Sweet Christmas Kisses (108 page)

“Thought you might need them. With three kids and a grandmother in the house for several years, we have more ornaments, mostly handmade, than we can ever use. The tree is loaded.”

His words reminded Jess of their tree when she was a child. It had been the same. The ornaments crafted by little fingers ended up thickly hung in that evergreen region about three feet above the floor. Her parents would casually, judiciously, distribute them more evenly on the tree in such a way that the kids felt like they’d directed the final, perfect arrangements. So long ago.

“I could put some Christmas music on.” Lame, but she didn’t know what else to say.

“I like the quiet,” Drew said, digging out a frosted red ball.

“The tree is in the middle of the floor. Shouldn’t we move it first?”

“I think the tree is great right here. Nice that it’s not stuck in the corner.”

She wasn’t sure he was being honest about that but, for once in her life, she was enjoying going along, not having to be in charge.

“I’ll be right back,” she said.

Jess went the bedroom where she’d left the boxes, including the boxes holding the wrapped presents. The “Don’t Open ‘til Christmas” stickers had proved superfluous.

She found the box she wanted and returned with it in her arms. She held it out to Drew.

“These are
my
favorites,” she said.

He lifted the lid and set it aside. “Lots of ‘em. Are you allowed more than one favorite?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Well, if you insist on decorating the tree with all these, we’d better string the lights first.”

Her insist? Really? This hadn’t been her idea. Jess started to protest that
he
was the one who wanted to decorate the tree and that it was a lot of work for only one night.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

It hit her that they were both getting what they wanted, even if her own particular ‘want’ was a little murky to her.

“Not a thing. I’ll find the extension cords.”

As twilight fell and the colorful lights glowed, Jess and Drew decorated the tree. Jess realized the room had grown dark except for those tiny lights. Her hand stopped short of flipping the light switch and instead lit the holiday candles on the coffee table and counter. Mostly they worked in silence, only occasionally remarking on an ornament or a memory. It was like slow dancing in a magical bubble with movements so simple they were all the more intricate. It was over too soon.

The tree was done. Both boxes, his and hers, were empty of ornaments. Jess didn’t want to move beyond that moment. If she didn’t speak…

“We aren’t done yet,” he said, breaking the spell.

Breathless, she asked, “No?”

“There’s no topper. A star or an angel?”

Jess looked up at the top of the tree. It was, indeed, empty. She shook her head, illogically embarrassed. “You’re right. I guess I forgot to bring one.”

Drew smiled. Jess wanted to touch his face, to trace the line of his jaw and lips with her fingers, but she kept those wayward hands at bay.

“Time for me to go, I guess,” he said.

She heard the question in his voice and she could’ve said no, but tomorrow would be a new day. She didn’t want to mess it up by not saying goodbye tonight. Plus, she was more than a little apprehensive. She hadn’t dated in a long time, not since Pete, and Pete hardly counted.

As she handed Drew his jacket, she took the opportunity to touch his sleeve. At the door they paused.

He said, “We have some unfinished business.”

“What’s that?”

“The kiss? The one that didn’t go as planned?”

“Of course.” Her voice came out as a whisper. “Do you want me to apologize for that, too?”

“No, in fact. It’s my turn to apologize.” He brushed her neck, her ear with his cupped hand, then lightly lifted her chin. “I was a little panicked at the time. You were a year older, you know.”

“Eight months.”

“Yes, an older woman. I was scared. I ran off.”

“You left me standing there feeling stupid and embarrassed.”

“Guilty as charged. I’ve practiced, though. I’m a much better kisser now.”

“Really?”

He slid his arms around her and pulled her close, and proved it.

Drew was gone, but Jess was unwilling to extinguish what was left of the magical evening. She curled up on the sofa surrounded by the colorful and flickering lights and rested her head back against the cushion. She hugged a pillow and half-closed her eyes so that the colored lights became a kaleidoscope and the scene could’ve been any time, any Christmas.

From the recesses of her brain and memory, she heard her mother’s voice, faint but unmistakable, calling them to gather around and settle down. The air swirled with the sharp scent of evergreen and the sweet aroma of cocoa.

