Tiffany Snow - Point of No Return

“The snow gave us some trouble,” Chance said, taking Lucy’s coat before removing his own. I hung them in the closet nearby. “Be careful going home. The roads are a little slick and they’re expecting more snow tonight.”

I shook my head, Lucy and I sharing a grin. “Always the cop,” I sighed.

“Hey, I’m just trying to look out for you,” Chance protested.

“Come on,” I said. “I’m sure Lucy needs a glass of wine.” I started down the hall, but just then the doorbell rang again.

I motioned for Chance and Lucy to keep going. “Go ahead to the den. I’ll get it.”

They continued down the hallway while I turned back and opened the door. I smiled, leaning forward to hug the woman standing in the doorway. She never let me hug her for very long, but I always tried anyway.

“Merry Christmas!” I said to Branna. “I’m so glad your flight wasn’t delayed any longer.” Branna lived in Annapolis, Maryland, and the weather had caused her arrival to be later than she’d planned.

“Branna, glad you could make it,” Kade said, suddenly appearing over my shoulder. “I’ll take your coat.”

Branna’s face softened when she saw Kade and she shrugged out of her black overcoat, revealing a red silk dress. I was suddenly glad I’d worn my black dress with gold threads shot through it rather than the red dress I’d contemplated. Kade gave her a hug, brushing a kiss to her cheek.

“Merry Christmas,” she said with a smile. “I brought this.” She handed me a box of gourmet chocolates.

“Thank you,” I said, passing them to Kade. “Blane’s in the den and I could use a cocktail.” I hooked my arm through Branna’s, leading her down the hallway to the library. We were exactly the same height, even with our heels on.

I opened the door and saw Blane standing next to the fire with Lana on his hip, adjusting the little velvet dress she wore while she sucked happily on her fist.

“Look who’s finally arrived,” I said.

Blane glanced up and smiled when he caught sight of Branna. “It’s about time,” he said, coming forward. He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Branna replied. She reached out to grasp Lana’s tights-encased toes. “Hello, little one,” she said. Lana grinned, bouncing in Blane’s arms.

A crash sounded from somewhere upstairs. “Oh no,” I said, glancing at Kade. “The boys.”

“I’m on it,” he said, heading for the door.

“Can you please actually get after them this time?” I called out to him.

Kade looked innocently at me. “Trust me,” he said. “I’ll put the fear of God in them.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, sure you will.”

Lana started fussing and I glanced at the clock. “I’d better feed her before dinner if I want to eat, too,” I said, reaching to take her from Blane. “Please excuse me.”

Dinner was much better than the first time we’d done this, a year after Kade and I had married. That first Christmas, Blane had pleaded too much work to be able to get away from DC, and since he’d only held the office for three months, I’d stifled the protests I’d wanted to make.

The next year, things had been awkward, and it had taken a while for Blane to warm up to Kane, who’d been a little over six months old at the time. He’d been a colicky baby and I’d spent Christmas night pacing in the library, holding him as he cried nonstop. Kade had been out of town on business and though he’d be flying in that night, he hadn’t yet arrived and I’d been exhausted. I was nearly in tears as I paced and tried to comfort Kane, feeling helpless and frustrated at the same time.

“Let me have him,” Blane had said, startling me. I hadn’t even heard him come in the room over Kane’s fussing.

I’d hesitated, but had been too desperate for a respite not to do as he asked. I handed over my squalling baby boy, who seemed very small against Blane’s bulk.

“Go take a break,” Blane had told me. “He’ll be fine.”

“Thank you,” I’d murmured before leaving the room. I’d breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately felt guilty for needing to get away from my child.

Guilt at Blane having to mess with a fussy baby had me returning inside of fifteen minutes, only to stare in stunned amazement at the scene in the library. Blane stood in front of the fire, Kane perched against his shoulder, sound asleep. Blane soothingly rubbed Kane’s back.

Seeing the two of them had brought tears to my eyes, and that moment had been a turning point for Blane’s relationship with Kane. They had a special bond. Though Kane looked just like Kade, his demeanor and personality were reminiscent of Blane, something that had become more apparent as the years passed.

Branna had joined us for the first time last year. It seemed whatever animosity Branna used to have toward me had evaporated into a careful politeness that grew more easy and comfortable. Likewise, I found my antipathy toward her had faded over time. From what I could gather, she and Blane had been casually together for a while now. Sometimes I wondered if they’d marry, but had never thought it my place to bring it up with either of them.

The boys behaved and didn’t spill or break anything this year, and Lana was happy chewing on a toy in her high chair. All four boys went to play once they were finished, leaving the adults to chat. I was seated to the right of Blane, who was at the head of the table, with Kade then on my right. Branna sat opposite me, with Lucy on her left.

We talked and laughed and Blane poured more wine, heaping praise on Mona and Vivian for the fabulous Christmas dinner. It was late when we finally roused ourselves from the table. I put Lana down in a crib Gerard had installed in my old room upstairs back when Kane was born, then joined Mona and Vivian in the kitchen to help clean up.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked Kade when we were finished, perching on the arm of the chair where he sat in the den, drinking some of the scotch Chance had brought. I removed the glass from his hand and took a sip, then handed it back.

“The kids’ll probably fall asleep in the car on the way home,” he said, sliding an arm around my waist. I rested my arm across his shoulders. “They’ve worn themselves out.”

“Sounds good to me,” I said with sigh.

“You can’t go yet,” Blane protested. “You haven’t sung for us.”

It had become a yearly tradition, Blane playing the piano while I sang a carol or two. It had felt a bit odd at first, but over the years everyone had urged us to do our usual performance and I couldn’t say no. This year was no different.

Blane’s fingers ran over the ivory keys while Kade refilled everyone’s wineglass. The rich notes of the piano filled the room.

“What’ll it be this year?” Blane asked me softly as the hubbub of conversation drifted around us.

I leaned on the piano, thinking. “I don’t know. How about . . . ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’?”

Blane’s hands moved seamlessly from the chords he played to warm up into the opening lines of the tune. The song was slow and I took my time with the lyrics.

I rested my hand on Blane’s shoulder as the lyrics spoke of faithful friends. He was so dear to me, to our family. I was grateful beyond words for his presence in our lives.

My eyes found Kade’s as I sang, their blue just as piercing as on the day I’d met him. His gaze held me captive and I couldn’t look away while I finished the carol. I sang another couple of tunes before we finished our performance, then Blane stood, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as everyone applauded and began talking.

“Always beautiful,” Blane said with a warm smile. He squeezed me in a hug, pressing a kiss to my forehead.