Lacey set her bags in the hallway closet, and then ran upstairs to locate her mother. She was cleaning the bathroom.
“I’m sorry she broke something, but I like when Aunt Addie stays. She’s a lot of fun, and we always have a good time.”
“I know, but with her foot in a boot, she will need to take it easy,” Yvette cautioned.
“You want me to help you?”
“No, but thanks for offering.”
“Okay.” Lacey turned to head downstairs, but stopped. “You made Dad’s favorite dinner…did you two have a fight?”
Yvette groaned. Am I that transparent when a ten-and-a-half-year-old can pick up on these things?
“No, not a fight, Lacey. Just a difference of opinion.”
“Well, it must have been a doozy if you went to all that trouble.”
“Okay, you sound just like your Pop Pop right now. No, it wasn’t a doozy. So let’s drop the subject and you can go fold the clothes on the couch, Miss Stilwell-Darcy.”
Her daughter smiled, and headed back downstairs. Yvette shook her head. Her daughter would be eleven on December twenty-third. She was growing up so fast. December was always a joyous time for their family. December first had always been her and Lacey’s traditional start of the Christmas activities. They’d decorate the house, start gift shopping, and prepare for Lacey’s birthday party. Some years, they’d had to have the birthday celebration a few days early so that her friends could show up. With family coming in, or holiday travel, it was difficult to have guests come over, outside of the family, for Lacey on her actual birthday.
When Yvette was finished cleaning, she took a hot shower and put some effort into making herself presentable. She chose a pair of black knit pants, and a pumpkin-colored Henley that buttoned down the front with a white t-shirt under it. She touched up the curls in her shoulder-length hair with a curling iron, and applied fresh lipstick.
When she came downstairs, Lacey was on the couch watching television and folding clothes. She glanced at her mother.
“Mom, you look like it’s Halloween.”
With a moan of dismay, Yvette said, “I do? I was going for an autumn look. It’s still November and I—”
“Well, you got a pumpkin look,” Lacey snickered.
“I do not look like a pumpkin, young lady.”
“Sure you don’t.”
Yvette ignored the amused look on her daughter’s face and ran back upstairs to her bedroom closet. She wanted to look sexy, not like she was getting ready to Trick-or-Treat!
Stripping the shirt off, Yvette perused the clothes hanging up with a practiced eye. She heard the garage door going up.
“Shoot, I’m out of time,” she lamented, and then put on a deep purple scoop neck sweater. She put on a pair of drop Amethyst earrings, tousled her hair a bit and slid her tongue over her teeth to remove any traces of lipstick. Satisfied with her appearance, Yvette went to greet her family.
***
Christopher was exhausted. His day was long, and Robin did not sleep well during his nap, so he was a bit fussy on the drive back to Raleigh. Aunt Addie looked like she was tired as well, though she would never admit it. He wasn’t much better. He’d been talking to people, seeing samples and making decisions all day. The only thing Christopher was looking forward to now was spending time with his family, and then going to bed early. But when he saw Yvette glide into the room, good intentions went out the window. She was a vision in purple, and the moment their eyes met and she smiled at him from across the room, all visages of exhaustion blew straight out the window. He strode straight toward her and since they had other eyes on them, gently swept her into his arms for a very firm, but chaste kiss. It wasn’t even remotely the one he’d wanted to give her, but there would always be later…
“You look delectable,” he whispered for her ears only.
The heat in her eyes matched his own. Christopher had to struggle with the lump that had formed in his throat. His wife took his breath away.
“So do you. I’m so glad you’re home, Chris.”
“I look a mess, but thanks, and I missed you too, sweetheart. Remind me to tell you how much…later,” he said, and then raked his heated gaze over her body leaving no ambiguity as to his plans.
“Mommy,” Robin exclaimed, charging across the room.
Yvette scooped her son up and hugged him tightly. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She’d missed him so much, and was overwhelmed by the amount of love she felt when her son smiled at her like he did now. When he put both his little hands on either side of her face, and gave her a zerbert on her cheek, she laughed. His version of a raspberry was all his own, and it never ceased to overwhelm her with joy.
