Halfway to Christmas

by Steena Marie

  “I’m just checking, babe.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose and she giggled.

  “That’s so gross.” Together, they turned to see Ryan holding a snowball and shaking his head. “Seriously, you guys are way too gross.”

  “You think that’s gross?” Parker slid a hand up Nikki’s cheek. “I’ll show you gross.” Before she could object, he dipped her backward and his lips crushed hers in a stage kiss that was totally over the top and completely put on for Ryan’s benefit.

  She couldn’t help it; Nikki giggled. Try as she might, she couldn’t contain the laughter and soon Parker lifted his head and joined her in the laughter. A second later, there was a wet thunk against Parker’s shoulder as a snowball hit him.

  “Hey!” He pulled away from Nikki and reached down to make his own snowball before Ryan could rearm himself. “You think you can out snowball fight me? You’re crazy, kid.” Nikki shook her head and smiled as Ryan let out a screech and took off running toward the sleigh rides with Parker in hot pursuit.

  She straightened her coat and headed toward the food and baking stands. No doubt the boys would get tired of running from each other in a few minutes. She might as well get some snacks ready.

  The Tree Festival was known for the bounty of treats and fresh baking stands, including the best gingerbread she’d ever tasted. When she found out she was pregnant, Nikki had promised herself she wasn’t going to let her pregnancy be an excuse to eat everything she wanted, but this baby was definitely craving sweets and the smell of the gingerbread wafting over to her was too strong to be ignored. Surely one cookie wouldn’t hurt. Besides, she was going to make sure her boys were well fed for the holidays and that meant she was going to be staying far away from the kitchen herself. She was good at a lot of things, but cooking and baking was definitely not on that list.

  She got in the growing line and turned to see whether she could see Parker and Ryan yet. She caught sight of them by the tree; Ryan was still doing a good job staying away from Parker. Nikki laughed again. It warmed her heart to see them getting along so well. They really were going to be a great family.

  “What’s so funny?”

  Nikki spun around to see Melissa and Abby in line in front of her. She’d been so caught up in her own life she hadn’t noticed them. A flash of guilt went through her. That had been the problem lately. She’d been so preoccupied with everything going on in her own life she hadn’t been there properly for Melissa and she definitely looked as though she could use a friend. “Oh, it’s nothing.” Nikki waved her hand. “I was just making sure the snowball fight hadn’t escalated too badly. Ryan decided it would be a good idea to take aim at Parker.”

  “Oh, that was bold,” Melissa said.

  Nikki cocked her head and examined the other woman. She was trying to sound light, but Nikki could tell there was something going on; she didn’t seem like herself. She did a quick scan but didn’t see Wade nearby. It wouldn’t take many guesses for Nikki to figure out what was bothering Melissa.

  “It was,” Nikki said. “Especially since Parker isn’t likely to give up soon.” She laughed, hoping to lighten the mood. Maybe if she just forced some lightness into the air, Melissa would smile, too. She wasn’t so sure her plan would work, but it seemed like a better idea than getting into a deep discussion with Abby there, so she kept going. “It turns out Ryan thinks it’s gross when Parker and I kiss,” she continued the story. “So he took aim.”

  “I totally get that,” Abby said. Nikki noticed Melissa tense as her daughter spoke and she wondered again where Wade was. “I think it’s totally gross when my mom and dad kiss, too.”

  Nikki nodded. “Maybe it’s a universal kid thing.”

  Melissa smiled but it was easy to see that it was forced. Nikki’s heart ached for her friend and not knowing what she could do to make things better.

  “Hey, Abby. Maybe you should go help Ryan out a little?” Nikki suggested spontaneously. “I’ll help your mom pick out the gingerbread. Besides, the line isn’t moving very quickly.”

  Abby glanced at her mom and then back to the tree, where she’d been watching Ryan lob snowballs in Parker’s general direction, and then back to her mom. “Can I? I mean, it looks like Ryan could use a little help. He’s not a very good shot.”

  Melissa laughed before she quickly swallowed and grabbed Abby’s arm. “As long as you’re careful. Are you feeling okay?”

