Two Hearts for Christmast

by Lisa Y. Watson

  “Come on, little ones,” she whispered while she was combing her hair. “Don’t wear Mommy out so soon today. I need some of that energy to help your sister have an unforgettable birthday.” Her hand moved to the slight roundness of her stomach. Now that her pregnancy was confirmed, it was as though a light bulb had turned on. Now she noticed all the nuances that had escaped her before.

  “Just two more days, and your daddy will know all about you two,” she said, conspiratorially. “I’m hoping that he won’t mind my not coming clean about you both sooner. We’ll have to see how it goes. Your mommy may be in the dog house for a while.”

  By the time Yvette made it downstairs, Christopher and the kids were outside playing in the backyard. There was a plate sitting on the table, with foil over it. It was still warm. There was also a note. When she read it, Yvette smiled. He’d let her sleep in because he thought she was tired. You don’t know that half of it, my darling.

  Yvette sat at the table and ate breakfast. When she was done, she put the dishes in the dishwasher. Christopher had already cleaned up, so there wasn’t anything that needed to be done. She put a kettle of milk on the stove to boil, and then took three mugs out of the cabinet to make hot chocolate. She added marshmallows to Christopher and Lacey’s mugs. For Robin, she took out his favorite biscuits and set them on the counter. She went to the deck door, and slid it open.

  “Hey you three, aren’t you cold by now?”

  “No,” they all retorted.

  “Gee, that’s too bad. I had hot chocolate for you.”

  Robin was the first to take off running. He ran so fast, his legs couldn’t keep up, and he tumbled to the ground. Before he could think about crying, he was scooped up by his daddy and run the rest of the way into the house in his arms with Lacey hot on their heels.

  Yvette set the mugs on the table, and Robin’s on his table after sitting him in his chair.

  “This is great, Mom.”

  Yvette kissed and hugged her daughter. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. This time eleven years ago—”

  “You were still in labor,” Lacey finished for her. “You tell me that story every year, Mom.”

  “Well, it’s true every year,” she pointed out.

  “Sweetheart, where’s your coffee?” Christopher asked. “I made a pot for you, but it’s untouched. Since when don’t you drink coffee?”

  “Oh, I…I kind of felt like having some tea with breakfast instead.” She glanced at the clock on the microwave. “We should really get going. It would be great to get there and be able to relax a little while first.”

  “Good idea,” Christopher replied. “Okay, Darcys…let’s get moving, we’ve got a long day ahead of us.”

  Yvette tidied up the kitchen, and then placed all the Christmas gifts in bags while Lacey and Christopher brought down luggage, and incidentals that they’d packed up for the trip.

  “Is this the last of it?” she inquired after Christopher returned for the third time.

  “Yep, this is it.”

  Because they had so much stuff, they took Christopher’s truck. Yvette carried Robin out and got him secured in his car seat. Lacey ran out and jumped in.

  “Mom, we have all my birthday party stuff, right?”

  “Of course. Your dad took all your decorations up there already.”

  She relaxed against the seat. “This is going to be the best birthday ever.”

  Yvette touched Lacey’s new necklace. “Definitely one of the most memorable.”

  From the moment the Darcys arrived at the farm, it was non-stop preparations. Margaret and Anthony met them outside and helped to unload all their gear.

  “We’ve been invaded,” Anthony chuckled when Christopher opened the tailgate.

  “It does look like we’re staying a month, doesn’t it?” Yvette laughed.

  Margaret picked up Robin and hugged him tight. “You all could stay as long as you like, and we wouldn’t mind one bit.”

  Christopher and Anthony took all the luggage upstairs, while Lacey and Yvette unpacked the Christmas gifts and set them in the living room. Lacey looked up at the massive, and bare Fraser Fir.

  “How come Grandma and Pop Pop haven’t decorated the tree, yet?”

  “I’m not sure, honey. Maybe they were waiting for you and Robin to help.”

  “We sure were,” Margaret said. She glided into the room with Robin close on her heels. “You and Robby do such a great job with decorating; we thought we’d wait for you.”

  Robin pointed. “Twee, Gamma.”

