Page 63 of A French Inheritance
‘Thank you,’ Jeannie said reaching up to give him a lingering kiss.
* * *
Briony pulled the last batch of mince pies out of the oven and left them on the side to cool. Taking her apron off, she hung it on the back of the kitchen door out of the way. Time for one last look around the cottage to make sure everything was ready before everyone arrived.
She and Elliot had decorated Owls Nest with all the decorations she remembered from her childhood, as well as some new ones from the big Christmas market down on Cannes quay. There was a large tree in the sitting room, again decorated with things she remembered from her childhood. Christmas carols were playing in the background.
Standing by one of the French doors looking out over the garden, she saw Elliot busy winding Christmas lights around some of the trees. Not the owl tree though in case the lights disturbed the owls who had shown themselves several times over the summer and Briony loved watching them.
Elliot saw her watching and gave a wave before disappearing into another part of the garden.
Briony’s thoughts turned to how her life had changed during the last year. Life had slipped into a happy routine – working at the brocante three full days and two days up at the farm. She and Lucy had formed a firm friendship and she knew Lucy was sad that next year wouldn’t be the same.
The summer season had been busy, but there had been a good life/work balance – she and Elliot had made time for getting to know each other properly and she had no doubt that they loved each other. At the end of the summer season when Jeannie had moved in with Yann, Briony had asked Elliot if he’d like to move into Owls Nest. To her joy, Elliot had been more than happy to accept.
‘Everything ready for our first Christmas party?’ Elliot asked as he walked into the sitting room and put his arms around her.
‘Hope so, everyone will be here soon.’
‘Julian wanted to talk to me today,’ Elliot said quietly.
Briony glanced at him. ‘Nothing serious?’
‘It was actually,’ Elliot said. ‘He wanted to know if I would be interested in becoming a partner in the practice.’
‘What did you say?’ Briony was fairly certain she knew what his answer would have been.
‘I said yes of course. Best Christmas present ever.’
‘Um, I shouldn’t be too sure about that,’ Briony said, wondering whether now would be a good time to tell him the secret she’d been hugging to herself until she’d been one hundred per cent certain. She had planned to tell him tonight after midnight mass in the village church, but maybe now would be better. It was a secret which she knew he would be as happy about as she was.
She leant in and whispered in his ear and knew she would never forget the look on Elliot’s face as he heard the two words ‘I’m pregnant’. With a whoop of joy, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
This time next year they would be a family. And secretly, if it was a girl, Briony hoped Elliot would like the name Marie-Louise.
* * *