  “Mom.” Abby rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. I promise I’ll come right back and have a snack, okay?”

  For a moment, Nikki thought Melissa might object again, but she nodded quickly. “Okay, have fun. Oh, and don’t beat them too badly.”

  Abby didn’t wait around for any further advice; she took off running, stopping only to scoop up some snow as she got closer to the guys.

  As soon as she was out of earshot, Nikki turned back to her friend. “Is everything okay?” Melissa’s face fell and Nikki quickly added, “With Abby? You seem worried.” She wanted to add that Melissa seemed worried about a lot of things, but it didn’t seem like the time or place to get into a deep conversation.

  “Oh, she’s…” Melissa stuffed her hands deep into the pocket of the coat she was wearing. Wade’s coat by the looks of it. Nikki wondered again where Wade was. “She’ll be—” Tears sprang from her eyes and she looked away so Nikki couldn’t see. Melissa sniffed loudly and wiped her face with the sleeve of the coat. “I’m sorry…I just…”

  “No.” Nikki wrapped her arm around her friend. “I should be sorry. I wasn’t trying to make you upset or anything. We don’t have to talk about this right now.”

  Melissa shook her head. “It’s fine. Really. I’m just…well, there’s a lot going on is all.” She forced a smile through her tears.

  “You can say that again,” Nikki agreed with her. “It’s a crazy time of year and with everything else your family is going through…well, I don’t blame you if you’re a little out of sorts. Don’t be too hard on yourself, okay?”

  Melissa nodded and wiped her face again.

  “Looks like it’s finally our turn.” Nikki pointed to the gingerbread. The line had finally moved and she breathed a sigh of relief to have something to focus on. When the women were done picking out their cookies and paying for them, they moved to a bench near a fire pit where they could warm up and wait for the snowball fight to be over.

  “I’m sorry,” Melissa said. “I didn’t even think to ask you about the wedding plans. What a crazy time of year to get married. I don’t think I could do it.”

  Nikki laughed. “I know. It is crazy. But then we thought, it’s always going to be crazy. There’s never really a good time to go ahead and get married, you know? So why not do it when everything is already busy and we have a million things going on?” She laughed again. “Besides. We really just wanted it to be simple and festive. Christmas Eve is perfect. I can’t wait.”

  Melissa reached over and squeezed her hand. “You deserve it, Nikki. It’s going to be beautiful.”

  For a moment, all Nikki could do was stare at the other woman. She had so much going on in her own life. Her world had been turned upside down in the past few months, but she was still looking out for others. Nikki’s heart could have burst from the love she felt from this woman who’d only recently become her friend. Melissa deserved to be happy, too. She only wished she knew how to help her.

  “You’re going to be at Becky’s tomorrow, right?” It was the only thing she could think of. It wasn’t much, but maybe surrounding Melissa with friends and family would help get her through the tough times.

  “I mean, I need all the help I can get when it comes to baking.” She laughed at herself because it was definitely not a secret that she was a mess in the kitchen. Melissa looked as though she was going to object, so Nikki added, “I will not take no for an answer. It will be fun and super festive and you can bring the whole family.” She patted Melissa’s leg and jumped up. “Sometimes it just helps being around friends. I’ll see
you tomorrow, okay? I’m really looking forward to it.”

  * * *

  “You know I love spending time with you, Nikki.” Parker drove their SUV down the highway toward Becky and Matt’s tree farm the next day. “But I have a pile of papers to mark before school lets out for the holidays, never mind the list you made for the wedding. I could probably be a lot more productive at home today. Besides, I think Ryan said something about wanting to do a little Christmas shopping.”

  “I did.”

  Melissa turned and looked at Ryan in the backseat, who grinned from ear to ear. It didn’t seem to matter what Parker said these days; Ryan would agree wholeheartedly with him. She simply shook her head and turned back to Parker.

  “I know you have a million things you should be doing.” She slid her hand on his leg. “I do. And I really appreciate you coming with me today.”

