This Holiday Magic (8 page)

“Any one person in particular?” he asked clumsily.

She laughed. “Tyson Croft, are you asking me if I'm seeing someone?”

“Too obvious?” he asked, not at all embarrassed.

“Yeah, just a little,” she said. “And to answer your question, yes, I will miss several people in particular.” She watched as he nodded and looked away. “They're all under twelve years old, of course.”

He grinned back at her. “Good.”

“What about you? Seeing anyone lately?” she asked.

“Lately, no, but actually, there was this one woman I was seeing a while back. She was amazing—funny, smart, talented, beautiful. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her. But I kind of messed it up.”

“Really? How'd you do that?” she asked.

“By thinking my career was more important than my heart.”

“And it's not now?”

“No, it never was,” he said, setting his mug on the table. “I missed you. I missed us.”

“Tyson...”

He eased her mug from her hands and placed it beside his on the table. “Come, dance with me,” he said as he stood and reached his hand out to her. She took his hand and he gently pulled her up into his arms. He moved her close and wrapped his arm around her waist.

They began to move slowly, falling into a comfortable silence as the music played and they danced. Their bodies moved in perfect rhythmic sync. She closed her eyes and completely relaxed as time passed—how much, she had no idea. He held her a little closer as the song ended and another began.

She eased in closer as their bodies melded into one. He rubbed his hand along the length of her back, then cuddled against her shoulder and neck. She inhaled the sweet, spicy scent of his cologne as she rested her head on his shoulder. With slow, deliberate ease, he released her hand. She wrapped her arms around him as he encircled her waist, dipping his face to her neck. He kissed her tenderly. The moment was pure romance.

Janelle vowed to hold on tight to this image for the rest of her life. No matter what the future brought, she would always have Tyson and this moment. She sighed. This day was perfect—making cookies with Aneka, having dinner together with Tyson and now this. It was the perfect family evening and she wished it could be like this forever. But they weren't a family and she had to remember that. There was no way she was going to be hurt again. Instinctively she stopped dancing.

He slowly released her and they gazed into each other's eyes. Neither said a word. The silence between them spoke louder than either of them could ever do. With their mouths just inches apart, she knew the inevitable was going to happen. But she also knew once she started, she'd never want to stop. She took a small step back.

“Tyson, this is wonderful,” she began, then smiled. “Actually, it's amazingly wonderful, but probably not a good idea. I'd better go.” She turned to leave, but stopped when he held on to her hand. “I guess we just weren't meant to be.”

He released her.

Sadness pulled at her heart as she walked out.

As she drove away, tears fell and her thoughts flowed in complete chaos. She had always known the direction of her life and never afforded herself the opportunity to question her choices. She always knew what she wanted, set goals and achieved them. Tyson was the only person to ever make her question her direction. Now here she was again asking, “What if?”

She shifted the gear into Park and realized she had driven all the way to her father's home without knowing it. She got out and went inside. As soon as she entered, she saw that the Christmas decorations were lit up and heard humming coming from the living room. She peeked in. Her father was wrapping a Christmas present. He looked up, smiling. “Well, hello. Welcome home. How was your day?”

“Hi, Dad,” she said, kissing his cheek. “It was good. I had lunch with Nya and then hung out with Tyson's daughter and made cookies. Afterward we had pizza.”

“Sounds like a delightful evening.”

“It was,” she said happily, remembering the kitchen mess.

He stood and then placed the wrapped present beneath the Christmas tree. “You look happy.”

“I am. I'm glad to be home.”

“So how did it go with Meg—a job offer, perhaps?” he said, hopeful.

“I had to cancel Meg when Mrs. Ivers called about staying with Aneka. We're going to meet tomorrow morning.”

Ben nodded. “Good. Oh, before I forget—you got a delivery this afternoon.”

“A delivery for me? From who?” she questioned.

“I don't know. I put them upstairs in your bedroom.”

“‘Them'?” she repeated curiously. “Okay, thanks. So, how did your meetings go today? Any progress?”

“It was long and arduous and a complete waste of time.” Ben shook his head slowly and sighed. “It wasn't what I expected. Giving up full control of a business it took an entire lifetime to build out of nothing is tough. I guess I'm going to have to think about this next move.” He half smiled. “But right now, I'm going to bed.”

“Yeah, me, too,” she said, yawning. “Good night, Dad.”

“Good night. Pleasant dreams.”

Janelle went upstairs and opened her bedroom door, where she saw three large boxes sitting on her bed. She read the labels. They were from a local boutique. She knew instantly that Nya had gone shopping for her.

Chapter 9

“T
hanks again for everything, Meg,” Janelle said, leaving her friend's office the next morning. “The hospital's offer is very exciting. Working here has always been a dream of mine.”

