Chapter 17
Hearing rustling behind her, she turned to see Jack come into the kitchen, a sleepy smile on his face. “Merry Christmas, Jack. Did you sleep okay? I'm sorry about the shenanigans last night — you can use my bed later if you need a nap.”
“Your bed sounds inviting, but only if you’re joining me.”
“That sounds wonderful, Bella. You’ve really outdone yourself. Oh look, there’s that mistletoe again,” he said, giving Bella a very good morning kiss.
The oven timer dinged, signaling the quiche was done, and just in time, as the girls all came down the steps and straight into the living room, looking to see what ‘Santa’ left for them.
After Sloane and Piper insisted on selfies in front of the decorated tree, they had a bit of breakfast, then headed back to the living room, where they sat down to open presents while Jack and Bella sipped on coffee, smiling, and oohing and aahing at all the right moments as each gift was held up for inspection.
Judging by the looks on their faces they were all happy with their gifts.
Pulling a small, wrapped present from under the tree, Bella passed it to Jack, saying with a smile “Santa didn’t forget you this year, Jack.”
“Oh, what could this be?” he said while shaking it next to his ear with a laugh.
Unwrapping the gift, he looked down to see a first edition, signed copy of The Right Stuff, Tom Wolfe's account of the early space program — a genuine classic.
Opening it gently, almost afraid to damage it.
He read the inscription. For Jack — who had the right stuff all along. Bella
“Bella, this is amazing, one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I love it, thank you so much.”
“Dad, give Bella her gift,” said Piper.
Jack reached under the tree and handed Bella a medium-sized box, wrapped in paper covered in tiny Corgis wearing Christmas sweaters. Bella tore the paper off and looked stunned. “Oh. Crocs.”
Jack, Sloane, and Piper all burst into laughter at her face - Her face said everything — she wasn't sure what to say but absolutely did not want to hurt his feelings. Crocs weren’t really her style.
“Open the box.” Lifting the lid off the box, Bella saw a smaller box nestled inside next to the Crocs.
Lifting it out, she opened the box and gasped.
Inside on a white gold chain was a charm of a high heeled shoe, studded in tiny diamond chips, with the sole of the shoe painted in red enamel, just like Louboutin’s.
“Oh Jack, this is gorgeous, I love it! Can you help me put this on now?”
Jack took the necklace from Bella, unclasped it, and placed it around her neck. His breath warm in her ear, he whispered “Merry Christmas, Bella. Also, you don’t have to wear the Crocs.”
“Thank God, I’m so relieved!!”
The girls offered to clear up all the wrapping paper, as well as do the breakfast dishes so both Bella and Jack could have showers (not together of course!) and get dressed.
Bella went with comfort for the day, her favorite low-rise boyfriend jeans, and paired it with a Christmas themed hoodie, printed with a woman kissing Santa under mistletoe, along with Tod's
Gommino suede driver loafers in red. Jack was casual as well, with jeans and his own sweatshirt of Santa riding a rocket ship in space, pulled by reindeer. All four girls headed upstairs to get dressed - Angela and Madeline also taking a few minutes to Facetime with their dad in California.
At 1pm Big G and Mary arrived, and it started all over again, as they had presents for all of them, including Sloane and Piper.
They had brought gifts themselves for Big G and Mary: a baseball cap, golf balls, and a shirt all emblazoned with the NASA logo on them for Big G, and for Mary they had purchased an Italian leather bound journal, as Bella had mentioned once that her mom was an avid journaller.
After cleaning up again, Bella headed into the kitchen to get dinner started, while the others sat in the living room, each with cups of nog or juice, talking while Christmas music played softly in the background.
She had a roast to get into the oven, and sides to prepare: potatoes, glazed carrots, oven-roasted sprouts, lemon-roasted Romanesco broccoli, rolls, and of course Big G had brought a massive lasagna that they’d be eating for at least a week after.
Jack offered to help with dinner, but Bella shooed him out.
Dessert was a selection of pies, and Madeline had brought a traditional Christmas Pudding with her from England.