So many Christmas Eves filled her memory. Year after year Dad had read aloud to them re-telling the angel Gabriel’s message, the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, of the birth of the Holy Child in the stable, and the visit of shepherds and wise men to welcome and honor Him.

Even now, alone at the beach house, she listened and heard the warm, sure sound of Dad’s voice sharing the words. It felt real, and it was—as real now as it had ever been. Not everything had to be seen to be true. The heart could know what the eyes might not recognize or understand.

Jess rested her head on the pillow and sofa arm. Her spirit was at ease for the first time in a long time.

Gifts came in many ways and forms. Some were held close, some shared, but all were to be cherished.

The tenderloin roast was huge. She’d purchased it when she thought she’d be cooking for eight and, as always, she allowed for extra helpings.

She set the rolls to rising and prepared the green salad. For only two, it made sense to limit the side dishes, so she settled for potatoes with au jus gravy, asparagus, and the salad. It was too early to start the actual cooking so she lined the items up on the counter, staging them for the real event, then went upstairs to finish getting herself ready.

It had been a long time since she’d been on a date. Yesterday didn’t count. Nor did dinner with his mom. Well, maybe those counted as a launching point.

A little makeup was in order. Fluff the hair. Check the image in the mirror. Funny how the clothes one wore for self or family looked different when viewed from a dating perspective. Frumpy. Jess ditched the sweater vest with the jingle bells but kept on the burgundy knit top she wore beneath it. It was the best she could do with what she had.

She expected Drew to arrive at about one p.m. At eleven a.m. he called and asked if Kathy and the kids could come along.

“Sorry. Not quite what we’d planned. By the time the ice was clearing, my aunt called. My uncle has a stomach virus. Mom doesn’t want to expose the kids.”

Jess’s first reaction wasn’t her finest, but then she remembered the quantity of tenderloin. Plus, it wasn’t long ago that she’d lamented the empty seats at her Thanksgiving table, and more recently, at the table here.

Find the upside. Having Drew’s mom and the children join them for Christmas dinner wasn’t part of the plan, but maybe their presence would liven things up and diminish any awkwardness she and Drew might feel. If this thing with Drew was worth building on, then his mom and kids were only a step, hopefully a helpful step, on the way.

“The more, the merrier,” she said.

Knowing they wouldn’t be alone took some of the edge from her nerves.

The table was already set for two. She added four more places. The centerpiece was a simple arrangement of red and green tapered candles. She switched those out for the nutcracker soldier candles and added a few sprigs of garland entwined with candy canes to make it more festive for the children.

What was a person supposed to do with three kids? One could feed them. She knew how to do that.

Jess stood beside the table and laughed. She should blame Thanksgiving for this. A full table for Christmas dinner, yet not one of the guests was related to her. There was irony, or maybe a message, hidden in there.

She went back to cooking, but after a short while someone knocked on the side door. She looked at the clock. Drew wasn’t due for an hour yet.

Jess grabbed a dish towel and dried her hands on the way to the door.

Lila stood on the threshold. “Hi,” she said. Her eyes were large and misty.

Jess was stunned. “I thought you’d left town.”

“Started to. But.”

“But.”

“Is it too late to share some Christmas with you?”

Jess couldn’t speak. Instead, she jumped forward and threw her arms around Lila.

“You okay, Jess?”

She nodded, sniffling. She released her and stepped back. “Come in.”

Lila stopped just inside the room. “The tree. It’s decorated.”

“It is. In fact I had some help.”

“Six plates?” She was staring at the table.

“Yes. I have something to tell you.”

A frown crossed Lila’s face. “Did Rob and the kids…”

“No. Last I heard from them they were still sick.” She tried to remember when they’d last spoken? Early yesterday? Or the evening before that?

She needed another plate. “What about Pete?”

Lila shook her head. “He’s driving back to Richmond. It’s okay, Jess. He understands and I do, too. You’re right. We’ll work out whatever needs to be worked out after the holidays.”

Jess almost felt guilty. Almost. She added a plate for Lila. That made seven. Close to perfect, really, in terms of filling up a table for a holiday meal.

“Will you give me a hand with the salad while I get the roast ready for the oven? The bowl’s in the fridge.”

