Two Hearts for Christmast

by Lisa Y. Watson

  “You’d better,” his father advised. “Happy wife—”

  “Happy life,” his son finished for him.

  “Words I live by,” Anthony retorted.

  Margaret rolled her eyes. “Sure you do. What about the other night when I—”

  Christopher stood up. “Before you two get going, I’m going to say goodnight.”

  “You’re not staying for dinner?”

  He stared at her. “Are you kidding? After that lecture a moment ago?”

  “Not a lecture, an observation,” she corrected.

  He kissed her on the cheek. “Uh-huh. Whatever it was, I’m leaving. I’ll call you later.”

  He bid his parents goodnight and headed out the door. He had a long drive home, and the sooner he got there and made things right, the better. In the car, Christopher tried Yvette’s cell again. When she didn’t answer, he called their home number. It rang several times before someone picked up.

  “Aunt Adelaide?” Christopher said. “Hi, I’ve been trying to reach Yvette for a while, but she’s not answering her cell phone. Can you put her on the phone for me?”

  There was a long pause, and then Adelaide cleared her throat.

  “Oh, uh…she hasn’t called you today?”

  “No, and she hasn’t been answering her phone, either. I’m headed home so I thought I’d try again.”

  More silence.

  “Adelaide?” Christopher said, louder. “Can you hear me?”

  “Yes, honey. I’m sorry but…Yvette’s asleep.”

  He glanced at the clock on his dashboard. “At eight o’clock?”

  “Yes, well she’s had a long day. She wasn’t feeling well earlier. An upset stomach and all.”

  “Oh. Maybe she caught whatever bug Robin had.”

  “I doubt it,” Adelaide said quickly, and then cleared her throat again.

  “You aren’t catching it too, are you Aunt Addie?”

  “No, no I’m just fine. Oh, I’ve got to run, honey, Robin wants me to read a story to him before bedtime. I’ll see you in the morning. Drive safely.”

  Christopher had barely gotten out ‘goodbye’ before she hung up the phone.

  He shook his head. That was a bizarre conversation.

  ***

  Yvette woke up with a pounding headache. She had been so tired after returning from the hospital that she had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion. Before she did, she had assured her children that she was fine, and just had a stomach virus. She sat up in bed. Christopher wasn’t there. She hadn’t called him like she’d promised her aunt. What was she going to say? She wanted him to be thrilled about the baby, but there was no way Yvette could take seeing his face if he wasn’t happy about it. She wasn’t that strong. Still…Christopher was her husband, and the father of her unborn child. He had a right to know, and she would not keep secrets from him. It was bad enough knowing that he would be livid with her for not calling when she went to the hospital.

  Yvette turned and checked the clock on her nightstand. That’s when she noticed an envelope propped up on her lamp. It was from Christopher. She took the letter in her hands, and shakily opened it.

  “Yvie,

  I wanted to talk to you when I got home last night, but Addie mentioned you had an upset stomach, and you were sleeping so peacefully, I thought it best not to wake you. There’s so much I want to discuss with you, but it seems the timing is always wrong. I’ll call from work tomorrow and we can arrange a time to talk things out.

  Love, Christopher”

  She read the letter again before sliding it back into its envelope and placing it in her nightstand drawer. He wants to discuss something with me. Agitated, Yvette got up. What will he say? Maybe he is unhappy with our life together. No, I’m being ridiculous. He loves me and our kids. Maybe all he’s going to tell me is he’s cutting back his hours at the farm.

  She clung to that hope. I’ll tell Christopher everything tonight. He’ll be so thrilled about the baby. With a plan of action in place, Yvette felt much better. Getting up, there was actually a smile on her face when she walked into the bathroom to take a shower and start her day.

  12 CHAPTER TWELVE

  “What do you mean you’re going home?” Yvette glanced up from her laptop to stare at her aunt. “Why?”

