CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
The next morning, Clint announced that he needed to do some shopping. Nell told us she’d promised to go into the hotel to help. Vaughn offered to take all three children Christmas shopping, and I called Bernie to see if there were any issues at the hotel.
After telling me that everything was running smoothly, I asked Bernie to call me if necessary and said I’d see him and Annette tonight at my house for dinner.
Even though he and Annette would either work at the hotel or be on call both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, they usually took a couple of hours to attend an early dinner at my house every Christmas Eve.
I was even more excited to host my dinner this year with both Nell and Tina and their families present.
Working at a hotel with excellent food was a true benefit. Though I would prepare everything else, I would have the hotel kitchen prepare Beef Wellingtons for me to cook at home. Fortunately, there wasn’t a vegetarian or vegan in the group.
Dressing the dinner tables was the most fun for me. I wrote place cards for each person—all twelve adults and nine children. Each place would have a holiday popper with a paper hat inside sitting on top of a plate. This was a tradition that had started when Robbie was still a toddler.
My cell phone rang. Rhonda.
“How’s it going over at your house?” I asked her.
“Terrific. I’ve been making the desserts, and then I’ll get to work on a revised Feast of the Seven Fishes.
I no longer pretend to do it exactly as I knew when I was growing up, but we’ll feature a variety of fish as appetizers.
Other than that, I’ll make my mother’s lasagna recipe and serve my wedding soup. ”
“Sounds yummy. I talked to Bernie. He said everything is running smoothly at the hotel. He and Annette are coming here for dinner. It’s nice that you’ve invited Dorothy and Lorraine to your place.
What can I bring to your dessert party? I’ve already ordered a Chantilly cake from our favorite place. ”
“That will be more than enough. I’ve made Panna Cotta, honey balls, and my chocolate torte. All traditional Italian desserts.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to taste-test?” I kidded.
“I’m sure,” she said, laughing. “Willow and Drew are doing an outstanding job of that.”
“Have fun today. It’s pleasant to enjoy the holiday away from the hotel. I’ve offered to help place the gifts guests ordered outside their doors if needed. But I’m really hoping they won’t need me.”
“They should be fine. Let’s enjoy a family day,” said Rhonda. “It happens very rarely for us.”
“Okay,” I said. “Let me know if I can bring anything else besides the cake and the chocolates I usually order from San Francisco.”
“Will do,” said Rhonda. “Thanks.”
I ended the call.
At the table for adults, I placed my best crystal and sparkling silverware.
In each dark green linen napkin, I tucked a gold-foil-wrapped chocolate truffle.
While the adult table was elegant with special Lenox Holiday chinaware, the kids’ table was much more fun, with melamine dinnerware displaying snowman designs.
Each of their plates had a party popper on top.
Gazing around the room, I was filled with excitement. It looked festive. I could almost imagine the people sitting there, the sound of music in the background, and the buzz of conversation.
I reviewed my meal. In addition to the Beef Wellingtons, I was serving a carrot and onion casserole, which was a favorite of Vaughn’s, Julia Child’s potatoes au gratin, and a simple recipe of green beans and bacon that Robbie liked.
To accompany the meal, I’d serve a tossed green leaf lettuce and cranberry salad.
Liz was bringing her famous toasted cheese crisps for an appetizer, and I’d supply holiday nuts. Tina and Nick were bringing wine. Stephanie and Randolph were bringing homemade lemonade for the kids. Bernie and Annette were asked not to bring anything, but they would probably bring wine.
Anticipation filled me as I checked the living room. There was seating and space for everyone, even with the large Christmas tree in the corner.
Later, I was finishing with the prep for the carrot casserole when Vaughn and the kids returned home after seeing a movie. They were wound up about the gifts they’d bought for one another. Nell had promised to help wrap those that needed it.
“I got Mommy and Daddy a big surprise,” said Ned proudly, holding out a package for me to see, already wrapped by the store.
“That’s very thoughtful. You'd better place it under the tree for tomorrow,” I said.
“I got a present for Mom and one for Dad,” said Bailey. “I’ll put mine there.”
I glanced at Robbie.
“I already bought gifts earlier,” said Robbie. “They’re already under the tree. But I bought one today for Brett. He’s going to really like it.”
