spooky when it was vacant, that’s all.”
Just like the others, her mouth was closed on the matter. But it was closer than I’d come before. Had someone died there? And, if so, what did Mom have to do with it?
It was hard to continue shopping, as if nothing else mattered, but I did it for Amory’s sake, pasting on a smile and chatting lightheartedly.
With only a few more days until Christmas, Micah had left early for the airport, to pick up Kai, who had finally wrapped up his jobs and was able to get away. Forget the kiss, forget the jelly-legged sensation, and focus on getting the chapel approved. Yes, yes, yes. Really, I had started to think I had imagined the whole take-my-breath-away moment of madness with Kai. Maybe I’d dreamed it up, maybe I was that desperate? Next I’d be journaling about our faux children, and their sporting prowess, their educational achievements… Where Kai and I would renew our vows (beachside, Mauritius) what I’d wear (backless, lemon-colored dress, flip-flops, hair loose), and what… I shook my head. Dang it, usually my away-with-the-fairy moments were about other brides, real brides, ones who were actually engaged or at least in a relationship. I put it all down to lack of sleep…
Isla, Amory and I had just finished inspecting the chalets, making copious notes just like always about how we wanted to furnish them, and what we needed to order, so that when renovations started in the New Year, we would be ready to go. The sooner they were done the better, and another income stream would open up. The chalets were completely self-contained, and also more private, being set away from the lodge itself.
Trudging back through the slushy snow, we chatted about Christmas Day and what our plans were. “I’m meeting Micah’s parents,” Isla said, grinning.
Amory gazed sharply at her. “Oh God, really?”
Isla shrugged. “Well, it’s Christmas! I’m looking forward to it actually. Micah said his mom is a sweetheart and his dad fancies himself as a prankster. Is that right, Clio? Are they as nice as he says?”
It was interesting to note Amory was hanging on every word. My usually confident, sassy friend was clearly still nervous about meeting Cruz’s parents… Whereas Isla was happy to take the next step with Micah, because meeting the parents was always a good sign the relationship was moving in the right direction.
“They’re even nicer than that,” I said honestly. Micah’s parents were caring, compassionate and happy-go-lucky, just like him. They’d been there for me a lot growing up; I was sort of the daughter they never had. “His mom, Sue Betty, sewed my prom dress, and did my hair and makeup, and his dad gave Timothy the big talk about curfews and the appropriate way to treat a woman, i.e. don’t even think about sex before marriage.”
Isla laughed. “Oh, that is totally adorable! Imagine having” – she made air quotes – “‘the talk’ about someone else’s daughter.”
Silence fell between us. I remembered that night so clearly: the fact that my own father was missing another rite of passage, another event in my life he should have been there for; not to mention Mom, who should have been the one dusting on too much blue eyeshadow, and teasing my hair, choking us with hairspray fumes.
“It was hard to buy them Christmas presents,” Isla said. “In the end I settled for Christmas-themed gift boxes, but I’m worried they’ll think it’s cheesy.”
“What did you buy?” I asked, knowing it could have been a day-old newspaper and they’d still have exclaimed how perfect it was, and how thoughtful.
“Gaudy Christmas onesies, and a selection of Christmas movies, then I filled the box with candy canes, reindeer lollipops, and gingerbread men. I thought it could be a tradition, you know, start something new, celebrate my life here in Evergreen with them…”
I gave her arm a pat. “They’ll totally love that, and no doubt wear them and make you all sit down and watch every last movie.”
She grinned. “I hope so.” I watched Amory consider it from Isla’s point of view, and I wondered if it made her think of Cruz, and meeting his folks.
Back inside the lodge, we hung our coats, and unwound thick scarves, taking off our gloves, it was hot in the warm front salon with the fire roaring.
“Let’s get the presents wrapped, yeah?” I said, taking various rolls of brightly colored foil from a shopping bag. The girls dashed upstairs to grab their gifts, so while they were gone, I wrapped theirs. For Isla, I’d found a chunky silver bracelet filled with floral charms – roses, peonies and lilies were recreated in thick silver and it reminded me of her and her love for flowers. Micah had been right when he’d said she could wax lyrical about flora for days… Amory’s present was a Filofax. She adored them, and I’d had the leather cover embossed with her name. Inside, I’d stuffed two tickets to a ballet show she’d been itching to see. With red and golden ribbons tied around the shiny gold foil, I popped the presents under the tree just as they walked back into the room, arms full with shopping bags.
Amory produced her present for Cruz, which I rewarded with an eyebrow-raise. “An apron?” I asked faux-innocently.
“Not just any apron, a Santa apron! Won’t he look adorable?”
“So… he’s staying?”
She folded the ruddy face of Santa in half. “I mentioned that if he wanted to stay to help out, then that was really considerate of him. And that you were totally serious when you asked him.”
“And?” I prompted.
“And what?”
“Did he say yes?”
“He did.”
I let out a whoop.
“Have you talked about your relationship?”
She wrapped the apron in green foil. “We have.”
It was like talking to a rock. “And…”
“And I’ve agreed to meet his parents, later.”
I wanted to jump up and clap for her, but she was still so skittish about the whole thing. “And what about everything else?”
Her hands fell to her lap. “We’ve come to a deadlock. And, like you advised, we’ll take it one day at a time. Cruz says he’s happy to forgo his dreams of having kids. But I’m still not convinced he won’t hate me for it later. So we’ve agreed to discuss the issue again in six months’ time. If anything changes, if his desire to be a dad grows, then we’ll have to address it all again. I don’t want him to spend his life regretting the choice, but as long as we discuss it, and are totally open with our feelings, then I’m happy.”
“I think that’s a smart move.” What else could they do? She was willing to break her own heart by letting him go so he could find the type of woman who wanted to have a family, but he only wanted her, and was willing to forgo his own desires. She couldn’t have a baby just because it was expected in some circles, if she really didn’t feel that was her path. I was glad they’d come to some sort of compromise in the meantime. And really, no one knew what the future held.
Micah’s
