Gingerbread Hearts. Six Lesbian Christmas Stories
By Jae
4/5
()
About this ebook
Holiday Outing
Alison Grey
As if spending Christmas with her parents, siblings, grandparents, and the rest of the extended family wasn’t nerve-racking enough, Susanne has decided to come out to her family on Christmas Eve. Or she at least tries to, because saying the three words “I’m a lesbian” is not as easy as it seems.
It’s in the Pudding
Emma Weimann
As Christmas approaches, Ida vows to make a fresh start and open her heart to new possibilities. Her mother's old Danish tradition gives her just the chance she is looking for: The person who finds the almond in the Christmas pudding has one wish. However, a trip to the dentist wasn't what Ida had in mind.
Devgo
Corinna Behrens
Even during the holiday season, Rebecca, a successful business woman, continues to chase after the things that matters least. Instead of spending Christmas with family and friends, her only concern is making more money. Will that change when a strange creature appears in her bedroom a few nights before Christmas and challenges her view of life?
A Magical Christmas
RJ Nolan
A week before Christmas, Erin’s ex once again breaks a promise and disappoints their children. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he also ruined the romantic getaway Kris had planned for Erin. Kris is determined to make it up to Erin and the children. What better place to do that than the happiest place on earth?
The Christmas Grump
Jae
For Rachel Lewis, a security guard at the mall, the Christmas holiday season is one big headache. She wants nothing to do with the celebration of love, peace, and family harmony. Her disenchantment with the holiday slowly begins to change when she meets seven-year-old Tyler and his mother.
Kissing Ms. Santa Claus
Jae
Rachel is counting the days until she and Lillian celebrate their first Christmas together as a couple. She is filled with longing for only one thing to make her holiday complete: a long-term commitment from Lillian. She sets out to find the perfect gift that will reflect her love and devotion.
Jae
Jae grew up amidst the vineyards of southern Germany. She spent her childhood with her nose buried in a book, earning her the nickname "professor." The writing bug bit her at the age of eleven. For the last seven years, she has been writing mostly in English.She works as a psychologist. When she's not writing, she likes to spend her time reading, indulging her ice cream and office supply addiction, and watching way too many crime shows.
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Reviews for Gingerbread Hearts. Six Lesbian Christmas Stories
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Book preview
Gingerbread Hearts. Six Lesbian Christmas Stories - Jae
Gingerbread Hearts
Six Lesbian Christmas Stories
by Ylva Publishing
Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.
http://www.ylva-publishing.com
Copyright 2012 Ylva Publishing
Smashwords Edition
First Edition: November 2012
Edited by Judy Underwood
Cover Design by Krystel Contreras
Cover photo by http://www.schwarz-licht.com
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or events, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Table of contents
Introduction
Holiday Outing
Alison Grey
It’s in the Pudding
Emma Weimann
Devgo
Corinna Behrens
A Magical Christmas
RJ Nolan
The Christmas Grump
Jae
Kissing Ms. Santa Claus
Jae
About Alison Grey
About Emma Weimann
About Corinna Behrens
About RJ Nolan
About Jae
Other books from Ylva Publishing
Coming from Ylva Publishing in spring 2013
Introduction
2012 was a year filled with hard work to get our publishing company up and running and to produce the best books we possibly can.
Thank you to all the people who helped us in this endeavor. A special thanks goes to Sandra Gerth, who is both a calming influence and an active contributor. Without her, the publishing company wouldn’t be where it is today—and the publisher would have a lot more gray hairs.
A big thank-you goes to Alison Grey, Judy Underwood, Marion Gerwien, Kerstin Troka, Ulrike Busch, Daniela Hüge, Krystel Contreras, Marion Pönisch, Susanne Gerth, and RJ Nolan, our blurb queen.
Having you be part of our pack
is a wonderful thing.
The writers and staff of Ylva Publishing wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. May your holidays be filled with love, laughter, and lots of good books.
Holiday Outing
Alison Grey
I’ll do it. I swear, this time I’ll do it,
Susanne murmured and pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. She marched into the living room and stopped directly in front of her mother’s recliner.
Her mother reached for a pretzel stick from the bowl on her lap and stared at the television.
Mom?
"Not now, darling. I’m watching Columbo. I think it was the chauffeur."
Susanne rolled her eyes. Mom, there’s something I’ve got to tell you.
Her mother put the pretzel stick in her mouth but didn’t look at Susanne. What is it?
Mom, I … I’m …
Susanne blew out a breath. I can’t do it. Damn! With drooping shoulders, she turned and shuffled from the living room. It’s nothing.
A barely audible grunting from her mother followed her to her room.
***
And?
Ulrike asked. Come on, sis. Tell me what she said!
Susanne dropped onto her bed. She thinks it was the chauffeur,
she said into the phone.
Huh?
Susanne switched the phone to the other side. She was watching TV and didn’t even listen to what I said.
Did you tell her?
No, I didn’t.
But you said you’d do it today.
It just wasn’t the right moment,
Susanne said. Maybe I should wait until I can tell Mom and Dad at the same time.