  “Honey, it’s time I left and went back to my home. I miss it, and I’m feeling much better. My foot isn’t bothering me nearly as much, and it’s time I started incorporating this boot I’m lugging around into my normal daily routine.”

  “But…are you sure? There’s no rush for you to leave. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  “I know, Yvette, and I appreciate the hospitality, but it’s time.”

  “Okay, I’d be happy to drive you later this afternoon when I’m done working.”

  “Nonsense,” Adelaide said, emphatically. “You spend time fixing things with that man of yours. He loves you. Lord knows that it’s hard enough trying to entwine your life with another person’s without all the extraneous nonsense people throw into it.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You think we’re at odds over nonsense—don’t you?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think, child…or anyone else for that matter. It’s what you and Christopher think that counts. Never lose sight of that. Now, I’ve got to get packing. I’ve got a friend picking me up, and he’ll be here in two hours.”

  Yvette’s eyebrows shot upward. “He?”

  “Don’t go giving me that look,” her aunt admonished. “He’s just a friend.”

  Though she didn’t say a word, Yvette’s expression said it all. She didn’t believe for one minute that Adelaide’s “friend” was only that. Setting her laptop aside, Yvette got up and walked over to embrace her aunt.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him.”

  “Ha. You just want to be nosey.”

  Yvette laughed. “I’m going to miss you—a lot. You’re such an important part of my life, Aunt Adelaide. I hope you know that.”

  “Sure I do. You and your family mean the world to me, too, Yvette. Now I meant what I said. Gussy yourself up tonight, and you two hash things out. The longer you’re at odds with each other, the faster the door to communication closes—don’t get locked out,” she warned.

  “I get it,” Yvette replied softly.

  “That’s my girl,” Adelaide said, proudly before she hobbled out of Yvette’s small workspace.

  With an amused smile, she watched her aunt leave before she returned to the seat at her desk to finish working.

  ***

  By the time she was done working for the day, Yvette had planned out what she was going to say to Christopher. In fact, she decided to call him just to let him know how much she was looking forward to seeing him when he got home. She called his cell phone, but he didn’t answer. It was lunch time so it was possible that he was at his parents’ house for lunch. She called the Darcy home and Margaret picked up.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “How are you, daughter,” Margaret gushed. “How are you feeling? Christopher said you had an upset stomach?”

  “Oh…yes I did. It’s much better now, thanks for asking.”

  “I’m glad. You really have to take care of yourself. I know it’s been tough since Chris took over here, but I think you’ll find that pretty soon things will be much better for you.”

  “I’m sure they will,” Yvette replied. “Can you put Chris on the phone? I need to speak to him.”

  “He’s not here, dear. He told me yesterday that he had an appointment this afternoon, and that he’d be in tomorrow. Didn’t he tell you?”

  All the wind had flown out of Yvette’s lungs at that bit of information. Christopher had lied. He’d mentioned in his letter that he’d be at work. He didn’t mention anything about some appointment. Yvette tried to pull herself together.

  “Yes, of course he told me. You know, I just forgot. Between work and Robin, I’ve been run ragged today.” She was grateful that Margare
t could not see her face right now. There’s no way she could have pulled off an air of nonchalance with an audience. Tears were threatening to fall. “Um, I’m sorry, but I have to go, Margaret. Say hi to Tony for me. I’ll see you both soon.”

  “That would be great, Yvette. I can’t wait to see you and the kids.”

  She spoke a few moments longer before hanging up with her mother-in-law.

  He lied. He wasn’t at work, and from the sound of it, Margaret had no clue where Christopher was.

  “Mom?”

  Yvette blinked back the tears and swiped her eyes with her hand before turning around. The last thing she wanted was for Lacey to see her crying.

  “Yes, Lace?”

  “What’s the matter?” her daughter asked, stepping into the room. “You look like you’ve been crying.”

  “Oh, I am…have, but I’m not crying, crying. These are simply tears of joy, sweetheart.”

