Chapter 50.

Christmas started around midnight for the Michaels family. Not only because it was Christmas but because it was also Holly's birthday. Ryder and Holly had stayed over at her parents house for Christmas. Then when the clock chimed twelve, they had woke Holly up with an array of birthdays gifts and happy birthday songs.

It was how Holly had always celebrated her birthday when she was home. She always celebrated it with birthday songs and a huge birthday cake at midnight and she got her presents early. In fact she always got two presents. A birthday present and a Christmas present.

The last few days had been hectic because she and Ryder had to go gift shopping for the family. There was a long list of things to get since Ryder also wanted to get gifts for his parents and his brother Alex. They had visited about five shops in total and spent almost two days shopping for gifts alone.

Then, Holly's Dad had invited Ryder to go tree shopping with him and they came back home with a tree so huge that it could barely fit into their house and when it finally did, Holly, Ryder, Louis and River had spent hours decorating it. The Christmas tree was a beautiful sight adorned with glistering ornaments and glowing fairy lights draped around it.

Ella was still in the hospital due to minor complications but she was going to be released before or on Christmas.

When it was morning, Louis and River had woken up to a tree full of presents and stockings, Ryder and Holly watched as they tore their presents with eagerness and excitement. She was glad that they didn't really feel the absence of their parents who were going to arrive late noon.

"If we have a boy, what name do you have in mind?"

Ryder asked Holly out of the blues as they watched Louis and River play with their new toys.

"You're going to make fun of me if I tell you." Holly said as she cuddled up next to Ryder under a large blanket.

Ryder shook his head.

"I won't laugh, I promise. I might even consider it."

"Well, I've always liked the name Everest."

Holly said and Ryder stifled his laughter.

"I honestly don't see the appeal. But it's much better than naming our baby Hawk."

He said as he finally gave in go the laughter and Holly hit his chest.

"Hawk is a great name. And it's unique too."

Ryder nodded while still trying to contain his laughter.

"Yea, let's move to girl names. I really want a baby girl."

Holly shrugged.

"I actually don't mind the sex of a baby. I just want a healthy baby."

"Well, if it's a girl?"

Holly paused.

"I don't know, I have a lot of options in my mind."

"Well, we'll have plenty of time to decide."

Ryder said with a smile. He could stare at her face all day and not get tired of looking at her. He liked seeing her smile so much these days, it gave him so much joy that he was the major reason she was so happy.

He pulled away the strands of hair in her face and pulled her close to him and planted a warm kiss on her lips.

Ella and Richard arrived with their new baby brother late noon.

Holly and Ryder had tried their best in making the little boys feel comfortable and happy during Christmas since their parents arrived.

"Hey! Merry Christmas Holly." Ryder whispered as he kissed Holly's hands while watching Ella embrace her two sons.

"This is the third time you're saying this. Merry Christmas Ryder." She gushed out as she gave him a kiss on the lips.

He had surprised her with the best birthday presents. A bouquet of Roses, a signature fragrance perfume and a gift card for a day at the spa in one of the best spas in New York. Holly was completely shocked, considering the fact that most of the things Ryder had got he had to get them last minute because he was most likely not expecting to spend her birthday with her.

Holly had felt embarrassed that she had got him the new edition Ray Ban Aviator sunglasses that she had managed to snag at the store since it was selling out super fast and a bottle of aged whisky since he loved booze so much.

"Thank you for the birthday gifts. I absolutely love them!"

She gushed out and Ryder shrugged.

"I would have done more if I had the time to plan it out."

He said as he pulled her close to him.

"Sheesh! You two should just get a room already. Congratulations on your engagement!!!"

Ella shouted as she hugged the two of them.

"I'm so happy for you guys. Merry Christmas you two."

"Awwn. Merry Christmas Ella. So glad you can finally make it. The boys missed you a lot."

Ella nodded as she looked at her boys cooing for her new baby in the baby carrier.

Ryder and Holly went to check out the new baby who was peacefully sleeping in his carrier.

"I missed them too. Thankfully, Ace Remington is bigger than a preemie or else we would have spent Christmas in the hospital. Except for regular checkups, he's going to be fine."

Ella said and Holly nodded in agreement.

"Holly! The cake is ready. Better come and decorate it!"

Her mother called her out.

