Chapter Twenty
Twenty
Charlie
“Merry Christmas,” Julian whispered, snuggling against the softness of her cheek. “Did I forget to say that?”
Charlie bit her lip as Julian’s hand tightened around her thigh. “I think it came up between ‘Good morning’ and ‘are you my present?’” She moaned and shifted, curling her fists into the blankets.
“Good. As long as I mentioned it.”
“You definitely did.”
“We should get to Glendale,” he said, breathing her in. Snow fell gently against the window, gray winter light highlighting the room in soft shadows.
“I’m not the one hard at work,” she pointed out.
“You’re right. Give me one more minute.”
“Is that all it’ll take?”
“I think I can be efficient when the occasion calls for it,” he said, and she giggled as his lips ghosted down her chest and over her belly, nipping at her inner thighs.
He teased the sensitive skin there, and Charlie tried to move her hips, tried to get his mouth where she ached, but he pulled back whenever she did.
“Stop that,” she whispered.
“Stop what?”
“Teasing me.”
“I like teasing you. I like all the little sounds you make. Like music to my ears.”
Charlie snorted. “How long have you been waiting to use that one?”
“I’ve been saving it.”
“Mmm,” she hummed as he danced his lips toward her clit again. She stilled when he got close, anticipation coursing through her.
When his lips finally connected, Charlie saw stars. She groaned and canted her hips toward his mouth, wanting her release as badly as she wanted to draw this moment out. To savor it.
Julian licked and sucked and pulled the pleasure from her until her thighs trembled and her back arched and she came, riding the waves as they rippled across her body.
Julian left kisses everywhere as he crawled back into her arms. “Sorry I didn’t get you anything for Christmas. Hopefully this suffices for now.”
“Loveliest Christmas present I’ve ever received,” she promised, still catching her breath.
She ran her fingers through his hair, knowing right down to her bones that she’d made the right decision.
She felt whole and settled and secure in his embrace.
For the first time in years, Charlie felt like she was safe to simply stay.
“We’ll continue part two later.” He kissed her cheek.
“Oh, there’s a part two?”
“There was a sale on wrapping paper supplies at the store,” he said, giving her a wink. “They had lots of ribbon.”
Charlie shook her head, catching her lip between her teeth, fighting off a grin.
How had she ever considered walking away from this man when he made her so incredibly happy?
“I wish I could have given you a better present,” she said.
Namely a twenty thousand dollar check and a first place trophy.
She pressed her forehead to Julian’s. “I know I’ve already said this, but I really am sorry we didn’t win. ”
“The competition was fierce,” Julian said, stroking his hand down her arm. “But I can’t really say it feels like we lost either. At least, I feel like a winner.” He kissed the curve of her jaw.
“You’re okay with this consolation prize?” she asked.
“I’m more than okay with it.” He kissed her, pressing their lips together until she smiled.
Standing on that stage yesterday had been the most fulfilling thing Charlie had done since performing with Tom.
Her heart had warmed, watching the residents rock their performance as the audience jumped to their feet, cheering along.
As she’d taken in Julian’s joyous expression, standing among them onstage, and Gram’s bubbly laughter, Charlie had known she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Even when the winner had been announced, she’d still smiled, because none of it mattered.
All that mattered was the looks on the residents’ faces when the auditorium had erupted into applause.
Charlie didn’t quite know what her future looked like in Elm Springs, but she wanted Julian and the choir to be part of it.
Maybe she’d start teaching piano again or give voice lessons, volunteering at Glendale on her off days.
She’d talk to Gram and her parents. If they could hold off selling the house for a while, she could get a little at-home business going.
That would keep her flexible enough to fit in the choir.
It might not be what she’d always imagined doing, and maybe it wouldn’t be right forever, but it was right for her now.
“Come on,” Julian said. “Now we really should get to Glendale. Celebrate with Doris and any of the residents that are around today.”
“We should,” Charlie agreed, actually finding herself looking forward to Christmas morning. They got up and dressed and made coffee in Gram’s kitchen, unpacking mugs from boxes that had been destined for storage.
“Think your parents will make it back before dinner tonight?” Julian asked.
“Not sure,” Charlie said. “I’m still waiting for an update from Mom.
