Happily This Christmas--A Novel

by Susan Mallery

  “Hey,” Garrick said, not taking his gaze from the screen. “How did it go?”

  “It’s beautiful,” Joylyn told him. “You should go take a look.”

  “I will. At halftime.”

  Joylyn shook her head. “Dad, it’s just football.”

  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

  The game went to a commercial. Hunter sprang to his feet.

  “Come on, Garrick. We should go to my place to watch the rest of the game.”

  “Why?”

  Hunter sighed heavily. “Mom’s going to talk the whole time she’s decorating the tree. She’s going to ask Joylyn about every ornament and tell her stories about when I was a kid.”

  Garrick looked at her. “You do that?”

  “Every year.”

  He and Hunter headed for the front door. “You girls have a good time.”

  “Women,” she called after him. “We’re women.”

  The door closed behind them.

  Wynn walked over to the tree in the corner. It was tall, but stopped a few inches short of the ceiling. The lights were on and a stack of three boxes stood beside it, along with a small gift bag.

  She handed the gift bag to Joylyn. “This is for you. I brought it over a few days ago.”

  The younger woman looked confused. “Thank you.” She opened the bag, then pressed her free hand to her mouth. “Oh, Wynn.”

  She pulled out a small silver ornament. A little bear was sleeping on a quarter moon.

  “Baby’s first Christmas,” Wynn told her. “I would have had your son’s name engraved on it, but seeing as you and Chandler haven’t decided, that can be done later. I bought the ornament at a local jewelry store in town. Just have your dad take it in and they’ll engrave it for you.”

  Joylyn’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s lovely. Thank you so much.”

  She reached for Wynn and held her tight, her belly jammed between them. Wynn felt a strong kick against her midsection and jumped.

  “I’d forgotten what that was like,” she said with a laugh. “No wonder you’re tired all the time.”

  “He’s very athletic.” She sniffed and looked at the ornament. “Thank you again. This is wonderful.”

  “You’re welcome. Now relax on the sofa and I’ll get to work.”

  She knelt in front of the boxes, doing her best to appear normal, which was unexpectedly difficult. Equally confusing was the sharp pang of longing that had shot through her when she’d felt Joylyn’s baby move. A longing for more children.

  She’d punished herself for so long—for some reason deciding she didn’t deserve a happy relationship or a bigger family. Yes, she’d messed up with Chas, but she’d been wrong to think she should be punished forever. She’d missed out on so much.

  Which was not something she should be thinking about right now, she told herself. She opened the first box.

  “All right,” she said. “Let’s see what we’ve got here.”

  She unwrapped nearly a dozen Barbie ornaments. “Someone had a favorite doll.”

  Joylyn laughed. “I know. My poor Dad. We did the tree in Barbie ornaments accented with pink and purple balls.” She leaned back against the sofa. “We even found pink tinsel. I thought it was the most beautiful tree I’d ever seen. I can’t believe he kept those all this time. Oh, one year it was just animal ornaments. Does he still have those?”

  Wynn didn’t find any in that box, so she opened the second one.

  “I’m seeing really cute animals,” she said, holding up a cow ornament. “Does this look familiar?”

  “It does.”

  Wynn pulled out an elephant ornament and a little baby lamb with a pink bow. Joylyn clapped her hands.

  “He kept them! I can’t believe it. Although I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at all.”

  Wynn privately agreed with her. From everything she’d seen, Garrick had been a wonderful father, taking care of his daughter and understanding what was important to her. Despite their time apart, they were reconnecting and it was wonderful to see.

  Her hunky neighbor was turning out to be one of the good guys. Wouldn’t it be ironic if the very thing she’d been looking for had been right next door all along?

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  JOYLYN WAITED IMPATIENTLY at the desk in her bedroom. Right on time, her computer beeped to let her know she had an incoming call. Immediately after, Chandler’s face filled her screen.

  “Joylyn! How are you feeling? I miss you so much.”

  She smiled and fought tears. “I’m good. I miss you, too. I’m counting the days until you’re back. On Monday, I’m going to do the math and start counting hours.”

  Chandler laughed. “That’s more than I can do. So you feel okay?”

  “Uh-huh. Huge, but that’s a given. My dad and I went to another birthing class.” She grinned as she remembered the evening. “They showed a couple of videos. I thought he was going to pass out.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “It was what I’d been expecting, but he kept telling me there were too many fluids and it was all terrifying.”

  “So you’re getting along?”

  She thought about how great things had been since she’d learned the truth about their past. “We are. I was wrong to pull back from him the way I did.” She sighed. “I talked to my mom about it a little. I asked her why she didn’t make me see my dad. I mean come on. I was a kid.”

  “What did she say?”

  “That she had made a mistake. She basically told me she was jealous of my relationship with my dad. I don’t get that at all. She’s my mom. But I believe her.”

  “I’m glad you’re happier than you were.”