Ulrike groaned. And then what? It was your idea to tell them one at a time. What’s so hard about that? You walk up to them and say, I’m gay.
Moaning, Susanne squeezed her eyes shut. God, what a nightmare.
After a few seconds of silence, Ulrike said, I know it’s not easy, but you’ve got to tell them sometime. All this drama has been going on for four years now. You’ve had two girlfriends and are still putting off coming out. And whenever you’re sick of all the secrecy, it’s always the same. You want to tell them, but then you don’t, and you whine about Mom and Dad not really knowing you. So, when are you going to tell them?
I’ll tell them eventually,
Susanne said. But not today.
Okay.
Ulrike sighed. How about Christmas?
Susanne’s eyes widened. Christmas?
Yes,
Ulrike said enthusiastically. The whole family will be there, so you’ll only have to say it once.
That’s not a good i—
Nonsense. You’re doing it on Christmas Eve. Even Grandma Frida and Grandpa Helmut will be there. Oh, and Uncle Uwe said he’d come this year too. He’ll bring his new girlfriend Renate or Regina or something like that. Who can keep up with all the names when he gets a new girlfriend every other day?
Susanne wasn’t interested in the name of Uncle Uwe’s latest girlfriend. Her heart was racing. Are you joking?
Ulrike was completely nuts. She couldn’t come out on Christmas Eve.
Do you see me laughing? So? What do you say? As soon as everyone sits down, you take up a position in front of them and ask them to listen. That’s all.
That’s all,
Susanne repeated quietly. I can’t do it.
I’ll be there the whole time,
Ulrike said. And if Grandpa Helmut falls off his chair, I’ll give first aid. Don’t panic.
She giggled.
Susanne’s stomach felt queasy. You’re so not funny.
So what? I’m still your favorite sister.
You’re my only sister, you nut,
Susanne said into the phone.
Details, details. I’ll be coming over early on Christmas Eve. I promised Mom I’d help with the cooking anyway. And then you’ll tell them. Okay?
Susanne didn’t answer. She wouldn’t be able to do it like that in a million years. She couldn’t even do it when it was just her mother. Just thinking about coming out to the whole family at the same time made her tremble and break out into a sweat.
So?
I’ll do anything as long as she shuts up. Yes, yes, okay. I’ll do it.
That’s what I wanted to hear. See you next week. I’ve got to go. Michael and I want to try out the new Italian place around the corner.
You do that. See you soon.
Susanne ended the call and shook her head. How did she always get into situations like this? She hoped Ulrike would have forgotten about their conversation by next week. After all, it was just six days until Christmas.
***
Susanne sat on her bed and studied the PETA poster displaying Pamela Anderson. I’m twenty-five, still live at home, and haven’t managed to come out to them in four years. My life’s pitiful.
Ulrike sat next to her. Bullshit. You got your master’s. Why move when Mom and Dad live twenty minutes from the college? And you just haven’t told them because you haven’t been in a serious relationship yet.
Susanne looked at her. Yeah, still. It’s an important part of me.
I know.
Ulrike patted her knee. That’s why I want you to finally tell them.
She smiled. And before you know it, you’ll meet Ms. Right. I’m sure of it.
Nonsense. Susanne snorted and stood. She ambled to the window and looked outside. Snow had been falling for hours, turning the street, the pavement, and the fir in the front yard into an idyllic winter wonderland. Maybe Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Uwe will think it’s better to stay home in this weather. That would leave only Mom and Dad.
You’ll tell them today. Then things will get better. I’m sure of it.
Susanne nodded. No more excuses. I’ll do it today. She turned back toward the window. Everything looks so peaceful. It won’t stay that way. That’s for sure.
***
Merry Christmas,
Grandma Frida mumbled while she cleaned her boots on the doormat and bent to unleash Hugo, her Pekinese.
The little rat barked. As always, it was shrill and gave Susanne a headache. He jumped back and forth between her and Ulrike.
Susanne ignored him. He had bitten her once too often. His teeth were too tiny to hurt someone seriously, but Susanne still remembered how he had chewed on her finger this summer until it started bleeding. I won’t repeat that mistake.
Grandma Frida hugged Ulrike first, then Susanne.
Merry Christmas, Grandma,
Susanne said and stepped back when Grandma Frida wanted to pinch her cheek.
Have you lost weight again, child?
Grandma Frida turned toward her daughter and son-in-law, who were leaving the living room and stepping into the hall. Doris, your youngest is getting thinner and thinner. You really have to …
Yes, Mom,
Susanne’s mother said and opened her arms. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas,
Grandma Frida said and hugged her daughter.
Hugo ran over to Susanne’s parents and jumped up and down.
They ignored the small dog.
I’m just saying,
Grandma Frida said, letting go of her daughter. I don’t want the child to develop an eating disorder. Like Princess Vi...
Where’s Grandpa?
Ulrike asked and looked out the still open door.
Grandma Frida let go of her daughter and hugged her son-in-law. Merry Christmas, Bernd.
Susanne’s father forced a smile. He looked as if someone