  Her daughter sat on her bed and stared at her. “You don’t look happy, Mom.”

  Yvette set her computer aside and went to her daughter. “I am, sweetheart. I was just talking to your grandma Darcy. She said that she missed us all, and couldn’t wait for us to come up for a visit. It just got me to thinking how blessed we are. Your father has some very special parents. I got emotional, just thinking about it.”

  Lacey grinned, and relaxed. “I know. They’re pretty cool.”

  “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

  “We’re having a dance on Friday night, and I wanted to know if I could go?”

  “Lacey, that’s two days from now. You’re just finding out today that your camp’s having a dance?”

  Her daughter looked sheepish. “No, I sort of forgot about it, and then a friend asked today if I was going. Can I, Mom? Please?”

  Yvette hugged her daughter. “Yes, you can go.”

  Lacey heaved a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Mom,” she gushed, jumping off the bed. She flew to the door, but then stopped before crossing the threshold. Lacey turned back to Yvette. “You sure you’re okay?”

  With a wave of her hand, Yvette said, “Of course. Now get going. I’m sure you’ve got several phone calls to make to let your buddies know you’re going, and what you’ll be wearing.”

  “True,” her daughter replied before running down the hall to her room.

  With a sigh of relief, she laid back on her bed. The half-truth tasted terrible in her mouth, but there was no help for it. If Lacey thought for a second that she was upset about anything, she would still be in there prodding her to come clean. Since her father’s death, Lacey had always worried too much about her. It was like she carried the weight of the world on her young shoulders. Lacey had gotten so much better since she and Christopher had married. Now that she had an extended family that loved her, and a baby brother that she adored, Lacey had begun to relax and enjoy just being a “tween.” She would be eleven in less than a week, and they had a great birthday party scheduled for her.

  Yvette had been thrilled that everyone Lacey had invited was actually available to come celebrate on her birthday. Having a December 23rd birthday was problematic when it came to planning a birthday party. With the holidays so close, most families were either traveling, or had out of town guests or last minute preparations to make, so Lacey’s invitation list usually came back with a lot of no-go’s. They had taken to celebrating the week before, just so she’d have her friends participate.

  Robin’s birthday was mid-November, so it had been much easier to plan. He’d just turned two, and thankfully, his party was short, but memorable. Two hours was plenty when dealing with two year olds. Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to her unborn child. Her head was still reeling from the thought that after having two kids, she had had no idea that she was pregnant with this baby. Granted, between her job, the kids’ schedules, and Christopher working like a maniac, there hadn’t been much time to do anything else, but handle the existing things coming her way.

  “Well, now there’s something else coming your way,” she whispered. And by the doctor’s calculations, she was a little over eight weeks pregnant. She had to break the news to Christopher.

  Christopher. It was as though a hand had clamped around her heart when Margaret had said he wasn’t there. It was hard to process him keeping secrets from her. To her knowledge he had never done so before, which made this instance even more baffling. She had to confront him about it, but what would she say? Hey Chris, I caught you in a lie, are you cheating on me? Or…You’ve been so distracted lately, Chris. Do you long for the days when you weren’t strapped down by kids, bills, and obligations?

  Her aunt’s words popped into her head. Was she being ridiculous? Was there a perfectly good reason why he’d been untruthful about his whereabouts?

  Yvette got up and started pacing. One thing was for sure. She was going to get to the bottom of whatever it was. If he had lied to her to cover up his unhappiness with their marriage, she had every right to know. His decisions affected her future, too—and those of her children. She glanced over at the clock. She had two hours before Christopher arrived. What would she say? Whatever the outcome, she would deal with it.

  Unable to help herself, the image of a woman fluttered into her mind. She watched in shocked dismay as her husband drifted into view. He walked over and gathered the woman in his arms, and then kissed her passionately. Just as suddenly, the scene faded away. Yvette’s hand flew to her mouth. “No,” she choked out. “Please God, no.”

