Holiday Kisses

by Anna J. Stewart

  “Get off your high horse, Xander,” Antony snapped.

  “Antony!” His mother glared at him. “We discussed this. If you can’t explain civilly, I will.”

  “You’d better, Mom,” Dyna said. “Just to be safe.”

  “Xander.” His mother reached over and pulled Jeremy onto her own lap. “We know you’ve been trying to salvage the firm. Doing anything and everything to keep it as it was. But the truth is it can never be what it was. Your father knows that. He accepts it.”

  Xander looked to his father, and for an instant, saw his Grandfather Nico in his drawn face. His father had always been a giant of a man—large and robust—but with a heart ten times his size.

  “The jobs will be safe,” Helen promised. “It was part of the negotiations. Everyone except you will stay on and merge with the new company. And the money we receive will be plenty to ensure your father continues to get the best care. But you... You will go on. And do great and amazing things with Costas Architecture.”

  “A man with no clients,” Xander said on a laugh. It all sounded great, but it also sounded like a fantasy. We can all live a fantasy if that’s what we choose. Calliope’s words rang in his ears.

  “That won’t last long,” Antony said. “Not if those drawings you did for the butterfly sanctuary are any indication.”

  “How did you—?” He looked at his sister. “Alethea.”

  She shrugged. “You really didn’t think I wouldn’t take pictures of those plans, did you? As soon as I got home I showed them to Antony and Dad. Told them what your ideas were for the building, where the inspiration came from. Who inspired you.”

  “Beau-tiful. Plan.” Cyril said. “You. Up here.” He motioned to his head. “Grandfather. Special.”

  “You see things I don’t,” Antony said. “You always have. And as good as you are at schmoozing the clients, you’re even better as an idea man. Whether this job works out or not, if this is what Butterfly Harbor can inspire, there’s nothing stopping you. So sign on the dotted line already.”

  “I—”

  Ophelia dropped a pen on to the envelope.

  “Boy, you’re all just prepared for everything, aren’t you?” Xander pulled the papers all the way out, flipped to the last page. “Wait, how much?”

  “We didn’t want to break your bank,” Antony said.

  “I’ve got you covered.” Alethea whipped out a twenty and handed it to her father. “Tip money. Consider this my investment in your future, Xander.”

  “Twenty bucks? For the entire firm?”

  “For the name,” his mother corrected. “And for the future. Speaking of which, I want to know more about this Calliope woman.”

  A dull thud echoed against the window. A familiar, heart-clenching thud. Alethea got to her feet and walked closer, faced Xander with the biggest grin he’d ever seen. “Do you see this?”

  “Is that a...butterfly?” Dyna asked.

  “Flutterby!” Iris dived close to the tree in her excitement.

  “Sign already.” Antony poked his finger against the contract.

  Xander nodded and scribbled his name, still partially transfixed by their unexpected and wayward visitor. “Okay, great. Now what?”

  “Now you go pack.” Helen reached behind her and handed him an airline ticket.

  “Mom?” He wasn’t sure he could process any more surprises. “It’s Christmas. I can’t—”

  “It’s the perfect gift for everyone. You’ve lived enough for us, Xander. It’s time you started living for yourself.”

  Images of Calliope and Stella exploded in his mind. The sadness and melancholy and anger that had come to Chicago with him evaporated.

  “Go. Calli. Ope.” Cyril pushed himself forward in his chair and grabbed Xander’s hand. “Xander. Son. Go. Home.”

  * * *

  “BREATHE, ABBY. IN AND OUT. There you go.” Lori held a paper bag against the bride’s face and stroked her perfectly curled hair. “Everything is fine. Just relax.”

  “But.” Wheeze. “The photographers.” Wheeze. “Are everywhere. I can’t do this. I can’t.” Wheeze. Wheeze. Whe-e-e-eeze.

  “I can’t stop it.” Lori turned panicked eyes on Calliope. “What do we do?”

