“I need you to track down the people in this picture. Those are their names. Last name is Hill. They shouldn’t be hard to look up, but they might be hard to find. And,” he added with a shrug knowing the next part might be impossible, “I want you to try and get them flights home by Christmas. Do and say whatever you can to get them to agree. I’m assuming they will bring their families, so make sure every member has a ticket.”
Harris looked to his dad for approval then to Brandon who was looking to Charles as well, searching for the same go-ahead.
“You heard him,” Charles said to Brandon, “spare no expense. Let’s get the family home for Christmas.”
__
Nancy had given Harlow the directions up to the office. She’d still had to sign in, but Nancy said an escort wasn’t needed for somebody as special as Harlow. And that Harris would be sure to see her, no matter what he was working on.
Harlow smiled at the recall of the quick conversation, and took a right out of the elevator as instructed. If she walked straight forward she would run right into Harris’ office.
Harlow looked around and saw Christmas decorations scattered around the floor, and noted many of the cubicles had their own spaces decorated for the season. A personal touch, she thought, when you had to be away from home throughout the day. She did the same with her office, surrounding herself with pictures and decorations of her own.
Harris’ voice had echoed out of a room to her left, so she altered her course and slowly navigated toward the sound, smiling at the enthusiastic tone. She wasn’t spying as she inched closer, or at least that wasn’t her intention, she simply wanted to take in the Harris she only had the chance to imagine he’d be in a work environment. Cool and calm energy, but the ultimate go-getter. People would respect and follow him, she knew. She would have done the same had he been her superior.
But when she leaned in her heart sank at what she heard.
“There is this. Nothing else matters.” Harris’ voice was laced with finality. “Whatever you have to do, even if it means we work straight through Christmas Eve.”
Harlow felt the tears pool in her eyes as she turned to lean her back against the wall. The reality was exactly as she thought it would be. He would do anything for the job. And, she thought, as his words slammed into her mind, 'straight through Christmas Eve,' she shouldn't expect him at their Christmas party.
This feeling, of her chest caving in, was what she was trying to avoid. The pain and heartbreak of knowing Harris was a businessman, not a family man. He loved his family, sure, but loving the one he had and dreaming of one of his own were two heartbreakingly different things.
Harlow lifted herself off the wall, adjusted her jacket and bag, and turned to walk out.
She couldn’t worry about heartbreak right now. So she would keep the love she had for Harris to herself, cherish the rest of the time they would have, then move on with hopes of a happy new year and a mind that would forget how much she longed to be with him. Then Harlow started her walk back down.
She had a Christmas party to plan.
CHAPTER 25
Eight messages had come in from Harris the next day. One wondering how she was doing, and how the party was coming together. Another letting her know all of the invitations and transportation logistics to and from the party were taken care of. A sweet message to tell her he was thinking about her, and hoping to confirm their hot chocolate and movie night. And a final one asking if everything was okay since he hadn’t heard from her.
Harlow sat in the library. The decorating had finished in the majestic room an hour earlier, so it was one place she could be alone because it wasn’t swarming with people. She’d closed the doors, set her phone on the table next to the high-backed leather armchair, sat, and stared at it.
Everything in her heart and body was urging her to pick it up and write back to him. That yes, everything was on schedule. The house was even more beautiful than she could’ve imagined it in her most magical and wonderful dreams. That yes, she wanted to see him tonight more than anything, but no, she wasn’t okay, because she was in love with him and he didn’t love her back.
So, her mind told her no, and she let the phone sit.
As she looked around the library she couldn’t believe the holiday elegance. Rich, velvety, deep green ribbons draped from the floor-to-ceiling bookcases that lined the walls. Huge bows twisted and curled with every new shelf, and each long pane in the wall of windows dangled a wreath with the same velvety bow topping them all.
White and silver snow globes of different shapes and sizes were scattered, but beautifully placed, throughout the room. She noticed many of them were her own, or ones her parents or siblings had left behind when they moved.
Harlow picked one off of the table next to her and looked at the children inside with shimmering snow fluttering around them. The tiny glass figures had built a snowman with a crooked carrot nose. All of them laughing, and when Harlow turned the silver crank on the bottom, it looked as if they might have been singing along to the happy chimes of Frosty the Snowman.
As she watched the children play and listened to the music, even surrounded by all of the people moving in and out of her home, she had never felt more alone. She missed her family. And, she admitted, it had only been two days, but she missed Harris.
Harlow wondered, just for a minute, if it was worth finishing her Christmas wishes. She could pick up the phone and tell Harris she had too much to do, and their planned night together for a movie had to be cancelled. Or, she thought, she could just enjoy being lucky enough to have had somebody willing to fulfill her Christmas wishes at all.
That idea hung in the cinnamon-scented air as she contemplated.
Maybe, she decided as she pulled her feet onto the chair with her, she should be grateful. And she picked up the phone, opened Harris’ messages, and tapped out her reply.
CHAPTER 26
Harlow held her body while laughing at the seriousness on Harris’ face as he tried to decide. She had whittled the movie choices down to four. He to three. She to two.
