Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
F riday was Nathan Sharp’s favourite day of the week. He still got to work doing what he loved; gardening and landscaping, but also had the anticipation of the weekend when he could do his own gardening and landscaping, not that he had much room in his backyard. He would also make time for a surf if the weather was good for it, or fishing, or hanging out by the water or in nature. And when he wasn’t experiencing it for himself, he was watching and learning about it through his documentary addiction.
Walking back home on Friday morning with a matcha latte in his hand after a jog around the harbour, he turned into his street. The sun shone brightly through the gaps between houses and trees, and it shimmered on a flash of pink up ahead. The pink highlights on strawberry blonde hair bounced as a woman walked along the pathway to the medical clinic. She stopped for a moment and took a swig from her water bottle, glancing around momentarily, and he realised it was Martha Appleby’s daughter, Lacie. He quickened his pace in an attempt to call out to her and say hello, but she made her way briskly to the entrance and disappeared inside. A cheeky smile cornered its way onto his lips. She probably needed some help for her hangover and jet lag, poor woman. He’d had the odd female (and male) throw up around him in his early twenties when living in the Sydney suburbs and attending numerous parties, but it was a bit funny to see it happen to someone from a respectable family who looked like their drinking and partying days were a decade behind them.
He wasn’t working at South Haven today, instead he’d be doing his fortnightly shift at the local primary school to weed and maintain the garden for a few hours this afternoon, as well as fixing up some seating that had come loose in the play area while the kids were on school holidays. He found himself curious about Lacie and looked forward to seeing her again on Monday when he returned to work on the property.
Nathan preferred to spend most of his time alone, only having the occasional catch-up with mates. Life was easier that way. Less conflicts to resolve. But he did miss female company, never having had more than a casual drink or lunch with a few dates here and there in the past couple of years or so, ever since… that time. That experience that had made his newly opened heart close up again like a heavy wooden door, with a few extra boards nailed across it for stronger protection. There had been a glimmer of something between him and Hannah Delaney a while back, but he hadn’t felt enough of a spark, despite their shared love of nature. He’d wanted to feel something, but couldn’t. The hurt was still too raw, so he’d resisted her flirting, and anyway, she’d ended up reuniting with her old school friend and his ex-roommate, Luca, who was no doubt the best man for her.
A couple of blocks past the clinic, Nathan unlocked the door to his townhouse, finished his latte and tossed the biodegradable cup into the kitchen bin, then switched on the TV. The documentary was still on pause from last night when he’d been too sleepy to finish watching it. He pressed play, then proceeded to make himself some brunch before he’d have to head off to work in an hour. As he arranged leftover roast lamb on four slices of bread, along with pickles and lettuce, the mesmerising voice of David Attenborough filled the room.
He was instantly transported to a world where all that mattered was living, surviving, and embracing the wonder of nature. As he cut his sandwiches into triangles, he mimicked the recognisable voice.
‘This species evolved to survive in the harshest of habitats.’
He chuckled at his attempt and sat at the kitchen table to eat. He’d been used to amusing himself since he was a child, when often, he’d only had the company of himself. Being moved from foster home to foster home, he’d never found a true family to belong to. Or get close to. Solitude was his most trusted and reliable friend.
He paused mid bite as the close-up footage of the creatures captivated his curiosity. It always amazed him how animals were somehow designed to perfectly complement their environment, as though it had all been carefully planned out from the start of evolution.
When the documentary finished forty minutes later, he wondered if he should start his own YouTube channel, filming himself as he worked, and educating people about various plants, insects, birds, bees, and basic garden design tips. He shook his head.
Who would even watch?
He jumped in the shower then dressed, got into his Ute, and drove to the Tarrin’s Bay hills where his favourite nursery and garden centre was. Using the funds the school had allocated to him, he purchased the plants and seeds they had wanted, based on his suggestions, to start preparing the new nature playground; mixing plants, herbs, and vegetables with an integrated playground for the kids to explore physical movement and health in a more natural way.
He would have to spend more time at the school come spring to keep everything maintained once students started to use the area, and would need to co-ordinate his work there with his work at South Haven. He loved both and didn’t want to give up on one for the other, combined with the casual job as a lifeguard in the summer season that he did on weekends.
He paused for a moment to admire the surroundings of the nursery, eyeing a few plants he’d like for his own place. Before heading to the staff member to pay for the school’s purchases, he added a couple of tea plants to his large plant trolley so he could take them home. He loved tea and thought it would be nice to grow his own.
