The Player Gets Coached

by Janet Nissenson

  He squeezed her hand. “I know you’re missing Desi. Perfectly understandable, considering it’s the first Christmas the two of you have ever been apart.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a little tough, that’s for sure,” acknowledged Delilah. “But it was good to Facetime with her this morning, and she sounded really excited about going to her co-worker’s place for a traditional English Christmas dinner.”

  Desiree hadn’t even tried to disguise her relief when she’d learned that her sister and Finn had reconciled, and had admitted to Delilah that she probably wouldn’t have accepted the assignment in London otherwise.

  “Not, of course, that you should consider that a reason to get back together with Finn,” Desiree had been quick to insist. “But I won’t deny that it makes me happy to know that the two of you seem committed to working things out. Now I can make the move to London without having to worry about leaving you on your own.”

  Delilah hadn’t bothered to mention that fact that Desiree would be on her own for the year she would be working in England. Desiree would have simply dismissed her concerns as unfounded, reminding Delilah that she was the older sibling, and well used to taking care of not just herself but her baby sister as well.

  It hadn’t been quite as easy as that, however, to send Desiree on her way overseas. She’d fretted about renting out her place during her absence, and had practically threatened the leasing agent she’d engaged with dire consequences if he didn’t fully vet any potential renters. Delilah and Finn had helped her pack up the personal items she wasn’t taking with her to London - extra clothes, photos, books, collectibles - as well as some of her more valuable possessions she hadn’t felt comfortable leaving around a renter. All of those things were currently residing in the storage room at Delilah’s studio - a studio that was due to expand to nearly double its size come the first week of January.

  There had been tears and hugs and promises to talk and email several times a week, followed up by more hugs and tears, and then Desiree had rather reluctantly boarded the plane that would take her to London. Delilah had been mighty emotional herself, and had been grateful to have Finn to lean on during those first couple of weeks. But Desiree had wound up loving her new assignment, adoring the small flat that the company had arranged for her to lease, and had very quickly immersed herself in the bustling London scene.

  Delilah and Finn were planning to visit her in March, a few weeks after the official end of football season. By then she would also have completed the expansion of her offices, as well as hired all of the additional staff she would need. More than half had already been hired, and were due to start work in mid-January, while a handful were already hard at work.

  One of those “unofficial” employees happened to be Madelyn Benoit, though she was now known by her married name of Butterfield. Delilah had been as excited as a schoolgirl when Tessa Gregson had followed through on her promise to arrange a meeting with the now-retired head buyer from Bergdorf Goodman’s. Madelyn, as chic and fashionable as Delilah remembered - and looking far younger than her “fifty-plus” years - had gushed over Ma Belle Petite’s designs and overall business concept. She’d given Delilah and her staff some excellent advice and suggestions, and had been thrilled to sign on as an occasional consultant to the emerging label.

  The new additions to her staff meant that Delilah now had more space to breathe, and didn’t need to work quite as many hours. To Finn’s delight, she had accompanied him several times already on his trips to L.A. to tape his show, and he’d proudly introduced her to his co-anchors and the rest of the crew. She had even managed to get away for three of the games he’d covered, and knew how happy she’d made Finn as a result. But rather than attend wild parties or hit up a few bars and clubs afterwards, he’d merely taken her out to a quiet dinner before returning to their hotel.

  Finn’s parents had met up with them on one of those trips, the second time that Delilah had spent time with them, the first having been the week they had visited San Francisco in September. His mother and father had taken to Delilah immediately, and she and Susan continued to call and email each other several times a week. Finn joked that she talked to his mother way more often that he did, but Delilah knew how pleased he was at their closeness. And Susan had unknowingly filled a void in Delilah’s life that she hadn’t really realized existed. Even before Marina Ferris had committed suicide, she’d often been too frail and beset by nerves to pay much attention to her daughters, leaving Desiree and Delilah to rely on each other much too frequently. But now Finn’s mother seemed to like nothing better than to fuss over Delilah, scolding her gently when she worked too hard or sounded tired, or discussing a TV show they both liked, or exchanging recipes. And Susan loved to share stories about Finn’s childhood and school years, some of which Finn visibly cringed at hearing about when Delilah recounted them for his benefit. Susan also gave her advice on how to manage her often incorrigible son, though Delilah was pleased to report that Finn’s wildness seemed to be largely a thing of the past nowadays.