And now, he was faced with the ultimate decision of picking the final movie.
Harris looked up, bewildered at how hard it was to choose. Deciding between white, dark, or milk chocolate to fill their hot mugs was easy. A question to add peppermint, almond, or butterscotch flavoring was simple. Toasted marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or chopped pecans for a garnish – a no-brainer. But this?
He was having to decide between Dr. Seuss and Bing Crosby. Cartoon or real life. Both classics. But both on inarguable opposite ends of the Christmas spectrum.
Harris realized, deciding to approve five thousand dollars in airline tickets earlier that day had been easier.
“I just – I can’t do it.” Harris held up the DVDs, one in each hand, looking helpless with pouting puppy-dog-eyes.
“I need help,” he finally admitted, getting another round of giggles out of Harlow, who’d finally composed herself enough to speak.
“I have an idea,” Harlow said, taking two deep breaths to steady her voice, and making sure she wouldn’t burst into round two at the look on his face.
“What if we started with The Grinch? It’s a light classic, it’s quick, and it’s fun. Then we can get a refill and put in White Christmas and settle in for the long haul?”
Harris’ hands dropped to his sides, the DVDs falling with them. “Why didn’t I think of that?” he asked. “It’s brilliant.”
Harlow lifted her head at the compliment and said, “It doesn’t happen often, but when my brilliance sets in, it is really something.”
This got Harris to laugh along with her, and he turned to slide the movie in, then settled next to Harlow beneath a white Sherpa blanket with his dark hot chocolate with whipped cream and chopped pecans.
__
They sang the wonky words they knew – and hummed the ones they didn’t – while watching all of the Whos in Whoville as they held hands and swayed around the
tree. Then they waited until all of the credits had scrolled through before saying a word or making a move.
“It is just so good, right?” Harlow asked, amazed at how a funny-looking green thing could make her so emotional.
“So good,” Harris agreed. “So, so good.”
Harlow heard her phone come alive as the vibrations buzzed her phone across the coffee table. She didn’t recognize the number, but picked the phone up and offered, “How about I’ll take this and you can get us refills?”
“Sounds like another good plan. Same order?”
“Same order,” she confirmed while swiping her phone to answer. She grinned as she heard Harris confirm their orders as he walked away from her.
“One white hot chocolate with peppermint and marshmallows – coming up!”
“Hello?” Harlow answered into the phone.
“Hi, may I please speak to Harlow Hill?” the voice asked other the other end.
“This is Harlow, how can I help you?”
“This might sound like a strange request, but I’m wondering where you’ll be for Christmas this year? I’m asking on behalf of Harris Porter.”
Harlow looked toward the kitchen where she heard the faint whistle of The Grinch song Harris must have gotten stuck in his head.
“Ah,” she shifted from one foot to the other, unsure of where this was going, or if she should answer the stranger at all, “I’ll be here, in Minnesota.”
“Oh, thank all the elves in the North Pole.” The voice on the other end managed to sound exhausted and relieved at the same time.
“Can I ask who this is and why you’re asking?”
“Of course. I’m Brandon Carlson. I work for Mr. Porter. He has to finalize work on a Christmas letter so he can get a big project started at work. I’m helping him out so once it’s all over we can get approval and hit the ground running. We can’t move forward until it’s done.”
“I see,” Harlow said, dropping to the couch.
“So, you’ll be here, then? In St. Paul, right? At The Hill for Christmas?”
The voice – Brandon – sounded more optimistic than he had earlier. Perhaps excited that he’d be able to move on, just like Harris would after Saturday. The Christmas party would mark the last of her wishes – of the ones that she’d kept on the list.
“I will be here,” she confirmed and clicked the phone screen to end the call.
“Okay!” Harris cheered as he walked back in. “Two delectable hot chocolates for the merry drinking! One for you,” Harris bent to carefully hand her a mug overflowing with giant marshmallows and tiny peppermint pieces, “and, one for me.”
Harris sat and looked over to her when she didn’t respond, concern immediately flooding in. “Harlow, what is it? Are you okay?”
She forced a smile and looked toward him, telling herself everything was as it should be, that nothing in her life was changing or out of place. The holidays would end and she’d go back to things as they were – normal. Normal, she thought, and alone.
“You know what?” Harlow started and set her hot chocolate on the table. “I’m really sorry, but I’m not feeling well. I think I should probably head to bed.” It wasn’t a lie. She wanted nothing more than to cocoon herself in the comfort of heavy blankets and fall asleep. Then maybe the looming sadness and nausea wouldn’t take her over.
“What can I do?” Harris knelt before her, looking over her as if he could examine the pain and make her better.
“Nothing at all. I’m sure it’s just exhaustion from everything that’s been going on. I’d rather rest now so I can be ready and well for Saturday’s party.” She looked Harris in the eye. “I think it might be best if you leave for the night.”
Harlow didn’t allow for Harris to argue.
“Thank you,” she continued, “for executing all of the wishes on my Christmas list. It really has meant the world to me to get to live all of those moments again.”
