The Christmas Locket

by Barbara McMahon

  He was driving up to D.C. as soon as he got his things, no sense risking that by getting dopey on drugs.

  When he reached the back door, he noticed the Christmas tree leaning against the house. It still looked fresh and vibrant. In only a few more days, however, the needles would begin to drop until it was merely brittle branches.

  Sort of like he felt, he thought wryly.

  Opening the door, he stepped into the kitchen. His duffel was still by the door, where he’d left it yesterday. Beside it sat a suitcase—Caitlin’s.

  He should grab his bag and leave. But he couldn’t resist telling her goodbye.

  He’d acted like an idiot at the hospital. He hated her seeing him down and out. Things had been bad enough without that. He’d rather her remember him standing on his own two feet than helplessly shivering while trying to get warm.

  Just then she breezed into the kitchen, carrying a heavy box.

  “Zach! I was coming at ten to pick you up,” she said, putting the box on the kitchen table. She ran over to him and hugged him. Involuntarily his arms came up around her and he buried his face in her sweet hair. Closing his eyes he focused on every impression, burning each into his memory. Her hair was soft and smelled like apple blossoms. Her body was feminine and curvy, molding with his. Her arms were tight around him, clinging like they’d never let go. Her voice was melodic, the prettiest he’d ever heard.

  “I was so worried about you. I stopped back at the hospital last night, but you were asleep and the doctor said that was the best thing. They were checking you every couple of hours for the concussion, but it wasn’t getting worse.”

  She pulled back a little and looked up at him, her eyes full of concern.

  “Should you be up and about so soon? How’s your head?” she asked.

  “It aches, but I was released with instructions to be careful and not bang it into anything.”

  She smiled, hugging him again.

  “I came for my bag, Caitlin.”

  “Sure. Mine's ready. I did want to take the journals, though,” she said, stepping away and moving back to the carton on the table. “Hold the door, will you?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Taking the journals?”

  “No, that that your suitcase is ready.”

  “I have to stop at the condo for my passport. And see about a few more clothes. Mostly I brought old things down here to do cleaning in.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Amman,” she said.

  His eyes narrowed. Had the blow to the head addled his brains? What was she talking about?

  “Amman?”

  She nodded. Picking up the carton, she carried it toward him. “Open the door for me, will you?”

  He didn’t budge.

  “I’m going to Amman,” he said. “Jordan.”

  “I know, that’s why I’m going,” she said, standing in front of him with the heavy box.

  “What are you talking about?” He felt like he was in the twilight zone.

  “Get the door, this is heavy!”

  He opened the door and followed her to her car, opening the back door so she could slide the carton on the seat.

  “I just need to put my suitcase in and get the lunch I fixed for us and I’m ready. I would have had this all done before ten, when I planned to go to the hospital to get you.”

  “Amman,” he repeated, closing the car door and studying her.

  “I talked to Sam Miller yesterday and asked for the safest place closest to where you were going. He said Amman. I can stay there and you can come home whenever you get a break.”

  Caitlin watched him close his eyes and shake his head, then heard him groan softly.

  Anxious, she reached out to grab his arm.

  “Are you sure you should be up?”

  He opened his eyes and nodded slowly. “I just shouldn’t be making sudden moves. Caitlin, you're not going to Amman.”

  “I am. I’m going wherever you go.”

  “You’re a teacher in Washington, not a nomad like me.”

  “I’m changing that. I love you, Zach. I knew it before I almost lost you yesterday, but that was a scare I never want to live through again. It showed me how precious our love is. And how fleeting it could be. I don’t want to end up like Tansy, mourning you the rest of my life. Or Aunt Sally.”

  “Aunt Sally?”

  “She lost her love in the Second World War. She never found another. I can’t take that risk when I already love the world’s most fantastic man.”

  “I thought you wanted children.”

  “I thought I did, too. But what I wanted was your children. Since that isn’t going to happen, then I’ll drop the subject.”

  “Just like that?”

  She hesitated only a moment feeling the pang at losing the dream. But compared with what she’d learned yesterday when she thought she might lose him, it was a minor price to pay-- the loss of a dream. She smiled at him with all the love in her heart.

  “Just like that. I love you, Zach. You and only you are who I want to be my family.” She held her breath. She’d put everything on the line, faxing in her resignation, telling her friends, venturing forth to a country she knew nothing about--all to go with this man.

  What if he turned away like he had yesterday? It would be no more than she deserved, but more than she could bear.

  He didn’t move for a moment. Just when Caitlin thought she’d explode he reached for her, pulling her into a tight embrace. His mouth found hers and he kissed her long and hard.

  “You don’t have to go with me,” he said a minute later. “I can still ask for a stateside assignment.”

  I want to be with you. I’m tired of being alone. And I want you to know beyond anything how much I love you. You were willing to give up your career for me. I want to show you I’m willing to give up my job for you. I don’t want anything to keep us apart.”

  “You love teaching.”

