Chapter 34
Ripley
I don’t know why, but I assumed Christmas dinner with the Waltons would be peaceful, and formal, with elegant china and weighted silverware, accompanied by beautiful candles adorning the table. Probably because I thought of them as the royal family.
But I was wrong.
When an entire family is filled with boys, elegant isn’t the first word I’d use to describe it.
It’s a free-for-all, everyone grabbing food like they didn’t just eat a whole tray of meat and cheese half an hour ago.
Even Barth, who, to his credit, is the most reserved of the bunch, still doesn’t live up to the king’s facade I placed on him.
They’re just a regular family, missing a huge piece: a picture of their mother hangs by the table, watching down on her boys.
If I don’t eat soon, all the food will be gone.
I load my plate with greens, potatoes, ham and stuffing.
The spread is delicious, and Garrick takes most of the credit.
In a very humblebrag way. When we first arrived, I worried what my being here might imply, but everyone has been more than welcoming – including Ivor.
He might have told us off for being too close, but he doesn’t seem to mind that we invaded their family dinner.
‘So, is it everything you wanted?’ Garrick whispers to me over the ruckus of chatting and laughing – even Mom.
We may have never had a big family Christmas like this, but it seems like she’s into it.
Anna’s face is glowing as she chats with James and Ivor about raising kids the same age, while Molly and Bradley make mountains from their mash and peas.
I look around the table, taking in the lights sparkling on the garlands hung around the room and the snowflakes cut out of white paper and strung up with red twine.
‘Yeah, I guess it kind of is.’ I reach for his hand under the table, squeezing it.
‘Thank you. You didn’t have to invite us over. But I’m glad you did.’
‘Juliet, Santa doesn’t need to bring me anything else now that you said that.’ Then he adds, ‘But if he wants to wrap me up that new video game I’ve been asking for – I’m not gonna complain.’
I knock my shoulder into Garrick and stay there a moment longer than needed, our eyes locking. Anna clears her throat, and I turn away from Garrick before I do something idiotic.
‘Gather round, gather round,’ Garrick yells to the group after we’ve cleared the plates, bellies full.
We all take a seat in the living room, huddling on to couches and chairs, or pillows on the floor.
‘Will my lovely assistant please come here?’ Garrick has donned his Santa hat once again.
All of us look at each other, not knowing who he’s speaking to.
‘Pst, Juliet, that’s you.’ Garrick holds out a hand to help me off the floor. I frown at him, wondering what shenanigans he’s about to drag me into. He passes me a stack of fabric. ‘Everyone needs to put on these blindfolds first.’
Tristian scoffs. ‘Yeah, no. The last place I want to be is in a blindfold around you. I still remember the bow and arrow accident from when we were seven and you busted out two of my teeth.’
I, too, am dubious, so I haven’t moved. As the fire crackles behind Garrick, and the Christmas lights sparkle, I feel like I’m living in a story.
‘Guys, really? You don’t trust me?’
There’s a chorus of no’s around the room.
‘Juliet?’ He stares at me with that stupid, irresistible puppy-dog face. I hold his gaze for the space of a few breaths. Truly, he hasn’t done anything to make me distrust him.
I start passing around the blindfolds as my answer.
‘Despite the lack of confidence from my family, I’m still going to reward you all with a Christmas Guessing Extravaganza.
’ Garrick places a large tray, covered in a silver dome he must have acquired from the Royal Fare, on the coffee table.
‘There are several rounds, which include guessing songs, treats, smells, touch and much more. The person with the most correct guesses wins.’
This must not be the first time Garrick has done a similar game because they all jump right into competitive mood.
‘And the winner gets?’ Aldrich asks.
‘Garrick’s Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies Countdown treats!’ Garrick grins. ‘And year-long bragging rights.’
For the next hour, we participate in the festive game and I let myself fantasize about what it might be like to be Garrick Walton’s girlfriend.
Christmas morning is better than I expected.
Molly makes everything better. Her pure joy and excitement at seeing what Santa left her under the tree is contagious.
Anna, Mom and I sit on the sofa, hot chocolates in hand, and watch her rip open the presents, even the ones that aren’t hers.
But weirdly, I don’t mind when she opens my gifts for me.
It feels so absurdly normal – like this is what a regular family would do – that I’m having an out-of-body experience.
Anna doesn’t even seem bothered that her husband is away on business.
I know I’m not. I didn’t want to sit in a room with him and pretend, for Anna and Molly’s sake, that he isn’t a jerk.
It takes until the presents are open and the breakfast is eaten for Mom to mention work.
I’m pretty sure that’s a record. ‘I need to review the schedule for next week and add my notes,’ she says, picking up the remains of Molly’s rampage, as said little monster sits on the ground playing with her new dolls.
