A Christmas to Remember

by Thomas Kinkade

  Sara looked up from the screen and shrugged. She didn’t want to tell him. This was something secret, something special, a surprise for the whole family. She wasn’t even sure yet if it would all work out.

  “I’m doing some research on the Net,” she said simply. She closed the program so he couldn’t see the screen.

  “For work, you mean?”

  “Not exactly.”

  Luke stood at the sink, drinking a glass of water. “Well, I think you ought to come to bed now. Dark circles under your eyes won’t look very good at the big party.”

  “No, they won’t,” she admitted. She was tired these days but sometimes so excited, she could hardly sleep.

  ON THE DAY OF THE PARTY, THE CATERERS AND THE FLORIST’S crew arrived at the same time, one at the front door, the other at the back. Lillian’s old house was like a beehive that somebody had picked up and shaken. Lillian locked herself in her room and used her phone to make periodic calls to Sara’s and Emily’s cell phones. She only opened the door to accept her meals.

  “Isn’t it over yet?” she yelled into the phone. “What are they doing out there? I heard glass breaking.”

  Hours later, the setup was completed and only the servers and kitchen crew remained, managed by Molly. Emily had brought her dress, so she could change at Lillian’s house and help her mother get dressed.

  It had been an ordeal to find a new dress for Lillian. She was fussy to begin with and there were the two casts to consider. But finally Jessica and Emily found her a peacock-blue gown, chiffon on top with a long satin skirt. The top was altered to accommodate one cast and the skirt was long enough to cover the other.

  Sara was relieved that Emily was occupied with Lillian downstairs. She didn’t want anyone to see her before she was ready, not even Luke.

  Slowly but surely she had brainwashed him into wearing white tie and tails. He had tried on just the jacket for her, and she could tell he was going to look devastating. She hoped he wouldn’t chicken out at the last minute.

  When Luke knocked on her door at a quarter to six, Sara was ready. She opened the door slowly and stepped back.

  “Sara…wow,” he said on a long breath. “That’s not the dress you bought with Emily, is it?”

  “Shhhh. No, it isn’t. I found this one last week. What do you think—too much?”

  He shook his head, his eyes fixed on her. “You look gorgeous. Red carpet, all the way. Very glamorous.”

  Sara was pleased. That’s what she had been going for. The off-the-shoulder coppery gold dress was not a replica of Lillian’s gown in the photograph, but it was similar in style, with a retro look that created the same effect. It was not her usual “look,” and Sara felt a bit self-conscious, but it was also daring and fun to dress up this way.

  “They’re waiting for us in the living room,” Luke said. “They asked me to come get you.”

  “Are my folks here yet?”

  “They just called. They’re on their way.”

  Her parents had come up from Maryland during the day and checked into a nearby bed-and-breakfast. Sara had spoken to them over the phone and was eager to see them. But she was glad they were running a little late. She knew her folks still felt a bit out of place in Cape Light. She didn’t want to have them come into the house all alone, before she and Luke could greet them.

  “You think your folks will be okay?” Luke asked.

  Sara considered. “Well, it was hard for them when they found out we eloped, and it didn’t help when I told them we decided to have this party so far from Winston. But lots of my close relatives, like my Aunt Ellen and Uncle Bob, will be here tonight. And I know my parents just want me to be happy. When they see us together, they’ll be happy for us.”

  “I hope so,” Luke murmured, “since they’re throwing us another party at their house in February. Let’s hope they approve of your groom.”

  Luke offered his arm and Sara slipped her arm through his. They left the bedroom and started down the hallway, toward the long, curving staircase.

  As per Sara’s instructions, the foyer was filled with flowers, the staircase banister was covered in bunches of laurel and rhododendron, studded with colorful blooms and white and gold toile bows.

  Large potted topiary trees with fragrant gardenia blossoms flanked the staircase, and swoops of gossamer fabric hung across the ceiling and over doorways. More flowers and garlands of green decked the entrance to the living room with a cascading arrangement in cream-colored roses, miniature orchids, and phlox.

