Mistletoe Motel

20. Holly

Chapter 20

Holly

T he warm glow of candles flickered across the dining room table, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Holly stood, gathering the last of the dessert plates, a contentment settling over her that she hadn’t felt in this house for a long time.

“Thank you both for dinner,” she said, smiling at her parents. “It was wonderful.”

Her mother beamed, the lines around her eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. “We’re just so glad you’re here, sweetheart.”

Her father nodded in agreement, a soft smile playing on his lips. “It’s been a perfect Christmas.”

As they stood, her mother stifled a yawn, and Holly felt a surge of affection for her. The day had been filled with tentative steps toward reconciliation, moments of laughter, and even a few tears. It wasn’t perfect—there were still awkward pauses and careful navigation of certain topics—but it was progress. More than she’d dared to hope for.

“We should head to bed,” her father said, glancing at the ornate clock on the mantel. “It’s been a long day.”

Holly nodded, but hesitated, her heart quickening. “Actually, before you go…would it be all right if I borrowed the car?”

Her parents exchanged a glance. “Of course,” her mother said. “But where are you going at this hour?”

Holly took a deep breath, steeling herself. Just a week ago, the idea of mentioning a female love interest to her parents had seemed impossible. But they had surprised her today, even bringing up Mack over dinner, commenting on how nice she seemed.

“I…I was hoping to go see Mack at the hospital,” Holly said, the words tumbling out in a rush. “I know it’s late, but I just…I want to check on her, see how she’s doing.”

There was a moment of silence, and Holly felt her chest tighten. But then her father’s face softened, and he pointed to the sideboard, where his car keys were.

“Say hello from us. Just drive safely, all right? The roads might be icy.”

Holly blinked, momentarily stunned. “I will, Dad. Thank you.”

Her mother stepped forward, enveloping her in a warm hug. “Yes. Tell Mack we said hello,” she murmured. “And congratulations again on becoming an aunt.”

As Holly slipped on her coat and headed out, she felt a lightness in her step that had been missing for far too long. The car’s engine purred to life, and she pulled out of the driveway, the familiar streets of her childhood neighborhood sliding by in a blur of twinkling Christmas lights.

As she merged onto the highway, a nervous flutter began in her belly, growing stronger with each mile that brought her closer to the hospital. Holly wasn’t entirely sure why it felt so important to see Mack tonight. They had been texting throughout the day, sharing updates and well-wishes. But somehow, it wasn’t enough.

Perhaps it was the symbolism of it all, Holly mused as she navigated through the light evening traffic. They had started Christmas together, strangers thrown together by circumstance. Now, as the holiday drew to a close, Holly felt an inexplicable pull to end it together.

The city lights glowed softly against the night sky, a gentle snowfall adding a dreamlike quality to the scene. Holly’s mind wandered back to their time in Watertown. It felt like a lifetime ago, yet also as if no time had passed at all.

When she arrived at the hospital, Holly’s heart began to race, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her veins. She found a parking spot and sat for a moment, gathering her courage before she dialed Mack’s number.

“Holly? Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” Holly assured her quickly. “I’m actually… I’m here. At the hospital.”

There was a beat of silence, and then Mack’s voice, filled with disbelief and joy. “You’re here? Now?”

“Yeah,” Holly said, a smile spreading across her face. “Can you come down? I’m in the parking lot.”

“I’ll be right there,” Mack replied, and Holly could hear the smile in her voice.

Holly stepped out of the car, the cold air nipping at her cheeks as she made her way toward the hospital entrance. Her eyes scanned the area, searching for a glimpse of teal hair in the sea of cars and late-night visitors.

And then, there she was. Mack burst through the sliding doors, her eyes wild and searching until they locked onto Holly. For a moment, they both stood frozen, drinking in the sight of each other.

Then, as if pulled by some invisible force, Holly’s feet carried her forward, her pace quickening with each step until she was practically running. Mack matched her stride for stride, and they collided in the middle of the walkway, arms wrapping tightly around each other.

Holly buried her face in the crook of Mack’s neck, breathing in her scent. She felt Mack’s arms tighten around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Mack whispered, her breath warm against Holly’s ear.

Holly pulled back just enough to meet Mack’s gaze, her heart swelling at the joy and wonder she saw reflected there. Without a word, she leaned in, capturing Mack’s lips in a kiss.

It felt like coming home to a place Holly had never known existed. Mack’s lips were soft yet insistent, and she marveled at how familiar this felt, how right, despite the newness of it all. Her fingers traced the curve of Mack’s jaw, committing every detail to memory—the smoothness of her skin, the delicate hollow beneath her ear, the pulse that fluttered beneath her fingertips. The comfort of Mack’s embrace, the way their bodies fit together, it all felt too perfect to be mere coincidence.

As she lost herself in the kiss, Holly’s mind wandered to the chain of events that had brought them here—a snowstorm, a crowded airport, a shortage of motel rooms. What were the odds? Had the universe conspired to bring them together? Holly had never been one for grand notions of fate or destiny, but in this moment, with Mack’s arms around her, she found herself reconsidering.

As they slowly pulled apart, their eyes locked, both of them slightly breathless. Mack broke the silence first, her voice soft and uncertain. “So…where do we go from here?”

Holly’s lips curved into a smile. “You know, this might sound crazy, but I can’t shake this feeling that we were meant to meet. Like all those little coincidences weren’t really coincidences at all.”

“Yeah. I’ve been thinking the same thing, and…” Mack paused. “If I’m honest, I missed you today and with every minute that passed, I wanted to see you more.” She took a deep breath. “Look…I don’t know exactly where we’re going, but I know I want to go there with you.”

Holly felt a rush of emotion as she took Mack’s hands and laced their fingers together. “I’d like that,” she whispered. Their eyes met again, and in that moment, surrounded by the soft glow of hospital lights and gently falling snow, she embraced the prospect of new beginnings. In the blue depths of Mack’s eyes, she saw a universe of possibilities—laughter shared over morning coffee, quiet nights spent reading side by side, and many more Christmases to come…

Perhaps there was some greater force at work, guiding them toward each other, or perhaps it was simply the magic of the season, turning strangers into soulmates in the span of a few snow-filled days.

“Merry Christmas, girlfriend,” Holly murmured.

Mack laughed softly, the sound warming Holly from the inside out. “Merry Christmas, girlfriend.”