An Unexpected Christmas

by Lori Jennings

  'Good morning.' My mother and sister turned their heads to look at me, my mum returning my smile and Ella looking at me suspiciously.

  'Good morning darling, you seem in a good mood.' Mum continued to smile at me and watch as I moved over to make a quick coffee.

  'Yeah, why are you so happy?' Ella had turned in her chair so she was facing me. She looked less tired than she had the day before and I hoped she was starting to look after herself better. I worried about her, she was my little sister and I wanted her to be happy.

  'Why not little sis? It's Christmas Eve after all. Should I not be happy?'

  'Well yes but you seem more happy than normal? I would have thought the idea of running in this weather would have dampened your mood not heightened it.' It was then that I looked out of the kitchen window and saw that there must have been two more inches added to the two that fell yesterday and it was still falling, if only a very light flurry.

  I considered staying inside and getting a head start on my emails and the last of the reading I had but I wasn't the sort of man to let a little snow stop me from anything. I took a long drink of my coffee and shrugged at Ella. 'It will be alright, bracing even.'

  'Well rather you than me.'

  'I can't tempt you to join me then?' I grinned at her over my mug.

  'Not bloody likely. You know I prefer to work out in a nice warm gym, preferably with something yummy to look at.' She laughed and I realised that I missed our banter, I missed being at home with her and Mum.

  'Oh, good morning everyone.' April had stopped in the doorway and I felt myself grin at her. She looked tired but then she was up quite late and her hair was piled up on her head like it had been for our first walk along the beach.

  'Good morning,' Ella and Mum replied.

  April turned towards me and moved to my side. 'Morning,' she sent me a small smile and grabbed a mug off the wall. I took it from her and quickly made her a coffee remembering to add milk and sugar.

  When I turned back and handed her the mug I saw Ella watching us. 'How do you know how April takes her coffee?' I took a breath, Ella wasn't usually this observant but maybe other people's brothers didn't know how their friends took their coffee. I wasn't going to make a big deal over it.

  I shrugged, 'I pay attention and if you hadn't noticed that wasn't the first time I have made her coffee.' Maybe Ella suspected something was going on between April and I but for me, if she did know, it wasn't an issue. I would be happy for her to know but I wasn't sure how April would feel telling her friend that something was going on with her brother. I downed the last of my coffee and placed my empty mug in the sink. 'Right I'm off.'

  'You aren't going running in this are you?' April sounded worried and that warmed me.

  'I am.' I pulled my hat and gloves out of my pocket and pulled them on sending her a smile.

  'But it's freezing.' She hugged her mug closer to her chest and I had the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her and tell her not to worry.

  'I won't be out for long, and I have done it before.' I sent her another reassuring smile and she reluctantly returned it. I walked to the back door and called for Milly and Toby, they came running out of the living room and through the door I was now holding open for them. Before I pulled it closed behind me I sent April a quick wink and saw her smile back at me.

  I only ran for twenty minutes as it was hard going on the snow covered sand and by the time I was back in the warmth of the house I couldn't feel my toes. I went straight upstairs and stripped then stood under the hot water of the shower until I could feel them again.

  The kitchen had been deserted when I got back and I wondered what everyone had planned for the day. I knew Mum would be setting up for the party and would need some help but people weren't expected until half six which meant they wouldn't start to arrive until seven. I had thought about taking April out for a drive as I knew she was a fan of the car and it would be a good opportunity to get her on her own but I wasn't too keen on taking it out in the snow, I knew I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened. I did have some things to finish off if I wanted to spend all day tomorrow not thinking about work.

  I climbed out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist and grabbed another and rubbed it over my hair as I padded back into my bedroom. I threw the towel down on the bed then grabbed my jeans and a shirt from the dresser. Once I was dressed I headed downstairs and to the living room. I wanted to check my messages and had gotten in the habit of leaving my phone on the mantel and only checking it in the morning and later in the evening.

  When I walked into the living room April was curled up in one of the armchairs but all of her attention seemed to be out of the window and not on the book in her lap.

  'Is it not a good book?'

  April's head shot around to look at me. Then she let out a long breath. 'You scared me.' She looked down at the book then back up at me, 'I can't seem to concentrate on it.'

  I moved around the table and to her side and retrieved my phone from the mantel. 'I can see that. Is everything alright?' I had pushed the power button and waited for my phone to boot up. I looked down at her and found her looking right at me and I realised I couldn't read her expression. 'What? What is it?'

  After a moment she shook her head and smiled. 'Nothing. I think I'm just tired.' She closed her book and dropped it on the table then turned in her chair so she was facing the fire a little more. 'Your mum and Ella have braved the snow to pick up some last minute things from the shop for tonight. I do not envy them.'

  My phone made a noise to tell me that I had a voice mail and a couple of text messages but April's words had all of my attention. 'So you're telling me that we have the house to ourselves?' I smiled down at her and placed my phone back on the mantel.

  April looked up at me and after a moment smiled, 'I suppose we do.'

  I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. She reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck and I snaked mine around her waist and lifted her out of the chair then lowered her so she stood in front of me. I reluctantly lifted my head and smiled down at her. 'Hey.'

