Silver Linings (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

3. Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Cam

It’s been another busy day, although I can’t complain. CC’s is going gangbusters with the coffee crowd, both our regulars and out-of-town visitors. It might be something to do with the fact we now bake all our pastries in-house—or at least Donna does—and the word has spread. I might even need to look at extending our hours and employing a few more people. It’s a good problem to have.

Mid-afternoon, the bell above the door tinkles and I look up as Georgia and Felix enter. I haven’t seen them since dinner last week, so it’s nice to see their smiling faces.

“Well, well, look who it is,” Georgia says with a grin as she approaches the counter. “One of the lovebirds in the flesh.”

I roll my eyes. “Very funny.”

Felix chuckles. “Can you blame us, Cam? You and Greg were looking awfully cozy at Jake’s the other night. Couldn’t keep your eyes off each other.”

“Or hands,” Georgia adds.

I flush at the memory. Greg and I had maybe gotten a bit carried away, stealing kisses and holding hands, but sometimes it feels as if we’re the only two people in the world. I shrug and raise my brow. “What can I say? The honeymoon phase never ends.”

Georgia scoffs. “Please, you two have been together for ages. Get a room already!”

“Who says we didn’t?” I fire back with a wink.

Felix laughs and links elbows with her. “Alright, enough teasing the man. How about some coffee?”

“Coming right up.” I get to work preparing their usuals—a skinny vanilla latte for Georgia and black for Felix. It reminds me, I need to finalize the menu for the Christmas drinks lineup. We have our renowned holiday drinks, of course, but I want to mix it up this year and try some new things.

A few minutes later, I bring the coffees over to the table by the window where they’ve settled in. Through the glass, I can see the general store across the street, with large window already decked out with Christmas decorations, although it’s only early November. There’s a Christmas tree laden with bright colored baubles and silver tinsel, and a robotic Santa waving jerkily, a pile of wrapped gifts at his feet.

“Looking good,” I say as I pull up a chair, indicating the window across the road. “You’ve been hard at work, I see.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Georgia groans. “And we’ve been stocking the shelves non-stop with all the new Christmas stuff. Gifts, wrapping paper, cards, you name it. I swear, if I have to hang one more strand of tinsel…”

Felix laughs and passes her a sugar. “You love it, and don’t pretend otherwise.”

She gives a sheepish smile, then focuses on dumping the sugar into her drink.

“How’s business for you?” I ask, turning to Felix.

“I’ve got my hands full with the cabins now the renovations are complete. Bookings are through the roof this year, helped by the updated website and social media strategy.”

“That’s great, man,” I say sincerely. “I’m really happy for you.”

Felix had taken a big risk when he’d left his job in the city. He came back to Collier’s Creek to give me a hand running the coffee shop while Greg and I took what was supposed to be an extended vacation. Then he stayed to run his family’s holiday cabins. It’s good to hear his hard work is paying off.

Georgia takes a sip of her latte before putting the cup down. “So, Cam, how are things with you and Greg? Any big plans for the holidays?”

I lean back in my chair. “Not sure yet. Both sides of the family will want to see us, but I’m looking forward to some low-key time, just the two of us. Maybe a trip to the Christmas markets, and the tree lighting ceremony, and then a special dinner at home.”

I imagine us curled up on the couch on Christmas morning, mugs of hot chocolate in hand as we watch the snow fall outside our window, exchanging gifts by the fire. The simple moments are always the sweetest.

“Sounds perfect.” Georgia sighs. “You two are so good together. Relationship goals, honestly.”

I feel a sudden swell of emotion and duck my head.

Felix reaches over to pat my arm. “She’s right, you know. After everything you’ve been through… You deserve this happiness.”

I nod, blinking back the sting behind my eyes. Sometimes it feels too good to be true. The road hasn’t always been easy for Greg and me. High-school sweethearts, then the breakup. But our love has always brought us back together, stronger than before. Thank God, given everything we’ve been through since then. His accident… Even now, thinking about it makes me shiver.

The conversation shifts then, to lighter topics—Georgia’s latest Tinder disaster after breaking up with Trent from the bank, the new artisan deli opening up on Main Street, and the Christmas markets. We compare experiences at the new restaurant, Odette’s, before I turn the conversation back to more serious topics.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. I want to share my excitement with my best friends, but I’m also reluctant at the same time. “There’s actually something else I wanted to talk to you guys about.”

