Now she turned on the Christmas lights, and as she stood back to look at the tree and the gift-wrapped packages beneath it, she thought back to a few Decembers ago, when Darcy’s mother was alive, Gabriel and Darcy were together, and no one had ever heard of Addison Hope. She sighed. How much had changed.
“It looks beautiful,” Ted said as he walked over and put his arm around her. “We’ve had a lot of wonderful Christmases in this house.”
Blythe leaned against his shoulder. “Yes.” They stood quietly, and she said a silent prayer of thanks for this wonderful man and all that they’d shared together over the years.
The sound of voices made them turn. “I guess the party’s starting,” Ted said.
Blythe turned to see Hailey and Darcy come into the room. “Hello!” She spread out her arms, inviting each of them into a hug. Holding on to Darcy’s hands, she stepped back to appraise her. “You look wonderful, Darcy. I’m so glad you were able to get home for Christmas.”
“I am too. I couldn’t bear the thought of Dad being all alone, even though he told me he’d be fine if I stayed in England.”
“Speaking of your father, where is he?”
“He’s not coming. I’m sorry. He’s been sniffling and coughing all day. Feels like he might be coming down with something and didn’t want to pass it on.” She handed Blythe a wooden Di Bruno Bros. box tied with a large gold bow. “He sent his regrets and asked me to give you this.”
“How nice of him. I’m sorry he’s not well. We were looking forward to seeing him.”
“I’ll give him a ring tomorrow,” Ted said. “See about getting together when he feels better.”
“Why don’t you all have a seat and I’ll get some drinks. Any takers for a glass of eggnog?” Blythe asked.
“Your famous homemade eggnog? You bet,” Darcy said.
“Come on, everyone,” Blythe encouraged the group, but Hailey made no move to sit. “We’ll give you a hand with dinner, Mom.”
The kitchen was filled with a mouthwatering mixture of smells from the turkey and sweet potato casserole in the oven, and the glow of the fireplace lent a warmth and cheeriness to the room. On the mantel sat a simple nativity scene made from hammered tin that Blythe had made when the children were small. Ted uncorked a bottle of Cade Estate Cabernet to breathe, and Blythe ladled out cups of eggnog amid chatter and laughter. Darcy regaled them with stories of settling into London.
“I wonder where Gabriel is,” Blythe said when they were on their second glass, and he still hadn’t arrived. “Do you think I should call him?”
“Maybe he had a last-minute customer. I’ll text him.” Hailey picked her phone up from the counter.
“How is Gabriel doing?” Darcy looked from Ted to Blythe.
“Not well,” Ted said. “He’s been pretty down the last two months.”
“He went to Boston two weeks ago,” Blythe added. “Went to her house. It didn’t go well.”
Darcy sighed, shaking her head. “At first, when Gabriel broke things off with me, I hoped that he would come to his senses, and things would end as quickly as they began. I was angry and bitter, of course, but I never wanted to see him so hurt. It took me a while, but I finally reached a point where I felt sad instead of mad.”
Blythe put her arms around Darcy, gently pulling her close. “I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through,” she murmured.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” Darcy said, stepping back. “Moving away was the best thing for me. New places, new people. I’m busy and enjoying myself. Really.”
“Hey, everybody.” Gabriel stood at the entrance to the kitchen. “Sorry I’m late. Got tied up at the gallery.”
Blythe stood back as he greeted everyone, observing the very tentative brush against the cheek he gave Darcy before quickly moving to his mother for a kiss.
“Eggnog?” Hailey picked up a glass.
Gabriel shook his head. “Nah, I think I’ll have a little vodka on ice.”
Though Blythe had seen him recently, she was distressed by his appearance—he seemed to have lost more weight, and his eyes looked sunken. And where had the taste for straight vodka come from? Gabriel had always enjoyed a beer or a glass of wine, but he wasn’t a drinker, and she wondered if this was a one-off. He put one ice cube in the glass and poured the vodka, swallowing it down in one gulp. Then he poured another round into the tumbler. There was an uncomfortable silence until Blythe spoke.