5 CHAPTER FIVE
Yvette awoke the next morning feeling rested, and alive. How she felt rested considering how late it had been when she and Christopher finally went to sleep was a miracle. She beamed as her memories unfolded to remind her of just how special a night it was.
“I know that look,” Christopher said from the doorway.
She sat up higher against the pillows. “Oh you do?”
He sauntered over to the bed and lowered the tray he was carrying onto her lap.
“Yes, Mrs. Darcy. That is the very happy, and very satisfied look you wear after a night of Olympic loving by your husband.”
She choked on her orange juice. “Olympic?”
He stretched out next to her, and placed pillows behind his head so he could sit up. “Yes. I took you to places that were otherworldly. How could you not be utterly spent and satiated from such a journey?”
“Olympic?” she repeated again.
Christopher burst out laughing and kissed his wife on the sensitive part of her neck. It never failed to produce a beautiful sigh. “How’s my exquisite wife this morning?” he murmured against her skin.
“Your exquisite wife is thrilled to have the King of her castle, and their little Prince home where they belong.” She reached up and stroked his stubbled jaw. “Your Snow Queen missed you.”
Christopher smiled at her reference to the nickname he’d given her on their wedding day. He’d taken one look at her walking down the aisle toward him in all the white satin, and diamonds of her dress, with white fur accents at the wrists and collar and thought that she had reminded him of a Snow Queen. The name had stuck. From that day on, she would always be his Snow Queen.
“We missed you and Lacey, too, but I was glad that you were able to have an afternoon and evening off. We have to always communicate, love. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or if I am, we need to relay this to each other. We’re in this together, aren’t we?”
Yvette nodded.
“Then we need to always say what’s on our minds. No watered down versions, either.” He moved his thumb and forefinger to capture her chin and tilted her face towards him. “Okay, Yvie?”
“Okay, Chris. I just…I worry about you…and us.”
“Hey, we are just fine, sweetheart. This blended family of ours is working, and it means the world to me,” he said seriously. “There is nothing, nothing more important to me than you and the kids.” His voice shook with emotion. “Nothing.”
Yvette took his hand in hers. “I feel the same way, Christopher. You three are my world.”
They hugged each other tightly.
Christopher hauled Yvette into his side and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“So, what do you want to do today?”
“Well, I hadn’t really thought about it. The house is spotless, so there’s no chores we need to worry about. I say we make the most of our Saturday—after we go to the grocery store, of course. I’d like to get a few of Adelaide’s favorite foods. I’d also like to find her some crossword puzzles and books so she doesn’t get bored.”
“We’ve got a soon-to-be eleven-year-old, and a toddler. How could your aunt ever be bored?”
Yvette giggled at that. “That may be true, but there will be times when she’ll be looking f
orward to a little peace and quiet, and those items will definitely come in handy.”
Before Christopher could answer, there was an insistent knock, followed by banging, but a lot lower down on the bedroom door.
“Gee, I wonder who it could be.” Christopher said, loudly.
There was more banging, followed by, “Daddy…open, open.”
“Come in,” Yvette called out.
The door was flung open instantly, and seconds later, their love nest was invaded by their progeny—as was Yvette’s breakfast. Lacey snagged the bacon, while Robin dug into her muffin.”
“That was your mother’s breakfast,” Christopher said with mock sternness. “Now what is she supposed to eat?”
“There’s plenty downstairs, Dad. You made enough to feed an army,” Lacey pointed out.
“You two are an army,” he countered.
They stayed for a few more minutes before Christopher said, “Okay, anyone under the age of twenty-five please exit the room—now.”
They started to protest, but Christopher said, “Lacey, help your brother get dressed, get your clothes on, and make sure all dirty dishes are off the table and in the dishwasher. Put your brother in his high chair first, so he doesn’t try to help you with the knives or something.”