  “I am. We put up a tree yesterday. My dad kept all my old ornaments. I couldn’t believe it.” She held up the silver quarter moon with the sleeping bear ornament. “Look what Wynn got us. When we pick a name for the baby, the store where she bought it will engrave it. Isn’t that adorable?”

  He smiled. “It is. Of course if our little guy is late, it won’t be his first Christmas until next year.”

  “You’re right. I hadn’t thought about that. I was so upset to have a Christmas baby, but now I think it would be amazing.”

  “I’m ready whenever he is. I just want you to be okay.”

  “I am.” She touched the screen. “I promise. Oh, I finished all the snowmen. I made one thousand of them. I put the check in our account. It’s going to really help with all the baby stuff and when we move into our next place.”

  “I can’t believe you did that many.”

  “My hands got sore, but it was worth it.”

  “Open your bottom desk drawer.”

  The change of subject confused her. “What?”

  He grinned. “Just do it.”

  She pulled open the drawer and was surprised to find a five-by-seven-inch envelope there. It was addressed to Wynn in Chandler’s handwriting.

  “This is very strange,” she said. “You sent something to Wynn and it’s in my desk drawer?”

  “I wanted to send you a surprise. Open it.”

  She did and found a postcard from Hawaii. It was a view of their honeymoon hotel with a stunning sunset as the backdrop. The familiar tears returned as she turned it over and read the message.

  You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. I’ll love you always.

  “Oh, Chandler,” she said. “How did you get this?”

  “I bought a few of them when we were on our honeymoon.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Which was the point. You’ll be getting them every now and then, over the years. Just to let you know how much you mean to me.”

  “You’re the most wonderful man ever. I love you, Chandler.”

  “I love you, too, Joyl
yn.”

  * * *

  THE NIGHT GARRICK and Joylyn came over for dinner, Wynn made tacos and served Christmas cookies for dessert. Joylyn kept yawning through the meal. When they were done, she excused herself.

  “I just want to go to bed,” she said, carrying her plate over to the sink.

  “Take some cookies home with you,” Wynn said, getting out a small reusable container. “For later.”

  Joylyn thanked her and left. While Hunter cleared the rest of the table, Garrick glanced toward the front door.

  “She’s tired a lot. I know they said in the class to expect that, but I’m worried.”

  “She’s fine,” Wynn assured him. “She’s seeing her doctor regularly, and everything is progressing as it should. At this point in her pregnancy, she’s uncomfortable all the time. It’s hard to sleep.”

  Hunter finished his kitchen duty and excused himself to go hang out in his room. Wynn and Garrick moved to the living room and took their usual places on the sofa.

  Funny how so much of what they did together had become familiar, she thought. Hanging out like this, having dinner with their kids. She and Garrick texted regularly, made out when they could.

  “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “I was thinking we’re very couple-like.”

  “We are. I like it. Do you?”

  “Very much, but you’ve never once taken me on a date.”

  His look of surprise made her laugh.

  “It’s okay,” she added. “We’ve had a lot going on.”

  “You’re right. I haven’t asked you out even once. I’m a terrible boyfriend. I’m sorry.” He reached for her hand. “Wynn, I’d very much like to take you out. How about The Boardroom?”

  She was still processing the use of the word “boyfriend.” Was that what they were? Boyfriend and girlfriend? They were in a relationship—it hadn’t been planned, but it was where they’d ended up. But boyfriend and girlfriend?

  “Are you making me wait to punish me?” he asked, his voice teasing.

  “What? No. Sorry. I was somewhere else. I would very much like to go out with you, and The Boardroom sounds fun.”

  “It’ll make things public,” he said. “You all right with that?”

  He had a point—if they went together, all their friends would know. Of course her friends kind of knew already. “I am.”

  “Good. Me, too.”

  He leaned in and kissed her. The feel of his mouth against hers was instantly arousing. She rested her hands on his shoulders and parted her lips. His tongue had just touched hers when she heard Hunter’s door open. She and Garrick immediately drew back.

  “Mom,” Hunter said, walking into the living room. “I was texting with Jackson and he asked me to spend the night.” He held up a hand. “I know it’s not allowed on school nights, but it’s not really a school night because we have a late start tomorrow. I don’t have my first class until ten thirty. What do you think?”

  Wynn did her best not to look at Garrick. She had a feeling she knew what his vote would be—an opinion she shared. But was it the right thing to do?

  She thought of how hard Hunter had worked to show her he understood what he’d done wrong. Honestly, if she wasn’t seeing Garrick, she would have no problem saying yes.

  “You can,” she told him. “But try to be asleep before midnight.”

  Hunter grinned. “That’s what his mom said, too. I’ll go get my stuff.”

  He ran out of the room. Wynn glanced at Garrick, who was studying her.

  “Joylyn sure seemed tired,” he said carefully.

  “She did.”

  “She’s probably in bed already.”

  “I’m sure that’s true.”

  “Would you like some company after Hunter leaves?”

  Their gazes locked. “I would like that very much.”

  His slow sexy smile made her stomach lurch and her thighs tremble.

