Return to Grace

by Bethany Surreira

  The gift opening was pretty standard for adults. A sweater here, a scarf there, a money clip, some matching cat mugs, and a tie clip. I had bought Josh a new portfolio for his iPad since he was working so much more these days. My dad turned off the Christmas music and quietly stood up, reaching around the back of the tree and pulling out a box.

  “This one’s for you,” he said, handing the box to me.

  “Dad, you’ve already given me so many wonderful things. You didn’t need to get me so much,” I said, appreciative but still feeling guilty.

  “It’s not from me, pumpkin,” he said. He sat down next to Josh, who was sitting in front of the fire with Gnocchi purring on his lap.

  I looked from my dad to Josh, who merely shrugged his shoulders, and then back to my dad again. I gently took the box from him and laid it across my lap. I was afraid to open it.

  “Dad?” I asked. “Do you think it would be ok if I waited to open this one? I think I’d like to be alone for this.”

  He nodded understandingly. “Of course, pumpkin. I get it.”

  We spent the rest of the morning hanging around the house relaxing. It was nice not to have to do anything, but the work week started back up again on Monday. Even though Cameron told me to take off until the new year, I really wanted to get back into the office and do a little work on the Portugal project to see what was in store for me.

  Part of me felt like I had just gotten to Grace Valley, while the other part felt as though I had been here for months. Josh stood up and announced that he was going to pack up his things, and my dad and I retreated to the kitchen for our last cup of coffee together before I went back to the city.

  “You know, Leah. Your mom’s studio could easily be turned into a travel agency for you,” my dad said, catching me off guard.

  “Dad, you know I love you and I’ve enjoyed every second visiting, but the city is my home now. I’ve worked too hard to leave now.”

  “I know, pumpkin. I just wanted to put it out there. Think about it. It wouldn’t be difficult at all, and I know your mom would want you to use her space if you could.”

  “Thanks, Daddy.”

  The drive to the train station was quiet—painfully so. The last time I made this drive was seven years ago when I was leaving my parents, Caleb, and Grace Valley in search of a new life. A life I thought I had wanted and needed in order to feel fulfilled, but I had come to realize it was just chasing the fear I’d always had. I never thought I wasn’t right for this town; I just thought there was more for me out there, and I couldn’t possibly have found it in Grace Valley.

  There I was, ready to embark on a similar journey but with a mindset polar opposite to the one before. Only this time, the pain in my heart was ten times stronger. We pulled up to the curb and reluctantly exited my dad’s truck. I swung my purse over my shoulder as Josh picked up my suitcase for me.

  “I love you so much, pumpkin. Come back soon, okay?”

  “I will, Daddy. I promise,” I said, meaning it. “I love you, too.”

  “Think about what I said.”

  I nodded and hugged him tight one last time.

  “Josh, thank you for taking care of my baby girl. And thank you for celebrating the holidays with us,” he said, shaking Josh’s hand.

  “Thank you, sir. It was a great weekend I’ll remember forever.”

  “All right, you two. You’d better get going before you miss that train, and I have to head to The Flower Pot to meet Dooley to help him transport some flowers. A friend’s work is never done,” he chuckled.

  “Love you, Daddy. See you soon.”

  He winked at me and walked back around his car, standing at the driver’s-side door and watching us walk into the station. I smiled when we reached the door, and he nodded and drove away. It was beautiful and sad all at the same time. We made our way quickly through the station, and when we reached the ticket booth, we noticed that the train was going to be delayed by fifteen minutes. Matt wasn’t at the coffee shop, so I decided to skip out on a hot drink, and Josh and I just waited quietly together.

  The train came exactly fifteen minutes later, and we were up and ready to get on before it came to a screeching halt. I couldn’t believe I was already heading back to the city and would be leaving the place that I knew in my heart was truly home. So much had happened in the short time that I was back, and so many feelings had been stirred up. Seeing Caleb was the most unexpected part of my trip, and it was also the hardest. I always thought the next time I saw him would be fine, but I couldn’t help but imagine every part of my life with him in it. I had let him go and he wasn’t coming back.

  The train slowly started to roll and we were off. I looked out the window at Grace Valley one last time as tears filled my eyes. Was I seeing things? Was that Caleb running toward the station? I blinked, and when I opened my eyes again, I only saw an old couple sitting on the bench and watching a young boy jump up and down in the snow. All this fresh air had definitely gotten to me.

  32

  “Well, hello there, my dear,” Walter said as I walked into the foyer of my building. It was the best welcome I could ever hope to receive.

  “Walter,” I said, smiling back at him. “I hope you had a nice Christmas.”

  “I sure did. The Missus and I celebrated with our children and grandchildren.”

  “Wait a minute! Why are you working?” I said, realizing it was still Christmas day.

  “I’m not,” he replied and held up a pair of ice skates. “I came back to get my grandson’s skates. We’re headed to Rockefeller Center for some skating and hot chocolate.”

  “Oh, well, I won’t keep you then. Merry Christmas!”

