Unforgettable Christmas Dreams: Gifts of Joy

by Rebecca York

  “Damn, maybe I’m an idiot, but some emotions can’t be helped,” Sonia often muttered to herself while she continued to ignore Lars’s phone calls. Stubborn pride also prevented nothing but taut responses to his texts, too, typing ‘I’m fine’ or ‘Thank you for checking in on me, have a good day’.

  Miriam had noticed the chasm between them as well, and finally spoke her mind. “You’ve got to get over this, Sonia,” she’d said in a no nonsense tone. “Julia’s not going away. There’s a child between those two, and if you’re going to make it as a couple, you have to accept her presence in Jeff’s life, and, his father’s. Lars is doing the best he can with his attorney to negotiate Julia’s visitation schedule, so there’s no more misunderstandings. “

  Sonia silently gave her a hug and went home. That night, alone in her bedroom, she pondered, “Mom’s right. Why can’t I wrap my head around that logic?”

  ***

  Ten days before Christmas, Sonia was helping one of the younger kids onto Santa’s lap and overheard the child ask for a certain gift that made her meet Santa’s eyes and smile.

  What if she copycatted the child’s wish and applied it to her current situation? Doing so would not only delight the dickens out of Jeff, but also help her save face with Lars, and nurture their relationship back to where it was, or maybe even further.

  If only her secret Santa surprise was accepted with the giving spirit she’d intended…

  Sonia heard footsteps from inside the house heading her way and took a deep breath. Jeff was with her mom and Adam doing last minute Christmas shopping at the mall, so the coast was clear.

  She crossed her fingers and squeezed her eyes shut. “Please, let Lars agree.”

  The man in question opened the door, his expression anything but friendly, but Sonia hardly noticed, because Lars’s bare chest caught her attention immediately. The wet, dark hair crowning his majestic head beckoned her fingers to comb through it. His low-slung jeans hugged the trim hips she’d barely just gotten to know, and she couldn’t help but stare at the arrow-like hair on his belly pointing towards the package below.

  Sonia gave his attributes one last glance when he cleared this throat with a scowl. “It’s too late in the year to be selling Girl Scout cookies, Sonia. Something else I can help you with?” he asked.

  “Well, yes. I don’t blame you for not jumping for joy when I’ve been rude and distant these days,” she replied. “So, I’ve come to offer an apology, plead for forgiveness, and ask your opinion about a Christmas gift I’d like to give Jeff. Sounds like a lot, but I hope you feel these issues are worth your time. Are they, or should I just go home?”

  Lars opened the door wider. “Come on in, I’ll bite. Can’t promise there won’t be some spanking involved, though.”

  What the hell’s he talking about?

  Sonia sent him an uncertain smile, scooted around him, and then sat on the nearest chair in his living room before her wobbly legs gave out.

  “Be right back, I was getting dressed. Would you like something to drink?”

  “No, thanks, I’m good.”

  When he returned, she noted he’d fixed his hair and wore a blue flannel shirt that enhanced his dark handsomeness.

  Lars took a seat on the sofa and crossed his ankles. “So you were saying?”

  Sonia leaned forward. “Lars, try to imagine being in my place, when Julia showed up that day. It was hard enough for me to meet your ex, but under the circumstances, I was mortified,” she said. “During our time apart, I’ve come to realize she’s going to be involved in your life forever because you have a child with her, and if you still want to be, well, my boyfriend, I promise never to hold a situation beyond your control against you.”

  Lars eyes twinkled with mischief. “Ah, then there’s hope you’ll hold something else against me within my control?”

  Sonia’s heart filled with joy at his words. “So, you forgive me then?”

  “Of course. True love never did run smoothly.”

  True love?

  They were both on their feet in an instant and then heart to heart, wrapped in a heated embrace that led to a passionate reunion of eager mouths.

  Lars broke the kiss and she gazed at him with confusion. “Something wrong?”

  Two fingers brushed away the hair covering an amber eye. “Did I mention you deserve a spanking?” he asked softly.

  Sonia stroked his shoulders. “You kind of but touched on the subject, there’s better ways to pass the afternoon, don’t you agree?”