  She laughed. 'Hi. How was your run?'

  'It was good, freezing, but good.' I moved my arms and locked them at the small of her back and I felt her lean against them. 'I was hoping that we would get some time alone.'

  'Oh really and what did you have in mind?' Her hands had moved and now played with one of the buttons on my shirt and it seemed to have all of her attention.

  'April.' She looked up at me. 'Don't you think we should talk about, well, what's going on with us?' On the word us her fingers stopped and she dropped her gaze.

  'What do you mean?' Her voice was quiet and it worried me. Was she having second thoughts about us? About what we had started? There was a ringing from the front door and April pulled away and I reluctantly let her. 'I'll get it.'

  I watched her leave the room and listened as she answered the door. A moment later she came back in followed by Roddy carrying a box. 'Hi, Ella asked me to drop this stuff off before the party. It's just some extra decorations and things.' He looked around.

  'I’ll take them.' I walked over and took the box from him hoping that he wouldn't be stopping.

  'Do you want a coffee before you head back out into the cold?' April looked up at him and smiled, and I wondered if she was trying to get out of talking to me.

  'I better not; I have some things to do for Mum before tonight.' He sort of shuffled his feet then looked at April. 'Will you let Ella know I dropped the stuff off and that I will see her later?'

  April smiled back at him. 'Of course.' He nodded then she followed him back out to the front door.

  I turned to the fire and gazed down into the flames. I couldn't work out what was going on with her. One minute she was kissing me like I was her only oxygen and the next she was pulling away. I just couldn't figure her out.

  'That was good of Roddy, to drop those things off. It's a shame Ella was out.'

 
I didn't turn at her words but I heard her shift her weight from foot to foot then slowly walk towards me. She placed her hand on my arm. She was making me crazy; I had only known her for four days but she had already made her way into my heart. I wanted to know how we were going to get through me being away. I let out a heavy sigh and realised I was being ridiculous. I was worrying too much about something that hadn't happened yet. I wasn't usually like this. I was a take it one day at a time sort of person and maybe that's what I had to do. Not push, just let us be.

  'Nate?' I could hear the worry in her voice so I turned around and pulled her to me and buried my face in her neck.

  'Sorry. I think I might be a bit over tired too.'

  She stroked the back of my hair and rubbed my back. 'It's okay. Everything is good. Maybe we could find some time later to talk. '

  I nodded and wrapped my arms tightly around her. We stood that way for a while until I lifted my head and kissed her. She let out a soft moan and I knew that if I didn't stop now I was going to have my way with her right there in front of the fire.

  'Do you want a coffee?' I asked.

  'I always want coffee.' She smiled up at me and I placed a quick kiss to her lips then let go of her and headed into the kitchen.

  I switched the kettle on and set about making two mugs of strong coffee. If we were both going to get through tonight then we were going to need it. I leaned back against the counter waiting for the kettle to boil. I needed to calm down. I really liked her and if the way she kissed me was any indication she liked me too but I was not going to push it. I was going to let her take the lead a little and if my flirting and teasing coaxed her into wanting me more, then so be it.

  I heard the front door open and knew that my fleeting time alone with April had passed. Mum and Ella piled into the kitchen, carrier bags in hand and dumped them on the kitchen table. 'Did you buy the whole supermarket or just a couple of aisles?'

  'Watch your cheek young man. We got everything we needed. Can you help sort things out?'

  'I can help,' April had entered from the living room and walked over and started to empty the bags.

  'Oh thank you April.' Mum smiled at her and I knew that she really liked April but then who wouldn't.

  'If you are alright I have to call Ian.'

  'More work?' My mother sounded disappointed.

  I kissed her cheek. 'It's the last couple of things I promise then I am all yours.' I went back into the living room to retrieve my phone then headed into the office.

  Chapter Twenty One

  April

  I knew Nate was frustrated with me but I didn't know what to do. Every time I thought about leaving and having to end it I felt sick. I knew I had to do it, before he dumped me. I wasn't good enough for him, I knew that and eventually he would realise it too. I didn't think I could take him ending it. I think that would break me completely and I don't think it would be something I could recover from. No, it was best that I put an end to it first but I knew I would have tonight and tomorrow to pretend that everything was perfect and I wasn't going to let anything spoil tonight.

  I had spent the afternoon helping Maggie and Ella set everything up for the party. When I told Ella that Roddy had dropped off the box of decorations she had looked disappointed at missing him and I knew I had to do something to sort them out. She liked him, that I was certain about, and I was pretty confident that he liked her too they just hadn't seemed to have cottoned on themselves.

  My parents rang just after lunch and I realised just how much I had missed them.

  'Merry Christmas.' They sang down the phone. And I could practically see them standing together, huddled around the phone so they could both hear me.

  'Merry Christmas. How is New York?'

  'Bloody freezing.' My dad chortled and I could just see my mum swatting him. 'Your mother has dragged me to every sight on and off the island.'

  'It's been wonderful.' She was ignoring his last comment. 'Bill and Karen have been so kind in showing us around. We have been to the Statue of Liberty and around Ellis Island and we have tickets for a show tomorrow, I'm quite excited about it.'

