Two Hearts for Christmast (9 page)

“
I didn’t,” he countered.

“
You’re asking for trouble,” she replied, pouring milk into the glass and setting it on the table next to him.  She returned the container to the fridge, and then sat down at the table beside him.  “It was a silly quarrel that needs resolution.”

Christopher took a healthy swig of the milk, and bit into another one of his cookies.

“
Mom, I’m not disagreeing with you.  It was ridiculous, but I don’t know what else to tell Yvie without giving myself away.”

“
It’s easy.  You say, ‘Honey, I’ve got a surprise for you and I can’t tell you what it is, because that would ruin it.  I just need you to trust me and know that things will go back to normal around the house soon.’—and— ‘My family means everything to me, and I love you.’”

Christopher tilted his head to the side.  “A bit redundant, isn’t it, Mom?”

“
Hey, you should be shouting it from the rooftop if that’s what Yvette needs to hear from you.”

“
What’s he shouting from the rooftop?”

They both turned to see Anthony walk in.  He came over and opened the tin to grab himself a few cookies.”

“
You’re going to ruin your dinner,” his wife lamented.

“
He’s not ruining
his
dinner,” Anthony said eyeing his son.  “Bet you didn’t tell
him
to put them back.”

“
That’s because
his
doctor didn’t say that he needed to watch the holiday pounds.”

“
Hey, I’m Santa Claus, I’ve got to be jolly,” he laughed, and then sat down beside his wife.

“
That’s what pillows are for, Kris Kringle.  Now if you want to snack, get some fruit.”

“
Not happening, Mrs. Claus,” Anthony said with a gleam in his eye.  He turned his attention to his son.  “Now what’s going on with you?”

“
He and Yvette had a fight.”

“
A disagreement,” Christopher clarified.

“
Whatever it was, she slept on the couch, and he left without saying goodbye to his wife.”  She glanced over at her son with an accusatory expression on her face.  “Like I didn’t raise you better than that.”

Christopher shifted uncomfortably in his chair.  “Mom, I’ve tried to call Yvette several times today, but she hasn’t answered.  I wouldn’t blame her for still being upset.  I’ll patch things up the moment I get home.”

“
You’d better,” his father advised.  “Happy wife—”

“
Happy life,” his son finished for him.

“
Words I live by,” Anthony retorted.

Margaret rolled her eyes.  “Sure you do.  What about the other night when I—”

Christopher stood up.  “Before you two get going, I’m going to say goodnight.”

“
You’re not staying for dinner?”

He stared at her.  “Are you kidding?  After that lecture a moment ago?”

“
Not a lecture, an observation,” she corrected.

He kissed her on the cheek.  “Uh-huh.  Whatever it was, I’m leaving.  I’ll call you later.”

He bid his parents goodnight and headed out the door.  He had a long drive home, and the sooner he got there and made things right, the better.  In the car, Christopher tried Yvette’s cell again.  When she didn’t answer, he called their home number.  It rang several times before someone picked up.

“
Aunt Adelaide?” Christopher said.  “Hi, I’ve been trying to reach Yvette for a while, but she’s not answering her cell phone.  Can you put her on the phone for me?”

There was a long pause, and then Adelaide cleared her throat.  

“
Oh, uh…she hasn’t called you today?”

“
No, and she hasn’t been answering her phone, either.  I’m headed home so I thought I’d try again.”

More silence.

“
Adelaide?” Christopher said, louder.  “Can you hear me?”

“
Yes, honey.  I’m sorry but…Yvette’s asleep.”

He glanced at the clock on his dashboard.  “At eight o’clock?”

“
Yes, well she’s had a long day.  She wasn’t feeling well earlier.  An upset stomach and all.”

“
Oh.  Maybe she caught whatever bug Robin had.”

“
I doubt it,” Adelaide said quickly, and then cleared her throat again.

“
You aren’t catching it too, are you Aunt Addie?”

“
No, no I’m just fine.  Oh, I’ve got to run, honey, Robin wants me to read a story to him before bedtime.  I’ll see you in the morning.  Drive safely.”