  I pushed the button on the elevator and dragged my suitcase inside, then pushed the button to my floor with my elbow. The door opened with a ping, and I stood, staring at my apartment. I hadn’t been gone long, but it felt like ages. I opened the door and walked inside and immediately felt like I didn’t belong. It was the weirdest feeling and one I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I called my dad to let him know I had arrived safely and then unpacked my suitcase and took a quick shower.

  Of course, there was nothing to eat, and anything that had been left needed to be thrown out immediately. I called and ordered Chinese and curled up on the couch. There was a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon calling my name. I was about an hour into the movie, and three-quarters of the way through my carton of lo mein, when my cell phone buzzed.

  “Sara!” I said excitedly into the phone. “Merry Christmas!”

  “Merry Christmas, my girl. How’s your day?” she asked.

  “It’s great! I’m back in the city. Got back a couple of hours ago,” I told her.

  “Nice! I can’t wait to see you. You wanna come to my parents’ tonight for dinner? It’s just my family so it won’t be crazy,” she offered.

  “Thanks, but I think I’m gonna stay here and relax. I just overate Chinese and I’ll probably get to bed early. I want to get to the office early tomorrow and get a jump start on some things anyway,” I told her.

  “All right. If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll have my parents’ driver come and pick you up.”

  “Do you know how snobby that sounds?” I asked, laughing.

  “Well, if the Louboutin fits, I say wear it loud and proud,” she said.

  “You’re a mess. Goodbye.”

  “Merry Christmas, Leah girl. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, Sara.”

  I smiled and shoveled another forkful of lo mein into my mouth. That couch had seen more Chinese eating nights than almost anything else. I didn’t care, though. I kept on eating and watching and loving every second of it. I surprised myself when I went to throw the cartons away and started to look for Gnocchi. I had never done that here before and was immediately saddened at his absence. I needed to plan my next trip home sooner rather than later.

  The unopened Christmas gift sat on the corner of my bed, and I still wasn’t ready to o
pen it. I gently placed it on the sitting chair in the corner of my room and turned the covers down on my bed. It was only nine o’clock, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I had hoped for as easy of a night’s sleep as I had the night before.

  I woke up to the sun beating into my room and nearly blinding me. In my exhaustion, I had forgotten to draw my room-darkening curtains and that New York City sunrise was a beast! I took it as a sign to get ready for the day and head off to work. I had no idea what was waiting for me in that office, but I was eager to get started on whatever it was.

  For a city that never sleeps, it was eerily quiet that morning. Thanks to the many available taxis and the open roads, I made it to work in record time. The only people already at the office were Cameron and my assistant, Casey. She was almost always there, though. She was the textbook definition of a workaholic. She said she was happy with her current position, but I secretly hoped she was saving up all her knowledge to apply for a spot on the team one day. She graduated from NYU two years after I did, but had worked here since she was a sophomore. She knew the ins and outs better than anyone, and she deserved to be recognized.

  I made a mental note to have a conversation with Cameron about keeping her as my assistant when I permanently changed roles in a few weeks. I went to the kitchen to make two coffees and went to tell Cameron I’d returned. He turned in his chair and smiled when he heard my voice, and I handed him his coffee.

  “Leah, you’ve been promoted, not demoted. You don’t need to fetch me coffee,” he teased, the corners of his mouth turning slightly. “You’re back sooner than I’d expected. How was your trip back home?”

  I really liked that he referred to Grace Valley as home.

  “It was hard, to be honest. But it was necessary, and it was worth it,” I told him. “A part of me didn’t want to leave. I’m worried about my father, but I’m planning another trip back home as soon as I can.”

  “You know, Leah. While you were away, I had a lot of time to think about things and about your time here at World City Travel.”

  “Oh my gosh, you’re not firing me, are you?” I asked.

  “Fire you? Never!”

  “Oh, thank god,” I said, letting out a huge breath.

  “Leah, you’re an extremely important part of this company, and I would never want to lose you. However, as I was saying, I started this company many years ago at the insistence of my wife. It was very small for many years, and we worked out of a tiny apartment in Brooklyn. My point is, if you ever wanted to move back home, I would help set you up. You would be able to take John’s account with you, and I have quite a few small-town venues that are looking to open soon. I want you to know that there isn’t another person in this company that I would do this for. You’re special, Leah Abernathy. You have a gift and it shouldn’t be shoved away somewhere.”

  I stood there, mouth open and speechless. If this was what Christmas miracles felt like, I wanted it to be Christmas every day. At the time, I wouldn’t even know where to begin and I was just about to start International. Two dreams come true and I could only choose one.

  “Cameron, I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me. And this, this goes above and beyond anything I could ever dream of. But I think I need to politely decline—at least for now. I really want to get International up and running and expand my knowledge there,” I told him, not sure I believed what was coming out of my own mouth.

  “I understand,” he responded. “The offer has no expiration date, so just let me know if, and when, you’re ready. Now, go get to work.”

  I was really starting to like this side of Cameron, and I was happy that a part of him was saved just for me. With him losing his wife, and me losing my mom, I felt as though we shared something not everyone else in the office had. It was nice being able to come to work and not worry about someone “getting” you. I walked back to my desk with a new feeling of purpose and sat down to text Sara. I was just pulling my phone out of my purse when she walked through the door and sat on the corner of my desk.