“Okay, Dad.”
“I’ll be down shortly to check your efforts and to make sure you do a good job. The Darcy Shuttle bus leaves for the mall in forty-five minutes. If you’re not fully washed, groomed and dressed by then, you’re not going.”
The kids sat there looking at him expectantly. Smiling, he glanced down at his watch and said, “On my mark in five…four…three…two…one. Go!”
There was screaming and a tangle of arms and legs before the children got down off the bed and disappeared in a chaotic race down the hallway.
Yvette couldn’t contain her laughter. “That was priceless.”
He grinned and reached over to kiss her. “Now, where were we?”
Christopher moved to lower her into a reclined position, but she slinked out from under him and got up.
“Let’s go, Captain. Our troops are going to be ready soon, and you know keeping them idling is like trying to keep the horses at bay when they’re ready to go on a sleigh ride.”
He laughed as she ran for the bathroom and shut the door.
“Where’s your sense of adventure?” he called out.
Yvette opened the door a few inches and peeked into the room. “That was last night,” she said, innocently. “Don’t you remember? It was…Olympic!”
***
The next week was spent perfecting their routine. The biggest thing was making sure Robin understood that with Aunt Adelaide’s foot on the mend, he couldn’t jump up on her for any reason. It had taken quite a few near misses, but he’d gotten it eventually. They turned it into a game. The only way he could approach her was if he was dressed up like a doctor, with his bag, and all his tools. He was very cautious as he administered to his “patient.” When he was finished with his examination, Dr. Robin usually had his nurse, Lacey bring Adelaide a juice box, and a selection of stickers so that she could pick her favorite.
Yvette had already scheduled a few days off from work, so the timing of her aunt coming to stay was perfect. Christopher did as much work as he could from home, so that he didn’t have to go to Waynesville as much as he normally would have. True to family tradition, by December first the Christmas decorations were all laid out in the family room, tested, and ready to go. Christopher handled the outside light decorating, and the girls and Robin took care of the inside. It took a few hours, but by dinner time, the Darcy home was ready to embrace the holidays.
When Christopher was ready, everyone put a coat on and went out front to watch the official light-cutting-on ceremony. Yvette helped Adelaide outside so that she could participate in the annual tradition.
Christopher knelt down so that both Lacey and Robin could help him flip the switch.
“Are we ready?” he asked, ceremoniously.
“Yes,” everyone cheered.
“I mean really ready?”
“Yes,” they yelled again.
“Okay. The Stilwell-Darcy Christmas Light Show will now commence. Lacey, please do the honors.”
“Lightmaster, let there be light!” she yelled.
“Lightmaster?” Adelaide whispered to Yvette. Her shoulders shook with mirth.
“It’s a whole thing,” Yvette told her aunt with a grin. He’s in the moment, what can I say? He takes his light job very, very seriously.”
Their talk was interrupted as Christopher flipped the switch and his parents’ townhome was engulfed in multi-colored lights, inflatable Christmas characters and music that was synchronized to a blinking light show.
“Wow, honey…you’ve outdone yourself,” Yvette complimented her husband.
“This is the scaled down version,” he said, proudly. “Just wait ‘til we get our own house. It’ll be epic.”
Yvette hugged him. “Isn’t it amazing that your family and mine love the Christmas holiday so much?”
“It was a match made in heaven, sweetheart.”
She could not deny that. Over the years, Yvette had said many a prayer of thanks for Christopher coming into her life. He had enriched it in countless ways, and she was blessed to have found love a second time in her life. It was powerful, solid, and nothing would ever tumble its foundation.
Yvette turned to her aunt. “Even two years later, I can’t believe that we’re together, Aunt Addie,” she said in wonder.
“When God works our innermost prayers into being, the only thing we can do is watch his magnificence at work in our lives, acknowledge the great gift that He’s bestowed on us, and use it to help others.”
Yvette nodded reverently, and then glanced over at her husband. When their eyes connected, she felt the love emanating from the connection. “This is my gift.”