Christopher had barely gotten out ‘goodbye’ before she hung up the phone.

He shook his head.  
That was a bizarre conversation.  
 

***

 
Yvette woke up with a pounding headache.  She had been so tired after returning from the hospital that she had fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion.  Before she did, she had assured her children that she was fine, and just had a stomach virus.  She sat up in bed.  Christopher wasn’t there.  She hadn’t called him like she’d promised her aunt.  What was she going to say?  She wanted him to be thrilled about the baby, but there was no way Yvette could take seeing his face if he wasn’t happy about it.  She wasn’t that strong.  Still…Christopher was her husband, and the father of her unborn child.  He had a right to know, and she would not keep secrets from him.  It was bad enough knowing that he would be livid with her for not calling when she went to the hospital.  

Yvette turned and checked the clock on her nightstand.  That’s when she noticed an envelope propped up on her lamp.  It was from Christopher.  She took the letter in her hands, and shakily opened it.

“
Yvie,

I wanted to talk to you when I got home last night, but Addie mentioned you had an upset stomach, and you were sleeping so peacefully, I thought it best not to wake you.  There’s so much I want to discuss with you, but it seems the timing is always wrong.  I’ll call from work tomorrow and we can arrange a time to talk things out.  

Love, Christopher”

She read the letter again before sliding it back into its envelope and placing it in her nightstand drawer.  
He wants to discuss something with me.  
Agitated, Yvette got up.  
What will he say?
 
Maybe he is unhappy with our life together.  No, I’m being ridiculous.  He loves me and our kids.  Maybe all he’s going to tell me is he’s cutting back his hours at the farm.   
 

She clung to that hope.  
I’ll tell Christopher everything tonight.
 
He’ll be so thrilled about the baby.
  With a plan of action in place, Yvette felt much better.  Getting up, there was actually a smile on her face when she walked into the bathroom to take a shower and start her day.

12 CHAPTER TWELVE

“
What do you mean you’re going home?”  Yvette glanced up from her laptop to stare at her aunt.  “Why?”

“
Honey, it’s time I left and went back to my home.  I miss it, and I’m feeling much better.  My foot isn’t bothering me nearly as much, and it’s time I started incorporating this boot I’m lugging around into my normal daily routine.”

“
But…are you sure?  There’s no rush for you to leave.  You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“
I know, Yvette, and I appreciate the hospitality, but it’s time.”

“
Okay, I’d be happy to drive you later this afternoon when I’m done working.”

“
Nonsense,” Adelaide said, emphatically.  “You spend time fixing things with that man of yours.  He loves you.  Lord knows that it’s hard enough trying to entwine your life with another person’s without all the extraneous nonsense people throw into it.”

Her eyes narrowed.  “You think we’re at odds over nonsense—don’t you?”

“
It doesn’t matter what I think, child…or anyone else for that matter.  It’s what you and Christopher think that counts.  Never lose sight of that.  Now, I’ve got to get packing.  I’ve got a friend picking me up, and he’ll be here in two hours.”

Yvette’s eyebrows shot upward.  “He?”

“
Don’t go giving me that look,” her aunt admonished.  “He’s just a friend.”

Though she didn’t say a word, Yvette’s expression said it all.  She didn’t believe for one minute that Adelaide’s “friend” was only that.  Setting her laptop aside, Yvette got up and walked over to embrace her aunt.”

“
I can’t wait to meet him.”

“
Ha.  You just want to be nosey.”

Yvette laughed.  “I’m going to miss you—a lot.  You’re such an important part of my life, Aunt Adelaide.  I hope you know that.”

“
Sure I do.  You and your family mean the world to me, too, Yvette.  Now I meant what I said.  Gussy yourself up tonight, and you two hash things out.  The longer you’re at odds with each other, the faster the door to communication closes—don’t get locked out,” she warned.  

“
I get it,” Yvette replied softly.

“
That’s my girl,” Adelaide said, proudly before she hobbled out of Yvette’s small workspace.

With an amused smile, she watched her aunt leave before she returned to the seat at her desk to finish working.