Lila opened the door and looked inside. “Is this it?” She stepped back, holding the bowl and eyeing it doubtfully.

“Yes, you can see there’s not enough. I was making it for two.”

“Two? Not six?”

“Yes, two. Can you add more salad? Enough for seven, and maybe a little extra?”

“Only if you tell me what’s going on.” Lila stared. “Are you blushing? You are. You’re turning red.”

Jess held up her hand. “Wait and I’ll explain it all when we have a few quiet moments.”

“In detail.”

“Promise.” She slid the roast into the oven, checking the time. “He should be here soon.”

“He who?”

“Drew.”

“Don’t make me drag this from you piece by piece.”

Jess laughed. Another knock. This time on the front door. Lila and she turned in unison and saw Drew through the glass.

“Him?”

“Him and others.” Jess ran to let them in. “Welcome.”

Drew held the door for his mother and the kids. Inside, Kathy patted the top of each head as she introduced them. “Mike, Lisa and Meg.” Mike topped his grandmother by several inches so the loving gesture made Jess smile.

“Nice to meet you all.”

“I told Drew it wasn’t right to inconvenience you this way.”

“Nonsense. I’m glad you’re all here. No one wants to sit down to an empty table at Christmas.”

The youngest girl was shorter than Janie, but looked older than Suze. Her glossy curls were gathered back with a red ribbon. She was holding something in her small hands.

Drew touched her hair. “Meggie brought this for the tree.”

“An angel. We needed one.” Jess dabbed at her eyes that were suddenly teary. Her vision was a little blurry.

Meggie smiled shyly and held out the homemade angel. Drew put his hands around her waist and lifted her high enough to reach the top. Mike automatically put out a hand to steady the tree.

Lila said. “It’s beautiful.”

Jess smiled at the angel, then said to Meg, “Thank you so much.” She turned to Drew. “And thank you, too.”

Mike asked, “Where do you want us to put our coats?”

She pointed toward the closet. “In there, or on the chair.” She turned back to the adults. “Let me introduce you all. Drew. His mom, Kathy. This is my sister, Lila.” Jess said to Lila, “Drew remembers you when you were a baby.”

“You’re the guy Jess was speaking to the other morning.”

“That’s me.”

Jess interrupted. “We’ll be eating in about forty minutes or so. You can all have a seat in the living room and relax. I’ll call you to the table when it’s time.”

Kathy said, “I’m more comfortable doing. Put me to work.”

“Glad to have your help,” Jess said with a smile.

Lila found some fresh fruit in the fridge and tossed it together. As she carried the bowl to the table, she shook her head, saying, “I hope there’s enough food.”

The sisters looked at each other and laughed. Jess said, “Maybe we’d better open a couple of cans of green beans?”

Jess assembled Kathy, Drew, and Lila in the kitchen. “Okay, when the roast comes out, the rolls go in. The meat ‘rests’ for ten minutes. By the time we’re seated at the table, the rolls will be due to come out of the oven.”

No one spoke. They were looking at each other.

Lila said to Drew, “She’s bossy.”

He nodded.

Kathy spoke up, “Nonsense. She just knows what needs doing.” She went over to the sink and began washing up the used cooking implements.

“Lila? Can you pour the iced tea?” Jess smiled. “Please?”

But Lila was looking away. She asked, “Did you hear something?”

“Yeah. Someone’s at the door,” Drew said. “Should I get it?”

Jess nodded, her lower lip suddenly caught between her teeth.

He leaned close and whispered, “Are you okay?”

She nodded yes, but didn’t speak.

He gave her a curious look but went to the door.

“Hi, sorry, is this the right house?” A man’s voice. “Drew? Is that you? It can’t be.”

Guy hugs ensued as Jess watched. Rob had remembered.

Lila said, “Look over there.”

At the front window, Elaine and the kids were waving and yelling, “Surprise! Merry Christmas!” They piled through the door, the kids excited and squealing.

It was a madhouse as hugs and kisses were exchanged. Delightfully so.

Rob came over with a special hug for Jess. He said, “We thought we’d surprise you, but I think we got surprised instead.”

“You did, and yes, you did.” She laughed and shook her head. “Both.”