  “Well, you certainly did arrive early today, didn’t you?” she said with a laugh. “You are, by far, the hardest worker I know.”

  “Yeah, well, somebody has to be,” I said, playfully swatting at her arm. “You look nice today.”

  She smiled and brushed a curl from her eye. “Thanks, love. I have a date tonight.”

  “With whom?” I asked, my eyes as wide as saucers. “And why am I just hearing about this now?”

  “I wanted to tell you in person! It’ll be our third date and trust me when I tell you this, I’m going to marry him.”

  “Holy shit! Tell me everything,” I said, leaning closer to her. “And don’t leave anything out.”

  “Believe it or not, I met him through my parents. He was an intern at my mom’s firm and his father works with mine. They invited us to their house for some pre-Christmas cocktail gala and we hit it off immediately. He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before, and I feel like I can be myself around him,” she said.

  Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks turned a shade of rose I’d never seen on her before. Maybe this was actually the Christmas miracle. She was beaming and she deserved to be.

  “So, when do I get to meet him?” I asked. Best friends always have the final say, anyway.

  “Do you want to come to lunch with us? We’re going at noon but I don’t know where yet. You can pick the place since you weren’t here last week, if you want,” she offered.

  “I’d love to,” I said. “Let’s get sushi.”

  She smiled knowing I only picked sushi because she loved it. I was excited to meet this mystery man. I couldn’t remember the last time she had introduced me to someone she thought had potential, let alone someone she actually considered sticking around for the long haul. And after only two dates, no less. But, I was a firm believer in fate and intuition, and if she said she felt he was the one, then he was.

  My heart dropped at the thought of fate. I wanted so desperately to erase the memories I had with Caleb, but they kept coming to me stronger and stronger every day. I didn’t know what to make of it all, but I had to let him go. After all, he was further away from me than I had thought and completely and utterly taken. I just hoped that Brittany knew how amazing of a man he was, and how lucky she was to hook him.

  Noon crept up quickly and we were on our way to meet the mystery man. We walked into the restaurant and the most attractive man I had ever seen came walking toward us, a big smile on his face. There was no way he was an employee, and he was definitely not here for me, so he had to have been Sara’s man. My suspicions were confirmed when he kissed her on the cheek.

  “Hi, I’m Aiden,” he said, his voice as smooth as butter.

  My knees buckled and for a second I thought I was gonna marry him, too. I totally saw what she meant. We ate and laughed and truly enjoyed one another’s company. I loved the way he listened when Sara spoke and laughed at her ridiculous jokes. It was as if they had known each other their entire lives. We parted ways at the door, and Aiden leaned down and gave me a hug. It was an unexpected but very welcomed gesture.

  “So, what did you think?” Sara asked me as we walked back to the office.

  “Two thumbs up from this girl,” I said. “But you could have told me you were dating People’s Sexiest Man Alive. I almost broke a sweat in there.”

  “Oh my gosh, Leah. You’re such a nerd,” she said and laughed. “I told you he was amazing.”

  “He is definitely perfect for you, and I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  “Hey, I wanted to ask if you were doing anything for New Year’s Eve? I know you usually go to watch the ball drop with Josh, but since that shit the bed, I assumed you were free.”

  “Wow, subtle,” I said, rolling my eyes playfully.

  “Best friends don’t do subtle,” she replied.

  “No, Sara, I do not have plans. Why? What does your crazy ass have in mind?”

  “My parents ar
e hosting an event. It’s some pre-fashion week thing they’re doing to ring in the new year and hopefully pull some more donations in for something or other. It’s similar to the one they did last year during fashion week,” she told me.

  “I’m so in. That was by far the most fun I’ve had in this city. I still can’t believe your parents give us their tickets every year.”

  “I guess to them, once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.”

  I sat on the corner of my bed and stared at my open closet. I had no idea what I was going to wear to the New Year’s Eve gala. As dress after dress stared back at me, I became increasingly stressed about the coming night. I wasn’t ready to meet anyone, but I also didn’t want to be the third wheel. I threw myself backwards onto my bed and let out a huge breath. Something shiny caught my eye, and I noticed the unopened gift still sat on my chair. I sat up and reached for it, holding it as if it were a bomb about to detonate.

  My heart began to pound, and I slowly pulled out the card that was carefully tucked under the ribbon. The card read:

  My dearest Leah,

  My one wish for you is that you find eternal happiness with whatever you do. I love you more. Merry Christmas.

  Love, Mom.

  She always told me that a mother’s love was stronger than anything else on earth, and even with her gone, she still got the last word. I smiled through tears and opened the small box. Inside was a silver, bar bracelet with the inscription: All roads lead to home. I smiled and reached for my cell phone.

  “Hello?” my dad’s voice rang through the other end of the phone.

  “Daddy, I’m coming home.”

  THE END

  Epilogue

  Caleb

  “Thanks so much, Bill,” I said, shaking his hand. “I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”

  “As am I, Caleb. I’m happy to welcome you to the Grace Valley School. We are the lucky ones to have you,” Bill Palmer responded.