“That’s what makes it fun,” I said.
A short while later, Clint returned to the house without any packages. He didn’t mention doing any shopping and announced he was taking a nap.
Nell arrived in time to escort the children out of the pool and assist them in getting dressed in their special Christmas clothes.
I went to the kitchen to take care of the beef, then, as excited as the kids, I went to my bedroom to change into something festive.
Vaughn saw me enter the room and came over to me. He pulled me into a warm embrace. “Merry Christmas, darling. In all the confusion in the next couple of days, I might not get the chance to thank you for all you’ve done to make this holiday fun for everyone.”
He put his arms around me and lowered his lips to mine. I leaned against him, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having him in my life.
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Just before our guests were due to arrive, I asked Bailey to be the official door greeter. In a green velvet dress and with a green ribbon in her hair, she looked adorable.
Ned, wearing khaki pants and a red and green plaid shirt, kept running to the window to see if the Ts had arrived.
Robbie was helping Vaughn, who was setting up a bar in the butler’s pantry.
Stephanie and Randolph arrived at the same time as Liz and Chad, along with their kids. They helped lead the Ts to our front door, where Bailey was calling out to them.
Chad followed, carrying Gabe in his arms, walking beside Liz, who held a tray of appetizers.
Tina, Nick, and their boys arrived next. I knew Bernie and Annette would be the last to arrive and the first to leave. It was always that way because of their duties at the hotel.
Sure enough, as dinner was about to be served, Bernie and Annette arrived. Bernie, bless his heart, was wearing a Christmas tie. Annette, who always looked elegant, was wearing a black dress with a sparkly Christmas tree pin that held real gems.
After hugs and kisses and greetings were exchanged with them, we all settled at the tables for dinner. Robbie was being a sport about being the oldest at the children’s table, though Liz had promised to eventually exchange places with him to help keep the kids eating.
Before carving and doling out slices of the Beef Wellington, Vaughn stood and lifted his wine glass.
“Here’s to another year of blessings. Ann and I are extremely pleased to share this meal with you because each of you is an important member of our family. Here’s to another good year.”
A chorus of answers followed, and then he sat down, keeping his eyes on me.
My lips curved at the sexy way he stared at me before we all popped open our poppers.
The children laughed to see everyone wearing silly hats on their heads. I loved the idea of adults playing along with the kids.
Vaughn carved the meat as dishes were passed around the adult table and servings doled out to the children. Nell had cooked chicken fingers to add to the kids’ plates, keeping everyone eating.
Even though the children were seated at a separate table, they occasionally joined us adults, coming in for a snuggle or to whisper secrets. It was sweet to have them here, making Christmas memories.
The quiet hum of contented voices was like music to my ears. A scene like this, our dining room filled with friends and family, was in stark contrast to my childhood, and I treasure these moments.
As the meal was ending, Clint surprised us by getting to his feet.
He looked around the table and said, “I want to thank everyone in this room for being so understanding, kind, and supportive to me and my family during these last several weeks. I especially want to thank my wife, Nell, for everything she has done for me. Because you all are special to us, I thought it only right to share this moment with you.”
He pulled out a velvet-covered box from his pants pocket, walked over to Nell’s chair, and knelt beside it. “Nell, I love you more than anything. I always want you by my side. Will you marry me again?”
He opened the box, showing her an eternity ring of sparkling diamonds set in platinum to match her engagement and wedding rings.
Nell stared in shock at the ring, then at him, and burst into tears. “Oh, Clint! That’s the sweetest thing ever! Yes, I’ll marry you again. I love you more than you know.”
She stood, and he wrapped his “good” arm around her and kissed her.
Sighing with happiness and trying to control her emotions, she laid her head against his shoulder.
“I know that whatever it is, I love you more. Right, kids?” Clint turned to them, and I realized he’d planned this with them.
Bailey and Ned ran over to their parents.
“A wedding. Can I be a bridesmaid?” asked Bailey, smiling at her mother.
“Do I have to get dressed up?” Ned asked.
Laughing, the four of them hugged each other.
Vaughn began to clap, and we all joined in. As I watched this couple come together like this, I wasn’t the only person in the room crying.