Two Hearts for Christmast (11 page)

“
This is going to be a bit cold,” Dr. Myers cautioned.

Yvette didn’t hear her.  She was wrapped up in memories of her last visit.  She and Christopher were so excited.  Robin was practically conceived on their honeymoon.  Before they’d opened up and used all their wedding gifts, they realized she was pregnant.

“
Everything looks good so far,” she replied, efficiently.  “I think this—oh…”

That snapped Yvette back into the present.  She craned her head to see.  “Oh?  Oh what, Dr. Myers.  What’s wrong?”

“
Hmm…” She moved the wand around a few times before she said, “Congratulations, Yvette, it looks like you’ll be giving Christopher two extra gifts for Christmas instead of one.”  

“
What?  What does that mean?”

“
It means,” the doctor said patiently, “that you’re having twins.”

14 CHAPTER fOURTEEN

Adelaide glanced over at Christopher.  “While I’m very happy to participate in something this exciting, I can tell you that your wife won’t like for a moment that everyone was in on your deception but her.”

“
Not true,” he replied.  “The kids don’t know anything about this.”

“
Hmph.  It’s a dangerous undertaking, Christopher Darcy…but I’m behind you one hundred percent,” she said finally.

He grinned at her.  “Thanks, Aunt Addie.  That means a lot to me.”

“
Don’t go flashing that “get-me-whatever-I-want” smile,” she admonished.  “You’ll be in real trouble soon enough.”

“
I’m willing to take my chances,” he replied.  

“
She’ll love it,” Margaret said from her spot at her kitchen island, her hands covered with dough.  “But you’d better brace yourself—just in case.”

She was making a slew of cookies and treats for Lacey’s birthday party.  They had decided to have it at the farm.  It was an all-day affair, complete with a horse drawn carriage ride, ornament making, and elves.  Mr. and Mrs. Claus would be in attendance, of course.

Christopher got up and walked over to his mother.  He bent over her and retrieved a cookie from the plate.  Margaret slapped his hand.  

“
Hey, that’s for Lacey’s party,” she chided.  “Extra cookies are over there,” she said, pointing her floured finger at a tin of cookies on one of the other counters.  “Eat ‘til your heart’s content.  In fact, take some home.  Your father has made it his personal mission to see how many dozens of cookies he can go through in a single week.”

“
I heard that,” his father yelled from the family room.

“
You were supposed to,” his wife said, sweetly.

***

Christopher couldn’t help but observe his parents’ relationship.  He hoped when he and Yvette were that age that they loved each other as much.  The playful banter and teasing all aided in their expressions of love.  
That’s what I want.  
He mused.  I want our family to live each day with joy, humor and love for one another.  His expression grew reflective.  He knew that all the angst in his relationship with Yvette as of late was all on him, and he accepted full responsibility for it.  He would have some significant ground to cover with her after everything was said and done.  
It will be worth it.
 

“
I’ve got to go,” he announced to the group.  “Aunt Addie, did you want a ride home?”

“
No she doesn’t,” Margaret chimed in.  “She’s staying right here with us.  Lacey’s party is in two days, and then Christmas.  There’s no point in her going home to a big empty house when we have plenty of room here.”

“
I’ve been out voted,” Adelaide chuckled.

“
Are you sure, Aunt Addie?  Mom can be a bit of a bully at times—”

“
Don’t I know it,” his father called from the other room.

“
But if you’re sure…”

“
Of course I’m sure.  Your mother and I get along thick as thieves.  I’m having the time of my life since you and Yvette came together.  I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

“
There, you see?” his mother countered.  “She’s fine right here with us.”

Christopher sauntered over and kissed Yvette’s aunt on the cheek.  “See you soon.”

She hugged him.  “Okay, honey.  You take care of my niece,” she said, sternly.

He nodded.  “Always.”

