Two Hearts for Christmast (13 page)

“
No,” Lacey replied.  “His name is Dash,” she said, confidently.  She stroked his mane.  “Hello, Dash.”

Dash whinnied and nodded his head.  Everyone cheered.

Christopher helped her down.  He handed the reins to one of the elves, and he escorted Dash back to the barn.

“
I’ll be in to see you soon, Dash,” Lacey called out.

Yvette announced that it was time for their trip to Winter Wishes.  Because it was the last stop, and conclusion of the party, all the parents drove their children down to the general store.  They all marveled at the winter wonderland as the helpers got the kids seated and produced baskets of supplies for them to make their own ornaments.  

Christopher wrapped his arm around Yvette and they moved off to join Adelaide, Anthony and Margaret.

“
This has been an amazing day,” Yvette said, tearfully.  “Thank you all so much for making Lacey’s birthday one she’ll never forget.”

“
That’s what family’s for,” Anthony replied.

That made Yvette cry even more.  She excused herself and went outside.  Christopher followed her.

“
Hey,” he said, walking up to her.  His eyes reflected his concern.  “Yvie, what’s wrong?”

She shook her head.  “Nothing, it’s…everything is so right, that’s all.  I’m just overwhelmed with how much I love our family.”

He gathered her into his arms.  “I know exactly how you feel.  It’s pretty amazing.  Now let’s get you inside before those tears of joy freeze.”

***

Later that night, after Robin had been put to bed, Yvette and Christopher went in to check on Lacey.  They found her sitting on her window seat staring out into the night.

“
Lacey, what are you doing?” Yvette asked when they came in.

She turned around.  “I was trying to see if I could see the barn from here.”

They went over and sat on the seat with her.  Yvette played with her ponytail.  

“
This has been the best birthday.  Thanks for my party—and everything else.  It was so cool.”

“
It was totally our pleasure, sweetheart,” Yvette replied.  “Your grandparents and your aunt Adelaide were thrilled that you enjoyed it.”

“
How could I not?  Even though I didn’t win Karaoke,” she smiled.  “Earlier, I went to tell Dash goodnight.  I can’t wait to start riding lessons.   Pop Pop said that I can start right after the holidays.”  She started to say more, but yawned.

“
I think that’s our cue,” Christopher replied.  “Time for bed, Lace.”

“
Okay, Dad.”  

Yvette turned to her husband.  “I’ll tuck her in.”

Christopher kissed Lacey on the cheek, and then hugged her.  “I love you, munchkin.”

“
Love you too.”

He squeezed his wife’s shoulder, and then left.

After helping Lacey under the covers, Yvette sat on the side of the bed.

“
You want to talk about it?”

Lacey glanced up at her mother.  She sighed.  “I just wish Daddy was here.”  She stared at his picture on her nightstand.  “I miss him.”

“
I know, honey.  He would be so proud of you—just like I am.”  Yvette leaned in and wrapped her daughter in her arms.  They stayed like that for a few moments before she said, “Snuggles.”

Lacey grinned.  It was their special way to say goodnight, and she never tired of it.

“
Snuggles,” she replied, and then burrowed further down in the warm covers.

Standing, Yvette cut the light off and left the room.

“
Is she okay?”  Christopher asked when Yvette climbed into bed.

“
Yes, her birthday is always bittersweet.  She loves it, but then is sad because she misses her father.”

“
I know.  It’s hard seeing her have to experience that type of pain.  It will never go away.”

“
No, it won’t.  The best thing we can do is just continue to support her, and to let her feel how loved she is.”

He reached up to run a lock of her hair through his fingers.  “Do you feel that way?”  Christopher questioned, quietly.  

“
Of course, I do.  Chris, you’ve always supported me no matter what I’ve wanted to do.  I love you for that.”

“
Is that the only reason?” he grinned and kissed the area on her neck that always made her melt.  Now was no different.  Yvette leaned in to his touch.

