Page 48 of Jam and Jingle Bells
"I don't want to be scared because it's almost Christmas and I love Christmas. Then I think about you leaving me at Ivy's, and maybe not coming back, and my heart starts pounding. I don't know what to do!" she cried.
Mason wrapped her in his arms and rocked her. "Shhhh, we're not leaving you, baby. We will all be here together next Friday night. Shhhh," he soothed, his face buried in her hair.
I stood and pointed to the door and Mel followed me. I slipped my boots on and squeezed her hand. "Call me if you need anything," I whispered. "If you can't make it to the gazebo tomorrow just text us. We’ll understand."
She nodded and opened the door for me. "I will, thanks for tonight. You went above and beyond with her. If you hadn't been there to get the answers, she'd still be suffering alone. From the bottom of my mom heart, thank you."
I hugged her gently for a moment and offered her a smile. "Anything you need,” I repeated and she nodded.
"Addie?" Holly called and I turned back to the couch. "Thanks for taking me to yoga tonight and for the pizza. Also, for not getting mad when I got upset."
I didn't think I could get to her fast enough to grab her up into my arms. "You're welcome for the pizza and I would never get mad because you were upset. I just want you to feel better.”
“Would you tell Ellis I’m sorry for ruining his night, too?” she asked as she rested her tired head on my shoulder. “I know you like him and I don’t want him to be mad at you.”
I hugged her tightly and swayed back and forth. “Ellis isn’t upset, honey. He knows you’re having some trouble right now and he understands. Maybe we can find a night next week to go visit him again? He texted me that he hopes you’re feeling a little bit better and he’s looking forward to the next time you come to his studio. You know, I have some catching up to do."
I set her back on Mason's lap and she nodded, her hands clasped in front of her. "I hope so, I really like it and you need lots of help."
I snickered and gave her a low high five. "I'll see you soon then. Try to get some sleep tonight for me," I said, rubbing a tear away from her cheek. "You look too tired to even think about yoga right now.”
Mason smiled. "Won't be a problem, we're having a sleepover tonight."
Holly was cheering by the time I got back to the door and for the first time all night, I was sure she was going to be okay.
Chapter Fourteen
I walked up the park path toward the gazebo and came to a dead stop when a line filled with strollers, bouncing kids, and flustered moms stood impatiently waiting. I had to excuse my way through the line to continue up the path, and then it hit me. Santa’s sleigh was in the park. I climbed the stairs to the gazebo and stood by the railing. Sure enough, at the back of the park was a giant sleigh, sans reindeer, with the jolly man himself in the driver’s seat. An elf of unknown gender and name stood taking pictures of Santa and the child on his lap.
I grinned and leaned against the railing, watching the kids climb up onto the sleigh and pose. Some did so with great enthusiasm and some did it with great distrust. The scene was chaotic, but Santa sat unflustered, smiling for the camera, talking to the kids, whispering in their ears, handing out candy canes, and waving goodbye to each child, making them promise to be good. I couldn’t hear much other than his ho-ho-hos, but the kids were all smiling and the park was buzzing with excitement.
“Addie,” Ivy called, waving from the opposite direction I had come. She pointed at the crowd. “I forgot about Santa in the park today. Looks like no one else did. This place is a zoo!”
I hugged her and patted her belly. “You’re not kidding. I came in the wrong way and had to fight my way through the line of moms and kids. I guess the chamber was onto something.”
“For sure. I heard the first three Saturdays will be during the day, and the last one, Christmas Eve, will be at four once the tree lights are on. Santa is going to have real reindeer and the whole nine yards.”
I raised a brow. “Wow, that will be a night to remember. Remind me not to be here. I can’t even imagine what the crowd will be like.”
She chuckled but watched Santa on the sleigh. “I think it will be like the tree lighting ceremony on steroids. They asked me to work the coffee hut. I couldn’t tell them no.”
I put my arm around her in solidarity. “Then I’ll be there to help,” I promised. “You name it and I’ll do it.”
“You sure?” she asked, her eyes on me now. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
“I’m sure. I’ll help you at the coffee hut since you know my mom and Stan are going to be here anyway. Once we’re done, we’ll join in the carol singing they do at eight and head back to Stan’s. I’m sure by then Holly will be ready for bed before Santa comes anyway.”
“Speak of the devil,” Ivy said, pointing down the path where Mel and Holly clung to each other’s hands while they worked their way through the crowd. “Guess they forgot about Santa in the park, too.”
“Oh!” I exclaimed excitedly. “Thanks for the picture yesterday. It was nice to see Baby Lund, even if it was just a white blob.”
She laughed and patted her tummy. “Hard to believe that white blob will be a living breathing human in a few months, isn’t it? It’s a good thing too or I’d throw in the towel. This pregnancy thing is for the birds.”
I rubbed her back and leaned my forehead on her temple. “I’m sorry it’s so rough on you. Let me know if I can help fill in the gaps in any way. Whether it’s a shift at the diner or picking up groceries for you. I’ll do whatever you need. My mom and Stan are here for you, too. So are they,” I said, when Mel and Holly broke through the crowd, a smile on both of their faces and laughter on their lips. It did my heart good to see Holly smiling instead of crying.
“Thanks, Addie. I’m trying my best, but I might need to call in a few favors as the months go on.”
“Hi, Addie,” Holly waved excitedly. “I’m happy to see you.” She climbed the stairs and ran right to me, hugging me tightly.
