by Morgan Henry
The tree was in the corner near the fireplace, and there were a number of presents under it. They had all decorated the huge, real spruce together the night Jane and Robert had arrived. It had been a fun way to get to know each other. Jane had stories to tell about some of the ornaments and of the boys when they were younger.
“Merry Christmas,” said Jane softly as she walked into the kitchen. She, like Mary, was still in her pajamas and robe.
“Merry Christmas,” responded Mary with a smile. It felt a little bittersweet not to be with her own parents, but she reminded herself that was their choice, not hers.
“I’m glad you’re here. Derek and Logan have been waiting for the right woman for a long time.” Jane pulled out a few pans and opened the fridge. “I’ll start some sausage, and we can keep it warm in the oven.”
To her surprise, Mary completely agreed with Jane. She was finally secure enough in their relationship to feel it in her bones. “I’m glad you think so. I love them.” Not sure if she really wanted to get into a deep conversation about their relationship and the future just yet, she changed the subject. “You don’t have to help with breakfast, you know. I’m happy to cook for all of you.”
“I know, dear, but I don’t mind. It’s kind of nice, just the two of us. Pour me a coffee, would you?”
Mary did, adding the scant teaspoon of sugar she knew Jane took. She made one for herself as well. “It’s the quiet before the chaos—meant to be savored.”
“Goodness, I hope it won’t be too chaotic.” Jane sipped her coffee as she stirred the sausages.
“Not here, but at my sister’s later. There will be an awful lot of us.” The Murrays had been invited for Christmas dinner, along with Karen and her men and Allan’s family.
“Ah, yes. That will be quite fun! It’s been a while since we had such a large group for Christmas dinner. No children, though?”
“No. Allan’s sister is the youngest, and she’s in university.”
“Well, someday.”
“You don’t sound like you’re in too much of a hurry.”
Jane gave a little laugh. “I’m trying not to sound that way, but I really would love some grandchildren. But the last thing I want to do is badger you on Christmas morning to provide some.” She gave Mary a sly, sideways look. “I’ll save it for Boxing Day. Maybe New Year’s if I’m feeling magnanimous.”
Mary couldn’t help but laugh with Jane. She was such a down-to-earth, relaxed person. Nothing seemed to ruffle her.
Sausage cooked and croissants cooling, they retired to the living room to sip their coffee. The sky was just starting to lighten when the men joined them.
Robert took Jane in his arms and kissed her. He slid behind her on the loveseat, pulling her into his arms. It made Mary smile to see that, after all their years together, he still showered his wife with physical affection and respect.
Derek and Logan weren’t far behind their father, planting themselves on either side of Mary and taking turns kissing her good morning.
After the Christmas greetings were exchanged, they got down to the important task of opening stockings.
Mary loved hers. She found a beautiful mug, tea, hot chocolate, and a few other trinkets in hers. She was happy to see that Derek and Logan were happy with the few items she had tucked into their socks too.
Sammy had several new cat toys, a “grow your own catnip” kit, and a few bags of his favourite treats. He, of course, was far more interested in shredding the tissue paper her mug had been wrapped in.
It was the Murray tradition to have breakfast next and then open presents.
Everyone helped with breakfast, and while it wasn’t chaotic, it was noisy and fun. Presents were even better.
Jane loved the earrings Mary had found for her by a local artist. It was all they could do to keep Robert upstairs after he opened the DVD set from Mary. He was so eager to watch it.
Derek and Logan were amazed by the prints Mary had made for them. Derek’s was an electron micrograph of a human retina, and Logan’s was one of a pollen grain from an oak tree. They had been coloured and enlarged, and she thought they were beautiful.
Jane and Robert had given Mary a beautiful wraparound sweater in red cashmere. Derek and Logan had given her a pair of slippers each since her feet were always cold. They were completely different, and she loved the way they reflected their personalities. Logan’s pair was booties with a soft leather sole, plush inside and decorated with wild yarn and bright colours. Derek’s were sturdy deep green clogs with a firm sole and lined with shearling that felt so good on her bare toes.
Then Derek and Logan had brought in a huge scratching post for Sammy. They had made it together, and it was as much a beautiful sculpture as it was a playground for Sammy. It had a hiding place, scratching areas, and several perches. It fit right into the living area, looking as though it had been designed for the house, which it had.
“This is amazing! I’m so impressed!” Mary hugged and kissed her men.
Sammy apparently felt the same way as he tested it out immediately.
“You should take some photos and put this on your website,” suggested Robert. “I bet there would be a niche market for these.”
