Epilogue
Gertie was terribly nervous. Gossip had spread throughout the whole town that the headmaster of the boarding school in Rivenhall was leaving.
She’d spoken to two of the ladies who frequented her bakery the week before when she’d first heard the news and their husbands sat on Rivenhall Preparatory School’s board, which was small at only three people.
After some rather delicate enquiries, the ladies had assured her they would put in a good word.
As a result, Archie had submitted his letters of introduction and references, and was due to learn if he was chosen any moment.
It would be quite the Christmas gift if he were.
She’d waited all day, and had neither seen Archie nor heard any news.
They had agreed to have a late supper and open gifts at midnight, the very first moment they could on Christmas Day.
It had been a Sutton family tradition that Gertie was now unwilling to let go of.
A quick glance at the clock showed it was nearly eleven now, and she’d just pulled a roasted goose from the oven, which sat next to the Yorkshire pudding she’d made along with the roasted parsnips and carrots, and Brussels sprouts.
The door opened and Archie strode in. His face was inscrutable.
Gertie sighed softly. It would be just like him to put on a brave face to not ruin Christmas if he did not get the position. Worry nipped at her, but she plastered a smile on her face and welcomed him with a hug. “Merry Christmas, Archie.”
He smiled back at her, though still hiding what had happened. “Merry Christmas, Gertie. Dinner smells wonderful.”
“Thank you. I do not suppose you have any news you wish to share with me?” She decided to ask instead of pretending she didn’t wish to know.
“I do, but it can keep until after we eat. Where is Sam?” Archie looked about in eager hopefulness to see their son.
“Still at the Ramseys,” said Gertie, trying to smile. “Probably still playing charades, or the like. He’ll be along shortly to open gifts.”
It was perhaps the one sour note. Her son was still trying to sort out how he felt about Archie being his father.
It was a momentous shift in his world, and while it did not diminish all that Thomas Sutton had been to both of them, it did cast a new light on things.
It was something Sam was struggling with.
He’d opted to spend Christmas Eve with Miss Caroline Ramsey, who had stopped waiting around for Sam to ask to visit her, and had instead extended an invitation to both Sam and his mother.
Gertie had of course declined, as she’d had plans with Archie, but Sam had asked her if she minded if he went.
It was hard to believe that only a month ago she would have happily never seen Archie again; but here she was, about to have Christmas dinner with him. Life was full of surprises. Hopefully, it had one more happy one in store for them.
They ate a delicious meal and then settled by the fire. The snowflakes were coming down in a strong showing, that wouldn’t see them snowed-in—although that sounded delightful—it would make for a fun day of playing in it the next day. Perhaps she and Archie could have a snowball fight?
Sam walked in at the stroke of midnight, shaking the snow from his hair as he hung up his heavy coat. “My apologies, we were having so much fun I nearly lost track of the time.”
“Not a problem, Sam.” Gertie smiled at her son. “There is hot water in the kettle if you’d like a cup of tea. Then we can open gifts.”
Gertie sighed happily as she leaned against him. In the last two weeks, she’d worked late into each night knitting a new scarf for Archie. She’d seen his old one, and while she’d already made one for Sam, it seemed appropriate to make another for Archie. His was threadbare in places!
Once Sam had his tea and settled across from them, Archie reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box with a string wrapped around it. “I’m ready to give you your gift, Gertie.”
She reached to take it and realized her hand trembled slightly.
It was so small, she wondered what it could be.
She glanced down at the beautiful emerald ring on her left hand.
Archie had got down on one knee in the bakery and proposed in front of Sam the week prior—and with a fashionable engagement ring, too.
It had been a wonderful moment, so she wasn’t certain why she felt so nervous about this small gift.
Taking a deep breath, Gertie sat up and took it before reaching to the side of the settee and producing her gift to Archie.
She’d found some red ribbon to tie around the plain brown paper it was wrapped in.
Once he held her gift to him, she tugged at the string around her package and released the wrapping paper in short order.
She opened the box and stared at its contents in confusion. “It’s…it’s a key, Archie. But to what?”
He grinned at her, a wide, happy grin. “It’s the key to our new home.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Not—not the headmaster’s cottage at the boarding school?”
“Yes, they offered me the position this morning.” He looked so pleased.
“And you didn’t come tell me right away? Archie Goodman, that is not what we discussed!” She glared at him, despite her cheek-splitting grin.
“I know it wasn’t, Gertie, but when they told me it came with lodgings I was too excited to tell you—I wanted to give it to you as a gift. Besides, I’d already given you your engagement ring.” He smiled sheepishly.
She laughed as love and excitement filled her. He was such a wonderful man. She handed a package to both Sam and Archie. “Well, then open your gifts from me, both of you.”
Archie nodded and quickly unwrapped the dark blue and grey scarf she’d knitted him. The alternating stripes looked quite nice together. He smiled. “I suppose you noticed how sad my old scarf looks.”
“Indeed I did—I made this one for you after seeing that frightful thing. I’ll make you a matching hat soon. There just wasn’t time before Christmas to do both.”
He swept it around his neck. “I’ll be the most debonair headmaster the boarding school has ever seen.”
Gertie laughed and snuggled into him. “I am not sure about it being debonair, but at least your neck won’t freeze.”
He chuckled softly. “Are you happy, Gertie?”
“Very happy. Life can only get better for us from here. We have each other, and I know with a little more time, Sam will get more comfortable with the idea that you’re his father,” Gertie said with a smile, her heart fluttering.
“I love you Archie. I am so glad you came back into my life. Merry Christmas.”
And her future husband smiled, and she knew they were going to be happy forever. “I love you too, Gertie. I can’t wait to make you my wife and to get to know Sam, when he’s ready. Merry Christmas.”
The End