by Jillian Neal
Hoping a cleansing breath might wash away the fantasy taking place in his mind, he tried to focus on what she was saying. “No baby, we’re being served food at my parents, but as my mother is a terrible cook, I thought you might like to actually eat this evening.” With another mischievous smirk, he chuckled. “You know before I eat you.”
“Dan,” she drawled his name into four syllables. He watched her blush return. “Your mom isn’t a terrible cook.” She forced the outright lie from her lips.
Dan laughed and recalled his childhood. “My mother has five dishes that she makes in succession, and none of them taste like food. Soupy meatloaf, spaghetti that is undercooked, served with sauce that’s so thin you could drink it with a straw. That always comes with wheat bread that she cuts into triangles, slathers with margarine and garlic salt, and then burns to a blackened crisp. Pork chops you need a chainsaw to cut, alongside mashed potatoes that you could use to waterproof a house. Some kind of chicken shit she drowns in sour cream and then puts crackers or corn flakes on top of that she calls a casserole. Then there’s Marion Vindico’s specialty, rubberized ham with canned peas.”
Fionna had begun laughing with the first item on Dan’s list and was now doubled over, giggling hysterically.
“Oh, and it’s Christmas Eve, so she’ll also break out her Jell-O mold from 1982 and make a festive strawberry Jell-O, but to spice it up a little she’ll pour a can of mixed fruit in.” Fionna’s uproarious laughter kept him going. “I wish she’d just pour the damn bottle of vodka in, then, at least, we could have Jell-O shots, and not have to suffer through the rest of the meal.
“I tried my best to either eat at Will and Garrett’s or at Amelia’s house every night growing up.”
Fionna poked her lip out in a delicious pout. “Aww, you poor thing; I’ll fix you something yummy to eat when we get home, if you don’t like the meal, which I’m certain will be delicious.”
“First of all, I already have something delicious to eat when I get home.” He grabbed her hand and spun her onto the bed beside him. His index finger travelled down her body. He started at her neck and tracked downward over the swells of her exposed breasts. He kissed her heatedly, parting her lips demandingly with his tongue, and then softening the kiss to a gentle exploration.
A luscious moan filled his mouth, along with her tongue. “I have to get ready.” Regret colored her tone a moment later. Dan gave a begrudged nod.
“And secondly,” Dan continued staring at her nipples, drawn taut from his tender touch. “The meal will not be delicious, unless you’re cooking it here and bringing it with us.”
“I asked your mom if I could bring anything, but she said you only liked her Christmas dinner.” She tried to hide the confusion and hurt. Her eyes betrayed her. Dan felt fury bubble in his gut.
“She said what?”
“Dan, you know how moms are.” She slipped into her self-appointed peacekeeper role. “You’re her little boy. She wants to make you Christmas dinner just like when you were a kid.”
With a great deal of disdain, Dan clenched his jaw. As much as his mother desperately wanted him to marry, settle down, and continue the Vindico family name, Fionna’s appetizers at their last meal together had shown up her elastic ham. She’d gotten irritated. He willed away his aggravation that his mother had hurt Fionna’s feelings.
“This okay?” Fionna’s voice shook Dan from his reverie. He stood as he took in Fionna in a pair of cream-colored, silk dress pants and a matching cashmere sweater with a deep cowl neck. She’d added a tiny gold belt to the pants and pair of off-white stiletto heels that strapped around her ankle. Her dark, chestnut hair and the deep glow of her olive skin beautifully accentuated the ensemble. The cowl of the sweater showed off the curves of her breasts. The pants looked like they’d been custom-made to show off her sexy ass without giving too much away.
“You look like an angel.” He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Doubt of his compliment was echoed in her scoff.
A thought occurred to Dan as he watched Fionna add pearl earrings to her ears. “So, I get to open a present tonight?” He was still unable to look anywhere but at her.
Fionna nodded as she rubbed lipstick onto her lips.
“Just a second, then.” He raced from the room and returned a few seconds later. He handed her one of her presents from under the tree.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
“Are you sure?” She was afraid to break a Christmas rule. Dan nodded and chuckled at her bright-eyed excitement. She eased the paper off of the long thin box.