  Sara and Luke wouldn’t have been able to afford decorating the entire house so lavishly, but Molly managed to gather some arrangements from other parties she had worked on during the week. A country club luncheon and a friendly landscaper she often did business with helped. With Molly’s contributions and Sara’s own ideas, they had been able to do up the foyer in grand style—very much like the decorations at Lilac Hall for her grandparents’ marriage celebration.

  “Sara, you turned this place into a tropical paradise,” Luke whispered to her.

  “Not a haunted garden? That’s good news,” she said.

  Sara walked into the living room and stood in the doorway. She watched Emily and Jessica turn to look at her and saw their mouths drop open.

  Emily looked confused. “That’s not the dress we bought at Lord and Taylor’s…”

  “Uh, no. I found this one last week. I guess I should have told you. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s absolutely gorgeous.”

  Jessica walked over to get a better look. “It’s stunning, Sara. I love the beading.” The dress had tiny beads all over the bodice and more beading on the skirt.

  Emily smiled and came over to her. “Me, too. I would have never picked that out for you, but you look beautiful in it. Truly.” She leaned over and gave Sara a hug. “Let’s go inside and see if your grandmother’s ready. She wanted to see you when you came down.”

  When the three of them entered Lillian’s room, they found the family matriarch sitting in her wheelchair, completely dressed and looking quite lovely in her new gown and shawl, which artfully concealed her casts.

  Lillian sat with a hand mirror, slowly applying lipstick. She looked up at them, and Emily and Jessica stood back, each to one side, so that Sara could step forward.

  “My word! Look at you…”

  Sara waited without saying anything. She couldn’t tell if her grandmother approved of the dress or not. It shouldn’t have been important to her, but it was.

  “Did you pick out that dress with her?” she asked Emily.

  Emily shook her head. “No, Mother. That isn’t the one.”

  “I didn’t think so. You don’t have the eye for a dress like that, Emily. No offense, but your taste is rather…blah.” Lillian narrowed her eyes at Sara. “Come here, let me see it up close.”

  Sara stepped forward dutifully, and Lillian put on her reading glasses and felt the fabric between her fingertips and then checked the seams and construction.

  “Not badly made for workmanship these days. I had a dress something like that once,” she added, glancing up at Sara. “Silver lamé.”

  “Yes, I know. I saw the picture, remember?”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Lillian nodded. “Well, you look stunning. This is your night and you are the beautiful centerpiece of this soirée.”

  “Thank you, Lillian.” Sara blinked back tears, moved by her grandmother’s uncharacteristic words of praise.

  Lillian turned and took a long blue velvet jewelry case from her vanity table. She opened it, and Sara thought she was about to ask for help putting on a necklace.

  Instead she handed the case up to Sara. “Open it,” she said. Sara did and saw an exquisite string of pearls inside. “You know what those are, don’t you?”

  Sara felt her throat tighten with emotion. “Yes, I’ve heard a lot about these pearls, Lillian. I never thought I would get to wear them, though.” After all, Lillian rarely acknowledged her as h
er granddaughter. And Sara had eloped and wasn’t having a “real” wedding. Lillian set many contingencies to the privilege of wearing the pearls, and Sara had assumed that she would never be found worthy.

  The pearls were an heirloom in Lillian’s family, passed down from her great-grandmother. All the Merchant brides had worn them—except Lillian, because she had eloped. Years later, when her mother died, her brother, Lawrence, had sent Lillian the pearls. It was the only kind gesture he had ever made to her.

  Sara took the pearls from the box and held them out in front of her. “They’re beautiful.”

  “Of course they are. Go ahead, put them on,” Lillian said impatiently. “Somebody help her, please?”

  Emily stepped up behind her. “Here, I’ll do it for you.” She slipped the pearls around Sara’s neck and fastened the diamond-studded clasp. “There. You look perfect,” she said, kissing Sara’s cheek.

  “Oh, yes. She really does,” Jessica agreed.

  Sara glanced at herself in the mirror behind Lillian. She touched the pearls lightly with her hand. They felt smooth and warm against her skin. They really were the perfect touch. “Thank you…Grandmother,” Sara said. She leaned over and kissed Lillian’s cheek.

  “You’re welcome. A bride isn’t really dressed without pearls,” she added.