***

By the time she was done working for the day, Yvette had planned out what she was going to say to Christopher.  In fact, she decided to call him just to let him know how much she was looking forward to seeing him when he got home.  She called his cell phone, but he didn’t answer.  It was lunch time so it was possible that he was at his parents’ house for lunch.  She called the Darcy home and Margaret picked up.

“
Hey, Mom.”

“
How are you, daughter,” Margaret gushed.  “How are you feeling?  Christopher said you had an upset stomach?”

“
Oh…yes I did.  It’s much better now, thanks for asking.”

“
I’m glad.  You really have to take care of yourself.  I know it’s been tough since Chris took over here, but I think you’ll find that pretty soon things will be much better for you.”

“
I’m sure they will,” Yvette replied.  “Can you put Chris on the phone?  I need to speak to him.”

“
He’s not here, dear.  He told me yesterday that he had an appointment this afternoon, and that he’d be in tomorrow.  Didn’t he tell you?”

All the wind had flown out of Yvette’s lungs at that bit of information.  
Christopher had lied.  
He’d mentioned in his letter that he’d be at work.  He didn’t mention anything about some appointment.  Yvette tried to pull herself together.

“
Yes, of course he told me.  You know, I just forgot.  Between work and Robin, I’ve been run ragged today.”  She was grateful that Margaret could not see her face right now.  There’s no way she could have pulled off an air of nonchalance with an audience.  Tears were threatening to fall.  “Um, I’m sorry, but I have to go, Margaret.  Say hi to Tony for me.  I’ll see you both soon.”

“
That would be great, Yvette.  I can’t wait to see you and the kids.”

She spoke a few moments longer before hanging up with her mother-in-law.

He lied.  
He wasn’t at work, and from the sound of it, Margaret had no clue where Christopher was.

“
Mom?”

Yvette blinked back the tears and swiped her eyes with her hand before turning around.  The last thing she wanted was for Lacey to see her crying.

“
Yes, Lace?”

“
What’s the matter?” her daughter asked, stepping into the room.  “You look like you’ve been crying.”

“
Oh, I am…have, but I’m not
crying
, crying.  These are simply tears of joy, sweetheart.”

Her daughter sat on her bed and stared at her.  “You don’t look happy, Mom.”

Yvette set her computer aside and went to her daughter.  “I am, sweetheart.  I was just talking to your grandma Darcy.  She said that she missed us all, and couldn’t wait for us to come up for a visit.  It just got me to thinking how blessed we are.  Your father has some very special parents.  I got emotional, just thinking about it.”

Lacey grinned, and relaxed.  “I know.  They’re pretty cool.”

“
So what did you want to talk to me about?”

“
We’re having a dance on Friday night, and I wanted to know if I could go?”

“
Lacey, that’s two days from now.  You’re just finding out today that your camp’s having a dance?”

Her daughter looked sheepish.  “No, I sort of forgot about it, and then a friend asked today if I was going.  Can I, Mom?  Please?”

Yvette hugged her daughter.  “Yes, you can go.”

Lacey heaved a sigh of relief.  “Thanks, Mom,” she gushed, jumping off the bed.  She flew to the door, but then stopped before crossing the threshold.  Lacey turned back to Yvette.  “You sure you’re okay?”

With a wave of her hand, Yvette said, “Of course.  Now get going.  I’m sure you’ve got several phone calls to make to let your buddies know you’re going, and what you’ll be wearing.”

“
True,” her daughter replied before running down the hall to her room.

With a sigh of relief, she laid back on her bed.  The half-truth tasted terrible in her mouth, but there was no help for it.  If Lacey thought for a second that she was upset about anything, she would still be in there prodding her to come clean.  Since her father’s death, Lacey had always worried too much about her.  It was like she carried the weight of the world on her young shoulders.  Lacey had gotten so much better since she and Christopher had married.  Now that she had an extended family that loved her, and a baby brother that she adored, Lacey had begun to relax and enjoy just being a “tween.”  She would be eleven in less than a week, and they had a great birthday party scheduled for her.