“Trust me. We'd be lucky to get you. With your past two years working with Medics International in Africa, you could get a position on staff just about anywhere in the country. So, please, please, consider this position. We'd love to have you here. You were a brilliant young doctor when you left. Now the sky's the limit.”

Janelle looked around, smiling. The pediatric ward was fully decked out with decorations representing every end-of-year seasonal holiday. There was even a posting saying when Santa was coming to visit later that afternoon. This was, at times, one of the busiest places in the hospital. Today was no exception. There were medical staff and visitors everywhere. It was just days to Christmas and to every hospital across the country there was an unwritten strategy to get every capable child home with their family. “I'd love to be a part of the Johns Hopkins family.”

“Fantastic. Let's make this happen. We just need to take care of the usual Human Resources formalities and then we'll be all set. I'd say you can sign on just after the first of the year.”

Janelle nodded. “Sounds good. That will give me time to take care of the formal notification to Medics International and maybe take a few days off for the holidays.”

Meg smiled. “Perfect. So, any plans for the rest of the day?”

“Yeah, I have some last-minute Christmas shopping to do.”

Meg shook her head sadly. “I do not envy you that challenge. Two days before Christmas, last-minute shopping...the stores will be loaded and crazy with the shoppers about the same.”

“I know.” Janelle chuckled. “Plus, I'm headed to a toy store.”

“Oh, you are really pushing it. Well, good luck with that,” Meg said, chuckling just as her cell phone rang. She grabbed it and glanced at the number. “I gotta go. I'll get everything started on this end. Human Resources will be in touch.” They hugged quickly as Meg started walking away backward and waving. “Have a great holiday. I'll call you next week.”

“Thanks again, Meg. Happy holidays, and my best to the family,” Janelle said. She smiled joyfully. Getting an offer to work at Johns Hopkins pediatric ward was a dream come true.

She turned and headed to the bank of elevators near the main pediatric nurses' station. As soon as she pressed the elevator button, she heard her name called. She turned to find Tyson and Aneka walking toward her. Her heart skipped a beat at seeing him. Dressed in blue jeans, a black shirt and black leather jacket, he looked exactly as he had the first time they'd met—bad-boy dark and dangerous.

Several nurses walked by and openly stared admiringly.

Aneka ran and grabbed her. “Hey, what are you two doing here?” Janelle asked, kneeling to hug Aneka. Then she stood and kissed Tyson's cheek.

“Good morning. Wow. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. I didn't expect to see you here.”

“Actually, we're on our way out,” Tyson said.

“I was in the hospital all night,” Aneka announced.

Janelle frowned and looked at Tyson. “You were in the hospital all night. Are you okay? What happened?” Janelle asked, taking Aneka's hand and moving to the side. Tyson followed.

“A few hours after you left last night, I heard her coughing. She was having difficulty breathing. We used the inhaler, but it didn't seem to help much. I brought her into the E.R. They took good care of her.”

“Who's your pediatrician?” Janelle asked.

“Dr. Andrea Jenkins, but she's away for the holidays,” Tyson said, then explained the rest of their visit there.

“I'm all better now. The doctor said so.”

“Princess Aneka, you are a very brave little girl,” Janelle said to Aneka, then stood and turned to Tyson. Aneka nodded and smiled proudly. “May I?” Janelle asked, seeing the discharge paperwork in his hands. He handed it to her. She quickly read the medical report, nodding. “This looks good. She should be just fine.”

“Thank you. I feel much better knowing that,” Tyson said, rubbing his chin stubble. “Thankfully, she slept most of the time.”

“And we're gonna see Santa Claus and get a Christmas tree and decorate it with lights and see fireworks and everything right now,” Aneka said excitedly.

“Wow. That sounds like a whole lot of fun,” Janelle said as Aneka smiled and nodded happily.

“Actually, we're going to change clothes and grab something to eat first,” Tyson clarified.

“Did you see Santa Claus?” Aneka asked.

“No, actually I haven't seen Santa in quite a while.”

“Can you come see Santa Claus with us?” Aneka asked, grabbing and holding on to Janelle's hand.

“If you don't have any plans, you're very welcome to join us.”

Janelle hesitated.

“Please, please, please,” Aneka said hopefully.

Tyson and Janelle traded soulful looks as Aneka continued to tug on her hand. How could she possibly resist?

“You know what—I think I'd like that,” Janelle said. “But I need to make a few stops first. I can meet you.”

“I'll pick you up at Ben's in two hours.”

Janelle glanced at her watch and nodded. “Perfect.”