  Lars picked her up in his arms like a baby and placed her on the couch. “Oh, yes. We can start by making up for lost time,” he whispered.

  Sonia reveled in the feel of his hard, muscular body on hers. Welcoming arms slowly crept around his neck…

  Until, she remembered why the rest of her visit was important. “Hold on a second, we have to stop,” she cried. “Let me up, please.”

  “Nothing’s more important than the kiss and make up part,” he grumbled, but did as she asked.

  She straightened her blouse and grabbed her purse. “There is, and it can’t wait. Then, I promise we’ll get back to the make up kissing.”

  The confused look Lars gave her was priceless. “Sonia, what are you up to?”

  “I call it my just-in-case-you-decided-to-be-difficult protocol. I brought some wiggle room with me. Put your jacket on, you need to come outside.”

  Leading the way, Sonia strode to the car and unlocked it with the keyless remote. She opened the back passenger’s seat and hunched over. “Oh, sorry I left you alone this long, little flea.”

  With Lars so close behind her, she could hardly move. “Wow, aren’t you nosy. Back up a little, okay?” she said.

  He tried to look over her shoulder. “What are you hiding?”

  “Hold on a sec.” She stood up and turned, a small brown bundle wiggling in her arms.

  His eyebrows shot into his hairline. “Is that what I think it is?”

  Sonia held out the puppy and Lars gently took it with both hands. The puppy mewled and he brought the fur baby to his chest, so it could hear the man’s heartbeat and feel his body heat.

  His hands were so large the tiny pup was almost invisible in his grasp and Lars kissed its downy head. The pup swiped its tongue across his chin, and then quickly went to sleep. “God, Sonia, what a nice surprise,” he said softly. “Is this Jeff’s Christmas present, or mine?”

  She put her hands over his and stared into his eyes. “My back up plan was to keep it, in case you thought caring for a puppy was too much trouble, or you didn’t like it. There’s a crate in the car, along with food, toys, and wee-wee pads, but if you decide you really want her, and I hope you do, it should stay with me until Christmas Eve anyway.”

  Lars tucked the puppy safely in the crook of one arm and drew Sonia closer with the other. “Oh, yeah, I really want her,” he echoed. “About the pup. Boy or girl?”

  Sonia sighed and relaxed against him. “Girl. There’s enough testosterone in your house.”

  “How old?”

  “She’s eight and a half weeks, and will need potty breaks during the night. Her bladder’s too small to go without them.”

  “Does she have a name?” Lars asked.

  “I think Jeff should choose it, don’t you?”

  “Have I told you lately I love you?”

  Sonia hoped the loving expression on her face would hold him for now. “So, you’re keeping her for sure?”

  If Lars was disappointed she didn’t ditto his sentiment, he didn’t show it. “The puppy’s care shouldn’t be a problem,” he said. “I’m home most of the day, and when I’m not, my housekeeper will pitch in. I’ll bet she falls in love with her, too. Here, take her, and I’ll grab the crate. Let’s bring her inside where it’s warm.”

  Sonia nuzzled the puppy in her arms while Lars retrieved the crate. “But what if your father comes home early?” she asked.

  “I’ll send him a text and ask him to take
Jeff and your mom out for ice cream. It’ll buy us a little more time to get acquainted.” He sent her a sexy smile. “Or commence getting reacquainted, providing the puppy stays asleep.”

  Lars put a blanket inside the crate and, after the puppy pee’d outside with Sonia, they played with her until she got tired.

  The woman kneeled down, placed the sleeping pup on the blanket, and quietly hooked little door closed.

  Lars held out a hand to help her up, and then they were kissing as if they couldn’t get enough.

  “Puppy girl had her playtime,” Lars whispered against her lips. “Feel like some extra curricular activities of our own?”

  Sonia pulled off her sweater and dropped it on the floor. “Count me in. Would you like to help me undress?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Christmas Eve 2018: Sonia and Miriam…

  With the Whitney men and their new addition headed for home, Sonia and her mom gathered the wrapping paper scattered across the floor, courtesy of Jeff, and restored the living room to its usual order.

