Love Promises (Sully Point, Book 4)

by Smith, Nicole

  "Okay, we'll go. See you guys tomorrow," Ed said.

  Maggie and Eric watched them leave and slowly walked to the coat room to get his guitar case and coat. "That was over so fast, I didn't have time to be nervous," Eric said.

  "You were wonderful, that song, it was perfect," she said. "And you don't have to be nervous around my parents." At least, not since she had reassured her mother over the phone that Eric wanted the baby.

  Once they were home, sitting with hot chocolate in the kitchen, he said, "Can I ask you something without you getting mad at me?"

  "That isn't the best way to start, but okay, ask."

  "Is it weird, or strange feeling, to know you have an actual human, a life form growing inside you?"

  "Well, it wasn't until you put it that way!"

  He looked horrified, until she laughed. "Sorry, but your face. I already had that thought yesterday. I realized I was carrying around this other entity, another living being inside of me that would grow and grow and grow--and I had a science fiction I'm-carrying-an-alien-inside-me moment for sure. The idea is a little strange to me now, but I think once I can feel it move around and it gets really big, that's when it will be really weird. But don't tell anyone I compared our baby to an alien. That's not the kind of thing that should be spread around."

  He was spluttering between laughs. "An--alien--our baby--"

  "I guess it will take some time for me to get used to the whole idea," she muttered. "And yeah, I can see how my being on your case about the words you used in the beginning was a bit off."

  "What's the plan for tomorrow?" he asked, once he'd stopped laughing.

  "We should get to bed now, because we need to be at Sam and Anna's first thing. Open presents there. Then in the afternoon, I thought we could drop off presents to the rest of the family. We end up at Holly and Jason's house for Christmas dinner with everybody."

  "What about the two of us? When do we exchange gifts?"

  "You know, I didn't even think of that. Hmm. What would you say to right now?"

  His eyes lit up as he smiled at her. "I'd say let's do it."

  They headed in different directions to get their gifts out, meeting up in the living room. They sat on the sofa together and she handed him a small box. He unwrapped it eagerly, to find the silver ring for his hair. He examined the engraving closely, then turned to her and hugged her fiercely.

  "I love it. I was seriously thinking of cutting my hair, but I think now I'll leave it alone."

  "You'd better not cut it! I love your hair."

  "Your turn. Open this one."

  She tore the paper off the outside of a velvet-covered box. Inside were the diamond and amethyst earrings. "Oh, Eric, they're beautiful. I'm putting them on right now."

  She did and jumped up to look in the mirror. "They are just the right size for my face."

  He came up behind her and looked in the mirror with her. "I knew those diamonds would twinkle in the light just like your eyes do."

  "Wait. These are diamonds?" she squeaked in a high voice.

  "Of course. I wanted something that would sparkle like you sparkle. And the amethyst is just the right shade to match your eyes."

  "I'll be afraid to wear them...on the other hand, Mom always said jewelry was meant to be worn, not looked at in a box."

  "You'd better wear them--that's why I got them, so I could see them on you."

  She turned to kiss him. "Thank you, I love them."

  They returned to the sofa and she handed him another gift. He unwrapped the decoupage box and sat staring at it, turning it slowly to see the different photos. "These are all of you?"

  "Yes," she said quietly, hoping he liked it.

  "Maggie, darling, you couldn't have given me a better present. I love this, it's perfect." He opened the box to see the inside which was covered in black velvet. "I can use this to store the rings and clips for my hair, or even for picks for my guitar. But the best part is seeing these pictures of you from childhood to now. I wish I could have made you something with my own hands as well. Knowing you did, makes it even more special."

  "Good. I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure."

  "It's great. I have one more present for you too, but I don't want you to freak out about it."

  "That sounds ominous. I'm sure you didn't buy me a building again. What did you buy?"

  "Here." He handed a business card to her. It said 'Joe Bonaparte - Luxury Cars' and a phone number and address.

