It's Christmas Eve, the one night of the year I can claim as mine, for a few little hours. The house is a buzz of activity, because the family have all arrived for a dinner party, for yours truly.

"Wren, come down" My Mama called up the stairs "Everyone's here"

I looked out of my window, my eyes fixed on the winter night sky. It was a clear night, and the northern star was bright, and outshining all others. It seemed as good a time as any to make my Christmas Wish, and so I close my eyes tightly, and envision Millie.

Millie.

How can it be that she is still in New Hampshire?! It's so unfair that she is alone at Christmas. I wanted to get a flight out, to surprise her, but it wasn't to be, the flights were booked out, and she had begged me not to. She told me to stay with the family, and she would come. She promised she would come, soon.

"What you doing" Olympia asked from behind me.

My eyes opened, and I looked over my shoulder "making my Christmas wish" I told her.

"Can I make one too this year" Olympia asked, crawling over my bed to sit beside me.

"Sure" I replied, a little quietly, still caught up in my overwhelming missing of Millie.

Olympia sat beside me, and she closed her eyes for a second. I gazed up at her side profile and smiled "you look cute when you're quiet"

She nudged me sideways and I fell off of the bed with a thump.

"Ouch" I squeaked.

She leant over the side laughing, and pulled me back up "sorry birthday girl. Didn't realise I had built up so much muscle"

I poked her bicep "It's pretty decent O. No surprise since you practically moved into Moms gym"

She shrugged and closed her eyes again "I'm focused" she explained.

"What's this wish. It seems to be taking a while" I asked her, teasing her with a tickle to the underarms.

Her warm brown eyes opened, and she patted my hands away "I can't tell you dumb dumb, or it won't come true"

"Well, I disagree. I think it gives it more power to speak it out loud. So I'll tell you mine" I told her.

Olympia turned around and crossed her legs, watching me closely for the answer. She leant back on her hands and raised her thick dark eyebrows "Go on" she prompted. "Although it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know it's Millie"

I threw a bed cushion at her, it messed up her perfect long dark curls. She threw up the middle finger "Tell me I'm wrong"

"Of course it's Millie" I confirmed "and yours ... yours is Cameron right?" I ask her, almost wishing I could reel it back in the moment it came out, because we still hadn't broached this topic yet. Not together, and not as sisters.

She sat up, and moved her hands to her lap, looking away for a few moments, and fiddling with her thumbs. "Not this time" she revealed.

I frowned slightly, and leaned into her eye-line so she would look at me "So, he was...last year" I asked curiously.

She looked back to me, and nodded briefly, blink and you miss it. "Last year I couldn't ever have imagined my wish not being him. I know it's weird. For us both to talk about him like that. He's always been more a brother to you. I know it's weird"

"It's a little weird" I answered, smiling and lightening the mood "but it's not unexpected"

She looked surprised "it's not" she asked me.

I shook my head and took a deep breath "I've seen it for years. You love him different to the way I do"

She tucked her bottom lip under her teeth and bit down slightly, the topic not being a comfortable one for her.

"For as long as I can remember" Olympia confessed "But this year was the first year I realised, that Cam wasn't ever going to see me like that. I think perhaps, for him, I will always be the little sister of his best friend"

"O, I wish I knew. He's never mentioned anything to me, but you are most definitely more to him than that. You mean a lot more than that. You are one of his best friends too. Perhaps as you both get older... things might change. One day. You guys have always had your own bond, one that was never mine. Just yours"

She shook her head and released her plump bottom lip from her teeth "I'm not going to think about it anymore. He's got Camilla now, and I'm focused on Basketball. My wish this year... is to forget all about love, and focus on me. I wish that Daisy and Cam would leave me be though, at night when they sneak into my dreams. I hope, that one day this next year... It will stop. That they...will stop. That's all I want. To love myself, and to put me first"

"That's never a bad plan O. To focus on you. You're incredible. You can do whatever you put your mind too" I told her, reaching over and bumping my fist into her shoulder "just don't forget me when you're rich and famous. I want to be the plus one, to any, and all events" I joked.

She laughed, a husky one as always "Done"

The door to my bedroom opened and Josephine appeared "Moms wanted me to come bring you down. You're late for your own birthday dinner Wren"

Olympia and I both reached for her, and dragged her onto the bed between us "our little Jo" I mused "how we love our Jo"

Olympia ruffled up her blonde hair "You good" she asked her.

Josephine ducked out from under her hand "I'm okay" she replied, although she didn't sound too confident.

"Tell your sisters" I encouraged her. "And have a wish on me" I told her, pointing out the window to the North Star. "I'm giving them out tonight"

Josephine smiled widely, and crossed her legs between us, imitating a yoga position. She closed her eyes, seeming excited at the prospect of getting this wish.

Olympia and I wiggled our eyebrows over her, because we both knew what our Josephine wished for. I lifted her cell from falling out of her pocket and pressed the screen, and a photo of her and Veda popped up. I lifted it above her head, whilst she was none the wiser with her eyes tightly shut, and I showed Olympia.

