Chapter Twenty-Six
She’d made a decision.
It was Friday afternoon—Christmas day—when Felicity knocked on her mother’s door. Even though her mother knew she was coming, and she still had a key, she didn’t want to startle her mother.
When the door swung open, her mother stood there in jeans and a white sweater. A smile lifted the corners of her mother’s mouth. “My Christmas wish came true.” When Felicity sent her a puzzled look, her mother said, “All I wanted for Christmas was for you to come back.”
Her mother held out her arms to her. Felicity stepped into her mother’s warm embrace. It had taken them more than two years to get to this point. She never wanted to have that sort of physical and emotional distance from her mother ever again.
Her mother drew her into the apartment. “How are you?”
“It’s like I told you on the phone. I needed some time to think.”
“Can I get you some coffee?”
Felicity nodded. She took off her coat and placed it over the back of a chair in the living room. Then she took a seat at the kitchen island.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Her mother filled the water reservoir for the coffeemaker and started brewing a cup of coffee. “You don’t have to apologize to me. You let me know you were okay. But did you let Justin know?”
“I did. I messaged him. I just wasn’t ready to talk to him on the phone.” Felicity sighed as her shoulders drooped. “I know I didn’t handle this well.”
“It seems we have that in common.” When Felicity sent her a puzzled look, her mother said, “I didn’t handle it well when your father died.
I never apologized to you.” Her mother leaned on the counter and looked into her eyes.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you the way I should have been.
I’m sorry I didn’t say the right words.”
“Mom, you don’t have to apologize.”
“But I do.” Tears shimmered in her mother’s eyes. “I am your mother. I’m supposed to take care of you, but I failed.”
Tears rushed to Felicity’s eyes. “We both struggled when Dad died. He was the glue that held us together.” She swiped at her eyes. “But I think we’re learning to be our own glue. It has just taken us a bit to figure things out.”
Her mother smiled through her tears. “I bet your father is smiling down at us right now.”
Felicity nodded. “I bet you’re right.”
Her mother turned and got the mug off the coffeemaker. She placed the mug in front of Felicity as well as milk and sweetener packets. “I miss him every day.”
“Mom, it took me a bit, but I think I finally understand why you sold the house. And I want you to know that it’s okay with me. Because I just want you to be happy.”
“Oh, Felicity.” Her mother’s face crumpled as she softly cried.
Felicity jumped up and moved around the counter to hug her mother. They’d never talked this openly about their feelings in the past. Maybe that was part of the reason they’d drifted so far apart.
When Felicity pulled back, she said, “And I have something for you.” She rushed to her room and returned with a white box. She held it out to her mother. “Merry Christmas. I’m sorry it isn’t wrapped.”
Her mother smiled. “You shouldn’t have.”
“Go ahead. Open it.”
Her mother lifted the lid and pushed aside the red tissue paper. Her mother gasped. “But I thought the salt dough ornaments were all broken.”
“They were. Justin helped me make these baking soda ornaments. They are supposed to hold up better. I hope you like them.”
Her mother dangled one from her fingertip. “It was very sweet of you. I will always treasure them.” Her mother gently placed the ornament back in the box before looking at her. “I just want you to be happy too. Do you think Justin makes you happy?”
Felicity didn’t feel any pressure from her mother. Instead, she sensed true curiosity. It was one of the questions she’d been asking herself the past couple days.
“Justin has always made me happy. He’s been my best friend my entire life. At one point I didn’t know who I was without him. It’s one of the reasons I couldn’t marry him back in college. I had a lot of growing to do.”
Her mother nodded. “I understand. You were so young back then. But now is anything different between you two?”
“He says he loves me.” Her voice was barely more than a whisper.
There was a distinct silence before her mother said, “He was really upset when he stopped by looking for you. He looked like he’d just lost his best friend. And when I spoke to his mother, she told me that he returned Sunny to Merry.”
Ding.
Felicity was tempted to ignore it because she wanted to know more about Justin, but her mother said, “Go ahead and get it. I don’t have any other news about Justin.”
Felicity pulled the phone from her back pocket. She was surprised when she saw it was from her friend who she’d sent Justin’s manuscript to. She opened the message.
Agent: Stayed up all night reading. Loved it! Would like to speak to author about representation.
Felicity: Thank U! Will let them know! Merry Christmas.
Agent: Merry Christmas.
This was the best news. She couldn’t wait to tell Justin.
“Is that Justin?” Her mother’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Uh. No. It’s some really good news that I know he’ll want to hear.” She began writing him a message.
Felicity: Can we talk?
Justin: When?
Felicity: In a half hour at your place.
Justin: See you then.
Felicity jumped up. “I have something important to do. I’ll be back later.”
Her mother smiled. “I hope you find your happiness.”
“Me too.” She gave her mother another hug. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”