  The image may have been manifested by her subconscious, but the pain associated with it was all too real. If Christopher was cheating on her, it would be devastating.

  “Yvette?”

  For the second time that day, she had been caught unawares. And this time by the one person that held her heart in his hands. She turned around with impending dread.

  “Christopher. I…I didn’t expect to see you so soon.”

  “Yeah, I got off work early.” He walked in and shut the door behind him. His face was a mask of concern as he gazed at his wife. “Yvie, what’s wrong?”

  “Are you having an affair?”

  ***

  In a lifetime, Christopher never thought he would hear those five words come out of his wife’s mouth. He was stunned. There was no way he could have prepared himself for the emotionally charged accusation that had just burst forth from her lips. It took him a few moments to recover from the shock.

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Don’t…don’t make me have to ask it again,”

  she replied in a voice burdened with pain.

  He instantly reacted to her dismay, and the stricken look on her face. He stepped toward her. “Yvie—”

  “Don’t Yvie me, Christopher. Just answer me.”

  He halted, and gazed straight into her eyes. “No. I would never, ever hurt you that way—or our family, Yvette. I would die before I caused you that kind of pain.”

  13 CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Christopher watched his words register with Yvette. It pained him that there was still a glimpse of uncertainty there. What had happened? What had caused her to suddenly doubt his commitment to her? To their lives together. It didn’t make sense.

  “You don’t believe me,” he said flatly. “Why?”

  “I…I want to, but—”

  “But what?” His frustration flared. “What have I ever done to make you doubt my fidelity, Yvette? There is nothing more important to me than you and our children—or anyone,” he stressed.

  “You lied to me.”

  That gave Christopher pause. There was no way that he could deflect that truth. His actions for the last six months had been a carefully constructed house of cards. Done with love, but laced with subterfuge. And now Yvette’s fingers were poised to pull the one card that would bring that structure crashing down around him. It must have registered on his face because she seized upon his hesitancy like a lioness protecting her cubs.

  “Tell me I’m wrong,” she accused.<
br />
  He closed his eyes briefly in defeat. “I can’t, Yvie.”

  She railed on him. “You told me you were going to work, but that was a lie. I called your parents’ house and Margaret told me you had an appointment and weren’t planning on coming in. Do you know how incredibly stupid I felt not knowing that?”

  “You’re not stupid.”

  “Apparently I am,” she shot back. “Apparently, I’m the only one that doesn’t know the punch line, Christopher. I don’t like feeling that way. I don’t like letting my mind manifest the painful things it has lately, that if they were true, would totally break my heart.”

  “I’m not having an affair,” he repeated. “I never would.”

  “Great, then how about you tell me where you where yesterday, and why you felt that you had to keep it from me?”

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t? What does that mean?”

  Christopher pinched the bridge of his nose, and cursed himself for not being more careful. He should have alerted his mother to the possibility of Yvette becoming suspicious.

  “It’s…a Christmas gift I’m working on. I had an appointment to speak to someone about a gift for you. A guy,” he said, pointedly.

  She stood there transfixed. “A gift?”

  “Yes.”

  “You lied to me about a gift.”

  He nodded. “What’s the point in buying a gift if the other person already knows about it,” he countered. “I wanted it to be a surprise, Yvette. That’s it. That’s my big, dark secret I’ve been hiding from you. I’m not being disloyal to you. My heart has been, and always will be, yours.”

  She wiped the tears from her eyes, but they were replaced with fresh ones. “I…I don’t know what to say—except that I’m sorry,” she cried. “I’m sorry I doubted you. I just…I can’t explain what came over me. You’ve been working so hard for such a long time, and then I just started wondering if you weren’t really there and maybe you were doing something else with your time, or that you were unhappy with our lives together, and then when you lied about where you were, I just…my imagination got the best of me,” she admitted.