  Jordan and Aubrey had finally set a date for their wedding - the first week in April - and just this past week Finn had made airline and hotel reservations for the trip to Maui for himself and Delilah. Finn had been touched when Jordan had asked him to serve as best man, while Max and Aubrey’s two brothers would be the other groomsmen. And Delilah had been startled when Aubrey had asked her to be one of the bridesmaids, given the relatively short time they had known each other. But she’d accepted gleefully, and had happily accompanied Aubrey, her mother, and Tessa when it had come time to try on wedding gowns, lending her expert opinion on which one to pick.

  She and Finn still went back and forth between their two condos, and had only spent a handful of nights apart since they had reconciled a few months ago. Wistfully, she’d thought more than once how nice it would be to move into a bigger place together, a house that they could make into a real home, instead of the separate condos that felt more like oversized apartments. But doing so would involve making a serious commitment to each other, and Delilah wasn’t sure if Finn would ever be ready for something like that. For that matter, she mused, she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it right now, either.

  But no, she told herself firmly. She wasn’t going to think about the future right now, or how this was the first Christmas she wasn’t spending with her sister, or anything else besides how happy she was at this very moment. The McManus home was big and spacious, with lots of custom touches - small wonder considering that it had been built from the ground up by Jerry himself. It was also cozy and warm and inviting, despite its sprawling four thousand square feet of space, and no place more so than the big family room where everyone was gathered this evening.

  An enormous, brightly lit Christmas tree dominated the room, and Delilah would have been hard pressed to find a single branch that wasn’t laden down with ornaments. A fire crackled cheerily in the huge rock fireplace, where stockings for every single family member - including Max and Delilah - had been hung and filled with little presents and treats. The Christmas music that was playing through the wall mounted speakers competed for attention with the basketball game being broadcast on the huge flat panel TV. Between those dual sounds, plus the din of conversation all around the room, it was almost impossible to hear a word.

  “Everything okay?” murmured Finn in her ear. “I know big crowds aren’t really your thing.”

  She nodded, squeezing his hand. “Everything is fine. In fact, just about perfect, I’d say. I mean, it’s noisy and messy, there’s discarded wrapping paper and kid’s toys everywhere, with two huge dogs working the room begging for snacks, and drink glasses and empty plates on every surface. In other words, complete and utter chaos. But it’s a good sort of chaos, Finn. And a whole world apart from the sort of wild parties you used to attend on a weekly basis. I’m having the time of my life here with your family. You’re very lucky to have them, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know.�
�� He glanced around the room and grinned broadly. “And they’re all crazy about you, just like I knew they would be.”

  Delilah gave him a look of disbelief. “I think it’s more a matter of them not believing their eyes that you actually brought one of your girlfriends home to meet the family. Both of your sisters-in-law, plus your Aunt Laurel and cousin Tara, have all told me they never thought they would see the day when that happened. But everyone has been super nice to me, and very welcoming.”

  Finn grimaced. “Probably very nosy, too. I know my family a lot better than you do, babe, and nearly every one of them loves to gossip.”

  She shrugged. “You call it nosy, I call it curious. Hey, they’ve taken more of an interest in my life over the past few days than my father has in the last few years. Though I shouldn’t be surprised, considering that he acts as though Desi and I don’t even exist.”

  “He’s an asshole,” Finn stated matter-of-factly. “But you’ve known that for a long, long time. I’m guessing he never replied to your text?”