  "You bought me a car? I like my old car. How could you buy me a--"

  "Hold on now, and listen to me. I didn't buy you a car. I gave a down payment along with a guarantee to Joe that I would pay whatever was needed for the car you chose. I knew better than to pick out a car for you. I know you'll want to choose for yourself. Joe is the guy Sam bought cars from before and he recommended him."

  "But I don't need a new car, Eric," she said, beginning to feel aggravated.

  "You do need one. Maggie, you're pregnant. You need to drive a safe, really safe, car. And before you know it, you'll be driving a baby around in a special baby seat in the car. Do you really trust your old beat-up car with our little alien?"

  She let out a short laugh. "You're right, you're right. I wasn't thinking. Of course we need the safest car possible. I guess I won't be picking out any sports cars then."

  "The only condition I put on Joe was that he show you the highest safety-rated cars available. Whatever he doesn't have, he can get. You'll accept the gift then?"

  "Absolutely. Thank you for thinking of it. Although, a decoupage box doesn't really compare to diamonds and a car."

  "Ah, but you're giving me the best gift possible. Our baby." He kissed her gently, while tears made their way down her face. He really was getting better at knowing the right thing to say.

  Chapter 8

  Christmas morning dawned with the sun peeking through flurries of snow. They loaded up the car with gifts, and Eric cleared off the snow. He'd had chains put on a week before. It wasn't until they were sitting in the car waiting for it to warm up that he noticed the earrings flashing in Maggie's ears.

  "You're wearing them," he said with a feeling of immense satisfaction.

  "I couldn't resist. And they should be worn. I see you're wearing your new silver ring to pull your hair back today. Looks good."

  "Who did the engraving? Lucretia?"

  "Yeah. And she had no time. I told her we wanted her to do our wedding rings and she said she would but only if I came to her after New Year's Day."

  Eric started the car rolling and drove slowly down streets dusted with snow. Even with that, they still got to the beach house while people were just waking up. When Maggie knocked on the door, Anna answered in her robe, auburn hair piled up on her head.

  "Come on in. Joshua hasn't woken up yet and neither have your parents. I was just going to take a quick shower. Sam's in the kitchen making...something. I'm still half-asleep."

  They carried their gifts on into the living room to put around the tree. "I smell coffee," Eric said.

  Maggie nodded and they headed for the kitchen. Sam turned to them with a smile. "Who wants coffee? Not for you of course, Maggie. How about some hot chocolate or decaf?"

  "Hot chocolate, thanks."

  Eric looked along the counter and saw a couple of trays. One was filled with slices of what looked like banana nut bread and pumpkin bread, along with fruitcake. The other had croissants and danish pastries.

  "Help yourself," Sam said. Then he peered more closely at Maggie. "Wow. I'm betting those shiny baubles at your ears are your Christmas present. Right?"

  "Yes," Maggie said, looking pleased. "And I'm getting a new car."

  Sam's eyebrows rose and he looked at Eric. "How did you ever convince her to give up that clunker she drives?"

  "The baby." It was all Eric had to say and Sam got it.

  "That's why you wanted Joe's information."

  "Yeah." Eric took a bite of a buttery almond croissant. It was
unbelievably good. He saw that Maggie was looking a bit wistfully at the trays of food. "Are you feeling okay?"

  She shrugged. "I'm afraid to eat. What if it makes me sick?"

  Sam said, "If Anna's experience was any kind of norm, the nausea will either be there or it won't regardless of what you eat. If you're hungry you should eat. You don't need to lose any weight."

  Eric was grateful for Sam's big brother voice and advice. Maggie nodded and picked up a piece of banana nut bread.

  Sam said, "I'd better go wake up Mom and Dad. Josh will be up any time now."

  He left and Maggie said, "Good bread. Sometimes I get so hungry. I could eat this whole tray of food."

  "You should try a croissant. They're great."

  Right then they heard little feet running down the hall and Joshua came into the kitchen. "Aunt Mag! It's Santa."

  "It's Christmas, that's right. Santa Claus came last night." She turned to Eric and made picture taking motions. He brought out his smart phone and clicked a couple of Joshua looking excited, his hair standing straight up on his head.

  "Joshua!" they heard Anna calling.

