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Laney stared at her mother, mouth agape. She didn’t know what shocked her more, her parents making out or engaging in petty theft.
“Don’t look so horrified, Delaney.” Claire slipped back into her usual prim personality.
“I’m not, I promise. I think I’m impressed, actually. Up against the bar, eh? That’s hot.” This time laughter washed over and through them both, and that’s how Evie found them, hugging in the kitchen, tears of joy streaming down their faces.
Claire kept the souvenir glass for herself and the girls each took a crystal flute. Laney popped the cork and as the golden effervescence overflowed, they giggled and cheered. They settled in front of the Christmas tree and the twinkling coloured lights bounced off their drinks, a dazzling backdrop for a special announcement. Not that Laney wanted to make a big deal about it, but she’d made a decision that she hoped Evie would understand and appreciate.
“Evie, do you know how impressed I am with how you’ve handled the divorce? Starting your own business, putting up with Mom—” Claire poked Laney in the ribs for that one “—and having energy to run around with the boys every day?”
Evie raised her eyebrows, looking unsure as to where the conversation was going, but she couldn’t keep a smile off her face. “Keep going. Champagne and compliments, a girl could get used to this.”
“I know that you don’t need anything.”
Evie winked. “Mmmm, I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t say no to a pool boy.”
“Okay.” Laney laughed. “I’ll put in an order for one. But seriously, even though I know you don’t need it, I want to do something for the boys. Set up an education account.”
Evie sat up. She didn’t say anything, but Laney could tell she was considering how to say no.
“Don’t say no. Please. I’m not offering this because I feel guilty for not being here, or because I think that you need any help. It’s just that I have the means, and they’re so smart, it would be nice if when they get to university, money isn’t a factor.”
Laney had incurred significant student loans, because their parents hadn’t been able to help much past her first degree. She was paying that debt off at an accelerated rate now that she was fully trained, and it would soon be gone, giving her financial freedom.
Claire touched her back. “Something like that would have made a big difference for you, wouldn’t it have?”
Laney shook her head. “Mom, that’s never been a thought for me, I promise. I’m lucky that I’m going to be debt free soon, but there are many graduate school tracks that don’t lead to my level of income, and if Connor or Max ever want to study art or animal migration or whatever, I hope they graduate in the clear.”
Evie still hadn’t said anything, but she nodded silently, swiping away tears. Laney crawled over to her sister and cuddled into her side. “We’re family. What’s mine is yours.”
Evie pressed her cheek into the top of Laney’s head and swallowed hard. “Thank you. You mean it?”
She nodded.
“Excellent. You can take the boys home with you.” And once again, the Calhoun women laughed.
Chapter 11
The thunder of children’s footsteps on the stairs woke Laney up, and she hurried to the landing just as Connor and Max discovered their full stockings hanging from the banister into the hallway on the first floor. They glanced up at her, bright faces thrilled that the promise of a magical visit had actually happened. Behind her, Evie bounced, barely able to contain her own excitement. Claire mumbled something about coffee and scones as she slipped past them, but Laney and her sister were happy to watch the boys hoot and holler about the action figures, magazines, chocolate, personalized mixed CDs, and even socks and oranges that Santa had left them.
“Can we open our presents too, Mom?” Max peered up between the balusters. Evie shook her head and his face sank into a pout.
“Max, remember what we talked about last night. Mommy needs coffee and a bite to eat, and she needs to get the video camera ready. Then you can open your presents. It won’t be long, I promise. Go see how Grandma is doing with first breakfast.”
Connor’s stomach growled at the mention of food, so Max followed his brother down the hall. First and second breakfasts were a long standing Calhoun Christmas tradition. Second breakfast was really an early lunch, not usually hitting the table until eleven in the morning or later, but it was always breakfast food. Orange juice, some fancy egg dish, sausage, toast, fried tomatoes. First breakfast was something quick to keep everyone sustained through present opening and playing.
Claire tasked Connor with carrying the tray, loaded with scones, clotted cream, preserves, and glasses of milk for the boys. Max followed with plates and cutlery, and Claire brought up the rear with three steaming mugs of coffee. Evie gave the official nod to Max, and as the women dug into the food as wrapping paper and ribbons started flying through the air.
Max insisted on sorting the presents by matching wrapping paper, so first they opened the gifts Evie had wrapped, then Claire’s, and finally the boxes that Laney had brought from Chicago. Her gifts for the boys had been suggested by Evie: a tablet for Connor and a Nintendo DS for Max. It had been harder to find the right presents for her mother and sister, but she’d finally found items that were special enough. An oversized black cashmere wrap for her mother, with a hardcover bestseller that hid the author’s signature inside the front cover nestled on top. She’d stood in line for an hour at the DePaul Center Barnes & Noble to get that personalized note, For Claire, who never gives up, and it was worth it to see her mother get all verklempt with happy tears. For Evie, she’d gone hog-wild in Sephora, filling a gift basket with treats from Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Philosophy and Urban Decay.
She had been spoiled herself that morning, with her family giving her new workout clothes, gift certificates for her favourite Chicago takeout restaurants, a desk calendar featuring pictures of the boys, a pile of fantasy novels by her favourite authors, a sparkly stethoscope decoration handmade by Max and a stocking full of dark chocolate and Lush bath bombs. And wrapped in and around all of the gift giving was a happy warmth, a joy and grounded appreciation that they were able to spend the holidays together.
Two hours later, Max had convinced Connor to set aside his tablet to stage an attack on the castle (which Max would easily fend off, as he kept the superior fire power tools for his own force), and Claire was prepping for second breakfast. Laney had gotten dressed in her green jersey dress and thigh-high grey knit socks, her new favourite winter leg covering. All the warmth of tights without the annoying rolling waistband. She finished the outfit with the green and white elf hat, and did little jig at her reflection in the mirror.
“You’re happy.” Evie strolled into Laney’s room.
“It’s Christmas.”
“Mm-hmm. Are you expecting a visitor today?”
