Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot (17 page)

With the shorter days, darkness lingered at six in the morning, not to mention, the cold. Coming out of a warm, snuggly bed to go outside and watch your dog pee was wrong on so many levels.

“I’ll do it honey. I haven’t gotten up with Reggie in weeks. Go back to sleep.”

“Are you sure, Aaron?”

“Yep, no problem. Aaron slipped his heavy winter coat over a sweatshirt and sweatpants. He sat on the bench in the foyer and put on his Sorel’s. Reggie’s leash hung on the key rack. “C’mon Reg. Let’s make this fast.”

With a flick of the switch, Aaron turned on the porch lights and stepped out. The sight in front of him took his breath away. The first snowfall arrived without notice during the night. No heads up on the evening news, yet there it was. Snow glistened like small diamonds in the dark. Almost like magic, the brown, dormant grass in all the yards was transformed into a blanket of white sugary crystals. Quiet and beauty filled the air. It was like you couldn’t speak above a whisper, in fear of disturbing the magic. No tire tracks in the snow, or lights on in the houses. The street lights glowed faintly through the shroud of snow covering them. He caught the morning at its best, still pristine and glorious. Aaron took Reggie around to the side yard. He didn’t want to disturb anything in the front yard or on the sidewalk. He returned to the porch and sat with Reggie, wearing a huge smile on his face.

Aaron went inside, took off his boots and dried Reggie off. He placed his boots on the boot tray and started a pot of coffee. Mia had to see the magic, right now. He knew the photographer in her would want to capture this pristine moment. This first snowfall wouldn’t happen again until next year. He silently walked in his stocking feet to her office and got her camera equipment ready. He poured two cups of coffee and took them out to the porch, then tiptoed to the bedroom to wake Mia.

“Honey? Wake up. I have to show you something very special.”

“What? What’s going on, Aaron?” Mia grumbled and rolled over.

“Please, babe. You won’t regret getting up. Trust me on this one.”

“Okay, I guess. What are we doing?”

“We’re going outside. I already have a cup of coffee for you on the porch.”

“Have you been drinking, Aaron?”

He laughed out loud at her clever wit, especially since she was still half asleep. “No Mia, I haven’t. Bundle up and put on your Uggs.”

Within five minutes Mia resembled the Michelin Man, as bundled as she was. There were two scarves around her neck and a stocking cap pulled down to her eyebrows. A pair of mittens, a down parka and boots completed her early morning ensemble. Aaron led her to the front door as she zombie walked with him. Her camera equipment waited on the bench in the foyer.

“What’s my camera stuff doing there?” Mia had a place for everything and that definitely was out of place.

“You’ll see.” Aaron opened the front door and smiled at Mia as she gasped.

“Oh my God,” she whispered. “I don’t believe this happened over night. It’s like a Currier & Ives painting. Where’s my camera?”

“It’s right behind you, babe.” Aaron smiled as he watched Mia come to life.

Mittens flew and the stocking cap disappeared. Nothing would obstruct her view of this wonderment. “You only catch a first snowfall once a year, if you’re lucky. I’m speechless at how beautiful this is. It’s like we’re in a snow globe.” The camera clicked nonstop as Mia entered her comfort zone. The photographer had arrived. “Give me a sip of coffee,” she begged, “my damn fingers are numb.” Mia swapped out the lens for the wide angle to capture the entire street in its untouched beauty.

Aaron sat on the porch and watched Mia do what she loved best. She was in her element. Twenty minutes into it, the sun began to break the horizon. Aaron went inside to warm up the coffee. Mia didn’t even realize he was gone. She had to catch the sun glistening on the snow in the stillness of the morning.

She was done and exhilarated. Aaron returned with two steaming cups of coffee, and handed her one. She needed it to warm her fingers. On the porch together, watching the sunrise, they sat, smiled and drank coffee.

By seven-thirty, Mia’s cell phone sang out.

Aaron laughed. “Gee, I wonder which one of the girls that is.” The bacon sizzled on the griddle while he scrambled a bowl of eggs.

“Hello, Sasha.” Mia giggled as she looked at Aaron. “Yes, we’ve seen the snow. I know, it’s magnificent. Uh huh… you’ve never seen clean or fresh snow before? I can’t wait either, hon. Okay, we’ll see you at Vic’s. We’re going to eat breakfast now. Yep, see you at nine. Dress warm.” Mia hung up and laughed. “She’s over the moon, sweet thing. That bacon smells wonderful.” Mia snuggled up behind Aaron and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you, Aaron. I like that about you.”