  “Desperate times.” Calliope poured two fingers of Scotch and after waving aside Lori, Paige and Holly, dropped to her knees in front of Abby. “Abigail Manning, unless you want me to bring your grandmother in here to give you what for, you will drink this.” She pulled the bag away from Abby’s face, pushed her hands into her lace-covered lap and pressed the glass to her lips. “One sip. Come on.” She placed her free hand against Abby’s chest, and tried to pinpoint the panic.

  “It’s like when I’m sick and I’m afraid I’m going to puke,” Stella announced as she huddled with Charlie on the loveseat by the beauty stations.

  “Not helping,” Calliope said over her shoulder. “There.” She pushed a bit of energy forward but still couldn’t identify Abby’s issues. If anything, on the inside, the bride felt utterly and completely calm.

  “She’s not pregnant, is she? Or is she?” Holly asked and sent Abby into another round of wheezing.

  “No, she’s not pregnant.” Calliope really shouldn’t be laughing. “Abby, honey, you need to get this under control. We’re already a half hour behind schedule.”

  “Is that all?” Abby gasped. Her alert eyes flickered over to Paige, who was peering out the door. “Seems like.” Wheeze. “It should.” Wheeze. “Be longer.” Wheeze. Wheeze.

  “Long enough.” Paige waved her hand at them as if signaling something.

  Abby deftly plucked the glass out of Calliope’s hand and rose to her feet, an elegant pixie perfectly ready for her fairy-tale beginning. “Thanks. Whew. I thought I’d never get my breathing under control again.” She inhaled deeply and released the long, loud breath as the women in the room flittered about and...were they giggling?

  “What on earth is going on?” Calliope followed Abby across the room, watched as she checked in the full-length mirror one last time. The suite’s door opened slowly. She heard the music first, the lilting notes of Christmas melodies emanating from the seven-piece orchestra on the front porch of the inn. “Abby...”

  Calliope lifted her gaze to the tuxedo-clad figure before her. Standing in the doorway. Watching her.

  Her world went silent. Her vision exploded. Her body tingled as she turned, slowly, deliberately—she was terrified she was imagining things.

  Terrified he wasn’t really here. “Xander.”

  “Sorry I’m late.” He tugged on the button of his jacket. “Couldn’t find a parking place. Thank you for the assist, ladies.” He brushed a kiss over Paige’s cheek as he entered the room. “One major jerk reporting for happiness.”

  “So romantic,” Paige sniffed as she pretended to cry.

  “Xander!” Stella darted off the couch and flew at him and he swung her up into his arms. “You came back! I knew you would ’cause I asked Santa. And I wished really really hard. I told you, Calliope!” She locked her arms around his neck and squeezed. “I told you wishes still come true.”

  “Yes, you did.” Calliope’s throat ached.

  “We should take that as our cue. Charlie?” Holly ushered everyone, including the bride, and Stella, out of the room. “Take your time. But the wedding will start in five minutes. Not to rush you.”

  “Abby.” Calliope caught her friend’s hand. “Thank you.”

  “What’s family for? Don’t mess this up again.” She poked Xander in the chest before she grabbed handfuls of her dress and exited the suite.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “For a woman who has all the answers, I’m surprised you don’t know. I got your messenger.” He inched closer. The sight of him, the feel of him, slid through her and erased all doubts. All fears. All worry. S
he stepped toward him.

  “What messenger? I didn’t send... Stella. She’s been spending hours with the butterflies. She must have...oh!” Xander’s arm slipped around her waist and he pulled her to him. Kissed her. “You’re here.” She blinked back tears when he eased away. “You really came back.”

  “Yeah, well, I forgot to do something before I left.”

  “Like submit your design proposal?” She arched an eyebrow.

  “Ah, that, too. I never told you I loved you. And I do. Love you. Calliope Jones, you wondrous, magical creature, I love you and will love you forever.”