  “Isn’t it lovely, Robbie? He’s waiting for you to decorate him so he can really shine.”

  Yvette tried to stifle a yawn, but Margaret noticed and moved right in.

  “You need a nap, dear.”

  “No, I’m fine,” Yvette protested, but her mother-in-law wasn’t having any of it.

  “Let’s get you upstairs so you can lie down for a few hours. I’ve got the elves manning the store, and a few more will be helping with the party later. This is the perfect time to sneak away for a rest. There’ll be plenty of excitement later, so off you go.”

  Christopher parked the truck, and then came back into the kitchen.

  “Daddy,” Robin said as he ran and launched himself at his dad.

  “Whoa, Robby, you’ve gotten heavier since this morning. Has grandma been stuffing you with treats?”

  “Cookies,” his son replied.

  “Ah-hah.” Christopher turned to his mother. “Mom, he’ll be bouncing off the walls by the time Lacey’s birthday rolls around.”

  “He’ll be doing no such thing. It was only one cookie with milk. Now it’s time for him to snuggle with Grandma for a story, and then it’s down for a nap.”

  “I not sleepy.”

  “You will be, and you’ve got to be rested for Lacey’s party. Don’t you want to go to her birthday party?”

  He nodded.

  “Okay, well you’ve got to go to sleep first.”

  Robin decided the logic was sound. He nodded, and then pulled his grandmother by the hand. “Book, Gamma.”

  “Where’s Lacey and Yvette?” Christopher asked.

  “Yvette’s taking a nap, and Lacey’s in the office talking to her friends on whatever that thing is she uses.”

  “Yvette’s been very tired, lately,” he noted.

  “I don’t blame her. Keeping up with this one wears me out, too.”

  He laughed at his mother’s harried expression. He didn’t believe for a second that his mother wasn’t enjoying every minute of them being there. Since Yvette and the kids, his parents were rejuvenated. He hadn’t heard about his mother’s arthritic knee since he’d first introduced her to Yvette and Lacey. His family had breathed new life into the house, and combined with his mother’s whirlwind personality, and unparalleled cooking, every family visit to Winter Wishes was a special one.

  “Hey,” his father called from the door. “How about a game of Chess? We’re on a countdown to pandemonium, so I want to get a few moments of calm in before the partyers arrive.”

  Christopher laughed. He knew exactly what his father was saying. “Lead the way,” he replied.

  ***

  Yvette opened her eyes and blinked a few times. Where am I? It took a few moments before she remembered she was not in her own bed. She stretched and turned over onto her side. She noticed Christopher stretched out next to her.

  “Hey,” she said, sleepily.

  “Hey, Snow Queen.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Have a nice nap?”

  “Mmm hmm. Though I feel like I’ve been sleeping forever.”

  He grinned. “Not that long, just over an hour and a half.”

  “Oh goodness, why didn’t you wake me?” She moved to sit up, but he stopped her. “You stay right here. The kids aren’t arriving for another two hours. We’ve got plenty of time.”

  She wasn’t convinced. “But the food and—”

  His fingers traced a path down her shoulder. “Is being han
dled,” he soothed. “Mom got one of the local restaurants to cater. They should be arriving soon to set up. The cake will be here shortly, too. Wait ‘til you see it. They were able to do exactly what we asked. Mom saw it, and she said Lacey will love it.”

  “I’m so glad. Still, I feel like a bump on a log just lying in bed. I should be doing something to help.”

  “Robin’s napping, and if my mother is wise, she is, too. Lacey’s downstairs on the computer chatting with her friends, and Dad is watching a fishing show on television, but I’m inclined to believe that the show is watching him.”

  Yvette giggled. “I bet.”

  “Just think of this time as the eye of the hurricane. We’ll all be running around soon enough.” Christopher pulled her close. “I, for one, am enjoying the silence—and staring at my beautiful wife.”

  “Here’s a secret you don’t know,” she whispered. “Your wife enjoys having you stare at her.”

  Christopher traced a path with his finger from her cheek to her heart. His eyes never left hers. “That’s good to know because I intend on doing it for the rest of my days.”