Christopher said his goodbyes and headed home.  Traffic was light, so he got there before Lacey’s bus dropped her off.  He dismissed the nanny, who’d mentioned that Yvette was out.  It was just him and Robin.  He put his stuff away, picked up his son, and then went into the kitchen.  He opened the pantry door and they both peered in.

“
What do you think we should have for dinner, little man?”  

Robin scanned the shelves of baskets, and then pointed.  “S’getti, Daddy.”

“
Spaghetti?  Are you sure?”

His soon nodded.  “With meatbowls.”

“
Meatballs, too?” Christopher answered in mock surprise.  “Okay, we’ll do it your way.  Should we cook garlic bread, too?”

Robin smiled.  “Yes.”

“
And salad?”

He frowned at that and scrunched up his face.  “No.  I want brocaly.”

“
Broccoli it is,” his father replied.  He set Robin down, and pulled out his apron.  He wrapped a smaller one around Robin’s middle.  “Ready to help Daddy cook?”

The two Darcy men washed their hands and got down to business.  Robin used his stool to reach the utensil drawer.  He handed Christopher the spoons he needed to cook the ground beef, and to stir the spaghetti sauce.

While he was cooking, Christopher sat Robin in his high chair so that he could still “help out” with the food preparations.  He had a piece of bread that he smeared with imaginary butter, and then shook invisible garlic on it.  He took a bite, and closed his eyes with delight.  Christopher had to chuckle at it.

“
Is it good, Robby?”

He nodded.  “Mmm.”

Just then they heard the garage door.

“
Mommy,” Robin cried excitedly.

“
Yep, your Mommy’s home.”  He took Robin out of his high chair so that he could go greet Yvette.

***

  
Yvette put her coat in the closet.  When she turned around, Robin was standing there patiently waiting to get picked up.  She gazed at him.  He was a miniature version of Christopher.  By his mannerisms, and his features.  Her heart swelled when he plastered a huge smile on his face.

“
Mommy, up.”

She picked him up, and ruffled his curly hair.  “Hi, baby.  Mmm…what smells so good?  Are you and Daddy cooking dinner?”

Robin nodded and pointed to the kitchen.  “S’getti and meatbowls.”

“
Ooh, my favorites,” she gushed.  She walked him into the kitchen and sat him back in his chair.  “You’re making garlic bread, too?” she squeaked with delight.

“
Uh-huh.”

“
What a chef you are.”  She turned to Christopher.  He looked so amazing with his apron on with splotches of sauce on the front.  She loved him so much.

“
Hi,” she said going over to him.

Christopher stopped what he was doing and engulfed her in his arms.  “Hi, sweetheart.  How was your day?”

She thought about the news she’d received at the doctor’s office.  She was dying to tell him, but when the doctor mentioned giving him two Christmas gifts instead of one, it had given her an idea.  She would hold off, and spring the good news on him on Christmas at his parents’ house.  It was where they had gotten engaged two years before, and it seemed fitting to her to disclose his impending fatherhood in a setting that had always had special meaning to them, warmth and love.

“
Honey, are you okay?”

She snapped out of her reverie, and stared at him.  “Yes…I’m sorry, I was daydreaming, wasn’t I?”

“
Only a lot,” he teased.  “I asked how your day was.”

“
Oh, it was great.  I…got a lot done today.  Got two new assignments, too.”

“
Great,” he said, before turning his attention back to his bubbling sauce.  “I’m glad.  I think it’s great for them to give you more challenges.  Keeps you from getting bored.”

“
Oh believe me,” she smiled.  “These two new assignments will be anything but boring.”

He kissed the bridge of her nose.  “I’m glad.”

“
How about I wash my hands and set the table for dinner?”

“
I wanna set.”

She went over and took Robby out.  “You do?  Well, come on, then.”

***

When Lacey got home, Yvette, Christopher and Robin were watching Shrek the Halls, one of the many Christmas shows they had recorded.

“
Layshee, Shrek!”

“
I see,” she said, coming into the living room.  She kissed her mom and dad, and then plopped down on the couch with them.

“
Hi, guys.”