Logan laughed. “I will. It was actually quite fun to make. I’m glad he likes it. It would really have sucked to put all that effort into it just to watch Sammy ignore it.”
“There’s one more thing under the tree,” Derek noted.
Logan went diving for it and pulled out a small box.
Mary’s heart stuttered. Oh, goodness, were they going to…in front of their parents?
No, they wouldn’t.
They wouldn’t do this to her. And what would she say if they did?
Her mind whirled faster than the swirling snowflakes outside.
“Mary.” Logan tugged her hand and drew her back into the present. He and Derek knelt in front of her.
“You can guess what we’re asking.” Derek took her other hand. “We’ve weathered a bit of a storm and grown together over the past few months, and we want to continue to grow together.”
“Marry us, sunshine.” Logan kissed her fingertips.
Derek opened the box.
The ring was stunning. Three equal diamonds set in a row in a white gold band. One for each of them, equal but adding up to something amazing.
Somehow, the choice of the three equal-sized diamonds did it for Mary. It seemed to signify they were all equally invested in their relationship, equal partners but adding up to more when they were together.
“Yes,” she whispered, surprising herself, pushing back the stupid voice in her head saying it was too soon, too fast, on the heels of a breakup, and doomed to fail.
Derek pulled her off the couch and into his arms, kissing her while Logan grabbed her hand and slid the ring on.
“We’re never letting you go now.” Derek gave her ear a lick to emphasize his words.
“You and I will talk on Boxing Day,” Jane said with a wink. “Congratulations you three.”
Robert looked a Jane in confusion “Why don’t you talk to her now?”
“It’s a private joke, dear.” Jane cupped his cheek and gave him a peck. “Do you have any idea what you want to do for a wedding?”
“I honestly hadn’t thought,” Mary replied. “I wasn’t thinking of anything too big.”
“We’ll work it out together,” Logan promised. “And Derek will obsessively plan it all and make lists for us.”
They all laughed at that, including Derek.
After lounging around the house for most of the day, they packed up and headed to Karen’s.
As soon as Mary walked through the door, the wonderful smells hit her. Turkey and pumpkin pie and a hint of smoke from the wood stove swirled into her nostrils. Allan and Zander had decorated the house, inside and out. There were garland, lights, and ornaments on what seemed like every available surface.
It was completely unlike the conservative holiday decor at
her parents’ home. She loved it, and she would bet Karen did too.
Karen was all over her as soon as she entered the kitchen. “Let’s see it,” she demanded.
“Hey, how do you know?” Mary put her left hand behind her back.
“They asked me for permission,” Karen smirked. “They certainly weren’t going to ask Mom and Dad now, were they?”
Mary stuck out her hand and let Karen ooh and ahh over her ring. “No, they weren’t. Did they really ask?”
“Kind of,” Derek said as he walked in behind her. “We talked to her and told her what we were planning. She then informed us she was okay with it as long as we treated you right.”
Mary and Karen made all the introductions between the families. The house was full, and Mary realized it would only get fuller as Karen had children.
And then she realized she would have children, too.
Suddenly, that was something she was looking forward to.
She had a new start in her career, a loving relationship with two fabulous men, was rekindling her relationship with her sister, and now had the likelihood of children in her life.
She smiled and pulled Derek and Logan to her, wrapping an arm around each of them. “Life is pretty darn good right now,” she said. “I can’t believe a few months ago I was in the hospital wondering how I could fix the mess of my life, and now I have everything to look forward to. Thank you for not giving up on us.”
“You’re worth it, sunshine,” Logan told her, kissing the top of her head.
“I’m happy you were willing to give us another chance, too.” Derek gave her his own kiss.
They looked out over the snow and the moonlight on the bay, and Mary was content. It had all added up in her favour.
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Morgan was able to realize a long unfulfilled dream when Siren accepted her manuscript for publication. Though she had always loved reading and writing, she made the decision to pursue a career in science when she was still in high school. It was a choice based in a need for stability and financial security.
It wasn’t until much later in life that she returned to her love of writing. Morgan wrote a manuscript, deciding that it was better to try and fail than to always wonder if she could have been a writer. She was amazed and delighted to have her first book published.
She now resides in Ontario, with her loving and supportive husband, cat and Boston terrorizer, oops I mean terrier. When she’s not writing, she still has a full time “day job” that she loves, family to look after, friends to enjoy spending time with, and quilts to make.
For all titles by Morgan Henry, please visit
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
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