” Their flight had gotten delayed once, and then when they’d finally gotten on a plane, they’d been rerouted through Toronto due to snow.
“We can always video call them later. Gram will probably chat Mom’s ear off and Dad’ll end up snoring in the background, so it’ll be just like any other Christmas.
” She caught Julian’s eye, letting the flicker of sadness settle in her chest. Letting it linger.
Letting it remind her of things she used to love. “Well…almost.”
“Sounds perfect,” Julian said, inclining his head in the direction of the door. “Ready?”
“Can you actually give me a minute?” Charlie asked.
“Of course. You okay?”
Charlie nodded. “Just one more gift to deliver.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “I’ll go start the car.”
When the front door thumped closed, letting a drafty chill into the house, Charlie shivered and made her way to the base of the stairs.
She latched onto the railing, nerves thrumming beneath her skin as she took one step, then another, dragging herself toward the second floor, toward that room.
The place where Tom had decided to spend his last days.
The place where he’d last smiled at her.
Where he’d last laughed.
Her legs felt like jelly as she approached the open doorway.
She exhaled in relief as she turned the corner, finding nothing but a silvery patch of sun on the bed, a few dust particles swirling like snowflakes.
The room hadn’t changed much since that day, frozen in a way that held Tom’s memory.
A picture of him—bright blond hair, smile caught mid laugh, a baton in his hand—sat on the bedside table.
Charlie pressed her hand to her chest, took a deep breath, then walked into the room.
Emotion settled over her in waves, sometimes heavy, sometimes not, but she gave herself over to the feelings, riding out the current instead of fighting it, letting the tears gather along her lashes.
“Hi,” she said, voice thick, chin quivering.
She cleared her throat, pulling a program from yesterday’s performance from her pocket.
“I know it’s been a while, and I’m sorry for that.
” She’d folded the program in half, showing off the photo of the Glendale Shakers as she laid it on the pillow.
“I think you would have gotten a real kick out of this crew. They’ve been good for Gram.
” She lifted her shoulder. “Good for me, too, I guess.”
She smiled, her finger drifting across the pillow. “Love you, Tommy. Merry Christmas.”
A few days later, Charlie and Julian were greeted by whistles and cheers as they walked into the common room. Julian carried the tiny third place trophy in his hands, now engraved with the Glendale Shakers, presenting it like a wrestling belt, and the noise intensified.
Charlie made her way to Gram, perching on the arm of her wingback chair. Gram placed a hand on her knee.
“I wanted everyone here for this very special moment,” Julian announced over the sounds of the choir.
He lifted the trophy up and placed it on the mantel above the fireplace.
“I think Glendale’s first ever third place win deserves to be displayed here where everyone can see it instead of in my office. ”
Jim stuck his fingers between his lips and whistled so loud a few of the choir members winced and adjusted their hearing aids.
“I think there’s enough room up there for a few more trophies,” Gram called.
There were whoops of agreement.
Harriet crossed her arms. “I still think we deserve second place.”
Maggie shook her head. “Let the children have it.”
“They’re lucky they’re cute,” Harriet muttered.
“With their little tambourines,” Gram added. “And off-key singing.”
Charlie laughed at the look on Harriet’s face before catching Julian’s eye. Harriet was never going to let this go.
“I believe my codirector has a little something to say,” Julian said, gesturing for Charlie to take the floor.
She stood. She hadn’t given them a proper goodbye when she left, and even though she’d made it back before the performance, she still wanted to make sure the choir really understood what they meant to her.
Charlie looked from face to face, trying to find her words. “So, I know we’ve only known each other for a short while, but I’ve had a really wonderful time volunteering here at Glendale, and I sincerely wanted to thank every one of you for always making me feel so welcome.”
Maggie folded her hands over her heart.
“Before I got here, I was lost, drifting through life instead of actually living it.” Charlie embraced the heavy emotion that gathered in her chest. “My brother passed away a couple years ago from cancer. He was not only my music partner but truly one of the brightest parts of my life.”
Across the room, Gram’s eyes watered. She lowered her head, wiping at tears.
Charlie continued. “For a long time I really didn’t think I’d be able to sing again or find the same joy in music I once did. But then Gram and Julian cornered me in an elevator and roped me into this—”