  Sonia sat down on her mother’s sofa. “Hey, I need a breather. Tonight was great but a little stressful, don’t you think?”

  “If you were worried about Jeff’s reaction to the puppy, that was a foolish waste. What child doesn’t want a dog of his own?”

  “I know, but it wasn’t about Jeff. Buying gifts for Lars and his dad took a lot of soul searching. I’m glad Jeff told me they’d been talking about buying a chess set. I’m glad they waited. Those two seem to have everything.”

  “Not yet, they don’t,” her mom replied with a smile.

  Sonia scoffed at her implication. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

  “You wait. Those men aren’t going to stay single for long.”

  “Mom, you’re an incurable romantic. Lars knows I need to take it slow, and we’ve never gone beyond one day at a time.” She rose from the chair and stretched. “Those dishes aren’t going to jump into the dishwasher themselves.”

  “Want some help?”

  Sonia gave her mother a fond look. “No thanks. Relax, dear heart. You’ve been a busy girl these last few months, with you helping me out business-wise, taking on the holiday cooking, while balancing heavy duty dating in between.”

  Miriam held up her wrist and admired the diamond bracelet Adam had gifted her as Sonia got busy. “Isn’t this lovely? Tonight was filled with unexpected surprises all around.”

  Her daughter dried her hands with a Christmas towel and grinned. “Yes, it is. Adam has spectacular taste, and one I appreciate,” she agreed, fingering her new, rose-gold heart necklace. “Lars must’ve inherited his from his father. I love my gift. Yep, I’d say we’re lucky ladies to have such thoughtful boyfriends.”

  “So, what’s up for tomorrow? Thought I heard Lars invite himself over to your place at some point.”

  “Yes, it’ll be nice to have him to myself for a while,” Sonia admitted. “I have a prime rib dinner planned. Plus there’s another gift for him under my puny tree I want to give him in private.”

  “What else did you buy him?”

  “Nothing. I made one. Hope he’ll appreciate the thought I put into it,” she replied. “After him gifting me this pricey necklace, I’m a little concerned about his reaction.”

  “Nonsense,” the older woman told her. “Homemade gifts are the best, and I’m sure he’ll love his, especially since it came from you.”

  Sonia slipped on her jacket and gave Miriam a kiss. “I suppose. We’ll either see each other tomorrow, or chat for sure. Maybe I’ll stop by when Lars goes home, unless you’d rather be alone with Adam. Love you, Mom.”

  ***

  Sonia gazed at the crisp night sky as the clock struck midnight and wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Ah, so this is what it feels like without my husband on Christmas Day,” she said to the darkness. ““Hey, David, you haven’t sent me any signs in a while. Does your absence have anything to do with Lars?”

  She sighed and continued with her solo conversation. “Because of your sweet, unselfish nature, I doubt you’d want me to continue living my life alone. Deep in my soul I’ll love you forever, but somehow Lars managed to leave a wonderful impression on my heart, and so quickly, too. I’ve only known him about six weeks, but long enough to feel more than a fleeting affection.”

  She heard her next-door neighbor dump trash in the outside garbage can. “Merry Christmas!” the woman shouted.

  “Merry Christmas to you, too, Mrs. Sommer,” she answered, hoping the woman hadn’t heard her soliloquy. “Have a great holiday.”

  Once the woman had gone inside, Sonia walked further away to avoid being overheard again. “Anyway, I hope you can hear or read my thoughts, David, regarding us. And me, regarding the future,” she whispered. “I do think you’d approve of Lars and his family. If you’ve noticed, Adam Whitney makes my mom very happy. She even brought up Adam’s single status, and how he may not stay that way for long…or Lars, either.”

  Sonia gave one last glance at the sky. A stray cloud covered the half moon and she gasped.

  The cloud portrayed the exact image of David’s profile, the moon shining directly where his eye would be.

  “Oh, my God, you heard me, like when the monarch butterfly visited the day I began creating Sparkles of the Season. What a wonderful sign from God. Merry Christmas, David.”

  She blew the cloud picture a kiss, knowing her late husband was watching out for her through the moon, God’s heavenly portal.