  He leaned down and claimed her lips for a kiss. Before the embrace could go further, there was a loud banging on their door.

  “Mommy, Daddy. I wake.”

  “At least he’s consistent,” Christopher said.

  They shared a laugh before Christopher rolled over and got up. He stretched out his hand to help his wife off the bed. He hugged her once, and then strolled to the door.

  “Hang on, buddy, we’re coming.”

  16 CHAPTER sixTeEN

  Lacey Stilwell-Darcy’s eleventh birthday party was a huge success. Six of her closest friends came to celebrate her special day, as did Aunt Adelaide. Since it was such a long drive, they had already planned that most, if not all, of the parents would want to stay until it was over. For the kids, there were mini hamburger sliders, pigs in blankets, macaroni and cheese cups, pizza, chicken bites, chips, dips and a fresh veggie and fruit platter. For the grown-ups, there were hot and cold appetizers, a carving station with roast beef and ham, and assorted sides and desserts.

  “Margaret,” Yvette had exclaimed when she saw all the food. “This is enough food to feed an army.”

  “Look around, honey. I’d say we have an army.”

  Just then, Anthony came into the room dressed in his costume and bellowed, “Who’s up for a carriage ride with Santa?”

  Lacey and her friends bellowed ‘Me’ all at once and filed out of the back door in a flurry of coats, hats and party favors. When they got to the carriage, Anthony introduced each one to his two horses, and laid down the “rules” of Santa’s carriage. When each child had agreed, they were helped up into the carriage by one of Santa’s elves, and covered with a thick blanket. Since Lacey was the birthday girl, she got to wear a special wreath of flowers and ribbons. Another elf offered a choice of hot chocolate with marshmallows, or spiced apple cider. Christopher hopped in next to Santa, and Yvette handed Robin up to him. With a Ho, Ho, Ho, Santa’s Birthday Express was off.

  Everyone mulling around in the courtyard waved, and then went back inside.

  “Do you think it’ll snow?” One of the parents asked.

  Yvette noted that it hadn’t snowed yet, but Margaret had predicted it would by Christmas, and she was never wrong.

  By the time the kids returned, they were rosy cheeked and hoarse from all the singing and laughing. The elves were on hand to help them out of the carriage, and to retrieve the empty mugs and thermoses. Yvette scooped Robin up so Christopher could help Anthony go back to the stables to put up the carriage, wipe the horses down and get them settled.

  Next on the birthday agenda was Karaoke, followed by birthday cake, presents, and then a trip to the Winter Wishes store to make an ornament. Margaret took Robin upstairs to freshen up, and have some quiet time while Yvette and Adelaide managed the festivities.

  By the time Christopher and his father returned, the battle for the top singer was in full swing. He sidled up next to his wife.

  “How’s it going?” he whispered.

  “These kids are rabid when it comes to Karaoke,” she whispered. “Give them a mic, and a beat, and it’s American Idol.”

  “How’s our birthday girl doing?”

  “She’s among the top three contestants left. The parents have been great judges.”

  By the time they were done fifteen minutes later, Lacey didn’t win the top spot, but she came in second. Everyone cheered for the winner, and Yvette presented her with a prize. Afterwards, Christopher came back in to announce that the birthday girl and her entourage were wanted in the kitchen. They filed out with the parents trailing behind them. On a cart was a huge birthday cake done up to look like a towering iceberg with several very cute penguins holding colorful gifts positioned around the cake. Around the base was “Happy 11th Birthday, Lacey!” The candles were reminiscent of long sparklers. Yvette and Christopher started everyone off in singing happy birthday to Lacey. When they were done, she made a wish and blew the candles out. One of the staff that brought the cake, assisted Lacey with cutting the first piece, and then took over passing out cake to the guests.

  After everyone finished, Margaret corralled them into the family room to open gifts. There was a constant stream of presents to unwrap, ogle over, and then on to the next. Finally, Lacey came to the last gift. It was from Yvette, Christopher and Robin. She opened the large box with help from her grandfather. When she saw it, she practically screamed with joy.

