The door shut behind Mr.Trimble and then the girls were eagerly peeling back the tissue to reveal layer upon layer of ornaments.Some were delicate glass spheres, painted with holly and gold leaf; others were whimsical—bright colored balls, delicate Christmas trees, angels with slightly crooked wings, small copper stars that had tarnished in places.
Cat could almost feel the years in them, whispers of Christmases past.“These are treasures indeed,” she said quietly, more to herself than anything but Rhys heard her, his gaze catching hers and holding for a moment.
“Thank you for thinking of this,” he said slowly.“I should have.I don’t know why I didn’t.”
“Doesn’t matter,” she answered with a smile.“You’re creating those memories you talked about earlier, now.”
*
Cat insisted theytake a break for lunch and to eat the soup while it was hot.At first there were protests but lunch helped warm and relax everyone, which was a better way to tackle decorating a very big tree.
While the girls decided which ornaments had to go on the tree first, Rhys untangled a long string of white lights, testing each bulb with quiet patience.“I remember these,” he said.“Mr.Trimble used to hang them on the tree in the billiard room.”
“Did you ever help him?”Cat asked.
“It wasn’t really my house to decorate,” he said, eyes still on the wires.“But I did pitch in one year, when Mr.Trimble fell off the ladder and broke his collarbone.”
“That was kind of you.”
“The earl slipped me a ten pound note later and told me to save it for something special.”
“Did you?”
“No.I used it to buy my parents Christmas presents, but if I recall, there was a pound and some change left over which I did save.”
It wasn’t hard to picture him younger, working with the same discipline and diligence he displayed now.
Olivia and Jillian were now carefully arranging their favorite ornaments on the table, debating colors and placement with the seriousness of diplomats.
Cat caught Rhys watching them, and something in his expression touched her.He looked proud, but also happy, the worry and frustration gone.
“Will those lights still work?”she asked.
“They should.”He plugged in one strand, and then another.“They do.Admittedly, they are a little like me, a few old bulbs, but mostly intact.”
Cat flashed a cheeky smile.“I wouldn’t say you’rethatold.”
He grinned.“I guess that’s something to celebrate.”Rhys rose and began wrapping the first strand of lights around the tree, working from the very top, weaving the lights in and out of the branches taking care to hide the cord.He worked quietly, carefully, each movement thoughtful and precise.
As he finished with the first strand, Cat handed him the next set, feeding him lights when he was ready.Now and then he’d have a hand out waiting for more lights, and each time she’d placed the string in his hand she’d say,Doctor.
And each time, he played along with her and would answer,Thank you, nurse.
And every time the girls would giggle.
Between the girls’ giggling laughter, the abundance of lights wrapping the tree, and the fresh fragrant scent of pine, the sitting room came to life, turning the space into a place of magic.
“It’s so lovely,” Olivia whispered, eyes glowing with the awe and wonder of childhood.
“It is,” Rhys agreed, leaning over to kiss the top of her head.“And so are you.”He then caught Jillian’s expression with all the conflicted emotion she carried with her.
He crossed to his oldest, who was still such a child, and kissed her too.
“Thank you for helping,” he said to Jillian.“Thank you for making today fun.”
She looked up into his face, her eyes searching his, and then her lips slowly curved up.“We just have to do more fun things, Dad,” she said.“Together.”
He kissed the top of her head again.“Agreed.”