  The cloud picture dissipated and Sonia made her way back to the house. “I’ll always love you, David darling, but it’s nice to know you approve. Maybe this coming year, the peace and joy of discovering love with Lars will be my blessing, instead of a dismal future filled with loneliness.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Christmas Day 2018: Shadows – Sonia and Lars…

  “Hey, you guys don’t mind if I take a ride over to Sonia’s for a while, do you?”

  Adam paused the Christmas movie he’d been watching and peered over the glasses he wore for distance. Jeff stroked Emma’s back after she settled into the new dog bed and curled up.

  “Sure Daddy, go see her,” the child said. “Please tell her thanks again, for letting Santa know how much I wanted a puppy. Did you tell her I named her Emma? Sonia’s the best Christmas Fairy ever.”

  “Yeah, what’s taken you so long to leave, anyway?” Adam asked. “No rush, but I do want to stop by Miriam’s for an hour, after you come home, okay?”

  Lars checked his watch and patted his pocket. “You got it, Dad. Sonia said dinner would be ready in about an hour, which gives us time to, well, never mind. Put it this way - I have a Christmas surprise for her, so I’ll see you two later. Wish me luck.”

  ***

  The delicious aroma of roast beef greeted Lars the moment Sonia opened the door.

  “Merry Christmas!’ they greeted in unison as they exchanged a loving hug. “Please, come on in,” his lady said. “Let me take your coat and make yourself comfy. Would you like a poinsettia? I have all the fixings.”

  Lars handed over the coat and rubbed his hands together. “Not sure what you mean. A poinsettia? That a drink or something?”

  Sonia hung his jacket and headed to the kitchen. “Yes, it’s like a Mimosa, but instead of orange juice I use cranberry juice with champagne. There’s also red wine if you prefer.”

  “I’ll take the poinsettia,” he replied.

  “Got it. I’m heating up an appetizer, so be with you in a sec.”

  Sonia returned with two champagne glasses each adorned with a raspberry, and handed one to him. “Let me get the avocado spinach dip, and we’ll have our Christmas toast.”

  She brought out a tray and set it on the coffee table. “Smells fantastic,” Lars told her. They clinked glasses, and he plucked the fruit off the glass and popped it into his mouth.

  “You are the best holiday hostess, love. The drink’s delicious and I can’
t wait to taste the dip. But, where’s your Christmas tree?”

  Sonia handed him a red napkin and pointed to his right. “Over on the table. Santa left that gift right next to it for you, too.”

  Lars eyes widened. “You call that scrawny thing a tree? It’s not even three feet high.”

  “It’s not scrawny, it’s cute,” she said. “I didn’t feel like going to the tree farm this year, so I bought this one at a garden store. It already had lights on it. What’s the big deal anyway?”

  “Too late now, but you could’ve asked me to go with you to the tree farm, if you wanted a regular tree.”

  Sonia didn’t respond. Instead, she walked over to the small Christmas display and retrieved his gift.

  He took the box she offered and searched her eyes – they shone with expectation. “Hey, forget about the tree,” she said. “Merry Christmas. I hope you’ll like this. Open it.”

  “Thank you, I’m positive I will.” Then casting a last glance at the puny tree, he noticed an eight by ten picture of a handsome, thirtyish man placed next to it the gift had previously concealed.

  He knew it was her dead husband, but not wanting to spoil the mood with awkward questions, he went ahead and unwrapped the gift.

  “Oh, wow, Sonia,” he murmured with a smile.

  Sonia had made him a shadow box and it was exquisite. Inside were two photos – one taken of him and his family with Santa the day they’d met. Next to it was a picture of Sonia standing in front of a Christmas tree. She’d photo shopped the two pictures in such a way it appeared a single print had been taken with the four of them together.

  On his side near the bottom was a 3D Monarch butterfly similar to the icon she used for her website, and under her picture was a 3D Jersey Giant insignia displaying his number – lucky thirteen.

  She’d hot glued miniature pinecones and tiny red bows around the inside of the entire box, added a picture of the puppy sitting at their feet (God, but the woman was talented), and varnished the wooden frame a light golden brown that would look wonderful in his living room.