  “It’s a saddle,” she cried, as Anthony helped her take it out of the box.

  She held it up for everyone to see, and marveled at seeing her name stitched into the side in red, along with today’s date.

  “I love it,” she exclaimed. “Now when I learn how to ride, I’ll have my own saddle.”

  For her grandparents’ gift, they had to go outside. When the crowd parted, Lacey saw one of the elves holding a beautiful sable brown horse, with a white star on his head. She did scream then, and cry. She ran over to the horse, and gently stroked his face. She was rewarded when he nodded his head up and down.

  “He loves me.” She laughed through her tears.

  “Of course he does,” Margaret replied.

  She went to her grandparents and hugged them fiercely. “Thank you, Grandma and Pop Pop. He’s perfect, and I’ll take great care of him,” she vowed.

  “We know you will, sweetheart,” Anthony said, and then complained about something being in his eye.

  Margaret glanced at him knowingly, and then said, “What are you going to name your new horse, Lacey?”

  Christopher helped his daughter up on the horse’s back. “I’m sure she has to think about it a while, Mom.”

  “No,” Lacey replied. “His name is Dash,” she said, confidently. She stroked his mane. “Hello, Dash.”

  Dash whinnied and nodded his head. Everyone cheered.

  Christopher helped her down. He handed the reins to one of the elves, and he escorted Dash back to the barn.

  “I’ll be in to see you soon, Dash,” Lacey called out.

  Yvette announced that it was time for their trip to Winter Wishes. Because it was the last stop, and conclusion of the party, all the parents drove their children down to the general store. They all marveled at the winter wonderland as the helpers got the kids seated and produced baskets of supplies for them to make their own ornaments.

  Christopher wrapped his arm around Yvette and they moved off to join Adelaide, Anthony and Margaret.

  “This has been an amazing day,” Yvette said, tearfully. “Thank you all so much for making Lacey’s birthday one she’ll never forget.”

  “That’s what family’s for,” Anthony replied.

  That made Yvette cry even more. She excused herself and went outside. Christopher followed her.

  “Hey,” he said, walking up to her. His eyes reflected his concern. “Yvie, what’s wrong?”

  She shook her head. “Noth
ing, it’s…everything is so right, that’s all. I’m just overwhelmed with how much I love our family.”

  He gathered her into his arms. “I know exactly how you feel. It’s pretty amazing. Now let’s get you inside before those tears of joy freeze.”

  ***

  Later that night, after Robin had been put to bed, Yvette and Christopher went in to check on Lacey. They found her sitting on her window seat staring out into the night.

  “Lacey, what are you doing?” Yvette asked when they came in.

  She turned around. “I was trying to see if I could see the barn from here.”

  They went over and sat on the seat with her. Yvette played with her ponytail.

  “This has been the best birthday. Thanks for my party—and everything else. It was so cool.”

  “It was totally our pleasure, sweetheart,” Yvette replied. “Your grandparents and your aunt Adelaide were thrilled that you enjoyed it.”

  “How could I not? Even though I didn’t win Karaoke,” she smiled. “Earlier, I went to tell Dash goodnight. I can’t wait to start riding lessons. Pop Pop said that I can start right after the holidays.” She started to say more, but yawned.

  “I think that’s our cue,” Christopher replied. “Time for bed, Lace.”

  “Okay, Dad.”

  Yvette turned to her husband. “I’ll tuck her in.”

  Christopher kissed Lacey on the cheek, and then hugged her. “I love you, munchkin.”

  “Love you too.”

  He squeezed his wife’s shoulder, and then left.

  After helping Lacey under the covers, Yvette sat on the side of the bed.

  “You want to talk about it?”

  Lacey glanced up at her mother. She sighed. “I just wish Daddy was here.” She stared at his picture on her nightstand. “I miss him.”

  “I know, honey. He would be so proud of you—just like I am.” Yvette leaned in and wrapped her daughter in her arms. They stayed like that for a few moments before she said, “Snuggles.”

  Lacey grinned. It was their special way to say goodnight, and she never tired of it.

  “Snuggles,” she replied, and then burrowed further down in the warm covers.