Two years later…
Christmas Eve
I tapped my ear for an incoming call. “Hey, babe.”
“Are you still at work?”
“No,” but I giggled as I said it, so he knew I was lying. “I’m just locking up.”
Which was the truth. My key twisted in the lock of Lancaster Baker, an accounting firm. A small beans accounting firm in the town of Cheshire Bay, my new home.
Twenty-two months ago, I made a decision and decided to stop travelling across the island to see Jesse. Rather, I moved in with him, and funneled the monthly savings – since there was no mortgage payment – into opening my own business. While not a roaring success, I did have to hire another to help me out.
“She’s landing in five minutes.” Was he pacing back and forth at the airport?
“I know. Sorry, I got stuck on a project, but I’m heading home right now.” It never got old. Home.
“We’ll be there in about thirty minutes.” Jesse’s voice was upbeat and ecstatic.
“And I’ll have everything ready. Promise.” The lock slid into place, and I walked over to the truck since Jesse had driven my car.
“Merry Christmas, Mona.” The owner of the reality shop beside me was just closing up his office.
“Merry Christmas, Stan.”
I drove home, down the lane full of homes fully decorated in twinkling lights and blow-up snowmen and an igloo made from plastic, since the bay area hadn’t received much snow yet. Our house was the Griswold’s of houses, and I finally understood what that statement meant as I had a hand in making sure there were more than enough lights to make this side of the island visible from the sea.
Parking the truck, I dashed into the house and double checked everything was good to go.
Sarah’s room was perfect. A little girl bed with pink sheets and unicorns was ready for its first Christmas guest; the first time Sarah was allowed to spend the holiday with her father. It took some convincing, and a small threat to take her to court, but Jesse and I had Sarah for the holidays.
I folded and refolded the bed to make it just perfect, and double checked under the tree for her pile of gifts. The coolest present, one Sarah wouldn’t know about until her eighteenth birthday, was a giant clear globe hanging near the back of the tree. Every visit with Sarah, Jesse would scratch out a memory or two, or three, and scroll it up to add to the globe. He’s loved that idea ever since I unwrapped Mom’s final gift. One of the gifts I’ve wrapped for him is a package of archival quality paper, so the paper will outlast the memories.
A final check of everything, and I waited as Jesse brought Sarah home. All the lights were on, even though it was still broad daylight out. Who cared? It was Christmas Eve.
The car approached and my stomach bubbled with delight. Her first overnight in his place, after three and a half years.
Jesse parked and ran over to unbuckle Sarah while Jenna and her fiancé exited the car.
I hopped down the stairs and sidewalk to meet them, wrapping them in a hug.
“Hi guys.”
“Hey, Mona.” Jenna’s fiancé, Jim, was a stand-up guy and when we’d get together in their city, we always had dinner with them, and he always made us feel welcome and part of the family.
Jenna was a little put off about being here, and it was easy to see. Her lips curled in mild disgust as she scanned the area – her old home. However, she refused to let Jesse fly Sarah over alone or even with him, so she packed her own bag for a few days.
“While Jesse gets Sarah settled, I’ll take you over to the B&B.” I grabbed one of the suitcases from the trunk.
Sarah bounded over to me and wrapped my leg in a hug. I set down the luggage and lifted her into my arms.
“Hi, Mommy Mo.” Her sweet nickname for me.
I gave her a squeeze and tickled her nose. “Hello, my sweet. Are you ready for a fun few days?”
She nodded in excitement, nearly colliding with my face.
I set her down and picked up the suitcase again. “First, I’m going to take your mommy and daddy Jim over to their house, okay? And when I come back, we’re going to have all the fun.”
Sarah hugged Jim and her mom, who had a hard time letting go, something I could understand. The first Christmas without your child would be tough, but Jesse’s had to do it for three years.
However…
“C’mon.” I tipped my head toward the house at the end of the lane. “Lily’s got your place ready to go. You’re going to love it.”
Jim grabbed the rest of the bags as Jenna finally stood up, tears in her eyes. “See you soon, honey. Mommy loves you.”
I threw my gaze to Jesse and tipped my head in a questioning gaze.
Jesse cleared his throat. “Being that it’s Christmas and all, we’re having a big family dinner tomorrow on the back decks. We’d love it if you joined us.”
My heart swelled at the olive branch extension. Jenna hadn’t offered up any time last Christmas, but okayed him to see Sarah on Christmas Eve, for a few hours.
Jenna leaned against Jim as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’d,” she gazed up at Jim. “We’d very much like that.”
“Great.” Jesse took Sarah’s hand and led her towards the house. “Dinner’s at four. Just come on out. You won’t miss it.”
It would be impossible to miss with the giant bonfire and the party goers.
He hunched down to Sarah’s height. “Want to see your room?”
“So, the place you’re staying at used to be my old beach house, and it’s now a B&B run by my sister…” I led them down the lane, past Dakota’s house, past Eric and Lily’s and their family of three, and over to the steps of my old home.
I had so many memories, the best, however, was the most recent one. Because the furnace was busted and the home ice cold, I stayed with Jesse. That stay changed my life. It gave me a new family with Eric and his friends, and it gave me Jesse. Over the past couple years, it also gave me more with a stepdaughter and her family. It made me believe in myself, and the magic of Christmas.
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