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At eleven-foot-tall, the Pierce Christmas tree was a beautiful commitment to the holiday. Not only was it busting with gifts for family and friends, but there were nearly fifty packages behind it for the kids in Stephen’s foundation.
This house was full of love.
I heard a noise coming from the kitchen. I followed it and found Stephen. “Hey, don’t you need some rest to play Santa?”
“I’m making a cup of honey and lemon tea for Tamar. She’s fighting a cold.”
I grunted. “I’m surprised we don’t all have coughs and runny noses.”
“Are you feeling alright?” Stephen asked. “I can see the windburn on your cheek is disappearing, but what about everything else?”
I waved my hand. “Yeah, I’m fine, man.”
“So, you trying to steal some of my cake or pie? Or you got something on your mind?”
“I’m leaving in the morning,” I said. “I wanted to say goodbye.”
Stephen frowned. “Why?”
“It’s Kim. I can’t be around her.”
“It’s Christmas tomorrow. Come on, one more day. Stay with us.”
I shoved my hands in my pocket. “This is a big house, but it’s not big enough for the two of us. I gotta jet.”
Stephen picked up Tamar’s mug. “Let me take this to Tay. I’ll be right back, and we can talk.”
I shook my head. “No. You take that to Tamar and stay with your wife and family. You know me. I always bounce back and now that I have a better perspective on some things, I’m really going to be good.”
“But, Clyde, Isaiah and Tamar want you here.”
“I love them, but her rejection, man,” I sighed. “I can’t stand it. I never expected it to go this way.”
Stephen raised his chin and I could tell someone entered the room behind me. I turned. It was Kim.
“I’m going to take this to Tamar. You two need to talk.” He left the room.
Before I could say a word, Kim spoke. “I owe you an apology.”
I swallowed and shook my head. I wasn’t here for sympathy. “No, you don’t and we’re good.”
“Yes, I do.” She took a few steps closer. I wanted to take a few steps back, but I couldn’t. My feet were bolted to the floor. “You shared something wonderful and personal with me and instead of celebrating with you and praying for you, I decided you weren’t good enough. I judged you and called you a backslider before you even had time to let it all sink in. I’m so sorry.”
I could feel my heart filling up. I swallowed again.
“I hurt you, Clyde. I didn’t mean to do that.”
I took my hands out of my pocket and crossed them over my chest. “Is that it?”
“No. That’s not it. You were right about me being scared. My fear made it easier for me to search for an excuse to keep you at a distance.”
“Yeah, well, I’m scared too. At least you have the Tony’s of your world in your history. As much as I’m sure he wasn’t about nothing, I’ve never had a serious relationship before you. I’ve never wanted a woman to get this close. I didn’t want to feel the pain of losing someone. Losing my mother...it nearly killed me.” I raised a hand to pinch my nose. I wasn’t going to cry again. I didn’t want to.
Kim pulled my hand down and kissed the back of it. “I am so sorry, Clyde. I’ve never wanted to take words back more in my life. I swear to you, I didn’t mean it.”
I shed a tear, looked away from her. Could I do this? God, can I be what this woman needs? Is she who I need?
“Together, we can be great.” Kim had read my mind. “We can do all things through Christ, but we can’t let fear get in our way and we have to forgive each other. Every day because, Clyde, we’re going to mess up.”
A chuckle escaped from my throat. Peace washed over me. God had answered my questions.
“You told me you loved me – twice, but both times you said it with disappointment in your voice like it was the saddest revelation you ever had. So, now I need you to say it like you’re happy about it.”
Kim smirked. “You act like that’s going to be hard for me.”
I shrugged. “Show me what you got.”
She cocked her head to the side. “I love you, Clyde Stowe. I love you just the way—”
I cut her off with a kiss. I rushed her, but the kiss was tender and sweet, like her. “That right there did not need a mistletoe over it.” I took her hand. “Come with me.”
We walked into the living room, and I led her to the tree. I reached for a box I’d wrapped earlier and handed it to her. “It’s almost midnight. I want you to open your gift.”
She unwrapped it. Appreciation shone in her eyes for the Tiffany’s box. I dropped to my knees. Kim’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
Her hand was trembling, so I removed the lid. Diamonds mixed with the lights on the Christmas tree sparkled in a rhythmic pattern on the ceiling.
“I love you, Kim. I never want us to be apart, so will you be my woman again?”
She took the diamond cross out of the box and laid it against her wrist. “It’s gorgeous.”
“Just like you,” I said. She continued to stare at the necklace. Groaning, I said, “Baby, this bad knee isn’t going to last much longer. I need an answer.”
“That’s what you get for playing me like you were proposing.” Kim raised the necklace eye-level and admired it some more. “I’ll give you another chance.” She took my arm. “I’ll even help you up because I’m ride-or-die like that.”
I stood. “Good, I need somebody to have my back.” I pulled her into an embrace. “But for real, if I had proposed would you have said yes?”
Kim rolled her neck. “I don’t know. I think I need to try your spirit by the spirit.”
Did she not realize her special gift was trying me? “I like a challenge.”
She chuckled. “You do know you still won’t be getting any loving? Ain’t nothing changed. I’m saving myself for my wedding night.”
I raised a finger. “In that case, let me go exchange this for a ring.”
Kim laughed and swatted at my chest. “You’re silly. Put this on, player.”
I took the necklace from her hand, lowered it around her neck, and fastened the clasp. Kim took a few steps over to a wall mirror and looked. Her smile was wide. It reminded me of the smile she’d given me in the picture we took during our happiest time – the trip to St. John. I loved seeing the joy on her face. It was the best Christmas gift in the room.
“I love it,” she said.
I closed the distance between us. I raised my hand to her chin and kissed her on the forehead. “And I love you. Merry Christmas, baby.”
“Merry Christmas, back.” Kim reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of mistletoe. “I was hoping this would come in handy.” She pushed up on her tiptoes, held it over my head and pressed her sweet lips against mine.
