Page 56 of Love's Harvest
A while later, Sarah got up off the couch and went to get a blanket to cover Aaron.As a construction worker, he worked as many long, hard hours as daylight would give him.She’d forgotten that.
When she returned to him, he smiled and tugged her down beside him.They lay cuddled together on the couch.They didn’t speak.Words weren’t necessary.Sarah believed Aaron loved her as much as she loved him.The day would come when they’d tell one another.But, for now, she was content to begin the journey of being together like this.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Christmas Eve festivities at Sarah’s house always began a little late because there were usually last-minute shoppers at the store who needed to be catered to.No one was more anxious than Sarah to close up and go home to the girls.Her parents normally came for a dinner of Chinese takeout but had opted out this year.Instead, they were coming to tuck the girls in bed for the night and then leaving so Sarah and Aaron could have some time alone.
Her mother greeted Sarah at the door when she got home.“Merry Christmas Eve!”
“Thanks,” said Sarah giving her mother a kiss.“See you a little later.”
“Enjoy the evening,” said her mother.“Dad and I will be back soon.He’s resting before the big reading event.”Tucking the girls in bed on Christmas Eve was a ritual everyone loved, especially her father.He’d read them special Christmas stories in their bedroom before turning out the light and leaving the door ajar in case Santa needed to peek inside to make sure Mia and Emily were sound asleep.
She turned as a knock came at the door.“This must be Aaron now.”
When Sarah opened the door, Aaron stood there holding a sack of Christmas presents and a big bag from the Won Ton restaurant.Wearing a Santa hat, he looked adorable.Emily and Mia looked on wide-eyed and mouths agape.
“Perfect,” said Sarah.“Come on in.Mom’s here, but she’ll leave and return with my father.”
“Merry Christmas, Mrs.Bullard,” Aaron said.
“And to you,” her mother said cheerfully.“But, please call me Edie.”
“Thank you, Edie ,” Aaron replied with a big smile and then moved toward the kitchen.
Sarah’s mother gave her a wide smile.“He’s so nice.I’m glad he’s back in your life, Sarah.”
“Me, too,” said Sarah, knowing their growing relationship was the best gift anyone could have.
She showed her mother out and returned to the kitchen.Aaron had set the food down on the counter and was stacking his gifts on the kitchen table.
“I thought you and the girls could open my gifts tonight, if that’s all right with you.”He turned to her and wrapped his arms around her before lowering his lips to hers.
When they pulled apart, the girls were climbing into their kitchen booster seats.
“Presents!”cried Mia.
“Are they for us?”Emily asked.
“Yes, they’re from Aaron.We’re going to open them after we eat.But, if you want, you can open the cards he’s giving you while I serve dinner.”
She turned to Aaron.“What would you like to drink?A beer?”
“Yes, thanks,” he replied, sitting at the table so he could tell the girls about the Native creatures drawn on the cards.
The girls listened intently as he told about the loon who was sometimes called a “spirit bird” who took messages to the Abenaki god.
Overhearing him, Sarah was elated that he wanted to share a bit of his heritage with them.
She served the girls plain chicken pieces, rice, and some carrots.
“Okay, come help yourself, Aaron.We’ve got a lot to choose from.”
By the time Aaron was done, Sarah was chuckling at the amount of food on his plate.That was something she’d have to keep in mind going forward.
Aaron kept the girls’ attention with stories of his own Christmas celebrations as a young boy.
“Maybe next year we can feed the birds,” said Emily.
