A Sweethaven Christmas

by Courtney Walsh

  At the very bottom of the box, Lila found one more ornament, wrapped in white tissue paper. As she pulled off the paper, she uncovered her oldest ornament. Her father had given it to her when she was five. Unlike most parents who bought cartoon-inspired ornaments, her parents chose a Swarovski crystal heart with the words “Daddy’s Little Girl” etched inside.

  Lila turned over the ornament in her hand as her mind drifted back to the happier times she’d had with her family. She had been so fortunate to grow up in a home where she wanted for nothing. And while Mama had been unbearable at times, Lila decided not to let that turn her cold. In this new chapter she’d purpose to treat other people the opposite of the way Mama did.

  She hung the crystal on the tree, the weight of it bending the branch.

  Her mind jumped to Charlotte. She sighed. Treating Charlotte the opposite of the way Mama would treat her meant treating her like her sister.

  If she was serious about changing, then it was time to put the theory to the test.

  Lila grabbed her purse, pulled on her coat and headed toward the car.

  As she drove toward town, Lila called Charlotte to make sure she was still staying at the Whitmore.

  “I’m still here.”

  Lila could hear the sadness in her sister’s voice. “Have you been home at all?”

  After a pause, Charlotte said, “No, but I’m packing up to head out tomorrow.”

  Why did that make Lila sad?

  “Can I stop by? I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  “Of course, I’ll come down.”

  Poor Charlotte. Hanging around hoping that Daddy would change his mind. That Mama would loosen her grip.

  Did Charlotte hope she’d finally get through to Daddy? Would Lila be that dedicated in fighting for her own child? Lila pulled in front of the Whitmore and parked the car. She walked up the icy walk just as the front door opened and Charlotte appeared in the doorway. “Lila?”

  Before Lila could respond, her foot caught on a slick patch of ice. Like a kid falling down on the ice rink, Lila tumbled to the ground, crashing to the pavement, the cold, wet snow chilling her hands.

  “Lila!” Charlotte rushed to her side. “Are you okay?”

  Lila looked up at Charlotte, whose face looked pale even in the moonlight. “The baby.”

  Charlotte gasped.

  Lila let her head rest on the cold pavement, afraid to move. Afraid to find out that she’d lost another baby.

  “It’s going to be okay.” Charlotte grabbed her phone and dialed 911. “Yes, I need an ambulance at the Whitmore Bed-and-Breakfast. It’s for—my sister—she’s pregnant and she just slipped on the ice.”

  Charlotte listened to the voice on the other end of the line. “How far along are you?”

  Lila could feel tears trickling down her cheeks. “Sixteen weeks.”

  “She’s sixteen weeks.” Charlotte’s face fell. “Okay. We’ll keep her still.” She hung up and turned her attention to Lila. “I’m going to get you a blanket. Don’t move.”

  Lila nodded. When Charlotte returned, she covered Lila with the comforter from her room. “Just stay still.”

  “I can’t lose another baby,” Lila said.

  Charlotte’s face went pale, then, as if she were putting on her brave face, she smiled. “You won’t. It’s going to be fine.”

  But Lila knew her baby was at risk. She wasn’t far enough along to have the proper insulation to withstand a fall like the one she’d just taken. Already, she could tell her tail bone had been bruised.

  After what seemed like an eternity, an ambulance—the only one in town—roared down the block, stopping in front of the bed-and-breakfast.

  “I’m fine, I’m sure I’m fine,” Lila said. Charlotte had insisted she not move. She tucked the blankets around Lila and did her best to keep her warm. Now, two paramedics rushed toward them with a stretcher.

  “Are you in pain?”

  Lila nodded. “Just from where I fell. My backside.”

  “Okay, we’re going to get you to the hospital,” one of the paramedics said. He pulled the blankets back. “They said you’re pregnant.”

  Lila blinked back her tears, remembering the other babies she’d lost. So many times she’d almost been a mother. She thought this time would be different. This time, she’d told herself, it was okay to hope.

