This was my second of two entries for the A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Dysfunctional Family Holiday edition 2023 (250-word limit). The story was selected as the favorite of judges Sunshine1220 and shouldbecleaning (thank you so much!), and was selected for the Pawfect Pair Award, and the Spilled Wine (Bittersweet) Award.
Title: A Table for Two
We pull into our driveway after another disastrous dinner with my family. I don't know why I keep hoping things will be different, that I will finally be good enough for my parents. It never happens. Not even at Christmas.
"I'm sorry how things turned out tonight," I say when Jasper opens my car door.
"Don't apologize, Alice. None of this is your fault." Jasper kisses the top of my head as we walk to the house.
I don't deserve him, but I need him so much. To him, I am always enough.
"I have a surprise for you," Jasper says before he opens our front door.
"What did you do?" I ask playfully.
"Close your eyes and you'll see in a minute."
I do as he says, and then he guides me to our front room.
"Open your eyes," Jasper says standing behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
My breath catches at the small table elegantly set for two, my favorite cake already on the plates, the candles glowing.
"This is so beautiful, Jasper."
"You deserve everything, Alice. I know your parent's behavior hurts you, but that's on them. You are magnificent and deserve to be treated like the treasure you are. I will spend every day of the rest of my life making sure you know how much you are loved. Merry Christmas, Alice."
His words fill my heart as I turn to hold him.
"You're all the family I need, Jasper. I love you. Merry Christmas."
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