Chapter 22
Luna woke to a quiet house on the twenty-fifth. She didn’t want to wake her father or mother—herpregnantmother—so she crept down the stairs with a book to read on the couch. She stacked a few logs in the fireplace and felt satisfaction with the flames that caught. She may live in the city now, but she was still a master at building a fire. Davis had given her a small box before she left and asked her not to open it until Christmas morning. She thought about opening it right then, but she couldn’t decide if she should wait until the official present opening time with her parents.
In the end, she went to the tree and bent to find it among the other gifts. Her mother favored brown paper she could reuse tied with different colored yarn. Her father liked to use newspaper and saved it all throughout the year for that purpose. The one she searched for was wrapped in glossy gold paper and adorned with a shiny red bow.
She settled on the couch with it and pulled her legs up. She balanced the box on her knees, staring at it for several seconds before deciding to just open it. It wasn’t going to bite her finger, after all. She pulled at the tape and slid the paper off, setting it aside. She was sentimental enough that she would keep it. The white box inside was completely nondescript, but Luna’s heart thudded painfully in her chest. Surely, it wasn’t a ring when they were so many miles apart, but maybe some other type of jewelry.
With her lip caught between her teeth, she pried off the lid. There was a piece of paper folded on top of snowy white padding. She lifted the note and found a rectangular plastic card that looked like a duplicate of the one Davis used to gain access to his building. She looked at the note.
Luna,
Please wait for me.
Davis
She stared down at the note so long her vision blurred, realizing too late that it was because she was crying. A tear plopped down on the note and she carefully blotted it away with the edge of her flannel nightgown. Davis had mentioned that he would be at his parents’ house longer than she would be at hers. He wanted her to be at his apartment when he got home. Their apartment, she corrected herself. It would be theirs once they both returned from the winter holidays.
Luna got up and placed the entirety of the gift and wrapping paper in her purse on the hall table. She knew Davis had sent something for her parents, but this was the perfect gift for her. She didn’t need him to spend money on her, she just needed him to be thoughtful. She settled back on the couch with a blanket and the book, but she didn’t have it in her to read. Sighing, she went back upstairs to retrieve her phone and then to the kitchen to make tea. She chose the marigold that she realized they wouldn’t be having together for some time; it wasn’t safe for her mother to risk having while pregnant. While the kettle heated, Luna pulled up Davis’s number on her phone and sent him a text.
He replied quickly, surprising her. She didn’t think he’d be up that early when he didn’t have to go to work. He was pleased that she liked the gift and had understood the message, but then he told her to expect something else to arrive that day.
She almost rolled her eyes at the comment that he hadn’t been able to help himself. She knew he would end up spending some stupid amount of money on a frivolous gift. He really couldn’t help himself. Feeling more settled, she poured the water in her mug and headed back to the living room. The scent of pine from the fresh tree was enticing, as was the fire that crackled. She cozied up with a blanket, the tea, and her book.
She was still reading when her parents came down an hour later. They looked content with life, Luna realized. It was what made it easier to live in the city, knowing they were exactly where they were the happiest.
“Good morning,” she said as she stood.
Chester gave her a hug. “Merry Christmas, Lulu.”
“Merry Christmas.”
“The fire is a nice touch,” Iris said as she hugged Luna.
“Morning, Mom. It seemed like a good idea.”
“I think I’ll make some breakfast,” Chester announced.
“There are plenty of pastries in the house,” Iris said. “Don’t worry yourself too much with cooking.”
He grinned at her and kissed the tip of her nose. “You’ve been baking every recipe you’ve ever owned,” he teased.
She swatted his behind as he walked away, and Luna chuckled. “You two are the same as ever.”
“I hope so.” Iris sat next to Luna on the couch and watched the lights on the tree.
“Mom, are you worried about doing this so late in life?”
“Having another baby?” she clarified. Luna nodded. “Well, at first, sure. I didn’t think it was possible, so it came as a bit of a shock to the system. But I’m very healthy. I even went to an obstetrician.”
Luna widened her eyes. “Wow.”
Iris nodded. “I know. I didn’t think it would be fair at my age to assume I could do it all without any medical intervention. Everything is great, but it’s early still.”
Luna picked up her mother’s hand. It was soft, yet strong. Just like her mother. “I love you, Mom. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy foryou.” Iris nudged Luna’s shoulder. “You’re finally choosing to be with the one you love, and that makes me feel like my job is done.”
“What? No. Your job is never done.” The very idea horrified Luna.