Olympia stuck her tongue out and wiggled it around as if she was making out with someone.

"Is this a weird sister seance" Clio asked from the door, closely followed by Alexandra and Athena. Our Nomikos cousins were all in the house tonight. The boys were downstairs, last seen, playing in the games room with Bash.

Josephine opened her eyes back up and took a relieved breath. I hid the phone back beside her, and gestured for them to come in. "It's a new Nomikos women tradition" I told them "we each get a wish at Christmas"

"Oooh" Clio said, clambering over us. Clio was a little older than Olympia, and looked the image of aunty Demitra, with her big green eyes and striking blonde hair. She and Olympia sounded similar, with the raspy and somewhat husky sound to their voices. They were Nomikos through and through. Both had a naughty twinkle in their eye.

Athena crawled on beside me, she was alot like her dad Harry, Aunty Thea's ever suffering husband. She was short like Thea, quieter, and more sensible, just like Josephine.

Alexandra was cute, she was Aunt Callie's youngest, the same age as Josephine. She was fairer like her father Luke, but had Callie's mannerisms, and her long curls. She and her brother Apollo were close, and they got on considerably well for Nomikos siblings, but then Apollo was so laid back. I wasn't sure he could ever fall out with anyone, even if he tried. Those Nomikos dimples he had inherited, went a long way to make Apollos current first year of college, and his love life, a fruitful one.

"What are the rules" Athena asked.

"None" I replied "just close your eyes and envision your wish. Mine was Millie. I want her home"

Alexandra brushed my arm affectionately with her hand "I hope she's home soon"

"Me too" Josephine added. "I feel like I haven't seen Veda in forever"

"You speak to her on FaceTime, every night" Olympia reminds her.

Josephine shook her head as she stood up and rounded the bed "Not this week. She told me her camera on her phone isn't working"

"Ooof" Clio reacted "that's a grade A lie if ever I heard one"

Josephine frowned "no it's not" she argued.

"It does sound a little odd" Athena confirmed "but then why would she lie. She's your best friend right" she asked.

Josephine hesitated, it was only a second, but it made me smile. "Right" she returned, reaching for the door "and I believe her"

"Come on" I announce, standing from the bed "dinners ready. Let's not have our Moms lose their shit"

"YiaYia made Lahanodolmades" Alexandra told us, getting to her feet "and roast pork"

"Eeew" Josephine gagged.

I put my arm around her shoulder as we walked down the hallway "don't worry my little Vegan. I saw Gaga come in earlier with a handful of Vegan dishes...just for you"

Josephine took off down the stairs running "Yeeees" she sung.

Nothing beat my Grandmothers home made Vegan food, and Veda living with her, had allowed her to perfect her recipes.

The dining tables were made up beautifully by my Mama and my Grandmother. Christmas had arrived into our home in the form of an explosion of decor, there were three Christmas trees. The largest, being the one my parents had to lug home for me, every year. They kicked themselves for starting that tradition. The trees were all decorated slightly differently, the one in the parlour was traditional, the one in the family room was covered in baubles and decorations that we had collected as a family over the years, including ones we as kids had made in school. The last of the trees was in the playroom/games room and was covered in sports baubles. It quite literally was a collection of special Christmas decorations from my Moms teams, and those she loved. There were a ridiculous amount of basketballs on it. My Mama hated that tree, she said it wasn't her taste, which is why it's stuck in the games room, my parents compromise.

We all sat at the tables, as my parents and grandparents placed down the dishes at their centre. It was a mix of Greek and American style dishes, something for everyone, even our little Vegan. Lala had made the fire in the hearth, and it crackled away as we sat and conversed, everyone loud as always, and full of excitement for tomorrow. My Mom loved to host the family in our home. We were the only ones who had the room for everyone to meet up, and not all be on top of one another. I don't remember a Christmas that was ever quiet.

My Mom came up behind me and leant down, her arms wrapping around my shoulders "Happy Birthday my Little Bit" she whispered, kissing my cheek.

"Thanks Mom" I returned.

"Did you make your wish" she asked.

My Mama sat down opposite me and looked over eagerly "did you my love. Did you make a birthday wish"

I took a breath, and found my eyes drawn to the large windows, the reflection of the family at the tables masking the dark night outside, but the bright North star visible through it all.

"I did" I replied "but I think I wished for the one thing I can't have" I confessed, looking back to them.

My Mama frowned and reached for me over the table "What is it" she asked "you know Mom and I will do whatever we can to make it happen"

My Mom appeared beside my Mama, and sat down, taking her hand in hers.

I smiled and took a sip of wine "It's okay Mama. I know you and Mom like to think you have super powers, but I'm not sure even you guys have the ability to make Millie appear at that front door right now"

The bell ringing through the hallway, made me turn instantly to look in its direction, my heart began to thump erratically. I looked back towards my Moms "did the gate call up" I asked.

My Mom grinned "they did" she confirmed.