He paid for them separately and loaded them into the Ute, then dropped the tea plants back home before heading to the school.
He parked in the reserved spot they had for him, close to the garden entry so he could easily bring the plants through, and signed in at the school office where a staff member was doing admin work. His phone beeped, and he glanced at it momentarily, expecting it to be an update from Martha about what was needed for next week’s tasks, or perhaps one of his mates to see if he wanted to catch up for drinks tonight, but it was someone he hadn’t heard from in a long time.
He furrowed his brow.
What the heck does she want?
He put his phone on silent and slid it into his pocket, wishing his ex-girlfriend’s unexpected intrusion hadn’t hijacked his favourite day.
‘Lacie?’ Dr Sylvia Greene called out as she emerged from her consulting room, smiling a greeting, her russet-red curls brightening the mostly white clinic.
‘Hi,’ Lacie said as she entered.
‘It’s been a long time. Your mother fills me in sometimes on your adventures in the States, how is everything going over there?’
Lacie wriggled a little to get comfortable on the firm chair. ‘Good, I love it. So different to Tarrin’s Bay but I really enjoy my work and have made some great friends.’
‘Fantastic, are you still working in Hollywood as a make-up artist?’
‘No, not much anymore. I’ve settled into my own beauty salon in Chicago, pampering people with scars, disabilities, and other issues; helping them feel confident about themselves.’ Lacie smiled in satisfaction. She loved nothing more than to see a client leave her salon with a smile and a glow that wasn’t there when they’d entered.
‘How wonderful. Well, I hope you enjoy a well-earned break while you’re here. How can I help you today?’ Dr Greene clasped her hands on her lap and leaned slightly forward.
Lacie wriggled a bit more. ‘Umm, the thing is.’ She touched her belly. ‘I’m pregnant.’
‘Oh? Planned or unplanned?’
‘Unplanned. I only just found out, the day I left to catch my flight. Took two tests to be sure. I’d been so busy tying up loose ends before my trip that I hadn’t realised my period was late until I packed my toiletries bag.’
‘How late is it? And what length are your cycles usually?’
‘I’m fairly irregular, thanks to polycystic ovary syndrome… usually around thirty to thirty-five days. I was about a week late by the time I realised. I had bloating so I thought it was that time of the month coming on.’
Dr Greene asked some more questions including the date of her last period. ‘Well, that would put you at about six weeks along,’ she said. ‘When do you fly back home?’
‘July fifteenth.’
Dr Greene plucked a piece of paper from the wall shelf. ‘I’ll refer you for an ultrasound to check everything looks good and confirm how far along you are, and find out your estimated due date.’ She started writing, then looked up. ‘That is, if you’d like to?’
Lacie nodded, but scratched her head. ‘I haven’t even told the father. Or anyone else. I really don’t know what to do.’
Dr Greene put down the pen. ‘Do you want to have a baby?’
‘I guess so. I mean, yes, eventually, but… oh, man.’ She lowered her head.
‘You weren’t planning on it being so soon.’
‘Exactly. And I’m not even in a relationship. It was just a brief… catch-up with my ex-boyfriend.’
‘I see.’ She nodded. ‘Maybe you’ll have some more clarity once you’ve told him. See what he thinks about it too.’
‘Yeah. I left a message on his voicemail. Not sure when I’ll hear back. Time differences and his busy schedule can make it difficult to get in touch.’
‘Hopefully you get to speak soon and decide on your next steps. For now, though, it’s my job to make sure you’re healthy, so I do think a scan is a good idea, and some blood tests so I can confirm the pregnancy hormone levels and check on your thyroid, iron levels, immunity, and other things. Are you okay with that?’
‘Sure.’
Dr Greene continued filling in the form then handed it to Lacie. ‘Call them to make an appointment for late next week, probably Friday at the seven-week mark, so by then we should see a heartbeat.’
Heartbeat? Inside me? Was this really happening?
A wave of dizziness washed through her even though she was sitting, and she rubbed her forehead.
‘How are you feeling?’ the doctor asked.
‘Tired and nauseous and a bit light-headed. I threw up yesterday in front of Mum’s gardener.’
‘Oh dear. Do you think you’ll tell your mother, or other family members yet?’
‘Not yet. I need to talk to my ex first, figure out what to do, then see. But for now, I want to try and enjoy my holiday without them knowing so I don’t get fussed over and I can just relax.’