Calling from the other room that they were all going to take Daisy and Primrose for a walk - it was a sunny yet cold day, the best kind of day for Christmas if there is no snow - Bella told them to bundle up, and dinner would be ready in about 45 minutes, so not to be too long.
Jack stayed behind to help Bella get the table set but really so he could watch her in the kitchen while she worked, singing along with the Christmas music, knowing the words to every song that played.
She made it all seem effortless, but he knew the amount of preparation she had done.
Finally, it was dinner and everyone gathered around the dining table with big appetites.
Big G said grace — short and heartfelt — and then they all dug in.
Bowls were passed, wine poured for those who wanted it, and jokes and laughter flowed freely.
“Jack, I’m glad you're here. I don’t feel so outnumbered by all these women now,” joked Big G.
“I hear that Big G, I hear that.”
“DAD!!”
“Mr. Genovese, this lasagna is the bomb,” said Piper.
“The bomb? Is that good?” he asked.
“Yes, Grandpa, that means it’s good,” laughed Madeline.
“Aha, well yes, my lasagna is pretty good. I made it with my mother’s recipe, she was from Italy you know”, Big G said - then launched into the story of how his parents emigrated from Sicily - a story he’d told a million times, but this time he had a new audience and he loved to tell the tale.
Later, after dessert had been served, everyone was stuffed and happy from the day.
Bella’s parents gathered their gifts to head home, and Jack offered to help Big G carry everything out to the car.
Before leaving, Mary pulled Bella aside to say, “He seems to be a wonderful man, Bella. His daughters are lovely. Dad and I are happy for you — after Jasper's death we didn't think we'd ever see you smile again. But you're glowing."
"Thank you, Mom," Bella said, pulling her into a hug.
All four girls declared it an awesome Christmas and promptly declared they were exhausted and going to bed early - Piper and Sloane needed to pack to head back to Houston in the morning. Jack lit the fireplace, and they settled on the sofa, sipping on mulled cider and relaxing.
Bella curled up next to him, and Jack's hand moved absently up and down her leg. “This has been a wonderful Christmas, Bella, thank you for including us. The girls really needed something like this. And I think they’ve got a new tradition with midnight margaritas.”
“I’m glad you all were here. It was nice, wasn’t it?” she said, her head resting on his chest. She felt warm and cozy.
“And that book - Bella, how did you find that? It was the perfect gift.”
“I’m glad you like it, I wasn’t sure if you already had a copy, but it spoke to me.”
“Did you like your gift?”
“Oh yes, the shoe necklace is absolutely, completely me."
“What about the Crocs?” he teased.
“Those? Not so much me, but I love the originality of the gift - you got me!”
He dipped his head to her neck, pressing his lips to the curve of her neck before moving to her ear, tugging gently with his teeth. “Do you think we can sneak away for a bit?”
“There’s not much privacy here, that’s for sure. "What are you suggesting — we go to the car like teenagers?,” she laughed softly, though she was entirely distracted by what he was doing.
“Mm, that’s an idea,” he replied.
“Stop - you know we can’t do that. Besides, I’d probably hurt myself, ha”
“You’re probably right - I’d love to try to explain that to the doctors at NASA!”
“Do you think this is strange - at our age?” she asked.
“I’m not sure what you mean - what’s strange?”
“This. The passion, the desire. I mean, I love spending time with you — genuinely — the talking and laughing and all of it — but I’m surprised by the other - how much I want you.”
“Oh God, Bella, don’t do that to me right now - not when we can't finish anything I’d love to start.
But yes, I think I’m a little surprised by this too - I almost thought that part of me had died, honestly.
I haven’t felt anything like this in so long, and then you appear and it’s like I’m some 16-year-old - all hot and bothered at the mere thought of you. ”
Bella felt her face grow warm, and it wasn’t because of the fire. He made her feel so alive - sexy and desired - feelings that she too thought were gone forever. “Kiss me. Kiss me and show me you want me just as much as I want you”, she said, her voice low and slightly unsteady.
And just before his lips met hers, he whispered: "Gladly."