“
No,” she murmured.  “There are too many reasons to count, but if you want me to try…I love you for your commitment to us, for how you’re such a wonderful cook, and incredible father, how you always make me laugh, except when I’m mad at you, how kind, and thoughtful you are, how you make me feel like I’m the only woman in the room—”

“
For me you are,” he said matter-of-factly.

Yvette ran her hand down his chest.  “Should I go on?”

Christopher’s hand snaked out and captured hers.  He kissed her wrist.

“
Later, Snow Queen,” he commanded, before turning out the

lamp on his nightstand and plunging the room into darkness.

17 CHAPTER sevenTeEN

Christmas Eve went by in a blur for everyone at the Darcy farm.  It was their busiest time with last minute shoppers in the market for Christmas trees and gifts.  Everyone pitched in at the store while Adelaide watched Robin at the house.

Santa was taking photos with kids, Mrs. Claus was helping with gift ideas and the elves manned the gift wrap station and welcomed new shoppers.  Christopher assisted buyers with trees while Yvette rang up purchases, and Lacey helped those receiving a free ornament with purchase.  By the time everyone made it back to the house, they were wiped out.  

Adelaide greeted everyone with a warm smile and hot stew.  After dinner, Christopher and Yvette got the kids bathed and put into bed.  When they were done, they went back downstairs to help clean the kitchen and do some prep work for Christmas dinner.  Christopher glanced at Yvette from across the room.  Suddenly, he stopped what he was doing, walked across the room and took Yvette by the hand.  He led her out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

“
What’s wrong?” she asked when he continued pulling her down the hallway.  

He guided her into their bedroom and shut the door.  “You’re done for the night.  I’ll handle whatever Mom’s got left that she wants tackled.  You look like you’re about to drop.”

“
I’m fine, Chris.  We’ve got stuff to do and—”

“
I’ll take care of it.”  He kissed her and pointed to the bathroom.

“
Go take a hot shower, and go to bed.  That’s an order.”

Yvette did as he asked, but when she was done, she put on her pajamas, and then pulled out some last minute gifts and started wrapping.  She plugged her phone into a small set of speakers and listened to Christmas carols while she worked.  He was right, she was tired, but she could nap tomorrow.  She wanted everything under the tree and waiting for the kids when they came down in the morning.

With a sigh, she closed her eyes and dreamed of the day when it would be their steps the kids were running down…in their house.  And they would host dinner at their home.  “Maybe next year,” she said, wistfully.

An hour later, she was having a great time singing and outfitting a gift for Robin with Shrek gift wrap paper.  She smiled just thinking about how excited he was going to be when he saw it.  First he’d grin and holler at it being his favorite characters, then he’d rip the paper to shreds mercilessly, and then—

“
What are you doing?”

Startled, her hand flew to her chest.  Her heart raced, and her breath caught in her throat.  She glanced at the door to find Christopher standing there looking none too pleased.

“
You’re supposed to be sleeping.”

“
Well…I wasn’t tired so I decided to do some last minute gift wrapping.”  She smiled.

He rolled his eyes, and headed straight for the bathroom to shower.  When he was done, Christopher got dressed and came out to help Yvette wrap presents.  He sat with this back to the headboard, but not before he leaned over and nuzzled her neck.

“
You look delectable.”

She blushed at the compliment.  “In my flannel reindeer pajamas?”

“
Heck, yeah.  Not many women could pull that off, but you do it flawlessly.”

Yvette scrunched her nose at him.  “You’re looking quite dapper yourself in your Frosty the Snowman PJ’s.”

It was a holiday tradition for them.  Everyone went to bed in holiday-themed pajamas.  Lacey had chosen penguins, and Robin picked Santa and his elves.  After opening presents, they always took a family picture in their night clothes before starting their hectic day.

“
Are we almost done?” Christopher asked taking a box and some gift wrap, tape and scissors.

“
Yes, just a few more.”

“
I’ll sneak down and put these under the tree when we’re through.”

They chatted jovially and sang songs while they worked.  