‘Sounds like a plan. If you need some help with the nausea, try taking ginger tablets.’ She wrote the suggestion down. ‘Eat a small snack before getting out of bed, get plenty of rest, and here’s the name of a medication you can take before bedtime if needed; it may make you drowsy but should help reduce the nausea quite a bit the next day. Just be sure to see a doctor when you return to America and have them reassess you, okay?’
‘Will do.’
‘Oh, and are you already taking a multivitamin? You’ll need enough folic acid.’
‘I take a women’s multi,’ Lacie said, searching on her phone for the brand to show her. ‘Here, this one.’
Dr Greene looked at it. ‘It’s good, but I think you’ll be better off with a specific pregnancy one.’ She wrote down a name, then took Lacie’s blood pressure and handed her the paper, a blood test request form, and also a fact sheet with a list of foods to avoid during pregnancy (no Brie? Damn!), along with links to various websites for advice.
‘Acupuncture may also help, my husband does that here. Although it’s best if it’s done weekly, so as you’re not staying long, see how you go and call us if you need any further help.’
‘Thanks so much, Dr Greene. And do I come and see you after the ultrasound?’
‘Only if you need to. I’ll call you if there are any issues with your blood tests or scan results, and if you need to come in, I’ll make sure we can squeeze you in before you fly back.’
‘Sounds good. Thanks again.’
Lacie smiled and left the room, her gaze drawn to a young mother waiting in a nearby chair trying to read a book to her squirming toddler.
Was this really going to be her reality in a few years’ time?
It was so far removed from the life she had pictured for herself for the next five years; running her business and working on the occasional movie, having free time to do as she pleased with her friends. But at thirty-one, maybe her biological clock was trying to tell her something different, in the most direct way:
Your time is now. Be grateful you have this opportunity when so many struggle with infertility.
Dr Greene was right, she needed to talk to Xavier sooner rather than later. It was his baby too, and he had a right to know, although she knew his reaction would be more than likely a negative one.
She stepped outside and walked along the path with her head down, deep in thought. She noticed a stem with leaves sprouting from between the cracks in the concrete. Amazing, and bizarre, how life could grow somewhere so unexpected. The persistence of nature.
Lacie stopped suddenly. She turned back toward the clinic, having forgotten to go to the attached pathology centre next door to have her blood taken. It must be the baby brain, or the sheer sense of being overwhelmed at her circumstances.
Ten minutes later she walked back along the pathway, a Band-Aid on her inner elbow. She pulled her sleeve back down to cover it and protect her from the slight chill in the air. Next stop: pharmacy.
She picked up the ginger tablets, multivitamin, and the ‘just-in-case’ medication which she’d already decided she’d try, so when she left the pharmacy, she bought a juice and packet of potato chips from the shop and swallowed two ginger tablets. Munching on the chips, she paused at the window display of Mrs May’s Bookstore. A miniature red armchair with a teddy bear seated on it was facing the street, a fluffy blanket draped over it, and a teacup and saucer sat on the small round table next to it, along with a pile of three old-fashioned books. The cosiness invited her in. She shoved the half-eaten chip packet inside her bag and wiped her hands on a tissue, entering the store she remembered coming to as a child for Mrs May’s reading sessions.
‘How’s your morning been? Oh, Lacie, is that you?’ Mrs May’s granddaughter, Olivia asked. Lacie remembered meeting her when Olivia had taken over the store along with her mother. They’d gone to the same school but Olivia was several years older.
‘Hi, how’ve you been?’ Lacie smiled.
‘Great, thanks. And you? I saw your sister a couple of days ago, Ellie isn’t it? She loves to browse.’
‘I’m, ah, great too.’ Suddenly self-conscious, she wondered if other people could tell she was pregnant somehow, as though a neon sign were flashing above her head. ‘Yes, that’s Ellie, always with a book, music, or something to keep her mind busy.’
‘How long are you here for?’
‘Couple of weeks,’ she said.
‘Nice, enjoy. Let me know if I can help you find anything.’
Thanks.’ Lacie smiled and her face became warmer. Oh, just books on pregnancy, motherhood, single motherhood, decision-making, that sort of thing .
Unless she wanted to make her situation obvious, she probably couldn’t buy a book from here, she’d have to order something online or get an e-book to hide her research. Anyway, she still had to decide what to do first. There was no doubt in her mind she was going to have this baby… but to keep it? Maybe it would be better off with someone ready and waiting to have a family, with a partner by their side, and a heart bursting with love and eagerness to become a mother. The thought made her feel guilty, but it presented itself nonetheless.