"I'm coming Mum. Give me a moment Ryder."

Holly said and Ryder released her from his grip.

The kitchen was teeming with activity and heavenly smells. Holly started decorating her Italian cream cake. It was made with coconut and pecans with a creamy filling of coconut cream. Holly decorated the moist buttermilk cake with a white buttercream filling, toppled it with raspberries and decorated the sides with coconut shavings, pecans and bits of decadent dark chocolates.

The kitchen was smelling amazing, the scent of the freshly baked Christmas cake that Holly had finished decorating. Her mother was bringing out the Cranberry Orange roast turkey from the oven, the kitchen table was also lined with Holiday green bean casserole, traditional holiday stuffing with sausage and infused with sage. Holiday lettuce salad and the classic mashed potatoes.

No one in the house except the boys had eaten breakfast, it was typical of them to eat quite late on Christmas morning or a simple meal.

All they had was creamy hot chocolate that was in mugs with generous layers of whipped cream and slices of simple vanilla cake.

"Oh the cake is so pretty. I like it! The details on it are phenomenal! Grandma's recipe right?"

"Yes mum. I found her old recipe book."

"That's good. You can take it with you if you want, I rarely use it anyways."

"Really??? I thought it was a family heirloom?"

Holly asked in surprise and her mum shrugged. She was putting the dressing for the chicken into little bowls.

"It is, but Grandma would have wanted you to have it. Besides you're the only baker in the family."

"Awwn thank you mum."

Holly said as she hugged her mum.

"Awwn honey, I'm so proud of you."

Her mum gushed out and Holly blinked back happy tears. All her life, all she ever wanted was her mum to admit and tell her how much she loved and was proud of her. Not the jokes and criticisms about her weight. and now she was finally telling her the words she wanted to hear.

"Sorry to interrupt, you have a call Holly."

Ryder said as he handed Holly her phone.

"A call? From who?" She asked as she checked the caller ID.

Ryder shrugged. "It's from someone named Levi."

Levi? Levi was Kim's brother. Her only brother. Holly rarely saw him since he didn't live in New York. In fact, she had only seen Levi twice in the years she and Kim had been friends.

"Hello?"

She said unsurely into the phone as she frowned a bit. Ryder gave her some privacy.

"Hello Holly. Merry Christmas."

"Hey Levi. Merry Christmas to you too. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing great. Do you have any idea where Kim is? I've been trying to reach her for three days!"

He asked.

"Well, I don't know. To be honest we're not really friends anymore."

Holly answered and Levi sounded surprised.

"Really? What happened?"

Hilly sighed as she massaged her temples.

"It's a really long story. But she hurt me a lot and we don't talk anymore now."

Holly replied. There was a short pause on the phone.

"Do you have any idea where she might be? Her boss said he fired her and she hasn't been home in days."

"I don't know Levi. Kim is a grown woman, I believe she's capable of taking care of herself."

Holly answered feeling a little irritated at Levi's questions. She had no idea that Kim was fired from her job, nor did she have a single clue as to where she might be either.

"Well, that's what you might think but she isn't."

"What do you mean?" Holly asked out of curiosity

"Didn't she tell you?"

"Tell me what exactly?"

"Kim is bipolar. She has bipolar disorder and according to her doctor, she stopped showing up for therapy or getting her drugs months ago."

Holly's jaw dropped. Kim bipolar? Impossible.

"Well, I was her friend for three years, how come I had no idea that she was bipolar?"

"Well, she didn't like telling people about it. But she has a very severe case of bipolar disorder and she's prone to manic episodes a lot. I just really need to find her."

"Well, I don't know where she might be and frankly, I don't care. She almost ruined my life."

"Come on Holly, she's not that bad. You guys used to be close. It's just her disorder."

"Her disorder?!! You must be kidding me right now, it sounds like she probably put you up to this because the Kim I know, is batshit crazy!"

Holly screamed into the phone. Ryder walked into the kitchen with a concerned look on his face.

"Are you okay?" He mouthed and Holly nodded her head.

"Levi, I wish I could help you, but I really don't want to have anything to do with Kim. Best of luck and I hope you find her."

Holly said as she hung up her phone.

Ryder was staring at her with concern.

"You okay?" He asked as he took her in his arms and rubbed her back gently.

"Yes, I am."