great holiday season.🎄🎁