She browsed the fiction section mindlessly, then segued casually into the health section, scanning over the titles. There were several pregnancy related books gathered together just above eye level, photos of smiling mothers-to-be proudly cradling their baby bump with their hands, and others with perfect-looking little humans smiling with their rosy cheeks and button noses. Her heart leapt.
What would her baby look like?
Was it a boy or a girl?
What if it was twins?
The possibilities made her mind race. She took a deep breath. She needed to focus on the day ahead of her right now, not the next nine months. Still, she mentally recorded the titles of some of the books with the intention of looking them up later.
Before walking out, she stopped at the home and garden section. The most beautiful book cover caught her eye… bright, joyful flowers burst onto the page, as though alive and breathing with a mind of their own. Wildflowers and Words. She opened the large hardcover and carefully turned the pages. Stunning photographs combined with poetry, motivational quotes, and flower facts filled the pages.
I have to have it.
Lacie hugged the book to her chest and took it to the counter. It would take her luggage weight up a notch for the trip back home but she’d allowed room.
‘How nice is this?’ Olivia admired the front and back cover. ‘My daughter Mia has taken quite a liking to photographing flowers.’
‘Oh, how lovely. Maybe she’ll create her own book one day,’ Lacie suggested.
‘Probably. That girl of mine lets nothing get in her way of anything she wants to do! Motherhood is such a surprising journey; you never know what your child will become.’
Lacie tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘True.’
‘That’s forty-nine ninety-five, thanks. You don’t have kids, do you?’ she asked, holding out the EFTPOS machine for Lacie to tap her card on.
That warmth from before rose a tad. ‘Not yet,’ she said, which was true.
‘Maybe one day, hey? Sometimes I have to strain to remember my life pre-child, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.’
Lacie wondered if somehow Olivia had spied on her through a security camera, looking at the pregnancy books. Or maybe she was a mind reader.
‘Sometimes I have to strain to remember my life in Tarrin’s Bay. It’s so different to Chicago.’
‘I can imagine! I bet it’s nice to be back though.’
‘Absolutely. It’s going to go fast unfortunately. I miss my family so much sometimes.’
Olivia smiled a soft smile. ‘Well, don’t waste a single minute. Go, enjoy your time with them.’ She flicked her hand toward the door. ‘And enjoy the book.’
‘Thanks! And tell Mia if she makes a book, I’ll be the first to buy a copy.’
Olivia waved and Lacie left the store, the book in a paper carry bag with the Mrs May’s logo. She walked on with her head raised high, a surge of satisfaction with her new purchase. Apart from beauty, flowers were her other passion. But she’d forgone a career as a florist when her annoying adult acne had led her to try various skin treatments, and along with taking better care of her health, they’d given her great results. She wanted to do that for others; help them love the skin they were in and feel confident in themselves. And she’d done just that. She was happy with her life and career, but had no idea how a baby would fit into it.
‘Can we do my rainbow nails now?’ Jessie asked when Lacie opened the front door.
‘Give her a minute, Jess,’ Penny said. ‘She’s just come home.’
Dane also bounded towards her. ‘Come and see my pirate ship, it’s all finished!’
‘I’d love to do your nails,’ she glanced at Jessie, ‘and look at your pirate ship,’ she glanced at Dane. Olivia was right, she should enjoy every minute with them, especially after what happened to her dad. She could hardly forgive herself for not having been there. She shook the memory away as she admired Dane’s Lego creation.
‘That is even better than the Pirates of the Caribbean pirate ship!’
Dane glowed. ‘Can I watch that movie yet?’
She eyed Penny.
‘Absolutely not, young man. When you’re older.’
‘Ohh.’ He pouted.
‘These kids.’ She shook her head. ‘More work than my day job.’ She chuckled. Penny worked part time as a primary school teacher, in a job-share arrangement. As it was now the school holidays, this was basically her ‘holiday’, and Lacie wondered how she managed, with barely a spare moment to herself. Lacie decided she would try to spend as much time with the kids as possible, not only because she loved them, but to give Penny some reprieve. She just hoped she’d have the energy.
‘Now, before I do your nails, Miss Jessie, I’ll just put my stuff in my room and freshen up. Back soon!’
Lacie walked down the hallway to the guest quarters and plonked her bag on the chair next to her bed. She felt like plonking herself onto the bed, but if she did that now she’d probably sleep all day and be up all night, besides, then she’d miss the afternoon tree decorating ceremony. She opted to sit for a minute, taking a few deep breaths. She checked her phone. No messages from Xavier. She put her new book on the bedside table and looked forward to flipping through it tonight, and she put her medications and a bottle of water into the drawer of the bedside table. All set.
