“You look good.” Blake’s gaze dragged up my body, and I could almost feel the heat from it.
“Thanks.” I glanced in the mirror at my tight jeans, knee high boots, white sweater, and bracelets stacked up on one wrist.
Blake came up behind me, his eyes dancing in excitement.
“Don’t even,” I warned but couldn’t help but lean back into him when he pressed me to his front.
“I’ll behave for now.” He winked. “Let’s get going.”
Blake had already used the snowblower on our driveway, and apparently on Kim and Shannan’s, who had already left for G’s holiday brunch. Someone was eager this morning.
Fifteen minutes later, we were standing outside G’s bright red door with a plate of homemade Nanaimo bars, his favorite.
Blake opened the door and let me walk in first, always such a gentleman. I got two feet in the door before I came to halt, completely taken back by the decorations that were in front of me.
“Holy…” I whispered at the dozens of sparkly snowflakes that hung from the ceiling, the endless yards of garland that outlined every doorframe and window, and the pissed off cat in the corner dressed in a little Santa suit. I made a mental note to get one of those for Lloyd the next time the little bugger ticked me off.
“Merry Christmas.” Lisa popped out of nowhere, looking amazing in a holiday dress and her signature red heels.
“Merry Christmas.” I laughed as Blake zipped by me while I handed Lisa the treats. “Did you do all of this? It’s positively amazing.”
“I did a little.” She winked and directed me to the kitchen. “May I get you something to drink?”
“Sure.” I looked around and spotted everyone in the living room. Lisa poured me an orange juice with a splash of grenadine. “Thanks.”
“I wanted to give you this now.” She reached back to grab a thin box.
“Oh, Lisa, thank you. You didn’t need to do that.”
“Please.” She waved a hand for me to open it. Nestled inside the silver tissue paper was a silver chain with two hearts linked together. Engraved on the edge were the words mother and daughter. “It looked too cluttered to put ‘stepmother’ or ‘second mother,’ but I just want you to know we will always be connected and that I love you as if you were my own daughter.”
“Oh, Lisa.” I came around the counter and hugged my aunt. She had always tried so hard to be the mother figure in my life since my own mother had been taken from me. “It’s beautiful. Thank you!”
“So,” she turned me around to fasten the chain, “I heard your night was pretty eventful.”
“A little, yeah.” I laughed, admiring the pendant. “I’m just so glad she’s all right. Kim was close to a heart attack.”
“Poor thing.” She looked over my shoulder then lit right up. “Well, then, let’s make sure this is a Christmas to remember.”
“Cheers to that.” I took a sip of my drink and followed her into the living room where everyone was sitting around facing the TV. Kim had Shannan’s hand, G waited for Lisa to join him, then he tucked her under his arm. And Jaci? I had no idea she was coming to this. She beamed at me and swooped me into a hug.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” I hugged her back tightly, so happy she was there. She then nodded at Henry, Blake’s brother, who apparently had come home for Christmas, and their parents were here too. Wow!
I hurried over and gave Henry a hug. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t miss Christmas.” He grinned and moved to let me greet his parents. Henry turned me around to see Blake coming toward me.
“Can I give you my present now?”
“Ah,” I stumbled, confused on why he wasn’t waiting until tomorrow. “Sure.”
“Good. Here, sit.” He pointed to the chair, and I sat, glancing at Jaci, who just shrugged.
“I know I have been a bit busy lately, but I wanted this to be special. First, I want to give a big shout out to Kim and to Lisa and G for all their help on this. Okay,” he pushed a button on the TV, “here we go.”
My parents popped up on the screen as they danced at their wedding. My hands flew to my mouth at the sudden flood of emotion that rushed through me. My mother’s stunning white dress floated around my father as they waltzed to an old classic. The video switched to them racing down the steps of G’s house and out onto the snowy lawn to take photos and celebrate. Slowly, it faded to my brother being carried through the door after he was born and to their old dog who was obviously unsure who the new intruder was. Again, it faded then went to my mother in her rocking chair that now sat at the cabin, and to me as a newborn lying on her chest as she sang me a song. Tears streamed down my face as I watched the screen. Most of the footage I had never seen before.
“Spencer.” My father’s voice could be heard as he called from another room, and I went running out in my Little Red Riding Hood dress to see my dad wearing a Big Bad Wolf outfit.
“Daddy!” I screamed and leaped into his arms, clearly excited he was joining in on the fun.
I dried my cheeks as I laughed along with the rest of the room.
The next was of us swimming at the lake after my parents bought the land our cabin now sat on. It wasn’t long before the videos became just the three of us. My brother had turned to drugs by that time and was rarely at home. But, to my surprise, it didn’t bother me, because I was seeing my parents happy, and that was all that mattered right now.
“Wow.” Jaci laughed as G popped up on screen with a full-on light blue velour outfit.
“God, look at those thighs.” He whistled at himself.
Next was a video of me behind my desk at the cabin, working away on my books with earphones in. My dad was behind the camera.
“Who would have thought my baby would be a best-selling author?” His voice was so proud. “She’s something else, isn’t she?”
“She sure is,” Lisa agreed, and I looked over and gave her a smile. She mouthed, “So proud.”
I blew her a kiss and went back to watching. After a few more memories rolled past, and I felt like I was ready to sob with happiness, the movement on the screen went still on a picture of a snowy window and scrolling appeared.
Philip and Molly Peters – Married 12/24/1974
Blake and Spencer Daniels – Married 12/24/2020
My gaze jolted to Blake and then to Shannan, who stood and pulled out a small book.
“I know how much you miss them, and I know this isn’t bringing them back, but maybe we can marry on the same day they did.” Blake’s voice filled the room.