Gingerbread Hearts. Six Lesbian Christmas Stories © by Ylva Publishing

ISBN mobi: 978-3-95533-023-1

ISBN epub: 978-3-95533-022-4

ISBN pdf: 978-3-95533-024-8

Originally published as Lebkuchenherzen. Fünf lesbische Weihnachtsgeschichten by Ylva

Verlag, e.Kfr., Germany, in 2012.

Copyright © 2012 by Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

English translation copyright © 2012 by Sandra Gerth

Published by Ylva Publishing, legal entity of Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

Ylva Verlag, e.Kfr.

Am Kirschgarten 2

65830 Kriftel

Germany

http://www.ylva-publishing.com

First Edition: November 2012

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.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without

permission.

Credits

Translated by Sandra Gerth

Edited by Judy Underwood

Cover Design by Krystel Contreras

Cover photo by http://www.schwarz-licht.com

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 had pulled out one of his

toenails. It was an open secret that he didn’t particularly care for his mother-in-law.

“He’s getting the presents from the car.” Grandma Frida let go of her son-in-law and

waved her hands. “Hurry up and help him, children. Don’t you want to get presents this

year?”

“We’re going,” Susanne said and pulled Ulrike after her. We’re off to a good start.

“Grandma’s in a rare mood,” Ulrike whispered when they were a few yards away.

Susanne shrugged. “She’s never in a good mood. You wouldn’t be either if you had a little

furball as a dog.”

Ulrike giggled.

“There you are, girls,” Grandpa Helmut called and waved as if they were still hundreds of

yards away instead of just four steps.

“Hi, Grandpa,” Ulrike said as she stepped next to the aging Ford Fiesta’s open trunk and

hugged her grandfather.

“Hello, Rike. Merry Christmas.” After a few seconds, he let go and opened his arms to

Susanne.

Susanne embraced him. “Hi, Grandpa. Merry Christmas.” Out of the corner of her eye, she

saw that the backseat had been folded down to make room for all the large presents. “Wow,

you really went all out this year.”

Grandpa Helmut let go of Susanne and grinned. “Just the best for you. Merry Christmas,

little one. How are you?”

Susanne stepped back and stared at the ground. “I’m fine.” She looked at him. “Grandma

says you need help carrying the presents.”

He studied her for a moment and then nodded. “Yes. Your grandmother went overboard

with the gift wrapping.” Groaning, he lifted three foot-long boxes out of the trunk and handed

them to Ulrike. “Here. That’s the first batch.”

With a low “uff,” Ulrike balanced the boxes on her arms and carried them toward the front

door. The snow had started falling harder, and now Ulrike looked as if she were wearing a

white cap.

Susanne watched her for a moment and then turned back toward her grandfather.

“Susi, what’s going on with you?”

Uh-oh. She had never been able to hide anything from him. “Nothing. Really.”

He rubbed his gray beard. After a few seconds that felt more like an eternity, he nodded.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”

Susanne laid her hand on his forearm. “I promise I’ll tell you later.”

“Whatever you want,” he said, smiling.

“Thank you.” Susanne leaned against his shoulder.

Ulrike returned. “Anything else?” She looked back and forth between Grandpa Helmut and