The castle Garrick gave her is the center of the storyline she’s creating.
‘On Christmas? Come on, Mom, I’m sure it can wait.’ Anna’s feet are submerged in the foot massage bath I gave her. Her pregnant feet are always swollen, so I thought it was perfect. I might need to try it myself just to be sure.
Mom shakes her head. ‘I wish. But this production schedule is so tight, it can’t. Juliet?’
I’ve been flipping through the new book Anna gave me. I like to read the end first. It drives her mad, but I hate not knowing. However, I got distracted by a new message on my phone.
Garrick
Merry Christmas – hope Santa didn’t disappoint
Garrick
By Santa, I mean me. I’m exhausted from my deliveries last night
Ripley
Must be the armor
Ripley
Merry Christmas
‘What?’ I look up, cheeks flushing.
‘Will you stay here with Anna, or do you want to come home with me?’ She’s already pulling on her coat, keys in hand. Mom never likes to waste time.
‘I’ll stay here.’ But actually, I know somewhere else I’d like to go.
First, I have to stop by Melika’s house.
I need to raid her vintage storage for a present.
But when I knock on the door, her family insists I have something to eat, and with the delicious smells, I can’t say no.
After I’m so full I could burst, I find an item hidden in the back that I think will work.
‘Should I ask what this is all about?’ Melika says as she hands me gift wrap for it.
‘No. But I’ll fill you in later. You’re the best. Love you.
’ I hug her before dashing off, my heart pounding like I’m running a marathon.
I like to know the outcome of things before I jump in.
It makes it easier to navigate. But right now, I’m plunging headfirst and hoping there is something – or someone – to catch my fall.
Garrick mentioned his family always had Christmas lunch at the Royal Fare, so I wander in the back, trying to keep out of sight. As much fun as I had last night, I don’t want to impose on their family traditions any more than I have to. But I had to see Garrick.
Ripley
Can you meet me in front of the castle?
Garrick
?? omw
I rub my hands together, blowing into my gloves to keep warm. Luckily, my pink cheeks can be attributed to the cold and not the embarrassment I feel by being all sentimental. This so isn’t me, but the tug in my gut to see Garrick was so intense I thought I might burst if I didn’t satisfy it.
‘Hey,’ Garrick says, startling me when he slips outside. ‘Why don’t you come in? It’s warmer.’ He’s wearing a new green-and-blue beanie.
I swallow hard, trying not to swoon as his smile ticks up in the soft way I’ve only seen him do for me. ‘I don’t want to impose.’
‘Juliet, you are never an imposition,’ he says quietly, and my body is suddenly not so cold.
‘I just wanted to give you this.’ I pull his present out of my pocket. ‘It’s not much, but I thought you’d like it.’
His eyes light up as he reaches for it. Our fingers touching sends sparks down my skin. ‘You didn’t need to get me something.’
‘I wanted to.’ It feels like someone turned up the dial on all my senses. The day feels brighter despite the gray clouds, and the sound of the wind in the trees is extra loud.
He opens the package with such care, taking his time with every piece of tape. Not at all how I thought Garrick would open a present. Inside is a gold coin with a knight on it.
‘I’m not sure where it’s from, but Melika got it at an antique store, and I know you love being a knight, so I thought you could have a piece with you everywhere. Lighter than armor.’
He laughs softly, the noise warming the air. ‘It’s perfect.’ He looks up at me, those blue eyes swimming with an emotion I haven’t seen often. ‘Thank you, Juliet.’
‘You’re welcome.’ I look around, trying to calm my erratic heart. ‘So, I’ll let you get back to lunch.’
‘Don’t leave. Let’s go walk the park.’ He extends his hand, and I can’t say no.
We reach a bench near the giant Christmas tree, and Garrick turns on the lights. We sit in comfortable silence for a while. Then the snow starts. Small flakes at first until they turn into giant ones.
‘I always love snow on Christmas,’ I say. ‘No matter how the day went, if I see snow, I’m at least happy for that single moment.’
‘I hope you were happy for more than that today.’ Garrick flips the coin between his fingers as snow catches on his hair and eyelashes.
‘I was.’ I didn’t have much hope for today, so maybe the low expectations helped.
Garrick brushes snow off my nose, leaning in. ‘Hi.’
‘Hi.’ I swallow hard. We both look around the park to see if we are alone this time.
We are.
Blame the snow or the holiday spirit, but right now, all I want for Christmas is him.
We kiss under the Christmas tree lights with the fresh, powdery snow falling around us. And as much as I can try to deny it, I’m falling for Garrick Walton.