Georgia raises an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell.”

I fiddle with my coffee mug. These are my friends and I’m not sure why I’m so nervous about broaching the subject, I guess because it means so much to me. Putting it out in the world makes it real, means it’s no longer my secret with Greg.

“Well, Greg and I… We’ve been talking about the future a lot lately. And we’ve decided we’re ready to start a family.”

Felix’s eyes widen, a grin spreading across his face. “Cam, that’s amazing!”

Georgia squeals, clapping her hands together. “Oh my god, yes! Cam and Greg, as daddies, can you imagine? You mentioned it a while back, but I didn’t realize you meant so soon. You guys are still so young—”

“We’re twenty-six.”

“Anyway,” she continues, “I thought you’d wait a while. But, oh my god, this is awesome!”

I laugh at their excitement. “We’re looking into surrogacy options right now. It’s still early days, and it won’t happen overnight, but we’re hopeful.”

Georgia reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. “You guys are going to be incredible dads. Those kids will be so lucky to have you.”

“Kids?” I say. “Maybe we’ll start with one.”

“One or ten, you’ll be amazing,” Felix says.

I swallow past the lump in my throat, touched by their unwavering support. “Thanks, guys. I hope so.”

Georgia leans back, a smile on her face. “Trust me, I know these things. I’ve seen you with my nieces and nephews. The way you light up around them, the patience you have…”

“Those kids are cute and a lot of fun. It’s hard not to like the little munchkins.”

Georgia nods. “And they adore you right back. Remember last Christmas, when Angela insisted on sitting on your lap the entire night? Wouldn’t let anyone else near you?”

I chuckle at the memory, warmth blooming in my chest. “She’s a sweetheart.”

“And then there was the time you saved the day with Caleb’s birthday party,” Felix says, mentioning the son of a friend of ours. “When their house flooded, so you offered to host the party here, and worked into the early hours of the morning to get everything set up?”

I grin, shaking my head. “I thought I’d blocked that out. Pretty sure I scarred a few kids for life with my attempts at decorating that football cake.”

Felix barks a laugh. “Are you kidding? They loved it! You were the hero of the hour.”

I can still visualize the horrendous iced chocolate cake that looked like a pile of—well, the kids’ imaginations sure went to town—they were delighted and in hysterical laugher at the mess. Emotion washes over me. “I just… I can’t wait to have those moments with our own kid, you know? To be there for all the big things and the little things. To watch him or her grow and learn and become this incredible person.”

Georgia’s eyes soften. “I may only be an aunty, but it’s the best feeling in the world, Cam. Watching them discover the world, seeing it through their eyes. It changes you in the most amazing way.”

I nod, blink back the prickle behind my eyes. “I want that. More than anything.”

Felix reaches over, clapping me on the shoulder. “And you’ll have it, buddy. You and Greg… You’re going to be amazing dads. That kid will be so loved, by all of us. You know you’ve got a couple of babysitters already lined up, right?”

I chuckle. “Thanks, guys. For everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Georgia winks, her grin playful. “Probably still be pining after Greg from afar, if we’re being honest.”

I laugh, shaking my head, remembering the pep talk from Georgia to make a move on the cute golden-haired boy I had a crush on. I’m not sure I would have got up the courage to make the first move if she hadn’t told me she’d seen the way Greg looked at me. “Probably.”

Felix leans back in his chair, his expression turning thoughtful. “You know, Cam, you and Greg have been through so much together, and you’ve come out stronger every time. I’m sure this surrogacy thing will be something you’ll face head on.”

“It’s been tough,” I admit, my fingers tracing the rim of my coffee mug. “There were times when I thought we might not make it. But Greg… He’s my rock. He’s always been there, even when life tried to get in the way.”

Georgia reaches over, squeezing my hand. “That’s what love is, honey. It’s not about the easy times. It’s about weathering the storms together. The good times and the bad.”

“I know. And I’m so grateful for him. For everything we have. I just… I want to give him the family he deserves. The family we both want so badly. I know it won’t be easy, but we’re ready. We’re ready to fight for our family, no matter what it takes.”

“We’re here for you, buddy,” Felix says. “Just say the word and whatever it is, you’ve got it.”

Georgia smiles. “Yeah, what he said. And just think, in a few years, we’ll be sitting right here, watching you chase after a little mini-Cam or mini-Greg.”

I laugh, the image warming me from the inside out. “I can’t wait.”