  “Actually, he did. A one-liner - “Merry Christmas to you, too”. Big effing deal, huh? Though I expect he sent me his usual check, and it’ll be waiting in the mail when we get home. Blood money, Desi always calls it. I’m tempted to tear the damned thing up, but then I think about all the charities who could use the money. So I cash the check and then donate the amount to a different organization every year.”

  “Good idea.” Finn hugged her against his side, brushing a kiss over her temple. “And I insist you stop thinking about your worthless father right now. This is supposed to be the happiest day of the year, and for me it’s even better this year because you’re here with me. So let’s watch the chaos continue to unfold until it’s time for dinner.”

  Delilah snuggled up against him happily. “I’m good with that. Though maybe we should think about rescuing poor Max at some point. He doesn’t look too happy about your Uncle Wally monopolizing his attention for this long.”

  Finn’s green eyes twinkled mischievously. “Yeah, Uncle Wally is pretty long-winded, especially when it comes to discussing finances and investing. Max looks like he’s ready to stab a pencil into his own eye at the moment, so maybe we should have some sympathy and rescue him.”

  But they were saved from doing so when Susan called out that dinner was being served, and Uncle Wally - who loved to eat even more than he enjoyed talking - was among the first to make a mad dash for the dining room.

  Max shuddered slightly as he accompanied Finn and Delilah into the adjoining room, where not one but two long tables had been set to accommodate the nearly two dozen family members and friends here to celebrate Christmas.

  “Remind me next year to go and hide in another room when your uncle arrives, Finn,” requested Max. “Either that or pretend I have an ear infection and can’t hear a word he says. At least your mother thought to seat him at the opposite end of the table from me.”

  Finn grinned. “Mom can be thoughtful that way. And thanks for being a good sport about Uncle Wally. He’s just lonely, I think, since my aunt passed away a couple of years ago, and his kids don’t visit nearly as often as they should.”

  Max nodded. “I’m aware. And I don’t really mind, honestly. Especially since I’m even more alone than he is.”

  Delilah, who was seated between the two men, leaned over to give Max a quick peck on the cheek. “You’re not alone right now,” she declared. “And you know you can always count on me and Finn to be there for you. Along with Jordan and Aubrey, of course. You don’t have to be alone if you don’t choose to be, Max.”

  He smiled at her gratefully. “Thank you, Delilah. Now, no more talk of loneliness or anything else remotely sad. It is Christmas, after all, and I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be right now than here with my best friend, his lady, and his family. Cheers.”

  It was a wonderful meal, with dozens of delicious dishes being passed around, and it seemed to Delilah that both her plate and her wine glass were always filled to overflowing. Even as a little girl, way before she had ever sensed anything amiss between her parents, she had never enjoyed a holiday quite as joyful as this one today.

  Part of that, of course, was simply because her extended family had never been very big, just her grandmother and aunt on her mother’s side, and a distant cousin or two on her father’s. Her Aunt Meredith had once confided to her and Desiree that Daniel was estranged from his brother and sister due to a dispute over their parents’ estate, and to the best of Delilah’s knowledge her father had never spoken of his siblings.

  But the lack of family hadn’t been the only reason holidays and other occasions hadn’t been anywhere near as happy as today’s was, recognized Delilah. Though she’d been too young to recognize the signs back then, she realized now that her parents had never been truly happy with each other, and that they had never enjoyed the sort of affectionate, companionable relationship that Susan and Jerry McManus so obviously did. Her father had always needed to be the center of attention, the one in charge, and her mother had been too meek and high-strung to ever stand up for herself.

  She wished that Desiree could be here with them right now, thought Delilah wistfully, hoping that her sister’s holiday had been even half as wonderful as hers was turning out to be. Desi’s year in London would be over by this time next year, and Delilah vowed that they would definitely spend Christmas together then, and hopefully right here with the rowdy, fun-loving McManus clan.