“What’s that?” he asked, as he flipped the bacon.

“You know what makes me happy. You get me, and I love you for that.”

He turned and tipped his head down to reach her warm lips. He kissed her softly. “I love you, Mia James.”

Max watched out the window for the troops to pull up. He loved the snow and had already talked to Mario this morning. The Hunter store was buzzing. Mario went to work to help out, even though it was a Saturday. There were only two weeks left before Christmas. Mario promised to be in Tarrytown by early evening. He wouldn’t miss the tree trimming and the small plate meals at each house. Max bundled up and went outside. He started his truck, turned on the heater and let it idle, as he brushed the snow off the windows.

The entourage arrived. Aaron was driving Sasha’s truck since she had never driven in snow. That would be another week of training. Aaron, Mia, Sasha and Josh were in the truck. Vic followed in her car with Karen and Tina. Vic jumped out and climbed into Max’s truck.

Karen went around to the driver’s side of Vic’s car. “Where’s Mario?” she asked, expecting him to be waiting with Max.

“He can’t make it, he’s swamped at the store with the new snowfall. He says he’ll be at the tree trimming for sure, though. Let’s go. Aaron, lead the way.”

Karen tried not to appear disappointed, but the expression on her face said it all. Mia gave her the sad eyes, knowing how much Karen was looking forward to spending the day with Mario.

With boots, hats and gloves on, the troops headed out into the wilderness of the eighty acre tree farm. They were given two hand saws, two shovels and a map directing them to the different sizes and types of Christmas trees to cut. They were also given a roll of netting to wrap the trees in, making it easier to drag them out. Today, they were cutting down five trees, all about seven feet tall. Since trudging through the snow and dragging five trees from anywhere on the eighty acres would be a huge endeavor, they all agreed on the Balsam Fir as the unanimous choice for everyone. The beautiful Balsam Fir was a popular tree that would hold up well long past the New Year.

Laughing and snowball fights took up half of the two hours spent on the tree farm.

“Check this out, Sasha,” Mia said. She flopped down in the snow and wildly began flailing her arms and legs in an up and down motion.

“What the hell is wrong with her? Should I call 911?” Sasha squeaked, completely taken aback.

Mia laughed as the fluffy snow being stirred up fell back down and landed on her face. “I’m making a snow angel, you goof. I’ll show you when I’m done.” Mia got up, brushed herself off and turned around to look at her accomplishments. “There, see it? It’s in the shape of an angel.”

Sasha gasped at the image in the snow, and threw herself down to flail.

“Oh, what the hell, it looks like fun,” Karen said. She dove in, followed by the rest of the group.

Seven adults lay in the snow, arms and legs flying, as Mia, wiping her tears so they wouldn’t freeze, snapped picture after picture of her friends.

With the trees chosen, cut and wrapped like slabs of meat at the butcher market, they made their way back to the entrance. The aroma of hot cider and coffee filled their nostrils as they went inside to warm up and relax. They sat, each one assessing the other, and broke out laughing. They were soaked from head to toe. Ice chunks clung to the women’s hair, resembling new types of crystal hair accessories. Tiny icicles appeared to be growing from the men’s eyebrows, and everyone’s cheeks were the color of Cortland apples.

“That was fun,” Sasha said, still out of breath. “I’ve never heard of a snow angel. I guess I’ve missed a lot in my life, living in big cities, but now it’s time to catch up. I can’t wait to decorate the trees tonight.”

Earlier in the week, the girls shopped for tree stands, skirts and decorations for Sasha and Karen. They were the only two that didn’t have anything Christmas related. Each home had snacks and small plate meals ready to go. Because Mario was going directly to Vic’s house, the tradition started there. Mario showed up as promised at six o’clock. They recounted the day with laughter, just to fill him in, as the girls set an assortment of food on the table.

“Sorry I missed the fun,” he said, as he picked up a plate and served himself. “The store was crazy busy today, which is great, but maybe next year both stores will have enough employees where none of us miss any of our own festivities.”

“Amen to that,” Karen added. She got up, filled her own plate and sat down next to Mario. Mia gave her a subtle nod and a wink.