Watching closely, Dan prayed that she’d like it. She popped open the velvet box. She gasped his name as her hand flew to her mouth. As that was the precise reaction he was hoping for, Dan was extremely pleased.
“If you want to wear it tonight, I thought it would look nice with your sweater.”
“Dan, this is….” She shook her head and blinked back tears. She gently lifted the necklace from the box and caught the single pearl that hung from a diamond pendant.
“I did a little research.” He took the necklace from her hands and moved behind her to attach the clasp. “I hope you don’t mind, but I do kind of have access to just about any file I want, perks of being head of Iodex.” She nodded. “I pulled up your mom, and I found her birth and death dates. Since her birthstone was a pearl and yours is a diamond, I sort of thought this was perfect.” She began to cry in earnest.
“You’re just absolutely amazing,” she stuttered through her tears. “Thank you.” She spun around and wrapped her arms around him with a squeeze. “I am the luckiest girl in the entire world.” Dan knew that was far from true. The luckiest girl in the world wouldn’t be stuck with him.
“You ready to go?” Dan rubbed his hands up and down the soft sweater.
Fionna gave him his smile, making warmth travel rapidly through his veins. She soothed all of the places where he felt worn and anxious.
With a nod, she let him lead her down the stairs and out into the freezing cold night.
Collision
Dan pulled the Ferrari into his parents’ driveway. His stomach churned as he recalled the last time he’d exposed Fionna to his family in haunting detail.
He helped Fionna pull the gifts for his family from the trunk and guided her up the walkway. She was nervous as well; he could feel it. She touched the pearl around her neck and smiled every time she felt it in her fingers. Dan kissed her cheek as he stuck his key in the lock.
“Whenever you want to leave, honey, just say the word.”
Genuinely appreciative that he was aware of her turbulent nerves, she nodded her agreement.
Dan pushed the door open, after finding it already unlocked. He guided Fionna into the foyer and started to announce their arrival, but as he stared into the formal living room, his voice caught abruptly in his throat.
As if he was being choked violently, his body begged for air as he stared at his parents smiling at him, having halted their conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Richmond, their lifelong next-door neighbors, and Amelia’s parents.
“Dan, it’s so good to see you.” Mrs. Richmond moved to the entryway and gave Dan a kind smile.
While trying to force himself to draw breath, and to remember how to speak, Dan formed his face into what he hoped was a pleasant expression.
“Faith, uh, how are you?” He felt his body sway. His shield tried to balance him. Heat filled his head, but he could no longer locate his feet. She embraced him, and he patted her back awkwardly.
Fionna stood quietly beside him. He tried to remember his manners. “Uh… this is my… uh,” he stammered stupidly.
“Fionna,” Fionna supplied, extending her hand with a tender smile.
“Hi, Fionna; Marion’s just been telling us all about you,” Mrs. Richmond gushed. “I’m Faith Richmond.”
Immediate understanding lit Fionna’s eyes. She offered Dan a sweet, understanding smile. “It’s so nice to meet you, M
rs. Richmond.” Fionna discreetly slipped her hand into Dan’s, and soothed him. Her cast brought air back to his lungs, and his brain to begin functioning again.
“Fi, this is Gerald Richmond,” Dan supplied as Amelia’s father made his way into the entryway, carrying a glass of eggnog. “Gerald, this is my… uh… Fionna.” Motherfucking coward. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t call Fionna his girlfriend, not to Amelia’s parents.
Mr. Richmond nodded as he slapped Dan on the back. He seemed to understand his hardship.
“So nice to meet you, dear,” Mr. Richmond smiled as Fionna shook his hand. She looked deeply concerned for Dan.
“Now, we didn’t mean to stay so long. I was just dropping off some of my wedding cookies. I remembered how much you used to like them, Dan.” Mrs. Richmond completed Dan’s horror with wedding cookies. At one time in his life, they’d been his favorite. Amelia had baked them often. Whenever they’d gotten into one of their screaming matches, which were fairly often, she would bake them to try to make amends.
“Faith, you and Richard should stay for dinner. The girls will be here soon,” Mrs. Vindico encouraged. Dan felt sick.