I could barely breathe "who is it" I asked.

Everyone at the table stopped talking, and looked down toward us.

My Moms dimples deepen "Your Wish, Wren"

Mama looked to my Mom, clearly she didn't know. "Teddy" she asked "are they here?"

I stood from the table, so quickly that my chair hit the floor, narrowly missing Henrietta.

I ran toward the front door, and the moment I reached it I could see the familiar form on the outside of the glass. A little hand raise, and a wave.

I threw open the door.

Millie

She smiled, she looked adorable in a dark winter coat, with a high collar, and a green scarf wrapped around her neck.

"You're here" I stuttered.

She nodded, and reached for me. I didn't hesitate to throw myself into her arms. She stumbled backward and laughed a little "Merry Christmas baby. We're home" she announced.

Veda was beside her, looking equally as wrapped up against the cold. She had Norman in a backpack, he peered out from the little window, sitting in a blanket. Veda waved "Merry Christmas Wren. Can I go in, to see Jo"

I nodded quickly "Yes go, go make her night" I encouraged. "And welcome home"

Veda took off inside at speed, and a lot of excitement and cheering went up from the dining room. Josephine's wish came true. I could hear her squealing with excitement from
Here. Besties reunited.

Norman was probably tail twitching. The thought made me smile.

"Are you real" I asked, tucking Millie's dark hair behind her ear and caressing her cheeks, they were cold and pink against the winter chill.

As she smiled I could see her breath in the air. "Quite real" she promised. "And absolutely frozen solid"

I leant forward, capturing her lips, and we shared a moment in the quiet of the outside, as the party began indoors behind us. Every second of that kiss was memorised, etched even, into my most precious bank of memories, moments that would never leave me. The moment Millie came home, and our lives together, could finally begin.

Eventually, we let one another go, and the kiss slowly came to a stop, smiling instead against one another, our noses nuzzling together.

"I have a gift" she told me "for your Moms"

I opened my eyes, closely looking into hers "Um... where's mine" I asked, teasingly.

"You're holding it" she told me, tightly tugging me back inside her coat, and wrapping it around me. "It's a life long gift" she promised.

I leant up and kissed her cold nose "It's perfect"

My moms appeared in the doorway behind us, with broad smiles "Merry Christmas Millie" Mama greeted.

"It's good to have you home" Mom told her.

"I have something for you guys" Millie announced. "But I'm going to need Tony and Harry to help me move it"

Mom frowned "intrigued" and then she walked out onto the porch "but I'm stronger than both of them combined, so leave them inside. Let's go. daughter in law"

"Mom, we aren't even engaged" I reminded her.

"Yet" she returned playfully "and I know. I was just trying it out. I like it"

Millie kissed me, and removed her coat from around me, leading my Mom down to the camper.

"Careful" Mama called. "It's icy"

My Mom and Millie disappeared for five minutes. My Mama and I went inside and grabbed jackets to pull on before we went back out with the family at our heels, all clambering to see the surprise. When we opened the door back up, My Mom and Millie were stood on the driveway, with the most incredible carved, sculpture, of a Christmas Tree, between them.

My Mamas mouth dropped open. My eyes filled with joyful tears, my hand covering my mouth.

The tree was hand painted too, with such attention to detail you couldn't and wouldn't believe it if you didn't see it foryourself. On the basket beneath the tree, it was engraved with:

"The Nomikos 'We go big' Christmas Tree"

"Fixed at five foot four + eight inches"

"You did good Kid" Lala called down to Millie.

I headed straight down the stairs and threw my arms around her "Baby... it's beautiful"

Mama came down too, and my Mom pulled her into a hug. "Are you crying" my Mom asked her.

Mama nodded, against her chest "It's so beautiful.... And I'm so unbelievably relieved" she confessed.

"What's wrong" Gaga asked her as she came to admire the tree.

We all looked to my Mama.

"I just realised, that I don't have to haul a twelve foot tree onto my car roof every year now" she admitted, with a little laugh. "Theodora loves to start traditions that are testing to our sanity"

Mom squeezed her tightly "You loved it" she accused "don't lie"

"We go big" Olympia confirmed "we always do"

My Mom patted her on the back "that's right kids... and we won't ever change"

"It's the Nomikos way" Demitra announced, raising her glass.

Everyone followed "To family" she toasted. "May we always go big...for each other"

I looked up to Millie and sighed "You were my Christmas Wish" I confessed.

"And you were mine" she returned, kissing me on the lips softly, her hands holding me at my back.

As she broke away, she smiled "Perhaps next year we can make one together"

I felt myself sigh dreamily "It's a date"

👩🏻👩🏼‍🦰 👩🏽‍🦱🐈🏡🎄

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***

Millie's main chapters are now completed 🤍 but there will be bonus chapters uploaded sporadically between now and Olympia.

*Thank you all! For coming on another journey with us, and seeing me to the end of this book, with company always at my side. I honestly couldn't do it without you 😇🫵🏻😘🥰✌🏻❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Much love,

S