  He put his hand over hers. “I know you do. I’m just not sure why I needed to be here today.”

  Nikki glanced quickly behind her again, but Ryan seemed to be immersed in whatever game was on his tablet. “I’m hoping that Melissa and Wade come,” she said. “I know Matt has that…project or whatever it is in the garage, and I thought maybe you guys could talk and bond and—”

  “Meddle.”

  “Not meddle.” She smacked his arm lightly. “Just…be a friend.”

  Parker laughed, but his smile was kind. “Of course, we can go and do what guys do in the garage. I have no problem with that at all. Just don’t ask me to bake anything.”

  “I’ll be the taste tester,” Ryan piped up from the back. “I’m good at that.”

  “Yes you are,” Nikki agreed. Her attention was drawn to Becky and Matt’s driveway as they pulled into their yard. She hadn’t been sure Melissa would actually come, but there was her car. Nikki breathed a sigh of relief. Everything would be okay. She knew it. And if it wasn’t, she’d try harder.

  A few moments later, after having sent Parker and Ryan straight to the garage to find Matt, and hopefully Wade, Nikki knocked and walked into Becky’s house.

  “It smells so good in here.” She inhaled deeply. The air was full of a yummy mixture of cinnamon, sugar, chocolate and that general yummy sweetness of Becky’s baking.

  “Did you leave anything for me to help with?” She walked through the living room and into the kitchen where Melissa stood at the sink, her arms up to the elbows in suds. “Hey, Melissa. I’m glad you came.”

  She turned so quickly, suds flew from her hands and onto Nikki. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.” Melissa blushed. “I was daydreaming.”

  Nikki laughed and wiped the bubbles from her sweater. “No problem. I know how that can be. Where’s Becky?”

  “I’m here.” Becky came through the door, completely hidden by an oversized box she was lugging. Nikki moved quickly and grabbed it from her.

  “You should not be carrying stuff like that,” Nikki said. “What’s in here anyway?”

  Becky sank heavy into a chair and wiped her brow with the sleeve of her sweater. Nikki watched her closely. She didn’t look right. It was probably the stress of all the baking on top of the holiday business, but still… “It’s just some tins and jars and things that I need to put the cookies in,” Becky said. “I meant to get Matt to grab it but he’s busy in the garage and I didn’t want to bother him.”

  “I’m really sorry Wade didn’t come,” Melissa said and Nikki jerked her head up to look at her. Wade didn’t come? “He had a long night last night and I don’t think he was really in the mood to be social.”

  “That’s what friends are for.” Becky tried to come off light and carefree, but Nikki noticed her heart wasn’t in it. Something was going on with her. “Friends don’t judge,” Becky continued. “We’re just there for each other.”

  “That’s right.” Nikki put the box down on the table and went to the sink to pour a glass of water. She handed Becky the glass. “Drink this. You don’t look good.”

  “Thanks.” She half-heartedly protested, but took the glass and drank deeply. “And here I thought I was pulling off this pregnancy thing pretty good.”

  “You’re doing great with pregnancy.” Nikki’s hands instinctively rested on her own stomach. “But I think you should rest. Carrying boxes probably isn’t a good idea.”

  “What!” Becky put the glass down and pointed at her. “What about you?”

  “Oh my goodness,” Melissa said from behind her. “I’m a terrible friend. I totally forgot to ask.”

  Nikki’s head swung between the two of them. Of course she hadn’t seen anyone since her appointment with Nyah and therefore hadn’t confirmed anything with her friends, but…she nodded and the women all let out a whoop of joy. “It’s true. It’s official. I’m pregnant.”

  “Oh Nikki, that’s fantastic.” Melissa wrapped her in a quick hug before she spun her to face Becky, who took a moment longer than Nikki would have expected to get out of her chair. Nikki crossed the distance and went to her for a hug.

  “I’m so happy for you.” Becky’s words were muffled into her shoulder. “How far along are you?”

  Nikki noticed her friend grab her own stomach and a flash of pain—or maybe it was worry—cross her face. She ignored the question and eyed Becky suspiciously.

