One Day After the Fashion Show
12:00 p.m.
FELICITY SAT ACROSS FROM GABRIEL on the deck of the Panorama Restaurant and tipped her face up to the sun. The sky was bluer than she had seen it, and icicles dangled from the roof. Waiters carried carafes of champagne and orange juice, and the terrace bustled with activity.
At first she worried that the restaurant was too high up the mountain, and there wouldn’t be time to pack the wedding gowns before her flight. But Nell’s father insisted it was worth it, and she was glad she came. Skis lined the walls, and the table was set with platters of homemade pasta and güggeli, which Gabriel said was Swiss-German for chicken, and was the best thing she’d ever tasted.
Nell looked every inch the radiant bride with her sparkling eyes, and Eliot beamed and whispered in Nell’s ear. Nell’s parents were warm and effusive and kept complimenting Felicity on the collection. The best thing was sitting across from Gabriel. He looked so handsome in a green ski sweater, and whenever their eyes met a thrill ran down her spine.
“It’s a pity your friend Raj couldn’t join us,” Patty said to Felicity. She was wearing a red parka and ski pants, and Felicity thought she could almost pass for Nell’s sister. “You said he was a marketing genius. I’d love to pick his brain on how to increase foot traffic in the bookstore.”
“He’s saying goodbye to Greta.” Felicity grinned. “Raj isn’t known for long relationships, and this one lasted a whole week. I’m sure he’d love to talk to you. If you come to New York, stop by the atelier and Raj and I will take you to lunch.”
“I’d love to, but I’m afraid I won’t be in New York for a while.” Patty looked at Todd conspiratorially. “Todd and I are going to be busy planning Nell and Eliot’s reception.”
“You’re doing what?” Nell put down her soupspoon. She was wearing a white sweater and the emerald earrings her father had given her for Christmas.
“The ceremony was beautiful, but your mother and I decided you need a proper reception,” Todd piped up. He seemed confident and relaxed in a leather jacket and dark sunglasses. “The house in Beverly Hills needs a new roof, and we wouldn’t fit everyone into my place in Malibu.” He ate a bite of chicken and rösti potatoes. “So we’re considering the Beverly Hills Hotel.”
“You’re planning our reception together?” Nell glanced at her parents and thought there was something new between them. They kept glancing fondly at each other, and her father couldn’t stop smiling.
“It’s going to be fun. We haven’t planned a proper party in years.” Patty turned to Nell. “We’ll start right after we get back from Sundance. Your father invited me, and I’ve always wanted to go. I’ll have a chance to wear the lovely skiwear I bought in St. Moritz.”
“How exciting!” Felicity commented. “I’m afraid I’m going to spend January and February stuck in the showroom. Raj said orders are already coming in from the fashion show, and I have some thrilling news. Felicity Grant is going to be featured in Bergdorf Goodman’s Spring Bridal Fashion Show. It’s very prestigious, and I’m going to have to work awfully hard.” She beamed at Gabriel. “The only days I’ll leave before evening are when Gabriel comes to New York.”
“Felicity, that’s wonderful news! You deserve it. I didn’t know Gabriel was coming to New York.” Nell looked from Gabriel to Felicity. Ever since Felicity and Gabriel had stepped off the chairlift, she could sense they were an item. Gabriel was sweet and attentive, and Felicity’s cheeks glowed.
“Columbia Medical Center is making advances in pediatric asthma,” Gabriel said. “And Felicity promised to show me Manhattan. We’re going to visit the Museum of Natural History and the Guggenheim.”
Everyone kept talking, and Felicity traced the rim of her wine glass. When she was a girl she believed a Christmas miracle would be hearing reindeer hooves on the roof and spotting Santa Claus sliding down the chimney. But that wasn’t the only kind of Christmas miracle. The best Christmas miracle was being with people she cared about and seeing them all happy.
“I convinced Felicity to come back to Europe in the summer,” Gabriel was saying. “We’ll see the fjords in Denmark and spend some time in Copenhagen.”
“Why Copenhagen?” Nell inquired.
“It’s the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen.” Gabriel took a large bite of gnocchi. “Felicity loves to hear fairy tales, and I’ve told her almost all the ones I know. We’ll visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and read everything he’s written.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Felicity gazed at the skiers in their bright parkas hopping off the chairlift. She turned to Gabriel and wondered how she could be so happy. “I don’t ever want to run out of fairy tales.”