Two Hearts for Christmast (14 page)

“
I think I’ll be skipping lunch today,” Christopher moaned when he was finished.

“
I think that will be everyone after all that food,” Margaret agreed.

Each of them went their separate ways after breakfast to nap, relax, or try out some of the presents they’d received.

A few hours later, they all met up in the kitchen once again to begin meal preparation.  Anthony and Christopher took Robin outside to show him how to fry a turkey.  They made sure that he was safely in his daddy’s arms while Pop Pop ‘showed him how it was done’.

By the time dinner was ready, and their guests had arrived, the kitchen table was burgeoning a second time that day with a large variety of food.  Dinner was a lively affair and everyone enjoyed the holiday feast.  Soon it was time for any gifts that weren’t opened earlier to be shared.  It was pandemonium for a second time that day as Lacey and Robin found themselves sitting on the floor again ripping open gifts.  Christopher handed his wife several gifts and she did the same.  Yvette handed Christopher his last gift.   It was a rectangular shaped box with a big red bow.  He shook it and turned it over several times.

“
You’re not going to figure it out, so stop trying,” she laughed.

“
I don’t know; I’m pretty good at guessing these things.”

“
I guarantee you’ll never get this one.”

“
A shirt?”

“
No.”

“
Tie?”

Yvette shook her head.

Lacey punched Christopher playfully in the arm.  “Daddy, just open it.”

“
Yes, open it already,” his mother called out from the group sitting behind them.

“
Okay, okay,” he replied and ripped open the package with flourish.  He lifted the box top and pulled back several sheets of tissue paper.  He reached in and retrieved two identical stockings that said, “My First Christmas” on them.  

Christopher looked perplexed.  “Are you sure these are for me, and not Robin?  Granted, it’s not his first Christmas, but at

least he has two and can keep one at our house, and one here.”

Yvette laughed.  “These aren’t for Robin, Christopher.”

18 CHAPTER eightEeN

It took him a moment, but the confused expression gave way to one of pure shock.  He set the stockings back in their box and stared back at his wife.  His voice was unsteady when he said, “Yvie, are you…we’re having another baby?”

The low din of people talking halted completely at Christopher’s question.  It was dead silence now, except for the crackling of wood in the fireplace.

“
No, we’re not having another baby, Christopher.”  Yvette’s eyes were filled with unshed tears.  “We’re having two.”

The color drained from Christopher’s face.  “Twins?” he whispered.

She nodded.

Christopher let out a loud whoop of joy, and then engulfed his wife in his arms.  “Oh my God, Yvette.  You’re pregnant with twins.  We’re having twins,” he yelled to the crowd.   He stood up and pulled Yvette into his arms.  He then picked her up and spun her around as the throng of people cheered behind them.

Lacey ran over and hugged her parents tightly.  “I’m going to be a big sister again,” she cried.  “Robin, you’re going to be a big brother!”

“
I not big bruver,” he protested.

“
Mommy’s having two new babies,” Margaret said coming up behind them.  She kissed her son’s cheek, and then Yvette’s.  “We’re so thrilled for you both.  I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma again…twice!  Tony, Addie, can you believe it?”   

Christopher wasn’t listening.  He only had eyes for Yvette.

“
Sweetheart, I still can’t believe it.”

“
Merry Christmas,” she whispered.  “I love you.”

“
Thank you for my surprise,” he said, reverently.  “I love you, too.”

Yvette smiled.  “I can only take half the credit.”

He shook his head in wonder.  “I think this calls for a Sleigh Ride.  Darcys,” he called out to his family.  “Let’s go take a ride.”

Christopher insisted that his parents and Aunt Adelaide accompany them.  Margaret was worried about appearing rude to their guests, but the group insisted that they’d be fine while they were gone.  Anthony helped Christopher get the sleigh ready while the ladies got the thermoses filled with hot drinks.

By the time they were ready to go, the snow had stopped, and everything was coated with white, pristine snowfall.

“
Watch your step,” he cautioned as he helped the ladies up, and then his son.  He climbed in behind Yvette.  “Let’s go, Santa,” he told his dad.

As was tradition, Lacey started the group on their sing-a-long.  The sleigh bells around the horse’s necks jingled in the quiet night air as they continued to drive further along.

“
This isn’t our usual route,” Yvette commented looking around.

“
Dad,” Christopher called up.  “Where are you going?”

“
I saw something in the woods that you’ll all want to see,” he replied.

Christopher shrugged and wrapped his arm around Yvette.  “Good thing we’ve got plenty of cider,” he joked.

“
Here’s the thing I was telling you about,” Anthony said over the ringing bells.  “I don’t know what to make of it.”

Yvette tried to look over her shoulder, but it was difficult.  She couldn’t really see.  “What is it, Margaret?”

“
Honey, don’t start me to lying.  I can’t tell, either.”

Suddenly, they drove through a clearing and down a small lane.  It wasn’t until Anthony turned the sleigh that everyone had a better view.  It was Yvette’s turn to be confused as they got closer and closer to a well-lit house.    She turned an astonished gaze to Margaret, but she looked just as baffled.  

“
Time to open your last gift, Yvie,” Christopher said.  Slowly, he pulled a small box out of his pocket and handed it to her.  “Merry Christmas, Yvette.”

Yvette took the box with unsteady hands.  “No,” she said softly as they pulled closer to the large traditional home.  

There was a collective gasp as they stopped out front.

“
Open it,” Christopher prompted.

“
I can’t,” she croaked.

“
Sure you can,” he said, softly.

Carefully, Yvette unwrapped the box, and then opened the lid.  Her hand flew to her mouth.  

“
What is it?  Mommy, what is it?”