“You know we’d love to, Marion, but we’re having dinner at Isabelle’s tonight. We’re staying over to see what Santa’s bringing the little ones,” Mrs. Richmond sounded excited about their Christmas plans, but she hadn’t taken her eyes off of Fionna.
“Uh, how is Isabelle?” Dan managed to stammer, with Fionna still supplying him with calming, soothing energies.
“She’s good, Dan. Brian’s a pilot with one of the big airlines, so he’s gone a good bit, but they make it work,” Mrs. Richmond absently explained Amelia’s younger sister. She didn’t seem able to concentrate on the conversation. Dan found himself in the same situation.
He nodded and hoped that was an acceptable response.
“Well,” Mrs. Richmond choked back emotion suddenly, “we’d best be going. Have a Merry Christmas, and it was so nice to meet you, Fionna.”
Dan wondered if what she was saying was actually true. She didn’t sound sincere. That was very unlike Faith Richmond. Dan knew Christmas had to be very difficult for them. It was Amelia’s favorite holiday. She would start playing Christmas music right after Halloween. Dan would complain about it until New Year’s.
“You, too.” Dan remembered that Fionna could feel whatever Mrs. Richmond was feeling. She looked deeply remorseful, though she smiled kindly at both of Amelia’s parents.
Kara and Zach came through the door before the Richmonds could make their way out.
“Kara, I hear we’re expecting,” Mrs. Richmond hugged Kara to her. Kara looked stunned as she glanced from Fionna, to the Richmonds, and then to Dan’s morose expression.
“Yes, ma’am. We just found out… uh, a few weeks ago…so it’ll be a while.” The words tripped and stumbled out of Kara’s mouth.
“We need to head on, dear. Izzy wants to put the kids to bed early. Clearly, she doesn’t recall herself and Amelia on Christmas Eve.” Mr. Richmond’s broad grin at the recollection pierced Dan’s shield and deep regret worked through him once again.
“Tell Meredith and Lindley we missed seeing them,” Mrs. Richmond requested.
“We will,” Governor Vindico held the door for the Richmonds. He waved as they left.
“Are you okay?” Kara whispered as she hugged Dan fiercely.
He nodded, though he wasn’t certain that was the truth, either.
“Kara, could you…” Dan choked out the half-request. He gestured his head towards the hallway leading to the kitchen.
“Of course.” She grasped Zach’s hand and pulled him behind her. They followed Dan’s parents.
“I’m sorry.” He was terrified that he’d hurt Fionna’s feelings, on top of everything else.
“Dan, you have nothing to be sorry for,” Fionna wrapped her arms around him and forced her healing energy through him. “You aren’t okay.” She jerked his shirttail out of his trousers and slid her hands to his back. She was able to force more of her energy through him this way.
He let her in, though his shield was fighting to envelop him in a steel-like encasement.
“I’m fine. I love you so much. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Fionna closed her eyes and turned the full force of her powerful energy on him.
Dan was unable to speak as he felt his body inhale the peace, and the calm, and the tranquility that she fed him in unending supply.
He clung to her as she worked her magic, and several minutes later, she eased back.
“Better?” She placed a tender kiss on his jawline.
“Thank you.” He felt weak and worn. He hated that he needed so much of her, but knew he could never live without that astounding life force she offered him.
She gave him another of his smiles as she nodded. “Any time.”
Governor Vindico made another appearance, and politely ignored the fact that Dan looked rather bedraggled.
“Scotch, son? Just opened a bottle of 18-year Glenmorangie.”
Dan nodded and quickly tucked his shirt back in.
“Fionna, dear, what can I get you to drink?”
“Oh, a glass of wine is fine, whatever you have.” Fionna was keeping a close watch over Dan. His father handed him a glass of Scotch, and he drew a long sip.
Meredith and Tim made their way in with the kids. They helped Kara arrange the gifts on the hearth, since Mrs. Vindico preferred the tree to be in the dining room.
Fionna smiled sweetly at Olivia, who studied her intently. Dan smiled, feeling much more himself.
“Olivia, this is my girlfriend, Fionna,” he explained to his niece, who twisted her mouth in curiosity.