Tyson nodded his thanks and the three of them walked over to the elevators to leave. As soon as they stepped outside, they saw the flurries. Aneka, holding both Janelle's and Tyson's hands, was overjoyed to see snow. She let go and started grabbing at the flakes. “Looks like we're going to have a white Christmas,” Tyson said. “We'll see you in a couple of hours.”

“Try to get some rest,” Janelle said before saying goodbye and heading to her car. Fifteen minutes later, she was walking through the biggest toy store in the Baltimore area. She picked out a number of toys she thought Aneka would enjoy, and then she went to another store and purchased something for her father and Tyson.

Afterward, she hurried home, grabbed a quick shower and dressed. She chose one of the outfits Nya had bought for her—gray slacks and a burgundy cashmere sweater. It fit perfectly. She pulled her hair back into a bun just as the doorbell rang. As soon as she opened the door, Aneka, dressed in a little red coat and matching hat, came rushing inside excitedly. “We got a Christmas tree. We got a Christmas tree!”

“You did? That's wonderful,” Janelle said as Tyson followed Aneka inside. He had changed into a charcoal cashmere sweater, black slacks and black overcoat, looking just as handsome as before.

He looked her up and down. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you. You look pretty handsome yourself,” she said, closing the front door.

“I look pretty, too,” Aneka said, twirling around and clicking her black patent-leather shoes on the marble floor.

“Yes, you look very, very pretty,” Janelle told her.

Aneka looked up at the beautiful Christmas decorations in the foyer and in the rest of the house. Her eyes shone brightly as she gasped in delight, then started cheering. Janelle took her hand and walked her into the living room, where the enormous Christmas tree stood. Aneka's face lit up and she ran over to look more closely at it. Janelle turned on the tree lights and the train beneath began circling as the locomotive's whistle played “Jingle Bells.” Aneka applauded and knelt to watch the train.

“Thank you for coming out with us today,” Tyson said, standing very close behind Janelle.

She turned and smiled. “Thanks for inviting me. I'm looking forward to it. Can I get you anything?”

“No, but we'd better get going. We have a lot of ground to cover.”

“What do you mean? I thought we were just going to see Santa.”

“I promised Aneka that I'd take her to the aquarium today, and I have tickets to a Christmas puppet show in D.C.”

“She's going to love that.”

Tyson nodded. “Yes, I think so, too. Come on. Let's get started.”

After Tyson pulled Aneka away from the tree lights and train, the three of them headed to the foyer. Tyson helped Janelle put on her coat then opened the front door. They stepped outside and Aneka skipped to the car. Tyson stopped and turned to Janelle as she closed the door. “I'm glad you're back.”

She nodded and smiled. “I'm glad you are, too.”

Chapter 10

T
he first stop was a trip to Santa's House in Inner Harbor. When it was Aneka's turn, she whispered to Santa, telling him all the toys she wanted for Christmas. Then they, including Tyson and Janelle, took pictures with Santa. Aneka was thrilled.

Afterward they ate lunch and then strolled along the Harbor walkway, entertained by jugglers, magicians and carolers. Janelle took Aneka on the merry-go-round followed by a playful walk through a children's gingerbread house and a life-size dollhouse, while Tyson disappeared into a nearby toy store to pick up items he had previously ordered online.

They continued their outing with a trip to the National Aquarium, Aneka's favorite place to go. As soon as they walked in, Aneka led the way to her favorite exhibits.

They drove to Washington, D.C., for an early dinner and a special holiday puppet show at Union Station. By the time they headed back to Baltimore, everyone was happily exhausted and Aneka had fallen asleep in her car seat.

In Tyson's car, Janelle relaxed back into the blissful comfort of toasty warmth and soft holiday music. She closed her eyes and exhaled, feeling absolutely perfect. She turned around to see Aneka fast asleep.

“She is so adorable. How do you like being a single father?”

“It's more difficult than ever I imagined. But I love it and I got great tips from your father.”

“My dad? Really?” she said, stifling a yawn.

“Yeah, really.” He turned to her. “Tired?”

“No, not really—more happy and contented.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“Yeah, me, too. I think I could get used to this.”

“I hope so.” He reached over and grasped her hand, squeezing gently. “Thank you. You made our day very special. I couldn't have imagined it without you.”

Janelle smiled to herself. “It's funny. I'm usually working through the holidays. It gives the doctors with young children a chance to spend the day with them. So, I've missed out on most Christmassy things.”

“Like baking cookies, riding on merry-go-rounds and taking pictures with Santa,” Tyson suggested.

She chuckled. “Yes. Exactly. I forgot how much fun it can be just to let go and enjoy life. I don't get a chance to do that.”

“With the right person,” Tyson added.

