From Farmhouse to Family
A Holiday Tale
written by: Andy Cooper
Fiona and I spent Christmas
at my grandfather’s old farmhouse.
We traversed through
a white-dusted hillside.
The stereo was going—
holiday R&B tunes playing.
Heat blasted through the vents.
Fiona sipped coffee,
tapped her foot,
sang lyrics—
and sipped again.
I joined in—
she plugged
her ears,
laughing.
This year, it’d be Fiona and me.
A shortage of airport workers
had people lucky enough to stay home.
The hickory tree branches
gathered frost,
white lacy drifting
softly to land.
The nights of wonderland
left us wanting,
more time for late nights
exploring each other’s bodies
before unwrapping presents.
A Christmas tree—
a window flickered.
Lights are tightly coiled.
I’d give her this—
Fiona would flash me a teary-eyed grin,
and thank me for remembering a ring—
the one she wouldn’t shut up about.
Fiona tore off the labels
of my introspection.
I was priceless to her.
Everything we knew
was worth less
than us this beautiful
home on Christmas.
She handed me a small gift,
which I liked the best.
I grinned and thanked her.
She drew her eyes
as if to urge me to open it.
I slowly ripped the paper.
“Not funny,” I said.
Warmth rushed through my face.
I dipped my gaze—
Fiona brushed a single tear with her finger.
“Is it true?”
She nodded,
hugging herself.
In nine months,
we’ll be parents.
I sobbed.
I moved closer.
Fiona embraced me.
Fiona getting pregnant
wasn’t supposed to happen.
The doctor said it’d never happen.
It happened—
I don’t need a deeper explanation.
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