  But as they lifted her into the ambulance, panic swept through her. She glanced at Charlotte, who stood under the street lamp, hands clasped in front of her like she was praying.

  “Can she come with?” Lila asked the paramedic.

  “If she hurries.” He glanced at Charlotte and motioned for her to get in the ambulance. She rushed in and sat beside Lila.

  Lila closed her eyes. “I’m scared,” she said.

  Charlotte took her hand. “It’s going to be okay.”

  The siren sounded and they sped toward the hospital one town over. When they arrived, Lila was rushed inside where doctors and nurses threw around words like “miscarriage” as if they were part of their normal vocabulary.

  “Can you call my husband? My friends?” Lila asked Charlotte as the doctor asked her to leave the room.

  Charlotte nodded, took Lila’s phone and disappeared into the hallway, leaving Lila alone with her doctor, Dr. Simpson. She welcomed the familiar face. He’d taken over her care while she was in Sweethaven.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  A knot formed in her throat. “I slipped on the ice.”

  “It’s pretty slick out there.” He lifted her shirt just above her belly and hooked her up to a fetal heart monitor.

  “Is the baby okay?” she asked, swiping away a tear.

  “I’m going to do an ultrasound and check the heart rate.” He gave her a reassuring smile.

  The jelly he squirted on her belly came as a shock of cold, but in moments, she saw her baby’s face on the screen of the ultrasound. Emotion clogged her throat.

  “Is it . . . ?” She closed her eyes, unable to imagine what would come next.

  Then, like the sound of a bass drum, Lila heard the baby’s heartbeat, and it sounded strong.

  She glanced at Dr. Simpson. He smiled at her.

  “You’ve got a fighter in here. The heart rate sounds good.”

  Relief washed over her as tears sprang to her eyes.

  “I’m going to want to keep you overnight, but yes, it seems like the baby is doing fine. No need to panic.”

  “Oh, thank God.”

  Thank You, God.

  “You need to wear better shoes if you’re going to go out in this weather,” Dr. Simpson said, looking at her heels. “Would you like to know what you’re having?”

  Lila’s eyes shot to the screen, but she couldn’t make out where to look or what to look for. She saw a perfect head in profile, with the most beautiful nose and a hand up by the little face, but she couldn’t tell if she would soon hold a boy or a girl.

  A knock on the door drew her attention away from the screen and Charlotte walked in. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but Tom’s on the phone. He insisted I find out what was going on.”

  Dr. Simpson smiled. “He’s out of town?”

  Lila nodded. “Can I take the call?”

  “Of course.”

  “Honey?” She heard the panic in his voice.

  “It’s okay. We’re fine.” Lila smiled through fresh tears and saw a look of relief wash over Charlotte’s face. “Listen to the heartbeat.” Lila held up the phone, so he could hear. “Dr. Simpson wants to know if we want to find out what we’re having.”

  Lila glanced at Charlotte, who started to walk out. “No, Charlotte. Stay. Please.”

  Her sister’s eyes widened and she closed the door, then moved closer to Lila.

  “Tom, I’m going to put you on speaker.”

  Dr. Simpson moved the ultrasound around until a new image popped up on the screen. “You sure you want to know?”

  Lila smiled, then wiped away another tear.
“Yes. Please.”

  Charlotte took her hand and squeezed.

  “Looks like you two are having . . . a boy,” the doctor said.

  “A boy?”

  Lila’s heart jumped. She thought it was a boy.

  “Did you hear that, Tom? We’re going to have a son.”

  She took the phone off speaker. “Tom?”

  “I’m here,” he said, his voice cracking. “I’m just really happy.”

  Lila closed her eyes and smiled. “We’re going to have a son.” Tears escaped her closed eyes. She opened them and saw Charlotte beaming at her side.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Charlotte,” Lila said. “Thank you.”

  Charlotte’s expression changed and she nodded. “Me too.”

  Lila let her head rest on the stiff hospital pillow. If this is what it meant to have a sister, Lila thought she could get used to it.