  "In here, in the kitchen," Maggie yelled back.

  Anna came rushing in and picked up her son, whirling around in a circle. "Merry Christmas!"

  Eric took more photos of mother and child, until Sam arrived with a video camera.

  "Are you ready big guy? Let's go see what Santa brought."

  They trooped into the living room with Josh bouncing in his mother's arms. Once there, she set him down and he ran to the tree. Eric saw Maggie's parents sitting on the couch, looking sleepy but smiling at their grandson. It had not occurred to him until that minute that his child would also be their grandchild. That was a wild thought. Grandparents. His own grandparents died when he was quite young, so he'd never had them in his life. His son or daughter would have these two people in their life, plus his own parents who would become grandparents. The whole thought was rather staggering to him and he sat down on the couch.

  "Are you okay, Eric?" Sophia asked.

  "Just thinking about my parents becoming grandparents. It hadn't crossed my mind until now."

  Sophia smiled. "They'll love it. It's the perfect role in life. All of the fun and love of the children without any of the hassles of parenthood."

  Eric snapped a picture of Maggie as she laughed at something Joshua did. He caught her eye and grinned at her. She was helping Josh unwrap the box with her gift in it. As they pulled it out of the tissue paper, Anna and Sam stopped talking.

  "Maggie," Anna said in an awed tone. "That is absolutely the best one you've ever done."

  "You like it?" Maggie asked, looking proud. "I had fun making it."

  Joshua was touching all the appliqued trucks and cars on the surface of the quilt, wanting them to come off. Anna had the quilt in her hands, looking at the stitching. "This had to have taken you a very long time. The stitching is intricate."

  "Like I said, it was fun to do."

  "I'm putting this up as a wall hanging in his room."

  "No, don't do that," Maggie asked. "I made it really sturdy and strong. It's meant to be played with and slept on and carried around."

  "Really?" Anna asked.

  "Really."

  Sophia had gotten up to look at the quilt. "Your stitching has always been good, but this is something more. Good job, dear."

  Eric noted how Maggie's face glowed at hearing the praise in her mother's voice. The decoupage boxes were also a big hit. Then everyone had to look at the earrings she was wearing and congratulate Eric on his good taste.

  His gift for Sam and Anna was a surprise to Maggie. He'd given them an open reservation at a spa for a weekend to relax and get away. With it was a handwritten certificate offering babysitting services for Joshua while they were gone.

  Sam got up and shook his hand over that one.

  Maggie said in a quiet voice, "You know you've volunteered me, too, for this babysitting adventure."

  "We need the practice," he said.

  "That's true."

  More gifts were opened until eventually wrapping paper was everywhere and Sam brought a bag in to collect it all. Eric was touched by a painting of an old guitar that Anna had done for him. While he was admiring it, Sophia came to sit beside him.

  "The wedding. Anna says that you may want to have it sooner than originally planned. How much sooner?"

  Eric glanced around to find Maggie, but she was out of the room. "Uh, well, yes. We were thinking maybe New Year's Day."

  "What?" Sophia screeched.

  Silence rang around the room and Maggie came running in. "What is it? What's wrong?"

  "New Year's for the wedding! Have you lost your minds? That's only a week away. It can't be done!"

  "Now, Mom, don't get all crazy on me. We'd rather get married sooner rather than later. I'm sure we can get the church, I mean, who else would be using it that day?"

  "I don't care where you are having it. I care what you will be wearing. Your dress. There's no way to get it done in time."

  "Wait a minute. You already started it? But I only just told you a few days ago. I wouldn't expect it to be ready. We'll have to go with something I can buy."

  Sophia blushed a bit. "I started it earlier this year. I had hopes you would find a use for it sometime in the next few years." She shrugged. "And you have. Only, the lace, the beading, I'm not sure we can have it ready. I'll have to call Beatrice. She's been doing the stitching."

  "Mom, it is Christmas vacation. You can't ask Bea to work."

  "Of course I can! You think she would let anyone else work on your dress? I've got to call her. Plus we have to get it on you. Your measurements don't ever seem to change, but what with the pregnancy...we'll have to see."