Harlow stood and walked away, leaving him no choice but to follow her to the door. He couldn’t stay, as it wasn’t his house – even though when he was here with her it felt like home. And, she wasn’t feeling well; he couldn’t magically make her feel better. But if given the chance he’d move Christmas Day to do it. Even the nagging in the back of his mind telling him something was wrong wasn’t giving him a good excuse to stay.
He slid his jacket on, then his hat and mittens, and turned to where she was standing next to the open door.
“Good night, Harris.”
Harris couldn’t help but feel like she was telling him “Goodbye” rather than “Good night.” But he leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek, then walked into the night.
He stopped just outside, instantly frozen as the cold rushed into him, and said, “I hope you feel better. Sleep well, Harlow.” He tried for a grin and added, “I hope you dream of sugarplums as they dance in your head.”
Then he turned and didn’t look back.
CHAPTER 27
They were ready. Harlow couldn’t believe it.
The team had managed to pull together the most magnificent, Christmassy, party-plan of all time. She was overwhelmed and overjoyed at the dedication of her team and the generosity of all of the vendors and shops they’d worked with. Nearly all of them had donated the rentals, supplies, and goods. And when they were asked to pay, the discounts were so large she knew the companies weren’t making a profit, simply covering the cost of expenses.
How wonderful people could be, she mused.
Harlow looked at her phone to check the time and saw they had about an hour before the kids and families would start to arrive. She also noted that Harris hadn’t called her back.
The way she’d forced him out was causing her more guilt than she expected. She wanted to talk to him, to simply ask what the call was about. She would let him know that even though it made her feel badly, she understood the pressures of work. She’d felt it early on in her own career, when she was trying to prove herself to her own family.
Harlow had tried his cell phone, his office phone, and talked to Nancy twice a day, every day. The only answer she’d gotten was that Harris was working diligently on an urgent matter that was taking all of his time. And that she was sure he’d give her a call as soon as he had a minute to spare.
“Still nothing?” Lisa asked as she joined Harlow at the dining room table.
“Still nothing,” Harlow said, confirming her friend’s question for the second time that day. If she hadn't been depressed about the situation, the ritual could have been funny. Their comical new way of greeting one another.
Still nothing? Still nothing.
Lisa reached a hand across the table runner, weaving through the legs of brass-colored, metal deer that stood regally the length of the table in a herd, and rested it on Harlow’s.
“No matter what happens – what you’ve done here, with this house, and for these kids – you should be so proud of yourself. I am so proud of you,” Lisa said, her smile genuine and full of love. “You are giving these kids something so wonderful. You’re giving my child,” Lisa’s voice quivered with emotion, “the best Christmas.”
Harlow turned her hand over and held Lisa’s. “No, you are giving him the best Christmas. This is simply a means of delivering the message. Are you ready?”
Harlow didn’t have to explain the question. Lisa knew she was asking if she was ready to take in another beloved child.
“I am tired, exhausted, and living on two hours of sleep and fumes. But I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
“Yeah, you are,” Harlow agreed, then asked again, this time referring to the party. “Okay then, are you ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
CHAPTER 28
The frenzied sound of children’s laughter and happiness rang through the sturdy walls and carried to where Harlow, Lisa, the firm’s staff, and all of the hired chefs and hosts were waiting. When Harlow turned to see if they could hear the excitement that
would be bursting through the doors in a matter of seconds, she saw every face mirroring hers in a smile so big, so filled with hopefulness and cheer, she could hardly keep her own excitement contained.
The doorbell chime sounded like it never had before – like a bell so beautiful it could be heard in the heavens and letting the whole world hear the love in its ringing.
Harlow turned the knob and swung open the door, and as she did she was greeted with a chorus of children yelling, “Merry Christmas!” then all of the kids danced and shouted while spinning in circles to take in the lights and the spectacle that was waiting just on the other side of the door.
“Merry Christmas!” everybody on the inside sang back. Then Harlow laughed, looked at the rosy, eager faces, and exclaimed, “Are you ready?”
Harlow stepped aside and waved them in as they shouted “Yes!” while passing.
Some squealed as they found a favorite ornament, a few grabbed their friends’ hands and ran to explore, and others stood in bewildered fascination at the wintery world of Christmas they had just walked into.
One boy walked up to the tree with his mouth gaping, then twirled to take in all of the magnificence. Harlow swore that as he turned she saw the reflection of the wonder in his wide eyes, and in that moment, she had a feeling that warmed her heart completely.
“Hi,” Harlow offered, quietly moving toward him so they could stand and stare together.
“Hi.” The boy’s response was drawn out in awe.
“What do you think?” Harlow asked, looking around with the boy as she followed his eyes.
He turned once more and finally paused when he met her face-to-face, after she knelt down to match his height. His innocent smile started small but grew as his eyes brightened.
“It’s a miracle,” he whispered.
Harlow marveled at his description and his perfect innocence, then nodded in agreement.
“I have a feeling this is only the beginning.”
The boy beamed and giggled in the way only a young child could. Before she knew what was happening, he lunged at her, gave her a hug, and with the gentle sound of innocence and youth said, “This is already the best Christmas of my life.”
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