Lacie freshened up and returned to the living room, an array of nail polish colours in her hands.
‘Lunch in half an hour!’ her mother called out from the kitchen. Lacie gave her a nod.
‘I’ve got more nail polish than you’ve got fingers,’ she said to Jessie.
The girl laughed. ‘You’ll have to do my toes too!’
‘I will. Take off those socks then.’
Lacie sat at the dining table with Jessie, a paper napkin covering her knees as Jessie placed her feet on her aunt’s lap.
‘Feet first, then fingers. Which colours?’
‘All of them!’
‘As you wish, Miss Rainbow.’
Jessie giggled.
Soon after, Jessie was walking around the house awkwardly, her toes fanned out as far as she could spread them, and her hands like claws, blowing on her fingers as the polish dried. Penny took a photo. ‘Going onto Facebook that is.’ She laughed.
‘Oh, Mum!’ Jessie retorted.
By the time lunch was ready, Ellie came in, having been to a library talk, and her real estate agent brother Chris arrived, saying, ‘I’ve got a few more appointments later this afternoon, so let’s get this show on the road.’ He took off his tie and sat at the table. ‘And I’ve had yet another person ask if you want to sell the house, but as I keep telling them, it’s not an option.’
Martha rolled her eyes. ‘Why would I give up my beautiful home, even for a nice sum? And you kids will get it when I’m gone.’
Lacie tried not to think about that. It was enough that her dad was gone.
‘Where’s Matt? We all have to be here for the tree decorating ceremony. Oh, whoops, I missed his text,’ Martha said, glancing at her phone. ‘Running half an hour late, got caught up at work. Start without me, but don’t let Chris eat my serving,’ she read out the text and Lacie laughed. ‘Oh well, let’s get started, I am absolutely starving!’
‘Mum, you had morning tea, like, ninety minutes ago,’ said Penny.
‘Exactly, ninety minutes without a boost to my blood sugar levels. That’s cutting it fine.’ She winked. ‘You wait till you get to my age.’
Martha ladled pumpkin soup into bowls, and Penny placed a basket of crispy bread rolls onto the table. There were also mini sausage rolls for the kids, not to mention Chris who grabbed four. ‘Anyone for a wine, or should I open it at dinner?’
Lacie was about to say ‘me please’ when she bit her tongue. Nine months with no wine, damn it.
‘Can’t drink on the job,’ said Chris.
‘Not for me,’ said Ellie.
‘Oh, well I was going to say bring it on but am I going to be the only one drinking?’ Penny glanced at Lacie.
Lacie shook her head. ‘Too early in the day.’ But that excuse wouldn’t save her later. ‘Besides, I’m kind of… on a bit of a detox.’
‘Detox?’ Chris mumbled through a mouthful of sausage roll. ‘I thought you loved everything in moderation.’
‘Um, I’ve been hanging out with some healthy peeps in my hood, doing yoga and stuff. I’m on a bit of a health kick, that’s all.’
Chris laughed. ‘Detox? Hood? Where has our Lacie gone?’
‘She’s right here!’ said Dane, seated next to her. He squeezed Lacie’s cheeks. Lacie snuck a kiss on his forehead.
‘Anyway, this soup looks delicious, Mum.’ Lacie slid her spoon into the soup and tasted it. ‘Yum.’
Everyone got on with eating and changed the subject from wine to which Christmas movie would be viewed tonight, and Matt finally arrived, catching up on lunch at record speed.
‘Okay, guys, are we ready for the tree?’ Matt stood when he’d finished.
The kids had already been chasing each other around the table, but they stopped. ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ Jessie jumped up and down.
‘I get to put the first decoration on, because I’m the youngest!’ said Dane.
‘That’s right, sweetheart,’ Martha responded. ‘And you’ll probably be the youngest for quite a while.’ She glanced at her grown-up children. ‘Unless we get blessed with any new cousins in the near future.’
‘Not on my radar right now, Mum,’ said Matt, who was only a couple of months into a new relationship with a fellow chiropractor from the practice he worked at, though they’d been trying to keep that under the radar at work too, apparently.
‘Pfft,’ scoffed Ellie, as though it was the most preposterous thing she’d ever heard.
Chris just scratched his head.
Lacie gulped. Did her mother suspect something? Mother’s intuition? ‘So,’ Lacie said brightly, clasping her hands together and standing. ‘Are we going to put on some happy music to get us all in the festive mood?’ She raised her eyebrows as far as they would go.
