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"Oh no. We have to see if she's worthy first," Celine countered.
Huh. They’d thought I was worthy when they'd really only met me a few times? That was something, wasn't it?
"We should just let things unfold. The lilac only works if the two are meant for each other. It doesn't work miracles," Celine went on.
"That’s true," Isabeau confirmed, and the two of them looked at us with unmistakable pride in their eyes. "You two are perfect for each other. Your brothers will be lucky if things go the same way for them."
Chad chuckled. "I think my brothers would disagree with you."
Isabeau waved her hand. "All in due time." Then she took my arm, walking with me to the table. "Your perfume should be running out about now."
"Yes," I said, surprised she knew that.
"You can come back for more anytime."
"Grandmothers, why are you trying to lure Scarlett back to your store?" Chad asked.
"Oh, we're not luring her anywhere, boy," Celine said.
"We just want to spend some time with her on her own. Find out what plans you two might have for the future. Regarding babies," Isabeau said.
I gasped as Chad laughed and shook his head. "You know, usually I'd say it's none of your business. But we were discussing it earlier."
"Excellent," Celine said. “Bella needs a sister or brother—maybe both—and it’s been a long time coming.”
“Well, Celine, he had to meet the right one,” Isabeau commented. “And we all knew Sarah was not that, though I’m pleased she’s not making an issue out of anything.”
On the contrary, according to Chad, Sarah just wanted to have as much time as possible for herself. That was fine, really—I planned to shower Bella with love forever.
Celine turned to me then. "Scarlett, dear, we can try out a new perfume for you." She winked. "We've been told it does wonders."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I'd been skeptical about the lilac too. But now I was almost a believer.
Chad put an arm around my waist. "Let's go to the table. Who knows what these two are up to," he said, looking at Celine and Isabeau.
"Whatever they have in mind, they have my full approval," I informed him.
As we gathered around the table, I noticed Chad’s parents talking to mine. I was grateful for that because it was helping them relax.
"All right, everyone. Since we do everything a bit differently in this house," Celine said, "we actually decided to start withsome pralines—from our family’s confectionery, of course—and dates.”
Chad and I each took a praline from the center of the table.
I smiled at him and said, "Your family does everything their own unique way."
"And that's why you fit. Merry Christmas, sugar."
"Merry Christmas, Chad."
We ate our pralines at the same time. It was an explosion of flavor in my mouth, sweet but not overly so. I immediately reached for another one, devouring it just as quickly. Such a perfect way to start dinner, by having dessert first.
I was happy and simply complete. I couldn't wait for every Christmas yet to come.
