Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 677

Serena, upon noticing Brandon's sharp wit, immediately followed suit and dashed over to showcase herself. She began by twirling in her dress, then asked Neil in a sweet, childlike voice, “Do you like my dress?”

I knew exactly what she was up to. Whenever she wanted to grab the adults' attention, she would put on a little show.

Sure enough, Neil couldn't help but melt at her cute and somewhat vain display. He reached out to lift Serena into his arms, intending to plant a kiss on her, but the feisty little girl had other plans. She blocked him with her hand, “No kisses, you've got cooties!”

Neil paused, taken aback. Serena wriggled out of his arms and scurried off to grab a tissue, signaling Neil to bend down. “Wipe your mouth, and the cooties will be gone!” she instructed.

Neil, who had just pecked Brandon on the cheek, wondered where this sudden concern about cooties came from. Nonetheless, Serena's insistence on him wiping his mouth was amusingly serious.

After Serena had “dried” the corners of Neil's mouth, she presented her clean face to him, stating earnestly, “Okay, now you can kiss me.”

Watching this adorable scene unfold, Neil couldn't help but let his smile break free. He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek, causing Serena to blush. Though she felt a bit shy, she maintained her composure and reminded Neil, “Next time you want to kiss me, make sure to clean your mouth first. My mom says germs are no good!”

Their interaction lightened my mood. Despite Serena and Brandon being somewhat shy, I could feel their desire to grow closer to Neil. From a very young age, they had shown a strong affinity for him, and that hadn't changed.

My parents were busy with the holiday cleaning. Despite having help, they couldn't sit still and busied themselves together, while I was occupied with setting up Christmas decorations, eager to make the holiday festive and lively.

That's when my phone rang. It was Stella, somehow clued into Neil's return, her voice brimming with excitement. “He's actually back? You don't have to wait anymore!”

“Yeah, no more waiting. Plus, he's almost fully recovered,” I said, my lips curling into a smile.

“We have to celebrate! I’ll come over first thing tomorrow. After all these years of lonely holidays, this Christmas will be special. As your best friend, I have to be there to share your happiness,” Stella declared, ready to join our holiday gathering.

Her change of heart towards Neil surprised me, given her previous criticisms.

Soon, Mitch’s voice echoed from the background, “Rena, let Neil grab the phone!”

After passing the phone to Neil, who looked puzzled but took the call, I couldn't catch their conversation. However, Neil's resigned look afterwards told me enough.

“Mitch and the others want to come over for the holidays, possibly bringing Alicia along. Is that okay with you?” Neil inquired.

Considering it was the holidays, many prefer spending them with close family rather than a big gathering. But to me, Stella and her group were like family, just as Mitch and Cooper were to Neil. So, a collective celebration felt right.

I gave an “OK” gesture.

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Christmas Eve arrived.

Nature seemed to join in the festive spirit, blanketing the world in snow, making everything look like a scene from a holiday card. Our yard, adorned with colorful lights, sparkled against the snowy backdrop, creating a magical atmosphere.

Serena and Brandon, bundled up in their red jackets, played happily in the snow, their laughter filling the air. Neil joined in, making snowballs and enjoying the simple pleasure of the moment.

The doorbell rang, signaling Stella and the others' arrival. The house, already bustling, welcomed the added joy and chaos of our extended family and friends. My parents, ever the hosts, invited everyone inside for warmth and festivities.

Stella, ever the life of the party, suggested, “Let's have some wine. It'll warm us up in this weather.”

“What are you waiting for?” Neil set the drawing aside, opening his arms wide for a hug. Hiram’s lip quivered slightly before he rushed into Neil’s embrace, finally allowing himself to sob for the dad he had longed for.

I understood his reaction, considering the ambiguity surrounding his relation to Neil and the visible strain it had put on the Whitmore family. Fearful of reigniting those tensions, Hiram hesitated to address Neil as “dad.”

Now, with his fears dispelled, I felt a genuine happiness for their reconciliation. In the meantime, Stella, with a playful glint in her eye, poured Neil a glass of wine, teasing, “Looks like you’ve gained another son. You have to drink this, or I’ll be jealous!”

Neil accepted the glass with a smile, downing it in one go, marking a moment of peace between him and Stella.

The living room buzzed with a warmth and blissfulness, as if all past grievances and sorrows had dissipated in that moment. After sipping on my wine, I stepped out onto the balcony.

The chilling wind and overcast skies seemed to herald the arrival of a mythical beast, reminiscent of folklore. As snowflakes danced in the air, memories of Bonnie, Karina, and Russel filled my thoughts—each person, for better or worse, had left a vibrant mark on my life. Smiling to myself, I basked in the relief that came with letting go.

Then, another memory surfaced, freezing my smile. Pouring a bit of my wine onto the ground, I whispered, “Oscar, happy New Year’s Eve.”

Had he still been here, he might have been standing right beside me, perhaps with someone new.

My heart sank until Neil’s warm hand found mine. Surprised, I turned to find him in a simple sweater, the chill seemingly unfazed by the alcohol. His fingers gently caressed mine as he whispered, “Irene, I love you.”

Without a word, I offered him a broad smile and leaned into his shoulder. Together, we watched the snowfall, our love overcoming the hatred, resentment, conflicts, and pain that once resided in our hearts. Life is too short for lingering grievances. With our misunderstandings resolved, we looked forward to spending our days in peace.

They say every love story ends with marriage, but for Neil and me, it was our divorce that marked a new beginning.