“Do you like to play dolls?” Olivia gazed at Fionna as if the answer to that one question held everything she would ever need to know.
Fionna chuckled and beamed at Olivia. “I love to play dolls.”
Olivia grinned. “I’m almost six in two weeks, and my name is Olivia Anne Hutchens, and this is my little brother, Oliver. He’s only two, so I’m the oldest.”
Fionna glanced at Dan. She seemed pleased that he was regaining his equilibrium. “That makes you very special, doesn’t it? You can teach Oliver all kinds of things.” Fionna gave Olivia a smile that clearly made her feel as if she and Fionna were very close friends. Olivia tittered excitedly as she nodded her agreement. Her eyes were alight.
“You’re very pretty. I have a dolly that has long hair like yours.”
“Oh,” Fionna looked astonished as she smiled. “Thank you. I think you’re very beautiful. I really like your dress.”
Olivia spun, making her hunter-green dress, with an intricate lace collar, flare out and then she preened for Fionna. Can I tell you a secret?” Olivia buzzed as she moved closer to Fionna.
“Sure.” She leaned down and moved her ear close to Olivia’s mouth. Olivia cupped her hand and then announced, in a rather loud whisper, that Santa was coming to her house that night and had been instructed to bring her a princess crown, and a new baby doll, and maybe a doll house.
Dan chuckled as he tousled his niece’s hair.
“Well, I hope you get your crown and your new baby doll and maybe your dollhouse.”
“Now, Dan,” Mrs. Vindico moved into the living room and placed the white poinsettias on the bookshelves, out of Oliver’s reach. “I decided to make a turkey this year, but I also made the Jell-O salad you like.”
Fionna and Dan both fought hard not to laugh.
“Great, Mom,” Dan sighed as he wrapped his arm around Fionna, and she scooted closer to him on the couch. Mrs. Vindico situated herself in one of the stuffy armchairs near the sofa.
“Now, Fionna, I wanted to get your opinion, dear. I’m planning on ordering these next week; what do you think?” She thrust a catalog, folded back to the page in question, into Fionna’s face. It showed a picture of a heavily upholstered, quilted valance box and thick curtains that were navy blue with the outline of large birds stitc
hed in gold.
Fionna’s eyes goggled as she took in the most hideous curtains Dan had ever seen, and that was saying something. “Well, where did you plan on putting these?”
“I was thinking about the living room and the bedrooms.”
Fionna nodded and swallowed down a long sip of her wine. “Well, I really think you should stick with the ones you have in here. They’re very…” Fionna studied the gaudy yellow curtains with blue toile designs, “nice.”
“Oh, no, dear.” Mrs. Vindico scoffed. “I meant for Dan’s house.”
Dan’s gave an audible huff as Fionna’s mouth dropped open. “Mother, you are not ordering curtains for OUR home. Fionna is perfectly capable of decorating however she wants it.”
“I was trying to be helpful, Daniel.”
“Stop!” Dan demanded.
“I just haven’t really had a chance to decide exactly what we want to do,” Fionna tried to smooth over the irritation. She glanced nervously between Dan and his mother.
“Marion, I’m hungry. Let’s start serving dinner. I’m sure Lindley and her date will be here soon,” Governor Vindico redirected his wife’s attention.
“We probably should. I want the kids to be able to enjoy their presents before they head home.” Mrs. Vindico leaned and pulled Oliver up into her arms. She carried him to the dining room, while instructing him to use his manners and not make a mess with his dinner.
“Un-fucking-believable,” Dan spat as he helped Fionna up.
Not Quite Christmas Dinner
Fionna gave him a sympathetic smile as she shook her head. “At least it’s turkey. That wasn’t on your list.”
Dan kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry, baby, my mother can burn anything.” He pulled her seat out for her and then seated himself beside her at the table.
Mrs. Vindico and Meredith were each holding a spoon. One had come from the diaper bag Meredith had carried in. It was blue plastic, and had a fat nubby handle suitable for a toddler’s inexperienced hands. Mrs. Vindico had supplied a polished silver baby spoon that matched her silver pattern. The handle was long and sleek. Dan wondered momentarily if they were going to have some kind of very awkward spoon-sword duel.