  “How true, Mother.” Emily got behind Lillian’s chair and took the brakes off. “We’d better get inside. The guests will be here soon.”

  “Let the games begin.” Lillian made a sweeping gesture with her good hand.

  Lillian had only caught glimpses of the flowers and decorations before Emily wheeled her into the foyer. Now she gasped with disbelief. “What in heaven’s name did you do? Is this my house? I don’t recognize my own home anymore! Oh…those flowers are beautiful. And look at the trees!”

  “Do you like it?” Sara asked, hardly daring to hear the answer.

  “Indeed,” Lillian said. “You’ve done a fine job, Sara, a job worthy of this house.” She pointed to the garlands that draped the foyer. “This spot particularly reminds me of the way Lilac Hall looked the night my husband’s family gave a party for us to celebrate our wedding.”

  “Yes…I thought it might,” Sara said quietly. She had worked hard and now had her reward.

  Luke strolled up to them. “Good evening, ladies. Lillian, you look lovely.”

  Lillian leaned back and looked him over from head to toe. “Is it really you?” she asked quietly. “I can’t believe my eyes.”

  “See what the right clothes can do for a guy?” he teased.

  “Amazing,” she agreed.

  The front door opened then and Sara’s parents entered, along with her aunt Ellen and uncle Bob.

  “Mom, Dad! I’m so happy to see you.” Sara walked over to them quickly and gave them each a big hug. She wasn’t sure why, but she suddenly felt like crying.

  “Sara, honey. You look so beautiful!” Laura Franklin actually was crying as she stepped back and appraised her daughter. “Look at her, Mike. She’s a married woman.”

  “Yes, I know.” Her father hugged her again. “She’s got that newlywed glow. I think it agrees with her.”

  Sara was laughing and crying, then suddenly realized that she had totally forgotten about Luke, who stood beside her like a stalwart tree, waiting patiently to greet his new in-laws.

  She touched his arm and he stepped forward. “Laura, Mike…thank you for coming to celebrate with us. I’m sorry about the elopement. You can blame it all on me,” he added, glancing at Sara. “I just love her so much, I couldn’t wait for us to be married. I only want to make her happy and take care of her for the rest of our lives.”

  Sara’s father glanced at his wife and sighed. “I have to admit, I was looking forward to walking my daughter down the aisle and giving her away the old-fashioned way. But, besides all that, I guess that was all I really wanted to hear from my new son-in-law. Welcome to the family, Luke.”

  “Yes, Luke. Welcome to our family,” Sara’s mother said, and kissed him on the cheek.

  Sara smiled and rubbed off the lipstick imprint for him as her aunt Ellen and uncle Bob stepped forward to offer their congratulations. They all moved off into the living room, while Sara and Luke remained to greet the rest of their guests, who were starting to fill the foyer.

  Between Luke and Emily, it seemed as if more than half the town had been invited. Sara, who had initially envisioned a smaller party, suddenly found herself glad so many people were there. She and Luke were blessed, she realized, to have so many close ties and good friends in their “adoptive” home town.

  After most of the guests had arrived, Sara and Luke began to mingle. Sara had been afraid that her grandmother would feel overwhelmed or even forgotten in some corner, but she soon saw that her worries were needless. Lillian’s wheelchair didn’t seem to inhibit her in the least, and Dr. Elliot had volunteered to be her escort and driver for the evening, steering her in a new direction every few minutes at her command.

  Meeting up with her parents again, Sara was pleased to see that they were having a good time. Emily and Dan had been introducing them to the other guests, and her mother had lost the tense look she’d always had when she visited Cape Light.

  “I’m glad that you and Luke decided to have this party, after all,” her mother said. “It’s wonderful for us to meet all of your friends and see the Warwicks again. Everyone is so happy for the both of you. You know how I wished you had a wedding down in Winston, but I don’t think it could have been any nicer.”

  Sara hugged her mother, feeling surrounded by all the love and good wishes her heart could hold. Lillian had been right, a marriage should be celebrated.

  They were well into the festivities and about to serve the cake when Sara noticed a guest who arrived late—a woman about Emily’s age. Sara couldn’t place her, though something about her seemed vaguely familiar.