“
It’s…” her voice caught in her throat.  Unable to speak, she simply held up the shiny bright key dangling from a key chain.  She glanced down at it and read the inscription.

“
It’s a house key.  It says…it says…”

“
Welcome Home,” Christopher finished for her.

Everyone filed out of the carriage and just stood there in front of the home.   Yvette was in shock, there was no other way to put it.  She simply stood there staring at it.  Not believing what was right in front of her.  

The front looked like something out of a story book.  Several steps led up to a large front porch.  The banisters and columns were decorated with garland, white lights and huge red bows.  There was a beautiful carriage light, and the entire front was bathed in soft white light.  The front door was what held the most allure.  It beckoned a person to come inside.  It was a bright red and had the most beautiful stained glass window she had ever seen.  There were identical sidelights flanking each side of the door.

“
It’s spectacular,” she breathed.

“
Don’t you want to go inside?” Christopher asked gently.

“
You didn’t,” she said, tearfully.  “Please tell me you didn’t build this house for us.”

“
I could.” His eyes twinkled with merriment.  “But that would be a lie.”

She threw her arms around him and dissolved into tears.

“
Let’s give them a moment,” Margaret said, herding everyone up the snow covered stairs.

“
Key’s under the mat, Mom,” Christopher called out.

When they were alone, Yvette shook her head.  “Christopher…this place is…” she glanced up at it.  “Enormous. I just…I can’t believe you did this.”

“
It’s seven thousand square feet, it’s got six bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, a three-car garage, another detached garage, three stories, and sits on ten acres.  It has a stream, a trout pond, and panoramic mountain views…though you can’t tell at the moment.”

“
Mom, you’ve got to see this place…wait till you see my room,” her daughter yelled with excitement after opening the front door.  “This place is awesome.”  She closed the door again.

“
How did you manage it?”

“
My parents sold me the land—at a very good price.” He winked.  “I hired a builder, and served as the General Contractor.  I had my share of problems, and some almost major delays, but…in the end they pulled it off and got her ready in time.”

She put her hand up to her heart.  Recognition dawned.  “This was what took up so much of your time, wasn’t it?”

He nodded.  “I had to keep it from you, and for that I’m sorry.  I wanted our new home to be special, and everything you ever wanted in a dream home, Yvie.  I took all the notes you’d made, along with our wish list and went to see a builder.  It’s a custom, one-of-a-kind home, and I think you’ll be happy with it.”

“
Are you kidding?  Chris, I don’t know what to say.  All the grief I gave you, my accusing you of not being happy in our relationship, and having an affair—I’m so embarrassed.”

“
Don’t be, Yvie.  You had every right to worry, and to protect what was yours.  I just hope you can forgive me for lying to you.”

She hugged him.  “There’s nothing to forgive, I’m just blown away that you did all this for me—for our family.”

“
Come on, let’s get you out of this cold and into Darcy Estate,” he joked.

***

Darcy Estate was exactly that.  Never in her wildest dreams could Yvette have created such a warm and inviting home.  Though the square footage was extensive, it exuded character and charm.  When you walked through the door, the foyer was large and had a patterned rug in the center, with a large wood table covered with poinsettias.   The walls were a rich butter, and white paint and exposed wood beams carried throughout the entire first floor.  The family room was down a wide hallway toward the back of the house.  It had a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with built-in shelves on either side.  Gleaming hardwood floors and comfortable looking furniture made Yvette want to sit right down and never leave.  She looked up to see an open hallway above.   

The eat-in kitchen was state of the art.  There was a large six foot island with a granite countertop, a sink and lots of storage.  There was a commercial grade six-burner stove and nearby another stove built into the wall and a large French door refrigerator.  All the appliances were stainless steel.  They toured several additional rooms on the first floor before walking up the wide back stairs that led up to the bedrooms.  Hand in hand, Christopher directed Yvette down a long hallway and into the bedrooms.  Each was very spacious, and had a unique personality all its own.

“
Chris, I’m just overwhelmed,” she said as she stepped into the first bedroom.

“
Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, and built-in bookcases for storage.  Lacey’s room was decorated in pinks and purples.  There was a whole army of stuffed penguins on her double-sized four-poster bed with white netting and lights draped from it.

“
This will be like having Christmas every day for Lacey.”

They checked out Robin’s Disney themed room, and then the other guest rooms.

“
The one closest to our room will now be the nursery.”  His voice cracked when he said it.  “I still can’t believe you’re pregnant.”  He turned and took her hands in his.  “In case I haven’t said it, yet…I couldn’t be happier, Yvie.”  

“
I am, too.  Pleasantly surprised, and thrilled.”

They checked out the master bedroom.  It was like a deserted island oasis.  It reminded Yvette of a spa.  The color scheme was chocolate brown, a deep wine color, and gold.  She looked at the King Sleigh Bed.

“
Our own sleigh,” she smiled.

“
I can’t wait to see you in it.”

She blushed, and he laughed.  Next they went down the hallway to the other side of the house.  There was a door that led to the third floor.  Upstairs, there was a theatre room, an exercise room, and bathroom, and a rec area that led into a wall that had cabinets, a small refrigerator, and sink.

“
This is perfect for movie night.”

“
Yeah, especially when the kids have friends over, and we don’t want to hear the racket.”

They went back downstairs and after a few moments of exploring, ran into the rest of the group.

“
You did a great job,” Anthony said when he saw Christopher.  “You have a lot to be proud of, son.”

They hugged and patted each other on the back.

“
Thanks, Dad.”

Yvette observed the group.  “Something tells me that you three were in on it.  The only people that seemed shocked by this place are me and the kids.”

“
Yeah, I sort of enlisted Adelaide and my parents to help with the decorating selections.”

Yvette smiled.  “You did a great job everyone.”