Page 18 of The Christmas Ring
Sadie was halfway through her first year and Christmas was a week away! They had every reason to celebrate!
Of course, maybe just the tiniest part of all of this was to help Sadie feel comfortable when Vanessa broke the news about Ben. An atmosphere to remind her daughter that nothing would ever change between them. Even if Vanessa did have a new friend.
She tried to imagine how difficult the past five months would have been if she hadn’t had the delightful distraction of Ben Miller. A smile came over her. Ben had been just what she needed.
Vanessa made a quick assessment of tonight’s welcome home dinner for Sadie, and she nodded. Everything was in order. Lasagna and garlic bread were warm in the oven, the salad freshly tossed with Sadie’s favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing. An iced bottle of Gerolsteiner sparkling water sat in the middle of the table. Sadie’s favorite.
Vanessa stared at the clear glass bottle. She could still hear Alan’s voice.“If it’s Sadie we’re celebrating, get that fancy water. The one I can never pronounce.”Some days it was still hard to believe he would never walk through the door again, never celebrate with them each birthday and Christmas. Maybe even crazier was the fact that today, while she was out with Ben, she hadn’t thought once about Alan.
She looked at her wedding ring and felt the hint of tears. Time was moving her away from those days. Giving her a second chance at life, which was something she had prayed for. But now that it was happening, her sadness shifted. Not that she couldn’t stop thinking about Alan.
But today, for the first time, she had.
With everything set, Vanessa wandered into Sadie’s room. The place was just how she’d left it, her bed made, closet neatly put together. Her desk intact with a dozen small framed photos of her high school days and family moments before Alan had died. And of course pictures of her and Hudson. Vanessa smiled. Sadie was going to love Ben. It was just a matter of time.
Something on the floor behind Sadie’s headboard caught Vanessa’s eye, and she moved closer to see what it was. She bent down and picked it up as an ache filled her heart. Itwas Sadie’s little brown bear, the one she’d had since she was in kindergarten.
Vanessa stared at the bear. She’d been in Sadie’s room during the past few months to vacuum, but somehow she’d missed this. She stroked the little bear’s head. Normally it sat up on Sadie’s pillow, where it had sat until she left for college.
Mister Bear was the one thing Sadie had always held on to when she fell asleep.
But obviously Sadie had left it here when she moved to Reinhardt.
Vanessa picked up the bear, dusted it off, and set it back on Sadie’s pillow. “There.” She patted the little bear. “Sadie will be glad we found you.”
She heard a sound at the front door and hurried out of Sadie’s room to see her daughter drag a suitcase and two bags into the house. “Sadie!”
“Mom!” She left her things and ran into Vanessa’s arms. “I missed you so much.”
“Sadie girl. You’re home.” The feel of her daughter in her arms, the smell of her blonde hair and freshly washed clothes. Her little girl was home, and this time Vanessa couldn’t stop the emotion welling inside her. “It’s so good to see you.”
Once during the semester, Vanessa had visited Sadie at Reinhardt, and the two had shared lunch. It was one of the times she had spent the afternoon shopping with Ben. Now that her daughter was home, Vanessa definitely felt guilty for not mentioning Ben before. She should have.
Vanessa studied her. “You look beautiful. School agrees with you.”
“I had to figure it out.” Sadie’s laugh sounded light and carefree. “After the first week it was sort of sink or swim.” She grabbed her bags and pulled them toward the hallway. “You know what Dad always said. ‘There’s no sinking in this family. Better find your flippers.’”
“Yes.” Vanessa smiled. “I remember.” Alan had been full of comments like that, words of wisdom that stayed with her and Sadie and would continue to stay as long as they lived.
Vanessa helped Sadie put her things away. Then they filled their plates and sat at the table. Sadie ran her fingertips over the fancy lace cloth. “You didn’t have to do all this, Mom.”
“My daughter comes home from college for the first time ever?” Vanessa grinned. “I stopped short of getting a marching band and a balloon arch, but this?” She looked at the table. “This was the least I could do.”
Vanessa prayed over the meal, asking God to bless their time together and the upcoming dance. As soon as they said, “Amen,” Vanessa’s questions bubbled to the surface. “Did you take all your finals?”
“I did.” Sadie took another bite of lasagna. “Mom, this might be your best ever.”
“Thank you.” She was glad Sadie had noticed. “The noodles are homemade.”
“Wow! You must’ve been working in the kitchen all day.”
“Yes, well.” A single laugh came from Vanessa. “Notallday. We had the volunteer brunch this morning. Everyone’s getting ready for the dance.” Was this the right time to tell Sadie? Vanessa set down her fork. “Also, after the brunch—”
“The dance is going to be amazing, Mom! I still hope Hudson can come.”
“Right.” Vanessa felt the moment pass. “What about your grades, honey? Have you seen anything from your tests or papers?”
“It all looks good so far.” Sadie’s smile looked a bit more forced.