***

While Christopher wrapped, Yvette snuck a peek over at him.  She wondered what he’d say when she told him her news.  The babies were due in late July.  Lacey and Robin were fall and winter births, so it was cool that they would be in the summer.  He was right, she was tired, but she would be sleep soon enough.  These were their holiday traditions, and she didn’t want to miss any of them.  There would be a lot of firsts for them all over again.  
Baby’s first Christmas
…
babies’
.  She corrected herself.  Babies’ first steps, the first time they said mommy and daddy.  Her heart swelled with love.  They were still dealing with exciting new things with Robin almost daily.  It would be crazy dealing with two babies at once, but she suspected that as with anything, it would take time, practice and patience.  She and Christopher would manage.  They seemed to do their best work together.

“
What are you over there thinking about?” he inquired.

Like a deer caught in headlights, Yvette stared at him.  “Huh?”

“
You had a very pleased look on your face just now.  I was just curious what caused it.”

“
Oh, I was just imagining the look on everyone’s faces tomorrow as they open up gifts.”

“
You mean later this morning,” he said, pointing to the nightstand clock.

“
True.”

“
And we’re done.”  Christopher held up the last wrapped gift.  “Thank God.  Now we can go to bed.”   

He bolted off the bed, packed everything up in a big shopping bag, and then went downstairs.  Yvette got up and put all the supplies away in their closet, and then returned to bed.   Minutes later, Christopher came in.

“
All done,” he told her before getting in beside her and plunging the room in darkness.

“
Yvie?”

“
Yes,” she answered in a quiet voice.

“
Merry Christmas.”

“
Merry Christmas, my love.”  Yvette reveled at the little secret that was soon to be revealed.  
Let’s hope your daddy doesn’t faint from shock.
  She joked to her little ones.  

A few hours later, the sun crept lazily across the sky and with it the first stirrings of everyone sleeping within.  The first ones up were the youngest of the Darcy tribe.  Lacey and Robin didn’t bother with trivial details like knocking.  Instead, they burst into their parents’ room full throttle and catapulted themselves onto the bed.  Lacey helped Robin up so that he could accomplish the task of pouncing on his mom and dad.

“
Merry Christmas,” Lacey bellowed excitedly.

“
Murray Kissmas,” Robin replied before landing on his father’s stomach with a loud thud.

“
Umph,” Christopher replied turning sideways to roll his son into the middle of the bed between him and Yvette.

“
You two are up early,” Yvette yawned.

Lacey hugged her.  “No we’re not; it’s six thirty, Mom.  We’re late.”

She yawned again.  “Oh, well thank you for being late.”

“
Up, Mommy, get up, Daddy,” Robin commanded.

“
Okay, okay.  Give us a few minutes and we’ll meet you downstairs, okay?”

The kids dutifully filed out of their room and on to conquer their next unsuspecting, and sleep, family member.

   
As promised, Yvette and Christopher made their way downstairs.  As was tradition, the kids got to open up some gifts in the morning, and some after dinner.  Not that anyone would know that from the mound of gifts Lacey and Robin each had stretched around the tree.  Eventually, Christopher’s parents made their way down the steps as did Yvette’s aunt Adelaide.  Christopher had set the timer on the coffee maker so they had fresh, hot coffee.  Everyone had a cup except Yvette.

“
You don’t want coffee?” Christopher asked with surprise.  

“
Oh, I think I’m going to have some hot chocolate,” she said, quickly.  “I’ve had a taste for it ever since Lacey’s party.”

True to Margaret’s prediction, it had snowed in the early hours, and was still snowing.  After everyone marveled at the unusual snow storm, they exchanged gifts, and Lacey and Robin got to jump in the mounds of wrapping paper left behind, they all went into the kitchen to have breakfast.  Margaret had made French toast casserole and cream chipped beef the night before, so they just needed to be warmed up.  Adelaide placed store brought biscuits on a baking tray while Christopher and Anthony handled the breakfast meats, and Yvette the fresh fruits.  When everyone was done, they ate breakfast.