Page 104 of Once Upon a Holidate
“Thank you,” she said as the tears started. They quickly turned into ugly sobs she couldn’t control, but no matter how much she cried, her dad didn’t let go.
“You’re welcome, Joylyn. I love you. I always will.”
She nodded, unable to speak. Eventually the waterworks stopped enough for her to catch her breath and dry her face. When she had a little control back, Wynn handed her a bag.
“Your dad got you this, too, but it seems a little anticlimactic.”
Joylyn looked in the bag and saw Winnie the Pooh bedding.
“It’s perfect,” she managed to say, trying her best not to start sobbing again. “I mean it, Dad. It’s wonderful.”
“Good. I’m glad you like it, little girl.”
Everyone took turns rocking the bassinet. Her mother congratulated her on the successful shower.
“It was a special day,” her mother said, looking a little emotional. “I’m so glad I was here.”
Joylyn hugged her. “Me, too, Mom.”
“I hope you’re not too angry about me sending you to stay with your dad.”
Joylyn didn’t know what she was feeling anymore. The anger had faded, but the hurt remained.
“Having me stay here turned out really well for all of us,” she said with a smile. “Besides, I’m sure the boys appreciate not having to be quiet in case I’m resting.”
Her mother bit her bottom lip. “They do miss you. I miss you, too. If you want, I can take some of the baby’s things with me so you have less to transport when Chandler gets home.”
“That’s okay. Dad’s going to drive back with us. What we can’t fit in my car, we’ll get in his SUV. It’s really big.”
Her mother looked at her. “Joylyn, did you want tocome home now? I keep thinking you should be with your family when you’re so close to giving birth.”
A month ago Joylyn would have jumped at the chance to leave Happily Inc, but not anymore. “I want to stay here,” she said easily. “I’m settled with my dad, and there’s Holly’s wedding next week and my last birthing class. I’m good, Mom, but thanks for thinking of me.”
“You are still mad.”
“I’m not.” She drew in a breath. “We will have to talk about what happened, but not today, please. It was a perfect day. I love that you came to my baby shower. Can’t that be enough?”
Her mother studied her. “You’ve changed. You’re more grown-up.”
“Don’t you think it was time?”
“I don’t want to lose you, Joylyn.”
Joylyn thought about how her mother had let her walk away from her dad. How she’d taken the easy road, rather than make her daughter do what was right, which was so different from how Wynn had handled the situation with Hunter. Joylyn supposed everyone was flawed and made mistakes. She sure made plenty herself, so she couldn’t judge.
“You’re not going to lose me, Mom. I’m right here.” Joylyn hugged her. “I’ll see you soon.”
Alisha didn’t look convinced, but she nodded. Joylyn sank back in her chair and thought that she was pretty darned proud of herself for how she’d handled that. Maybe this acting more mature thing was going to work for her.
***
Monday at eleven, Wynn left her office for the final girlfriend lunch of the year. They would take off the last two weeks of the year to accommodate the craziness of the season. She drove home to collect what she’d made and to wait for her ride.
Unlike the other lunches with a haphazard potluck menu,this meal was planned and everyone had a part. Silver provided a fun cocktail, while the food duties were shared. Wynn, who was still in a holiday baking frenzy, had offered to take care of dessert.
She’d decided on a cookie-based treat, mostly because everyone loved her sugar cookies. After playing with a couple of frosting variations, she ended up with a sugar cookie fruit tart. The sugar cookie stood in for the crust and the frosting—a custard buttercream—was the filling. She topped each cookie with blueberries and raspberries, along with a bit of sugar glaze.
She’d saved the largest bakery box from Joylyn’s shower and had put the tarts inside. Now she carefully carried them to the door and waited.