  “I never thought I’d hear such words,” she whispered, holding him tight. “We have so much to talk about. If—if you’re staying?”

  “Oh, I’m staying. If you’ll have me.”

  All the closed-off places in her heart burst open. The colors in her world went brighter. The air in her chest felt lighter. And the loneliness she’d felt all these years of her life evaporated beneath his loving gaze.

  “It’s a good thing, since you have a contract to sign. Gil wants your sanctuary. You won the contract.” She couldn’t stop looking at him. Couldn’t stop touching him.

  “As great news as that is, I honestly don’t care right now. We have a wedding to attend.” He kissed her again and stepped back to let her straighten her dress. He offered his arm. “May I escort you?”

  “Yes, you may.” She reached up and brushed her fingers against his cheek. “For the rest of my life.”

  EPILOGUE

  Three months later...

  “CALLIOPE! XANDER! THEY’RE HERE!” Stella squealed and raced out the door of the house, while Calliope felt unnaturally panicked.

  She pressed her palms against her cheeks, tried to will away the warmth even as her chest fluttered. They’d been talking about Xander’s family visiting for months, a visit that had been timed purposely so that Xander’s father could celebrate his sixty-fifth birthday on the coast.

  “You need to relax,” Xander swooped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her. Pulling her against him, he nuzzled her neck. “My parents already love you. It’s me they’re not so sure of anymore.”

  “Liar,” she said with a laugh. She turned and linked her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. As expected, the apprehension settled the moment her lips found his. A special kind of magic that never ceased to thrill and amaze her.

  “I called Abby this morning,” Xander reassured her as he ran his hands down her back. “They’ve got the suite all set for my parents. My siblings can have either a room or a cabin. I’m guessing the Costas contingent will be taking over the majority of the Flutterby Inn for the foreseeable future.”

  “Hey! You two going to play kissy-face in here all afternoon or come out and say hi?” Alethea ducked her head in long enough to roll her eyes. “Move it.”

  Calliope brushed her lips over his again before she led him outside. The sunshine poured down on them and they watched the two rental cars pull up to the gate. Calliope let out a delighted laugh as the doors opened and Xander’s siblings, niece and now two nephews spilled out.

  Organized chaos, she thought, as Alethea escorted a now anxious looking Stella toward the gate. The introductions went quickly, with Stella embraced by her new family. Was there anything more wondrous? The fragment of unease faded and she breathed easier. The anticipation of their arrival had kept her buzzing in the kitchen for days; she’d baked until the oven wept and gathered enough vegetables to feed a dozen Costas families. Tonight’s feast would be held on the patio, beneath the fairy-lit pergola Xander had recently rebuilt with Kendall’s help.

  The front passenger door of the SUV opened and Calliope recognized Xander’s brother Antony. He removed a wheelchair from the back and opened it for who must be his father.

  “He still looks so frail,” Xander murmured. Calliope leaned into him as he held her close. “I know Mom said he was doing better but—” He trailed off.

  “He’ll never be the man he was before the stroke, Xander.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “But he’s here. For you.”

  “Doesn’t mean I stop hoping, right?” He looked up at the sky. “Couldn’t have asked for better weather.”

  “I ordered it special.” She’d known, of course, that a future with Xander would mean one with his family as well. She hadn’t expected that relationship to begin almost immediately after Xander’s return at Christmas with video chats, phone calls and unending text message streams that threatened to short-circuit her cell phone.

  Over the past few months, she’d become a sort of confidante to his sisters and mother, who, only a few days ago, had been concerned about a potential setback for Cyril. But he’d rallied and declared nothing was going to stop him from making this visit.

  “Hey, Mom.” Xander grinned at his mother as she hurried over to the porch, bypassed Xander and went straight for Calliope. “Ah, right. Mom, Calliope. Calliope...”

  Calliope gasped at the power of his mother’s loving embrace.

