Page 112 of All for Love

KODY

On Christmas morning, Mercedes and I headed downstairs together. We’d also woken up that way, and after making a quick dash to my room to get my stuff, we’d gotten ready together too.

If I had any say in it, that was how we’d be doing things from now on. My girl looked ravishing in an emerald green turtleneck with a maroon scarf with elves and candy canes on it, brown leather boots on her feet, and a headband around her loose hair that matched the scarf. She also had earrings on in the shape of candy canes. I’d teased her about her seasonal garb this morning, but she looked like the kind of gift I was dying to unwrap later.

As we descended the stairs, Kaden and Brooke’s voices filtered up to us and I tightened my grip on Mercedes’s hand. We’d stayed up with them for a couple of hours last night, but after everything that had happened, I’d asked them to avoid the obvious topic of conversation.

We’d ended up in the solarium, talking about everything other than the fact that Mercedes and I had come out to the parents and the repercussions of our relationship. This morning, however, I knew we weren’t going to keep getting lucky.

They were going to want to talk about it, but after getting some rest and waking up next to her, I was ready for it. They looked up when we walked into the kitchen, both of them wearing aprons, some flour, and wide smiles as they said good morning.

“Merry Christmas,” Brooke said warmly, motioning to the breakfast spread they’d obviously prepared and laid out on the counter. “Yogurt, muesli, and fruit is over here. Omelets and bacon are in the oven.”

“Thank you,” Mercedes said as she hugged Brooke. “Merry Christmas to you too. What time did you guys get up to do all this?”

Kaden shrugged, then smirked as he made his eyebrows jump. “We were up early anyway. When we finally got up, we decided to do something nice for you guys.”

“I hope you washed your hands,” I said playfully. Kaden laughed while Brooke scrunched up her nose and sighed.

“We showered,” she said primly, but then suddenly, she winked at me and grinned. “I may have neglected to wash the hand I used to make your food.”

I wrinkled my nose at her, but since she was finally joking around with me, I decided to lean into it. “I’ll make the coffee. How much cayenne pepper do you take in yours?”

“Because I’m so fiery?” She laughed. “None, but thanks. This is all natural.”

Mercedes looked between the two of us and a serene, relieved smile spread on her lips. “I think it’s probably better if I make the coffee.”

She released my hand and went over to the machine, but she turned to look back at them over her shoulder. “Hey, uh, have you guys seen the parents yet?”

Brooke flashed her a sympathetic smile as she shook her head. “They haven’t been down here since we’ve been up. Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. I was just wondering.” She turned again and hummed a Christmas song under her breath as she readied the mugs and waited for the machine to do its thing.

Kaden grimaced when he caught my eye. “So, uh, while it’s just us, Brooke and I wanted to apologize for the way we confronted you before. We should’ve asked questions and tried to understand instead of just attacking you, and we really are sorry.”

Brooke walked to his side, nodding. She looked me in the eyes and then waited for Mercedes to turn so she could do the same with her. “I was horrible to both of you, and I had my reasons but none of that is any excuse. If you’ll let us, we’d like to start over. With a clean slate. For real this time.”

She looked at me as she said that last part, and I nodded without hesitating for even a second. “Yeah. Absolutely. That’s what I want too.”

“We forgive you,” Mercedes added immediately. “Just in case it needs to be said. I don’t think it does. I think it speaks for itself that we’d never hold it against you. You were fighting for what you thought was right, and we can’t fault you for that.”

“Just, uh, if anyone ever wrongs us, you’re going to be on our side, right? You put up one hell of a fight.” I grinned at my brother, offering him a fist bump.

He grinned back at me. “We should’ve been on your side this time, so yeah. We’ll be there next time for sure.”

Mercedes started passing around coffees as they were ready, and the four of us settled in at the breakfast nook, chatting after having decided to wait for Dad and Margaux before we ate. The vibe between us was much better than it had been before, relaxed and easy as they finally asked their questions.

We answered them honestly, and by the time a throat cleared behind us, I had my arm around Mercedes’s shoulders and no one had batted an eye. All chatter and laughter ceased immediately at the sound, and Mercedes tried to scoot out from under my arm but I moved with her.

As we turned to look at Dad and Margaux, I could see that my father had something to say. He had his arm around her waist and she was still pale, but she was definitely looking better than last night. He stood up a little straighter as he looked directly at me.

“Margaux and I stayed up talking all night, and while we’re both going to need time to adjust to this, she’s on board as well.”

Mercedes stiffened beside me, and there was so much hope in those deep green eyes as she looked up at her mother that it killed me to think she might just get hurt again. “Is that true? You’re on board?”

Margaux nodded, slid in on Mercedes’ side of the breakfast nook, and wrapped her arms around her daughter’s shoulders. I moved my arm out of the way for the hug, figuring that my point had been made.

“It’s going to take me a bit of time to get used to this, but at the end of the day, I can look past it. I love you, darling. I want you to be happy, and if Kody is the one, then I don’t want to be the reason your heart is broken.”