  'That does sound wonderful. I'm glad you are having so much fun.'

  'We just wanted to give you a quick call to wish you a merry Christmas and to make sure you are alright.'

  'I'm good. I'm having the best time.' The thought of Nate and his kisses entered my mind and I couldn't keep the smile from my face.

  'We are glad to hear it. Well we better go, love you lots, bye darling.'

  'Love you both, bye.' I hung up and clutched my phone to my chest. I was glad that they were having such a good time, they deserved a fantastic holiday and what better place than New York.

  At around six thirty I stood in front of the mirror in my room and checked out my reflection. Ella hadn't warned me of their annual Christmas Eve party but luckily I had packed a dress just in case she dragged me out one night. It was dark blue and strappy with a v-neck and stopped just above my knees. I had teemed it with my silver glittery Jimmy Choos, the diamond stud earrings my sister had bought me for my birthday and my only Tiffany necklace which I had purchased with my very first pay cheque from my new career. I smiled at my reflection and realised that for the first time I was dressing for a man and not myself and I didn't feel ashamed about it. There was a knock on my door then it was pushed open. Ella walked in, a glass in each hand, and moved to sit on my bed.

  'Oh April, you look amazing.' I turned and smiled, then took the glass of champagne she held out for me.

  'Thank you. You look stunning as usual.' We clinked glasses then took a sip as I sat next to her on the bed.

  'Are you excited about tonight?' Ella crossed her legs and leaned casually back on the bed.

  'I am. I can't remember the last time I went to a house party.' I took another casual sip of my champagne and savoured the taste and the tickle of the bubbles on my tongue.

  'I love our Christmas Eve parties; they are always so much fun. Mum has been hosting one every year since she moved here. Everyone in the village usually attends and it can get pretty rowdy but I don't ever remember a Christmas Eve I haven't enjoyed in this house.'

  Her words made me think that maybe she had experienced a Christmas that wasn't so happy. I wanted to ask but now wasn't the time. 'I can't wait.'

  Ella took another sip of her drink then after a moment's pause she looked at me over the top of her glass, 'Can I ask...' Her eyes narrowed a little, 'is there something going on with you?'

  'What do you mean?' I took another sip.

  'I don't know, there just seems to be something different about you.' I shrugged at her. I couldn't tell her that the one thing different was the fact that I had fallen for her brother and I was pretty sure I was in love with him.

  'Nothing's different that I know of.' She scrunched up her eyes and studied me. I smiled back at her, feigning innocence until she let out a 'hum' noise and shook her head.

  'Alright. But if you need to talk about anything, at any time, you know I'm here.'

  'Same goes for me.' I smiled at her and after a moment we are both giggling.

  'Good, so are you ready?'

  'As I'll ever be.' She laughed and we headed downstairs.

  The house began to fill up quickly. Ella had been right, it seemed like everyone in the village had been invited and turned up. Ella and Maggie introduced me to lots of people, from the butcher to their next door neighbour, and all the time I tried to keep an eye out for Nate. He had disappeared in to the office just after Maggie and Ella got back with the shopping and I hadn't seen him since.

  I was on my second glass of champagne and was chatting about baby names with Victoria and James, giggling over the ridiculous names James kept suggesting. We were standing in the dining room where Maggie, Ella and I had laid out an impressive buffet and Victoria had insisted on camping out so she could be close to the food. I was just about to pick a small sandwich off one of the platters when I spotted Nate in the
doorway. I looked at him and smiled and a fluttery feeling entered my stomach when he smiled back. I could hear Victoria and James arguing playfully about the name Avery but I didn't acknowledge them; I was caught up in Nate's gaze and only when his mother came and stood next to him and pulled him gently by the arm did our eye contact break.

  I turned my attention back to the couple next to me and wondered about what I had felt all day. I had missed him. I had only known him for a few days but when he hadn't been around and I hadn't had much to keep my mind off him, I had missed him and a feeling of dread had entered my body and taken up residence. Was this how it would feel once I had left? Would it be worse when I knew I wouldn't see him again? Probably, and it would all be my fault. I let out a breath and excused myself; I really needed some fresh air. I walked through the room and down the hall to the kitchen. There was a coat hanging by the back door so I snagged it and pulled it on. I slipped out of the back door and into the cold night.

  The sky was clear and I could see an abundance of stars. I wandered a little way from the house and stood looking at the sky. It really was beautiful but freezing cold. I pulled the collar of the coat up around my chin and got a whiff of a scent I was getting too familiar with. It was Nate's coat, how had I not noticed it was Nate's coat? I closed my eyes and focused on the smell. It filled my senses and brought on memories I would savour for years to come. The feeling of dread and loneliness filled me again but I smiled at it. I had those feelings because I had experienced something I never thought I would. I had connected with someone in a way I never thought I was capable of and that was something to smile about.

  'What are you doing out here alone?' I opened my eyes and turned to the man standing next to me. He was looking up at the stars and not at me and I took the opportunity to study his profile. He had a strong forehead and a long slope to his nose, a chiselled jaw line that looked freshly shaved and coupled with his high cheekbones, he really was stunningly handsome.