  “Good. I’ll walk out with Hunter,” he said. “And be back in a few minutes.”

  “You don’t have to leave.”

  He glanced toward the hallway, then spoke with a lowered voice. “I do unless you have condoms.”

  “Oh. I, ah, don’t, actually.”

  Hunter appeared in the living room, a backpack over his shoulder.

  “I have my school stuff, Mom. Jackson’s mom will take us tomorrow when it’s time.”

  She got up and hugged him. “Be good.”

  “I will.”

  “I should be going, too,” Garrick said, standing.

  He and Hunter headed out together. Wynn watched her son go down three houses, then cross the street and enter Jackson’s house. When the door closed behind him, she turned around, wondering what she should do to get ready. Brush her teeth, but then what? Should she put on something sexy? Did she own anything sexy?

  She went into the master bath and brushed her teeth, then turned on the lamps on the nightstands and folded down the comforter. Not sure what else to do, she returned to the living room just as Garrick knocked on the front door.

  She let him in.

  “You’re not holding anything,” she said.

  He pulled several condoms out of his front pocket. “I didn’t think you wanted the world to know what I’d brought over.”

  She smiled. “An excellent point. Hunter’s at Jackson’s house.”

  “I saw.”

  She hesitated, not sure what to do now. Did they talk some more? Just get to it? And if it was the latter, did she initiate things?

  Thankfully Garrick didn’t seem to have the same concerns. He raised his hand to touch her cheek. “You are so beautiful.”

  He kissed her lightly, then took her hand and started toward the bedroom.

  Once inside, Wynn made sure the door was locked before turning to Garrick. In that brief second before he reached for her, she wondered if things were going to turn awkward or if he would start to have second thoughts about wanting to make love with her.

  But before she could ask or really get her worry going, he was pulling her hard against him.

  “I have been dreaming about this,” he said right before he kissed her. At the same time, he dropped his hands to her butt and squeezed the curves. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his, delighted to feel his arousal.

  He swept his tongue against her bottom lip, and she parted for him. At the same time, he shifted his hands to the front of her jeans where he unfastened the button and pulled down the zipper. She had no idea what he was going to do, but as long as he was touching her, she was happy.

  Once her jeans were loose, he returned his attention to her butt, this time slipping in under her jeans and panties, his fingers squeezing bare skin.

  “I love your ass,” he murmured against her mouth. “There’s just something about it. If you’re moving around a room, I’m always looking.”

  “Why didn’t I ever notice?”

  “You’re too busy admiring my dick.”

  She laughed. “I’m not.”

  “I know. But you do check out my chest.”

  She stared into his eyes and smiled. “It’s very manly.”

  “Want to touch it?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He unfastened the buttons at his wrists then pulled off his shirt in one easy movement.

  She studied the wide shoulders and strong muscles. There were dozens of scars everywhere. Small, flat scars and larger, raised ones.

  “They don’t hurt,” he told her. “You can touch them.”

  “I’m more interested in touching you.”

  “Nice.”

  He put her hands on his skin. He was warm, and she liked how he felt against her fingers. After a couple of seconds, she decided it was only fair if she gave him the same opportu
nity. She pulled off her T-shirt, then unfastened her bra. Before the garment hit the floor, Garrick’s hands were on her breasts and his fingers were playing with her nipples.

  “Tell me you’re already wet,” he said, staring into her eyes.

  “I’m wet.”

  “Good.”

  He bent his head and took her left nipple into his mouth. At the same time, he unfastened her jeans and slid down the zipper. Without pulling them off, he moved his hand down her belly and between her legs.

  The combination of him sucking on her breast and rubbing against her clit had her breathing hard in seconds. She didn’t know where to focus her attention—everything he was doing felt so good.

  He moved to her other breast and shifted so he could slide two fingers inside her. She tightened her muscles around him, wanting him to go deeper.

  Instead of obliging, he stepped back and grabbed her wrist, pulling her along with him. They made it to the bed where they both kicked off their shoes. Garrick grabbed her jeans and gave one strong tug, pulling them and her panties to her ankles. He dropped to his knees and removed them, along with her socks, then urged her to sit on the edge of the bed.

  As soon as she did, he told her to lie back and moved between her parted legs.

  She knew where this was going, and the thought of his mouth on her made her shudder with anticipation.

  “It would help if you talked,” he said.

  She half sat up and stared at him. “Excuse me?”

  “Tell me if it feels good. Harder, softer, now. I want to get it right.”

  She appreciated his attention to detail. “I’ll do my best.”

  She stretched out on the bed. For a second he did nothing, then she felt his warm breath followed by the feel of an openmouthed kiss on the very center of her. She relaxed into the sensations he created, letting the heat spread through her body.

  He moved slowly at first, his tongue more teasing than serious, circling her clit, then dipping inside her. She was sensitive and swollen, and whatever he did aroused her more. When he returned to the heart of her and began to move his tongue with a more steady rhythm, she knew it wasn’t going to take long—not with the need pulsing through her.