Page 53 of Wishing Stone

Her brow furrowed with confusion as she simply stared down at the gift.

“Krystina, the anticipation is killing me,” Allyson joked. “Are you going to open it, or what?”

“Sush, Ally,” Krystina scolded, but her eyes were smiling. “I still can’t believe you’re all here. So many people watching me is nerve-wracking!”

“I can help if you need me to,” Allyson replied.

Krystina ignored her friend and focused her attention on tearing the package open. Inside was a plain manilla envelope. She eyed me with curiosity for a moment, then opened the envelope and pulled out a stack of paper.

“Twelve Dates of Christmas,” she read aloud from the cover sheet.

“That’s right. Today is the first date—dinner in a Christmas igloo surrounded by friends and family. Then, starting tomorrow, I have something planned for the next eleven days,” I said. “First is an outing to Rockefeller Center. I got with my contacts at Tishman Speyer, and they agreed to cordon off the Christmas tree area and give us two hours of private ice time if you want to ice skate. No people around means no risks, which in turn satisfies both of us. You get out of the house and I don’t have to worry. Baby steps, remember? The following day, I’ve arranged a private showing of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The Rockettes—”

“Whoa! Wait a minute here,” Krystina interjected. She shook her head, seeming apprehensive.

“Angel, what’s wrong?” I asked when I noticed her eyes wide with alarm.

“Nothing—everything. I mean, I can see you’re trying to loosen the reins, and I appreciate that, although I’m not sure what else you have planned for the twelve dates. I mean, a private showing of the Rockettes? Aside from the fact that it’s a little Vanderbilt-ish, I just think…” she trailed off, glancing around nervously as we waited for her to finish. “Don’t you think it’s too much?”

My eyebrows raised in surprise. That was the last thing I expected her to say.

“Krys!” Elizabeth said with exasperation. “I raised you better than that. Show some appreciation!”

Frank put his hand on his wife’s arm, almost as if to remind her that Krystina was a grown woman and Elizabeth should mind her own business. Krystina, on the other hand, just pressed her lips together in a tight line. I expected her to lash out at her mother for taking such a condescending tone, but instead, a look of confusion came over my wife’s face. It was surprising, as Krystina barely tolerated her mother on most days. Perhaps time and distance was exactly what she needed to find a little patience for the know-it-all, and sometimes intrusive, Mrs. Elizabeth Long.

“I do appreciate Alex’s gift, mom. It’s not that,” Krystina said.

“Well, what is it then?” Elizabeth asked with bewilderment.

“I just…” She didn’t finish her sentence as another wave of apprehension crashed over her features. Turning her attention back to me, she stared at me with worried eyes. “All of this—having everyone together and the twelve dates. Even though I don’t know what the other dates entail, I can already tell how much thought you put into everything. It means so much to me—really, it does. I’m so grateful that you carefully considered my words about feeling controlled and are making an effort. I just think I should give you my gift first, and then we can talk about whether you think your gifts are still, shall we say, safe. Okay?”

My brows pushed together in a frown. I had no idea what Krystina meant by ‘safe.’ I wouldn’t give any of this to her without taking every possible precaution to ensure her safety.

“Alright, angel,” I finally said, my curiosity overriding all else. “I guess I could use an explanation for why you seem so apprehensive. I thought you’d be happy about my gifts.”

“I am but…” Looking down, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small rectangular box wrapped in champagne-colored foil with a burgundy bow. She looked at me sheepishly, then thrust the box in my direction. “This is why I’m worried. Merry Christmas, Alex.”

21

Krystina

Alexander slowly reached out, appearing almost afraid to take the present. I was sure my behavior had thrown him off, so I rushed to reassure him.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t really prepare for this. It was kind of a last-minute decision. I was going to wait until Christmas morning to give this to you, but when you said we were having dinner by the pond, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t want to risk missing the perfect moment. It’s why I went back upstairs earlier. I had to wrap this just in case I decided to give it to you early. And now, with everyone here, I can’t think of a better time.”

He eyed me curiously for a moment, then slid his finger under the break in the wrapping and pulled the foil from the box. Lifting the lid, a gold triskelion key in a bed of sapphire blue satin was nestled inside. With it, there was a note card. Alexander flipped it open, and we all listened to him read it aloud.

Our family will always hold the key to my heart.

Merry Christmas, Alex.

Love, Your Angel

Allyson, my mother, and Justine’s simultaneous reactions were predictable.

“Awww!” cooed my best friend and sister-in-law.

“How sweet!” chimed my mother.

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