“
Hey, honey.  How was camp today?”

“
Good.  We got to go to The Factory today for ice skating.”

“
How’d you do?” Christopher asked.

“
Didn’t fall once,” she said, proudly.

Yvette kissed her forehead.   “That’s our girl.”

After the movie was over, everyone washed their hands for dinner.  

“
Lacey, are you all packed for our trip to the farm?”

“
Yes,” she said, excitedly.  “It was the best idea ever to have my party at Grandma and Pop Pop’s.”  She glanced at her parents.  “Thanks for everything.”

“
You’re welcome, baby.  We’re very glad your friends could make it on your birthday.  I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since that’s happened.  I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

15 CHAPTER fifteeEN

Lacey’s birthday was going to be an extraordinary affair.  From the moment she woke up, to the time she went to bed that night, her family wanted her eleventh birthday to be special.  Christopher got up early and made her favorite breakfast: Mickey Mouse strawberry pancakes and bacon.  On the table next to her plate, he’d put a small gift-wrapped box.  It was a tradition between the two of them.  Christopher would give her something that was only from him and she opened it at breakfast.

When she ripped off the decorative paper, and opened the small box, Lacey’s mouth dropped open.  It was a white gold necklace with two small, and one larger diamond in the shape of Mickey Mouse.

“
Dad,” Lacey said in awe.  “Oh my gosh!”  Lacey got up and spun around so that Christopher could secure it to her neck.  

When he was done, her fingers glided gently over the diamond mouse.

“
I wanted to give you a special token where years from now when you’re all grown up, you’ll have this to remind you of these birthday breakfasts, and of how much I loved sharing them with you.”

Lacey hugged her father tight.  “Thank you,” she said, tearfully.  “I love it—and I love you.”

He kissed the top of her head.  “I love you, too, munchkin.”

With a very concentrated effort, Christopher’s eyes remained dry.  “Come on,” he said, in a voice heavy with emotion, “let’s get your brother and go outside so I can see how well you do in the roller blades Grandma and Grandpa Morgan got you.”

“
You think Mom will be upset that I opened them?  Usually she only lets me open your gift on my birthday morning.”

Christopher shook his head.  “I think because you’ve been such a wonderful young lady at school, and a super big sister, your mom won’t mind.”

Lacey ran to get her coat, while Christopher went to retrieve Robin from off the floor.  “Come on, buddy, we’ll play with your blocks later.  Time to go see big sis strut her stuff with her new roller blades.”

***

  
It was almost another hour before Yvette could make it downstairs.  They had stayed up late wrapping birthday and Christmas gifts.  She wasn’t sure what time she and Christopher had gone to bed, but she was bushed, and had just woken up.  

“
Come on, little ones,” she whispered while she was combing her hair.  “Don’t wear Mommy out so soon today.  I need some of that energy to help your sister have an unforgettable birthday.”  Her hand moved to the slight roundness of her stomach.  Now that her pregnancy was confirmed, it was as though a light bulb had turned on.  Now she noticed all the nuances that had escaped her before.  

“
Just two more days, and your daddy will know all about you two,” she said, conspiratorially.  “I’m hoping that he won’t mind my not coming clean about you both sooner.  We’ll have to see how it goes.  Your mommy may be in the dog house for a while.”

By the time Yvette made it downstairs, Christopher and the kids were outside playing in the backyard.  There was a plate sitting on the table, with foil over it.  It was still warm.  There was also a note.  When she read it, Yvette smiled.  He’d let her sleep in because he thought she was tired.  
You don’t know that half of it, my darling.

Yvette sat at the table and ate breakfast.  When she was done, she put the dishes in the dishwasher.  Christopher had already cleaned up, so there wasn’t anything that needed to be done.  She put a kettle of milk on the stove to boil, and then took three mugs out of the cabinet to make hot chocolate.  She added marshmallows to Christopher and Lacey’s mugs.  For Robin, she took out his favorite biscuits and set them on the counter.  She went to the deck door, and slid it open.