  Lila

  When Lila awoke the next morning, it took her a minute to remember where she was. Charlotte sat in the chair next to her, eyes closed, and in the hallway, quiet voices murmured.

  Lila glanced at the monitor, staring at the pulsing beat of her son’s heart. “Thank You, God,” she whispered, her heart full to bursting.

  Charlotte stirred. Her eyes flickered open. “You’re awake.”

  Lila smiled. “You didn’t have to sleep here.”

  “I had to leave messages for everyone—I didn’t know when they would arrive. I think everyone’s here now, in the hallway.”

  “Who’s everyone?”

  Charlotte sat up. “All of your friends.”

  “Tom?”

  “Do you really think he’d be in the hallway if he was here?” She smiled. “He should be here”—she glanced at her watch—“in about an hour.” Charlotte paused, then looked down. “Your parents are here though.”

  Lila pulled up the covers around her, a chill washing over her. “You called them?”

  Charlotte looked away. “I felt like I should. I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s fine.”

  Her sister pressed her lips together and took a deep breath. “I’m mad at them too.”

  Lila’s mind spun back to the verse Jane had written out for her. Would it really be better if she forgave them?

  Movement in the hallway caught Lila’s eye. “How long have they been here?”

  Charlotte followed her gaze to the nurses’ station just outside the door where Daddy stood, alone, a cup of coffee in his hands. “For a while now. They got here in the middle of the night.

  “He looks sad.”

  “I think he is.”

  How was it that she could still be so angry with both her parents and yet feel so sorry for them at the same time? Their whole life had been built on lies. And now, with everything unraveling, they stood to lose the only family they had. “Do they know it’s a boy?”

  Charlotte shook her head. “I wouldn’t dream of sharing your good news. That’s for you to tell—when you want to.”

  “I’m sorry I was so mean to you before.”

  “Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should be sorry—for turning your world upside-down.”

  “No, I think I should thank you.”

  Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

  “If you hadn’t come here, I’d never have known the truth. I’d still be living my life trying to make everyone else happy and proud of me. I feel so free now—like I can finally just be myself.” Lila smiled. “I may stop wearing makeup altogether.”

  “Let’s not get crazy,” Charlotte said. “We’re no spring chickens.”

  Lila smiled. “And I don’t know if it’ll help, but I want them to test me to see if I’m a match for Maddie.”

  Charlotte perked up at Lila’s words. “You do?”

  “I do. And I pray I’m a match because I’d really love to do something special for my niece.”

  A knock on the door drew their attention away. Mama stood in the doorway, but she didn’t walk into the room. Instead, she stood there, almost asking permission to enter.

  “I just wanted to check on you,” she said, avoiding Charlotte’s eyes.

  Charlotte stared at the floor. “I’ll check in with you later.”

  Lila nodded. “Thank you, Charlotte. For everything.”

  Without another word, Charlotte gathered her things and walked out. Mama stiffened as she passed, her chin higher than usual.

  “What was she doing here, Lila?” Now Mama moved toward her.

  “She was the one who called the ambulance for me.”

  “But why were you with her in the first place? Don’t tell me you plan to let that woman into your life.”

  Lila stared at Mama for a long moment. “That woman is my sister. And like it or not, yes, I want to get to know her. She has children. I’m an aunt. And since Daddy won’t get tested to see if he can save her daughter’s life, I’m going to do it.”

  Mama scoffed. “This is ludicrous.”

  “Mama, I know you don’t understand it. I know you’re content to spend the rest of your life nursing your bitterness, but I’m not going to let myself become a younger version of you. Besides, she’s not the one who did anything wrong.”

  “Listen here—”

  But before Mama could finish, Tom rushed in, eyes intent on Lila. He still wore his uniform, along with a look of fear. “You’re okay?”

  Lila turned away from Mama and gave Tom her full attention. “I am now.”

  He hugged her, then rested a hand on her stomach. “And the doctor said the baby’s okay?”

  She nodded.

  Tom glanced at Mama, who watched them, her fingers working her pearl necklace.