  “I do. I love you more. I plan to look for a job teaching English in Amman. I want you to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are all I need to make my life perfect.”

  He kissed her again, holding her like she was fragile crystal. Caitlin reveled in being in his arms, longing to remain there forever. She’d readjust her dreams for the future. Nothing was as important as being with this special man.

  “You don’t have to leave everything to show me you love me,” he said some moments later.

  “I want to go. I’ve never been to Amman.”

  “I’ll ask for a stateside assignment.”

  “Maybe after this one, but only if you want.”

  “I want. Maybe even something close enough we can stay in this house. It’s your legacy from the past. It’s got a great history behind it.”

  For a fleeting moment Caitlin regretted there would be no children to leave it to when she and Zach no longer lived in it. But life was what it was.

  She’d already glimpsed what it would be like without Zach and what it could be with him. There was no hardship in that choice. She’d been fooling herself all autumn that she could walk away. She could no more give him up than she could give up breathing.

  “Whenever we’re ready, we’ll come back,” she said. The future wasn’t the one she’d thought to have, but with Zach it would always be more than enough.

  Epilogue

  Zach paced the small room, stopping at the window, then turning to pace back to where Caitlin was sitting. The utilitarian furnishings were uncomfortable, how could she sit so calmly?

  “How can you be so patient?” he asked. “Aren’t you scared to death?”

  She smiled and shook her head. “You’ve been shot at, almost drowned and had bricks fall on you from the earthquake last fall. What are you afraid of?”

  “Messing up.”

  “You won’t,” she said with conviction.

  “It’s more than I can handle.”

  “It’s not.”

  “You
’re sure?”

  “Oh, yes. We’ll make it—together.”

  Laughter filled her eyes.

  He frowned and turned to pace back to the window, staring over the bleak landscape. Snow had turned dirty along the side of the street. The black tree branches looked stark against the gray sky. More snow was predicted that night. He hoped the storm would hold off until they were airborne.

  They'd been here a week after months of correspondence. They’d signed the last of the papers earlier that afternoon. Everything was set for their flight home. It was the waiting that was getting to him. And the uncertainty.

  Zach turned and looked at his wife. She smiled at him, obviously amused at his behavior. For a moment he felt silly. He was a grown man, had faced dangers most men rarely even thought about. But he'd never faced anything like this.

  She was sure he could handle it. He should count on her.

  He couldn’t believe Caitlin had given up everything to follow him. The last couple of years had been fantastic. They were closer than ever. They’d visited every capital in Europe, explored exotic locales around the Mediterranean. Theirs was a strong love that would sustain him through anything. Even this.

  He hoped.

  The door opened. Caitlin jumped to her feet. Slowly Zach turned, his heart pounding.

  “Here they are, ready to go,” the woman said in heavily accented English. She carried a baby in one arm and a small suitcase in her other hand. She placed the suitcase on the floor.

  Caitlin knelt as the little girl ran to her. She swept her into her arms. “Hi Anna.”

  The two-year old clung to the dolly they'd given her earlier in the week when they were all getting to know each other. She chatted away—not that Caitlin understood a word.

  “Anna, sweetie, I’m your new mommy,” she said softly. “Can you say Mommy?”

  “Mommy,” Anna mimicked.

  “I’m so happy today,” Caitlin whispered, her voice breaking slightly. She closed her eyes for a moment, but not before Zach saw the tears.

  Zach took a deep breath and stepped forward.

  “Here you go,” the woman said, handing the baby to Zach. He hesitated a moment, then took the seven-month-old boy. The baby’s blue eyes stared up into Zach’s. For a moment panic took hold, then sanity returned. He’d wanted to do this. For Caitlin--and for himself.

  Now he was a father of two children, orphaned by the fighting in their home country, alone in the world except for him and Caitlin.

  The baby’s fist waved and Zach caught it, feeling the tiny fingers wrap around his thumb. He said the words he’d never expected to say.

  “Hello, Sasha, I’m officially your new daddy.”

  Already he felt the tendrils of love wrap around his heart. The hours they'd spend with the children this week only foretold of the happy hours in the years ahead.

  He looked at Caitlin and smiled. They'd discussed the option of adoption shortly after they arrived in Amman. Caitlin had a heart full of love to share and he wanted to be right there with her.

  She was right, together they could do this.

  They were flying home tonight—to spend Christmas at the house beside the James River. He had a yard to fence, a dock to build and two precious children to love and raise--their legacy to the future.

  “Ready, Daddy?” Caitlin asked, picking up Anna and carrying her over to Zach.

  He leaned over and gave the little toddler a kiss on the cheek, then one for Caitlin.

  “We’re ready, Mommy. Let’s get our kids home.”

  —The End—

  I hope you enjoyed The Christmas Locket. If so, would you be so kind as to leave a review at the vendor you use for ebooks? Reviews can be long or short, they are always a help. Thank you.

  Please visit my website: www.barbaramcmahon.com for a complete list of all my books.

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