  “Another daughter,” Helen exclaimed. “I’m so happy. The greatest gift my son could have given me.” She attempted to pull away, but Calliope clung to her, unable to stop the sob that erupted.

  “Aw, Mom, look what you did.” Xander tried to pry them apart but both his mother and Calliope pushed him away.

  “There now,” Helen whispered as she gently rocked her. “Everything’s okay, now. I’ve got you.”

  There was no guilt, Calliope realized with a bit of surprise. No worry that she was somehow betraying the mother who hadn’t been able to be one to her.

  Emmaline.

  The sadness didn’t descend as fast, nor as hard as it once did. Emmaline was at peace now, having passed away in her sleep just after the New Year. The night before, Stella was able to talk to her through the owls that had visited her in her dreams.

  The owls had become hers, Stella declared that next morning, and from that day became their caretaker and guardian.

  “I’m sorry.” Calliope sniffed and finally stepped out of Helen’s arms.

  “For what?” She touched her hand to Calliope’s face and smiled as only a patient, loving mother could. “Xander.” Helen turned to her son and squeezed the daylights out of him. “I’m sorry we’re a little late. Your father’s having one of his stubborn days.”

  “He’s entitled.” Calliope headed over to the group and, after introducing herself in person to Xander’s siblings, focused all her attention on Cyril. “It’s lovely to meet you, finally.” She bent down and clasped his hands between hers. “You have a wonderful son.”

  “Beautiful Calliope.” Cyril beamed and held her hand.

  “He’s been practicing saying that for weeks,” Dyna said. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you in person, Calliope.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Calliope caught an exchange between Helen and Xander, with Stella joining them on the porch. Stella let out a barely constrained squeal before jumping up and down, clutching Xander’s arm like a life preserver.

  “Hmm, I bet they’re up to something,” she said to Cyril who tapped a finger against his nose to tell her she was correct. “Shall we go see what?”

  She pulled her hand away and took Antony’s place. She wheeled the chair across the grass to where the family had gathered.

  “We’d like to know what’s going on? Stella?” But Xander was the one who stepped forward with an explanation.

  “I was planning on doing this tonight, but I don’t want to wait.”

  “Wait for what?” Never in her life had Calliope felt as if every single butterfly in her charge had taken up residence inside her.

  Stella and Xander’s family formed a semi-circle around them. Alethea had wrapped a sisterly arm around Stella’s shoulders.

  “I’ve actually been wanting to do this for a while.” Xande
r held out his hand and between his thumb and index finger was a stunning, antique diamond and amethyst ring. “It was my grandmother’s,” Xander said.

  “My mother’s,” Helen clarified. “Sorry,” she whispered when Xander grinned at her. “Proceed.”

  Xander bent down on one knee. His mother and sisters let out a chorus of “aw.” “Will you marry me, Calliope?”

  It was as traditional a proposal as anyone could receive, completely opposite to Calliope’s style and yet she couldn’t have imagined a more perfect moment. She nodded, unable to speak.

  “He’s going to need a verbal response,” Antony spoke up and earned an elbow in the ribs from his wife.

  “Yes,” Calliope whispered, blinking the tears free as she drew Xander to his feet and slipped the ring onto her finger. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  She laughed when he picked her up and spun her around. Laughed when he kissed her and hugged her and buried his face in her neck. “I love you,” he murmured against her skin.

  “And I love you.”

  “What’s happening?” Dyna’s whisper of wonder sent chills racing down Calliope’s arms as she stepped slightly out of Xander’s embrace. Across the field, butterflies dropped from the trees, circling and swirling, cascading down and around, swooping toward the house, encircling the family. Stella and Alethea threw their arms into the air and twirled amidst the flutter of wings. “That’s amazing,” Ophelia laughed as Iris and Jeremy joined in the celebration.

  “No,” Xander murmured against Calliope’s lips. “That’s magic. Pure butterfly magic.”

  * * *

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  Anna J. Stewart

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