  “What?” Becky said after a moment. “I want to know details. How pregnant are you? I want to know if our babies are going to grow up like sisters or be each other’s first love.”

  She couldn’t help it; Nikki laughed. The thought had definitely crossed her mind, too. It would be fantastic for their babies to grow up with each other. Just the way they had. Only without any of the drama in between. “Well, Nyah said I was—”

  “Nyah?”

  Nikki looked at Melissa, whose face was screwed into a tight ball. There was definitely something going on between the two women, but for the life of her, Nikki didn’t know what it was. The two women always struck her as so similar. They could probably be good friends for each other again if they’d just let whatever grudge they were holding onto go. “Of course, Nyah,” Nikki said. “She’s the only doctor in town right now.”

  “Her father is still supposed to be here.” Melissa crossed her arms. “I don’t understand why Nyah has to—”

  “Did someone say my name?”

  All three women turned to see the doctor rush through the door. “I knocked.” Nyah bustled into the room. “But no one answered so I figured I should just come in. I know how it can be when everyone’s in the middle of something. Anyway, I’m so sorry I’m late. I was up with a patient last night and it wasn’t a good situation.”

  Next to her, Nikki heard Melissa make a sound she couldn’t quite decipher, but when she turned to look, Melissa was back at the sink. “Don’t worry,” Nikki said with a smile. “I was late, too.”

  “I’m just glad you’re here.” Becky pushed up from her chair and took a step toward Nyah.

  Just as Nikki was about to mention how pale she looked, Becky gripped her stomach and folded in half.

  “Becky!”

  Chapter 7

  BECKY

  “I want to go home,” Becky begged.

  Matt sat at her side, holding tight onto her hand, and shook his head.

  Nyah stood at the foot of her bed, arms crossed, and she shook her head.

  Even her mother, Norma, who sat on the chair off to the corner, shook her head.

  “Oh come on,” Becky muttered. “I need at least one of you on my side.”

  “If you go home, you won’t rest. We all know that.” Norma pounded her cane on the floor. “You’ll be in your kitchen, baking up a storm and stressing yourself out. That’s not good for the baby.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  Matt laughed. “You’re kidding me, right? You’re probably already thinking about how many batches of cookies and squares you need to make for Nikki’s wedding.”

  Becky didn’t argue because he was right. “I promised her I’d ta
ke care of the food. You can’t celebrate a wedding without—”

  “HA!” Norma shouted out. “I knew it. You’re not the only one in town who knows what they’re doing when it comes to baking, girl.”

  Becky shifted slightly beneath the thin hospital blanket. “I know, but…” She rubbed her belly softly.

  “You need to put yourself and your baby first right now.” Nyah only said what Becky already knew.

  “You’re on bed rest and I have a feeling this will be your life for a little while.” Nyah gave her a weak smile. “I’ll let you go home, but in a few days. We have an obstetrician who will be here tomorrow and we’ll do a few more stress tests in the meantime.”

  “I’m fine, Nyah. Honestly.” Becky struggled really hard to make her voice sound convincing.

  The way Nyah’s brow rose told Becky otherwise. Her shoulders slumped.

  “Becky, Nikki will understand.” Matt continued to grip her hand.

  “I know she will but…”

  “No buts.” Norma stood and leaned on her cane. “You let me take care of the food. You have a stash in your freezer already, right?”

  Becky nodded. She’d started early and today’s baking session was about having extras, just in case.

  “Good,” Norma said. “I know more than enough women who will jump at the chance to add some extras, you know that.”

  “Mom, I think Nikki wanted to keep it small, you know?”

  Norma snorted. “Does she really think she can keep something like this a secret?”

  “What am I supposed to do on bed rest? Knit?” She really wasn’t someone to sit still. There was still a lot to do, to take care of. She wanted to finish painting the old crib Matt had refurnished from a garage sale and put together the baby’s room properly. That really wasn’t something she could leave up to Matt.

  “You’ve been complaining that you haven’t had time to really work on your website lately. Maybe now you can?” Matt suggested.