‘You said it, sister,’ said Matt, pressing his phone. The boppy sound of Pharrell Williams’ song ‘Happy’ filled the room, and he moved his body to the rhythm. The kids laughed and copied him, Chris rolled his eyes but eventually joined in, though not with as much enthusiasm. Penny sang along, and Martha danced her own unique style, clapping her hands, smiling, and radiating joy. Ellie simply tapped her fingers on the table. She always took longer than everyone else to get excited about things. Lacie held her younger sister’s hands and encouraged her to stand, then moved her arms up and down, side to side, until a reluctant but genuine smile formed. Lacie’s heart warmed, both from the effort and the sight in front of her. Her family, bar one, being happy and silly and living in the moment.
At the end of the song, they all laughed and clapped, and Martha fanned her face.
Jessie started hopping on both feet towards the living room. ‘Because I’m hoppy …’ she sang, and they all laughed.
The corner for the Christmas tree was already cleared and ready. Matt and Chris lugged the large box into the room and began unpacking the branches, stand, and trunk. Martha insisted on a real Christmas tree each December, but for their Christmas in July reunion, the pretend kind would have to do.
When the tree was assembled, Dane rummaged through the box of ornaments and chose the coveted first decoration – a wooden sleigh with sparkly glitter paint on the edges, and a gold string to hang it. Penny picked up her phone and took pictures as he held it up to the highest branch he could reach by standing on tiptoes, and flashed a toothy smile. He threaded the branch through the string, then stepped back to admire his efforts. ‘Ta-da!’
Matt gave him a high-five, and Jessie quickly chose the second decoration to hang; a glimmering pair of white doves, cut-out letters forming the word ‘peace’ above them. Martha put on Christmas music and together they brought the tree to life.
Lacie rested for a moment, observing. Tree decorating was her favourite thing as a child, and it brought her joy to see her niece and nephew enjoying it just as much. Thanks to her father and his British heritage, their family had started this tradition once all five children were born and Martha had decided they wouldn’t have any more. Lacie’s dad had missed the cold English Christmases, and decided to bring them to winter in Australia, minus the snow. As children, it was pretty exciting, having two Christmases a year. And with Lacie moving overseas, flights were cheaper in the middle of the year than at Christmas time, so they’d decided to make July the main event.
‘I think that’s about it,’ said Martha. ‘Where’s the angel?’ She looked in the near-empty box and pulled out a smaller box that encased the stunning gold-winged and white-gowned angel. She smiled at Lacie. ‘Ready?’
Lacie nodded, and her mother carefully placed it in her hands, Penny taking another photo. Matt placed the step ladder near the tree, and Lacie wondered if it was wise to be standing on a ladder in her ‘condition’, but she did, cautiously, holding on to the nearby mantelpiece of the fireplace to steady her footing. She reached up, and placed the angel on the tallest branch in the centre, and glanced slightly to the side with a smile so Penny could capture the moment. There, done. She stepped down the ladder as a wave of light-headedness unsteadied her and she grasped the mantelpiece, knocking over a photo frame.
‘Lace, you all right?’ Her mother held on to her arm as she regained her balance.
Lacie exhaled in relief. ‘Yep, all good. Whoops! Lucky I didn’t grab hold of a branch and send the tree to the ground.’
Her mother eyed her with concern. ‘You sure you’re okay? What did the doctor say?’
‘You went to the doctor? What’s wrong?’ asked Ellie. She seemed to have a phobia of anything medical since the death of her father.
‘Nothing, nothing’s wrong at all. A bit of jet lag,’ said Lacie. ‘Now can we all have a rest and enjoy our beautiful creation?’ She sat on the couch and looked up at the sparkling tree.
‘It’s the bestest one ever,’ said Dane, his eyes wide and innocent.
‘It sure is.’ Lacie’s bottom lip trembled a little and her eyes stung with moisture. Surprised at her sudden emotion she clenched her lips together and held back tears.
When everyone had finished admiring the tree and busied themselves with various things, Lacie sunk deeper into the couch. Her eyes became heavy, and the next thing she knew, Jessie was waking her up telling her it was time for dinner.
Jet lag indeed.
The festivities continued into the evening with a lamb roast dinner, and a viewing of the movie The Santa Clause . As it neared the end, Lacie’s phone rang from the coffee table.
‘Sorry,’ she said, leaning forward to pick it up. Her heart beat faster on seeing the caller ID.
It was Xavier.