A few minutes later, they went back inside, and it was Christopher’s turn to admire his family’s handiwork. Yvette made tacos and they all sat around the kitchen table laughing, talking and arguing over which holiday movie they would watch first.
“Home Alone,” Lacey blurted out.
“No, Layshee. Grinch,” her brother chimed in.
“What about you, Aunt Addie?” Lacey asked. “Which one do you want?”
“How about the Preacher’s Wife? It’s a perfect movie,” Adelaide said, quickly.
“That’s because you love Denzel Washington,” Lacey pointed out.
“Mommy.” Robin shook his head and started to cry. “No peaches.”
“Preachers,” she corrected for him. “I’ve got an idea,” Yvette replied. “How about we all write down what movie we want and we’ll draw one out of a hat?”
“That’s a great idea,” Christopher replied. Suddenly his phone rang. He retrieved it from his pocket, and glanced at the number. He turned to his wife. “I’m sorry, honey. I have to take this.” He scribbled his favorite movie on a piece of paper and folded it over. “Here’s mine, I’ll be back in a minute.”
6 CHAPTER SIX
Yvette tried not to glance at her watch again. Instead, she turned her attention back to the movie. For all his protesting at watching it, Robin was glued to the television screen. Unable to help herself, she stole another peek at her watch. Christopher had said he’d be one minute. One minute had turned into thirty-five, and he still wasn’t back, yet.
By the time Christopher walked quietly into the family room and sat down next to Yvette, they were halfway through A Princess for Christmas.
“I see you won,” he said, quietly.
“Yep.” She turned to him. “What was that all about?”
“Just an issue that cropped up about the work I’m having done at the farm. The contractor had a few questions about structural stuff.”
“Christopher, that couldn’t wait ‘til Monday?”
“No. They were doing some work there today. Tomorrow’s Sunday so
they’re off, but he wanted an answer tonight so that they could get on it first thing on Monday. I’m sorry it interrupted our family time, Yvie.”
She relaxed and entwined her fingers through his. “It’s okay. It’s not like it happens that often.”
After the movie, they were graced with a mini performance by Lacey of her part in the Christmas play. Everyone cheered when she was done.
“You’ll be great, munchkin,” Christopher predicted. “I can’t wait to see it.”
“Grandma and Pop Pop said they’d be coming up for my play.”
“They did?” Christopher replied. “That’s great, Lace.”
“I’ll be there, too, kiddo,” Adelaide chimed in.
“I wish Grandma and Grandpa Morgan could be here.”
“I know, but they’re on a cruise. They’ll be coming down right after Christmas, just like they always do.”
“Okay. Mom, can we go out to dinner after the play?”
“Sure,” she turned to Christopher. “You want to take a guess at where she’s going to suggest?”
“Hmm…let me see…Kanki?”
Lacey shook her head. “Nope.”
“No?” Yvette said in genuine surprise. “That’s your favorite.”
“I want to try something new this time,” Lacey informed them. “I want to go to Maggiano’s.”
“Honey, it’ll be too late to go there after your play,” Christopher reasoned. “It’s in Durham, and by the time we get in and order, it’ll be past your bedtime.”
Lacey stood there deep in thought. She smiled a few moments later. “Okay, we’ll save Maggiano’s for the weekend. How about Macaroni Grill?”
Yvette nodded. “Now that we can do.”
***
By the day the play rolled around, Yvette had had a long week. Monday started off with a mishap. Robin had rammed his push and go truck into Adelaide’s booted foot. It didn’t hurt her, but she’d swerved to keep the mishap from occurring and had pinched something in her neck. After an Urgent Care visit, Adelaide was directed to take an anti-inflammatory, and to ice it off and on. Tuesday, Yvette had a training session across town. It had gone well, but when she came home, it was to find her house in an uproar, because Lacey couldn’t find her script to practice her lines. After an hour of searching, it was Christopher who had found it in a laundry basket of dirty clothes.
Two Hearts for Christmast Page 3