The partying, eating and decorating went on until eleven-thirty. The final house, being Sasha’s, was where dessert wine and cheesecake was being served. Everyone was stuffed, but not enough to pass up something that decadent. Josh built a fire and Max filled the wood box.

“This is the best tradition I’ve ever been involved in. Come to think of it, it’s the only one I’ve been a part of in my life,” Sasha said.

“What about when you were growing up with your parents?” Tina asked, feeling sad for her.

“My dad was always on some movie set. He would call on Christmas, but he was usually somewhere else, like in a different country.”

“And your mom?” Mia asked.

“She was kind of depressed because my dad was gone so much. She drank a lot. But, let’s talk about now. This has been the best day of my life so far, except when I got the keys to the Victorian.” She punched Josh in the arm, startling him. “You’re damn lucky you got me this house, mister.”

“I had to present the offer to the owners, you scared the crap out of me,” he said, laughing. “To be honest, I knew if I didn’t get you this house, you’d never speak to me again. I wasn’t about to let that happen.” Josh leaned over and kissed Sasha on the cheek. She smiled.

“Who’s ready for dessert?” Sasha asked.

Moans and stomach rubs indicated they were too full, but everyone said yes to cheesecake and wine anyway.

The morning was special, so much more than any other morning. Christmas finally arrived in Tarrytown. Karen invited Sasha to have breakfast with her and Tina. She agreed to join them since they didn’t have a significant other to start the morning with. Josh intended to spend the morning with Jake and their parents. He’d get together with Sasha and the group later. The arrangement was perfect since Sasha had Karen’s name, and Karen had Tina’s name for gift giving.

“You look so pretty, Kismet. Merry Christmas, sweetie.” Sasha tied a large silk ribbon around Kismet’s neck, her Christmas outfit for the day. Kismet received a rawhide treat as a gift. Sasha gathered the large box, wrapped beautifully for Karen, and Kismet’s necessities for the morning and put them in the truck. She went back for her puppy, carrying her so she wouldn’t get the truck seats wet with snow. “We’re off, babe,” she said, smiling happily at her anxious pup. Kismet loved car rides.

Sasha drove through the snow confidently. Aaron gave her a few lessons and winter driving tips. Worst case scenario, she would use the four wheel drive. Today, she only had five minutes to go. Sasha picked up Kismet, already fast asleep, and cradled her in her arms as she ran up the sidewalk, laughing. “Merry Christmas,” she said, giving air kisses, as she deposited the pup in Karen’s waiting arms. “Take this fur ball, please. I have to get more stuff out of the truck.” With her arms full of gifts, wine and dog necessities, Sasha came in and took off her wet shoes, looking pleased as punch. “This is what Christmas is all about.” She dropped everything down on the kitchen table and gave Karen and Tina a real hug and kiss. “Merry Christmas you two. I love you guys.”

They laughed at Kismet’s antics around Claire as they sat next to the Christmas tree in the living room. Kismet bounced and pawed at the cat, but Claire was having none of it. With a smug yawn and a threatening hiss, she retreated to the master bedroom to hide under Karen’s bed. The tree lights were on, giving the room a soft ambiance as Karen brought out a tray of coffee. Christmas music played in the background.

“I’m so happy you moved to Tarrytown, Karen. We’re all together, just like we should be,” Sasha said.

“Me too. I’m thankful Mia offered me the house. It never would have crossed my mind to move here. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Oh yes you could,” Tina teased.

“Are we talking about Mario?” Sasha asked, with a sly grin.

“Seriously, you guys?” Karen groaned. “Am I that transparent?”

“Um… yeah,” they both said.

“Okay, okay… let’s open presents.” Sasha was excited to see if Karen liked the gift she bought.

“There’s only a few gifts under the tree, Sasha. We’ll be done in like two minutes.”

“That’s okay, it’s the thought that counts.”

“Huh? Never mind,” Tina said, laughing.

Karen reached for the large box wrapped in red flocked paper, finished off with a bright gold ribbon. She held it, gave it a gentle shake and smiled at Sasha while she admired the packaging.

“Just hurry and open it for crap’s sake.”

“Okay already, I was just having fun with you. It’s heavy.”

Karen unwrapped the box, trying not to destroy the lovely paper. Inside, she found a beautiful wrought iron and maple wine rack. It was the type that stood on the floor and held twenty four bottles. Attached to the rack was a gift card from Casa Vino for seventy-five dollars.