  “You must be Sara,” the woman said as Sara came to greet her. “I’m sorry I’m late. I didn’t realize the drive was going to take so long. I’m Amanda, Beth’s daughter.”

  “Oh, you’ve come. I didn’t know you were going to come for sure.” Sara impulsively leaned over and hugged her. “Thank you so much. My grandmother will be so surprised.”

  After hearing the story of Lillian’s estrangement from her family, Sara had asked Emily if there were any surviving members of the Merchant family. Neither Emily nor Jessica knew of anyone, but Sara couldn’t let it go. She had spent hours on the Internet, using the research skills she had honed as a reporter. She finally traced Beth’s only daughter, Amanda Young, who now lived in Vermont.

  Sara brought Amanda over to Lillian, wondering too late if she should have given her grandmother any warning. “Lillian,” Sara began hesitantly. “I want you to meet somebody.”

  Lillian turned in her chair and peered up at Amanda.

  “This is Amanda Young. She’s related to you,” Sara added.

  “Related? I have no relations. Not that I know of.”

  “We’ve never met, but I’m Beth’s daughter,” Amanda said.

  Lillian leaned back in her chair, her jaw dropping in astonishment. “Your voice…it’s just like hers. I thought for a moment she was standing right there. You look a bit like her, too,” she added, peering at Amanda’s face. “You have her eyes. Beth had beautiful eyes.”

  “I’m sorry I never got in touch with you. I knew about you. My mother told me. But I was very young when she died, and when I was older, I had no idea how to find you.”

  “Oh…of course. It wasn’t your place to find me. I saw you once, when you were a baby.” Lillian nodded, remembering.

  “I know my mother loved you very much,” Amanda said. “She hoped you were happy in your new life and in your marriage.”

  Lillian looked up at her, her eyes glassy. “My fairy tale didn’t last forever, but we had a good run. Our parents were right. Oliver Warwick did end up disappointing and disgracing me, but not the way they expected.�
� She sighed and reached out to touch Amanda’s hand. “Thank you for coming here to bring that message.”

  “I’m sorry it’s taken so long,” Amanda said quietly.

  “It’s never too late to bring a message like that. It makes all the difference to an old woman like me. And you must call me Aunt Lillian. You’re the only one who ever will, you know.”

  “I’d be honored to,” Amanda replied.

  Lillian glanced up at Sara. “You’re a busy girl—planning this big party and playing amateur detective as well. This was all your doing, I suspect?”

  Sara nodded happily. “You got me.”

  “What do you think of my granddaughter, Amanda?” Lillian asked her niece. “Isn’t she something? Brains and beauty, too. Quite a package.” She glanced at each of the women, smiling to herself. “Somebody said that to me once. You wouldn’t believe it to see me now…. But it’s true.”

  Sara believed it. She had a good idea who Lillian was thinking about right now, too.

  Soon it was time for Sara and Luke to cut the cake. Though it wasn’t a real wedding, Sara had persuaded Luke to stand up before their guests and say a few words.

  “Sara and I want to thank you all for coming here tonight to celebrate our marriage. As you all know, we never wanted to have a big, old-fashioned wedding. As usual, I’ve managed to do things a little backwards—”

  “His own way,” Sara cut in.

  “—But I have to admit, we’ve felt so much love and so many good wishes tonight to start us on our way, I don’t know what we were trying to run away from. I’m even enjoying being dressed like the guy on top of the cake.”

  “He’s going to have to wear that every day from now on. He just doesn’t know it,” Sara added, making everyone laugh again.

  Reverend Ben stepped forward, “Before we devour that beautiful cake, I’d like to offer a blessing.”

  Luke smiled at him. “Please do, Reverend.”

  The room grew quiet and everyone bowed their heads, “Dear heavenly Father, please bless the love and union of Sara and Luke. Please watch over them and guide them through their life together. Let the love and happiness that abounds in this room tonight remain with them always. Let them be thankful for the many blessings they will share in their lives together, and let them face all challenges bravely, holding on to faith and trust in their love for each other, and in Your love for both of them.”