  “I’ve got to run,” Mama said. “Now that I know you’re both okay. We’ll check in on you later.”

  Lila didn’t respond but watched Mama walk out.

  Forgiving someone who admitted no wrongdoing would prove to be much more difficult than she originally thought.

  * * * * *

  Lila had been assigned to several days of bed rest, though the doctor assured her she’d be well enough to go to Adele’s big Christmas celebration. She’d been looking forward to Christmas week since she arrived in Sweethaven for Thanksgiving, and she had no intention of missing it. She’d spend the holidays with her friends eating too much and laughing for too many hours. And with the Christmas Eve service—by candlelight—she couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate.

  She had a feeling this year would be a very special Christmas.

  Her eyes fell on the tree she’d decorated. At home in Georgia, her tree had been cream and gold—elegant and vintage. This year, she’d opted for something more fun—a color scheme of turquoise and red. She couldn’t love it more.

  With time on her hands, Lila took out a blank scrapbook she’d been stashing away for something special. Finally, she figured out what it was she wanted to do with it.

  She didn’t have much with her, but there was enough to make a title page. She rummaged through her box of papers, adhesives, stickers and embellishments, laying everything out on the first page of the album. The photo, one of her and Tom on Thanksgiving, would be nice for an introductory layout.

  Once she had everything in place, Lila took out her adhesive and secured the pieces down, adding a cluster of small flowers to the lower left-hand corner of the photo. Then she took out her pen and journaled on a decorative card she would tuck in beside the photo.

  While she didn’t consider herself a scrapbooker necessarily, Lila had realized it was a scrapbook that had brought her friends back to her after too many years apart. That scrapbook reminded her of what had always been most important—the people in her life. Not the things, not a big fancy house or beauty pageant sashes.

  She couldn’t help it if she wanted that to continue.

  That prayer book Jane had made for Meghan had also made its rounds, and while Lila might not be the first to sing its praises, it had spoken to her in a way she couldn’t explain. Somehow, t
here was something about securing these truths or memories down into an album.

  Now, standing outside room number three at the Whitmore, Lila held the little book she’d made to her chest. She knocked and waited until Charlotte opened the door.

  Her sister smiled. “It’s good to see you up.”

  “I was hoping you’d come back to the hospital. I don’t feel like I got to properly thank you.”

  “Come in.” Charlotte moved aside so Lila could step into the room. “I thought you might need some time with your family.”

  Lila met her eyes. “You are my family.”

  Charlotte looked away.

  On the bed, Lila saw an open suitcase. “You’re packing?”

  Charlotte nodded. “I’ve been gone too long already.”

  Lila scanned the room. “I thought maybe you’d bring the kids up here.”

  “I think it’s time for me to go back home.”

  Lila nodded. Her family missed her, of course, but Lila was surprised at the depth of her own disappointment to learn Charlotte wasn’t staying.

  “I brought you something. To say thank you.” Lila held the small, tissue-paper-filled gift bag out to her sister.

  Charlotte took the bag. “You don’t owe me any thanks.” She waited a few long seconds and then opened the bag, pulling out the small scrapbook.

  “Lila, this is really beautiful.” Charlotte turned the book over in her hands.

  “I don’t know if you know this, but my friends and I get together and make scrapbook albums after each summer in Sweethaven. It’s something of a tradition—and now that we’ve found each other again, we’re carrying it on.”

  “I’m not very artistic.” Charlotte opened to the opening page and read the short paragraph Lila had written about herself. Just the facts, really, but the things that sisters should know about each other.

  “I know you have your life and I have mine, but I was thinking it might be fun to share stories in this little book. I’ll do a page and send it to you, you’ll do a page and send it back. It’s a way for us to keep tabs on each other.”

  Charlotte ran her hand across the layout.

  “And then, years from now, we’ll have it to share with our kids.” Lila waited for a moment, clinging to the idea that she would have someone to pass her memories down to. She’d given up the idea so many times, to have a real person growing inside her nearly took her breath away.