16CHAPTER FOUR
Elizabeth Flannery stared at herself in the mirror. What does one wear to Christmas dinner when you've known the host less than twenty-four hours? she wondered as she studied herself. The dress seemed appropriately festive-red and white polka-dots with red cuffs and red trim around the neck and edging. Hair up, or down? Heels or flats?
She raised her eyes to the ceiling. "Oh Alex, I hear you laughing. You'd tell me I'd look fine in a potato sack." She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I hope you're not upset with me. It's just dinner, and it's with his family. It's not like…we won't be alone…" Elizabeth drew her knees to her chest. "I miss you so much and I don't want to be alone today."
Alex had loved Christmas. He was the one to decorate the tree and cook dinner on Christmas Day. He was the one to sing along with the carols on the radio, or the hymns at church at the top of his lungs. Alex was one for spontaneity-he might pull her into a waltz around the kitchen, or an impromptu walk to Kensington Gardens, or downtown to Harrod's just to look at the decorations.
She hadn't even decorated this year. The house was dark, the snow outside making it seem more dreary than delightful.
It had been a complete and utter surprise when Michael Banks had invited her over to his home the day before. He'd reminded her so much of Alex in that moment, and she hadn't wanted to seem rude, but she'd been nervous the entire drive. His family was wonderful. His children were adorable, and his sister…Elizabeth smiled. She could easily be friends with Jane Banks.
Her doorbell rang, and she started. He was here! Whatever worries she had about her clothing would have to be pushed away for now. Elizabeth got up once again, smoothed her skirt and gave herself a once-over in the mirror, then headed to the front door. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Jane? I-"
Jane Banks smiled at her. "Happy Christmas, Elizabeth!" she greeted her. "I hope you don't mind, but Michael had a few things he needed to do this morning, so he sent me to collect you."
"Oh." Elizabeth slipped into her coat. "All right. It's nice to see you, Jane. Happy Christmas." Jane put an arm around her and walked her down to the car.
As soon as the car turned the block, Michael and Jack poked their heads out from behind a row of bushes. "'Bout time," Jack said. "Why is that women spend so long gettin' ready to go places?"
"You find the answer out to that, you let me know," Michael said with a laugh. "Come on, if we hurry we won't be too late for dinner."
"Ooof!" Elizabeth whirled around to see Annabel's giggling form retreat behind a tree. "Oh, good shot, Annabel!" she congratulated the girl. She scooped some snow into her hands, mushing it into a ball. Next to her, Jane had a snowball of her own at the ready. "Shall we rush them?" she asked.
"I've got a better idea," Jane winked. Louder, she called out, "Georgie! Uncle Jack is here!"
"He is?" The youngest Banks popped up from around the corner of the gazebo, and Jane let the snowball in her mittens fly, pelting her youngest nephew in the hip.
Georgie's lip pushed out in a pout. "That's not fair!"
"It's all right, Georgie, I've got it!" John came valiantly to his little brother's defense, launching a pair of snowballs at his aunt, missing with the first but catching her in the shoulder with the second.
"Ooooh, John," Jane frowned. "A little lower, please."
"It slipped!" was John's response, not sounding sorry at all.
Elizabeth drew back and tossed her snowball, catching the tree Annabel was hiding behind. The commotion hadn't drawn the girl out. Jane decided for a more direct approach, rushing her nephews and bear hugging Georgie into the snow. Elizabeth watched, but no sign of Annabel. Curious, she came out from her hiding place and crept toward the tree.
Annabel was leaning against it, sitting cross-legged, looking up at the sky, clearing to a bright blue. "Tired of the fun?" Elizabeth asked.
Annabel blinked. "Oh. Elizabeth. No. I just…" She pointed. "I was talking to Mother."
"I see." Elizabeth sat down next to her and patted her shoulder. "What were you telling her?"
"About you," Annabel replied. "And Father."
"Oh?" Elizabeth felt heat rising on her face. "And what did you tell her about us?"
"That Father has a new friend, and that I think Mother would like you," Annabel said. "And that…that maybe I wouldn't mind it if you and Father decided to be more than friends someday."
"You hardly know me," Elizabeth countered, both flattered and nervous at the same time. "Your father and I only met yesterday."
"I know," Annabel replied. She looked up at her with a smile. "But you play in the snow with us, and you make Father smile. He really hasn't smiled like that in a long time, not since…probably not since the day we all went flying on balloons at the Spring Fair."
A breeze blew in from the east, making Elizabeth shiver. She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Annabel stood up. "Never mind. Come on, let's go play!" She grabbed her by the hand, pulling Elizabeth to her feet, and they rushed in after the boys.
Well, almost. As they started to run over, they ran into Michael and Jack, who were just coming round the fence into the park. Elizabeth bumped Jack and nearly fell. Jack grabbed her by the arm. "I'm so sorry!" she apologized. "I, that is, we…"
"Tends to 'appen that way round here," Jack winked at Michael. "You must be Elizabeth. I'm Jack." He paused, considering. "The children's uncle." He laughed, his face lighting up at the realization that it was no longer just a placeholder because Georgie didn't know what else to call him. "I'm Tio Jack!" He shook her hand and walked away, whistling.
Elizabeth gaped at him. "He's an odd one."
Michael nodded readily. "He's also my future brother-in-law." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "That's going to take some getting used to."
"Michael, where have you been?" she asked him.
His mustache twitched. "Just delivering some last-minute Christmas cheer." He took her hand. "Come on."
"Michael, I don't understand this at all. You invited me to your home for Christmas, you send your sister to come get me, and then you arrive later, only to take me back home?" Elizabeth frowned. Shortly after lunch, Michael had offered her his hand and escorted her to the car, where they'd driven back to her street, without a word. "What in the world is going on?"
"I told you," Michael said, taking his hands off her eyes as they came to a stop. Elizabeth's hands flew to her mouth, her mouth rounding into a small o. He grinned. "I was delivering a last-minute present."
Elizabeth stared in awe at her home as she got out of the car, her eyes never leaving the house. Lights wrapped around the wrought-iron handrails A big green wreath with a red bow and red holly berries adorned the front door. "Your neighbor gave us a key," Michael explained, as Elizabeth's eyes took in the flickering candles in the windows. "Doesn't have much pizzazz right now, but just wait for nightfall."
"It's…beautiful," Elizabeth whispered. "Oh, Michael. Thank you."
He smiled. "Jack and I will help come take it down, after the holiday, so you won't have to do it alone," he explained. "I know how hard that first Christmas without the person you love is. I wanted to bring a little bit of that joy back for you." He bit his lip. "And let you know that….well, if you ever need something done 'round the house, or just need a friend…"
"I know where to find you," Elizabeth smiled. Impulsively, she threw her arms around him. "This is a wonderful Christmas present, Michael. Alexander would have loved it." She swiped at her eyes with her mittens. "I love it."
"Happy Christmas, Elizabeth," Michael told her. "Now. I did invite you over for Christmas dinner." He offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She slid her arm through his. "I can't wait."
That night, Michael lingered in the car just a bit longer than he should have, watching Elizabeth's eyes light up as she took in her house that night. Finally, she turned around, gave him a wave and mouthed "Happy Christmas." He lifted one finger off the steering wheel before pulling away, a smile on his face.
Happy Christmas, indeed.
Author's Note: Merry Christmas or whatever you celebrate! :)