Janelle nodded in agreement and looked at him. “Yes, with the right person.”

“So, right person, what happens next?” he asked.

Janelle took a deep breath and sighed. “Well, Dad has the neighbors over tomorrow night for the annual Christmas Eve party and neighborhood luminaries.”

“What are those?” he questioned.

“The neighborhood does it every year. My mom and dad started it years ago. We place white bags with candles and sand throughout the area. At sunset the candles are lit and the whole area looks like Santa's runway. Afterward Dad has everyone over for cookies, hot chocolate and champagne.”

“Sounds nice,” he said.

“It is. The kids in the neighborhood love it and Dad looks forward to doing it every year no matter what. He invites his staff and their kids. It's a huge thing for him.

“Aneka will love it,” she added, then continued in a whisper. “Later on in the evening, Santa will drive his sleigh through the neighborhood.”

He smiled, nodding. “You're right. She will love it.”

They fell into a comfortable silence for the next few minutes. Tyson said, “Janelle, when I asked you before about what's next, I mean with us—you and me. Where do we go from here?”

“Yeah, I know,” she said.

“I never lied to you, Janelle. You always knew I had to leave eventually. It was my job.”

“Yes, and I also knew that we talked about having a life together. You know I would have followed you anywhere.”

“That's just it. I couldn't let you do that.”

“It wasn't your choice, Tyson. It was mine.”

“And I couldn't let you make it,” he said as Janelle shook her head. “Your father was right. You were destined to be a doctor, to save lives. You wanted to help children. How could I let you give up on your future?” he asked as he turned into her father's neighborhood. The area glowed brilliantly, but they barely noticed.

“How can you say that? You were my future, Tyson. Yes, I wanted to be a doctor and help children, but I also wanted to have you, to love you.”

He smiled and gently touched her face. “Janelle, don't you know? You have me. You will always have me,” he added softly.

“You didn't call. You didn't write or text or anything. You just left me, like I didn't even matter.”

“That was just it. You mattered too much.”

“But you still left me,” she said sadly.

He nodded. “I had to leave.”

“‘Had to'? Why?”

He shook his head without responding.

She could see he was keeping something from her. “Tyson, this conversation isn't getting us anywhere. We had our chance. It's over. That time has passed.”

“No, I don't accept that. I love you, Janelle, and I know there's some part of you that still loves me. We can be together. We will be together. We just need to—”

“Ohh-hh...pretty lights.”

Tyson instantly stopped talking and glanced up in the rearview mirror at Aneka. Janelle turned to look back. Aneka was half-awake and looking out the window at the homes in the neighborhood. Most of them were elaborately decorated and brilliantly lit for the holidays.

“We need to finish this conversation,” Tyson said quietly.

“Not now. Not tonight,” she said.

Tyson drove up into Ben's driveway and parked. He got out, opened Janelle's door, then extended his hand to help her out of the car.

“Can I see? Can I see?” Aneka exclaimed excitedly, wanting to get out to see the lights and animated reindeer up close.

“No, sweetheart, we'll come back tomorrow,” he said. “You can see the reindeer then. I promise.”

Disappointed, she slumped down in her car seat, frowning. Tyson closed the front passenger door to keep her warm inside and turned to Janelle. He didn't speak. He just smiled.

“Thank you again for today. I had a wonderful time,” Janelle said. She started to walk away, but Tyson still held her hand. She stopped and looked up at him. She knew what he was asking without him saying a single word, but she wasn't ready to answer.

“Tyson, today was perfect. I don't want to ruin it by talking about the past and what-if.” She sighed heavily. “I don't want to look back. This is my life now and I'm happy.”

He nodded, reached up and stroked her face. “I want you to be happy. I always did and always will.”

“Yes, I know,” she said softly. “Now, you'd better get your little princess home. She needs her rest and so do you.”

“Forever the doctor,” Tyson said as he stroked her cheek and the soft underside of her chin.

Janelle nodded. “Yep, that's right. So do as the doctor says.”

He moved close and kissed her. Everything she thought she knew about love and life and forever disappeared. All she knew was Tyson. It was undeniable. She still loved him. She would always love him. The kiss was passion, desire and need all rolled in one. When it ended she stepped away, smiling. “Hmm, that was nice.”

“There's a lot more,” he whispered.

Her smile brightened as she slipped her hand from his. “Good night, sir.” She backed away, turned and headed to the front door. When she opened it, she looked back to see Tyson still standing there watching her.

She nodded, went inside and closed the door. But that was as far as she got. She leaned back against the door and closed her eyes, feeling incredible. She felt like a kid on Christmas morning, seeing everything she ever wanted right in front of her. Right now, this moment, her life was absolutely perfect.