  "Please, Mom. At least let the woman have Christmas."

  Sophia nodded. "Perhaps you're right, dear. As for the rest of it, the flowers, the cake, the invitations, I leave that all to you and Anna to figure out. I'll be helping Bea with the dress. Sam, we're going to need a plane or helicopter or something to go get her."

  "I'll work it out," he said.

  "Why don't we sit down with Julia and Holly and Betsy later on," Anna suggested. "We can start making a list. Then we can hit the ground running tomorrow."

  "Good idea," Maggie said, looking a little dazed. "Where'd that tray of pastries get to?"

  * * * *

  Christmas dinner at Holly and Jason's house was a loud, boisterous affair. Maggie found herself to be the center of attention of the women who were all ready to discuss how to make the wedding happen on such short notice. Holly knew of a florist in the city that she thought could be enticed with money to get the flowers they needed on time, coordinating with the local Sully Point florist. Anna insisted on making the wedding cake. Betsy had connections at the church and was sure she could get that lined up the very next day. Julia said she'd be happy to print the invitations off her computer, and to get some volunteers to deliver them all. Sophia wasn't sure if they could get Maggie's sisters there in time but she was handling calling them to find out.

  Maggie wandered over to the group of men standing around the fireplace. She heard Sam saying, "The best thing we can do is just be ready to fetch things or people for them, and to pay whatever is needed to make this come off on time."

  Cody said, "I'll get the booze for the party afterwards. I'd better go tell them that."

  "That reminds me," Jason said. "Where will the reception party be? I'll go offer the house to them." He followed Cody across the room to the women.

  Sam and Eric noticed her standing there. "Aren't you on the wrong side of the room, girl?" Sam asked.

  "Very funny. They've got it all under control. I'm relieved, to tell you the truth. I had no idea how we were going to pull this off in such a short time, but they're all raring to go to make it happen. I had a question for Eric," she said, staring pointedly at her brother.

  "I'll just go see if they need any money,"
Sam said and walked quickly away.

  "What's up? You look a little tired."

  "I am tired. I was thinking of going upstairs for a little nap. Walk with me?"

  "Sure." He put his arm around her shoulders and they headed down the hall.

  "When will your parents get here?"

  "Tomorrow morning. They'll be jetlagged as hell, but they will arrive. I thought they could stay in the cabin since I'm never there."

  "Good idea. Listen, just how judgmental are your mother and father?"

  "Judgmental? Not at all. They're pretty easygoing people. You're not worried about meeting them are you?"

  "Well, yeah. What are they going to think about my getting pregnant? Will they believe it was an accident and not on purpose?"

  Eric chuckled. "Maggie, if you could see your face when you talk about anything, you'd know that they will believe you. You can't lie worth a damn. Your honesty shines out of you. There is nothing to worry about. I promise."

  "I hope you're right."

  He kissed her and she fell asleep almost immediately in the green bedroom. When she woke up an hour later, she felt refreshed and energized. She heard laughter from downstairs and hurried down to see what was happening. They were playing one of those drawing games, where one member of the team drew what the word was on a big pad of paper, and the rest of his team had to guess what it was. She was quickly added to Eric's team.

  After much laughter and bad drawing, everyone agreed that Anna really counted as two people since she was an artist. Her team won handily.

  They had dinner in the dining room where the table shone with crystal and gleaming silver. Roast beef tenderloin and various winter vegetables made up the meal. Maggie took one look at the brussel sprouts and asked that they be removed from sight. Several people scrambled to get them back into the kitchen. After that, she was fine.

  Frank announced that he would be in charge of a seafood fest for the after-wedding party. That brought the wedding back to the forefront of discussion, and Maggie was amazed at how much had been figured out. Everything appeared to be under control and she thanked them all profusely.

  Finally, the party wound down and she and Eric drove back to the apartment. He was excited by how well he was getting along with her father, and she watched his face, lit up like a little boy's as he described a possible hunting outing next year. She thought she'd never get tired of seeing his face or hearing his voice. When they got home, she pressed her body against his and said softly, "Make love to me."