  But no, she told herself firmly. She wasn’t going to think ahead that far, wasn’t going to wonder or worry if she and Finn would still be together in a year’s time. He had never once mentioned their future together, and seemed more than content to live for the moment and not look ahead more than a week or so at a time. And things were so good between them now, so happy and mellow and, well, fun, that she wasn’t about to rock the boat even a smidgen by throwing hints about wanting a long term commitment from him.

  Susan acquiesced to everyone’s request to delay dessert for a half hour or so, after they groaned at how full they were from the superb dinner. After helping to clear the dishes away, Finn took Delilah by surprise when he ushered her outside to one of the decks that surrounded the sprawling house on all sides.

  “You do realize it’s snowing out here, don’t you?” she asked, shivering even before they stepped foot outside of the toasty warm house. “And probably about ten degrees. Below zero.”

  “Nah, it’s nowhere near that cold,” drawled Finn. “I’d guess at about twenty degrees. And we won’t stay out long, just a few minutes to get some fresh air.”

  Delilah took a long sniff of the crisp, clean night air, the scent of pine trees mingling with that of the snow. “It is nice,” she admitted. “At least it will be until I can’t feel my fingers or toes. I should have grabbed my coat. Along with my boots, hat, and gloves. And a blanket.”

  He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist as they gazed out at the full moon and dozens of stars. “Wimp,” he teased. “Tell you what, baby. I’ll keep you plenty warm.”

  She gave him a wry smile. “Somehow I knew you were about to say something like that.”

  But she didn’t argue with him further, merely sliding her own arms around his torso and leaning her head against his shoulder.

  “Best Christmas ever,” murmured Finn as he kissed the top of her head. “Even better than the year I turned seven and got both the souped-up bike I wanted plus a whole set of football gear - helmet, shoulder pads, cleats, the works.”

  “I’m flattered,” she replied dryly. “Good to know that I rank higher than a football and a kid’s bike.”

  “You,” he told her passionately, cupping her face between his palms, “are the best damned present anyone could ever wish for. And unlike the bike and the football gear, I don’t plan to ever outgrow you, Delilah. In fact.”

  He fished something out of the pocket of his black wool slacks, closing his palm around it.
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br />   She eyed him suspiciously. “That had better not be a Christmas present,” she warned. “Didn’t we agree to give each other our gifts after we returned home?”

  Finn nodded. “We did. And I know better than to go back on my word about something like that. This isn’t a Christmas gift, though. It’s a - well, I think it will be pretty obvious what it is.”

  He opened his palm then to reveal a small red velvet box, and even before he sprung the catch on it, Delilah’s heart began to race triple time.

  ‘It couldn’t possibly be,’ she told herself wildly. ‘Not this soon. We’ve only known each other a few months, haven’t even discussed the future one time, so don’t jump to conclusions, Delilah, because it’s probably just a pair of earrings in that box. There’s no way in the world that it could actually be a - ”

  She gasped as Finn opened the box, revealing the daintiest, most perfect diamond ring she could have ever imagined - a ring that looked oddly familiar to her.

  “That - that’s not what I think it is, is it?” she asked faintly. “I mean, I’m pretty sure it’s meant to be an engagement ring, but the design. How can that possibly be?”

  He laughed at her confusion. “To answer your first question - yes. It is most definitely an engagement ring. And as for the second part, it’s also one of the rings you designed. I, ah, might have made a copy of the sketch you made and taken it to a jeweler who specializes in custom designs.”

  In recent months, Delilah had begun to dabble in designing jewelry in addition to the clothes, bags, and other accessories already in the Ma Belle Petite line. So far she hadn’t gone much beyond dabbling, and none of her designs had actually been made up. Except, it seemed, for this one particular ring.

  Her eyes began to shimmer with tears as she carefully touched a fingertip to the velvet box. “How did you know this one was my favorite, though?” she whispered.