“I hope the reality surpasses your imagination.”
“Oh, definitely.”
The parking lot was filling up and many of the townspeople walked to the church for the Christmas Eve service. It wasn’t generally Charlie’s speed, but lots of things were changing this year, and for the better. As she and Dave stepped inside the vestibule together, with Daniel cradled in Dave’s strong arms, she felt more a part of the community than ever.
“Merry Christmas, Charlene,” called Gloria Henderson, who was bustling her way toward the front of the church to take her place at the organ.
“Merry Christmas,” she called back. The same thing happened a half dozen more times as they hung up their coats and took the baby out of his snowsuit. Robin showed up with her sister; Todd Smith was there in uniform, still on duty but stopping in to take in part of the annual tradition just the same. Josh and his extended family and lots of people she recognized from the businesses around town arrived, smiling and laughing and filled with Christmas spirit. She introduced Dave to several, and a warm glow filled her from head to toe as they finally made it to a pew near the back to enjoy the caroling and service.
A huge pine tree was at the front of the church, decorated in white lights and ornaments and exuding a festive piney smell throughout the sanctuary. But best of all were the candles, thick pillars of them, lit on every windowsill, the stained glass glowing in their light. Once the service was over, there was mingling again in the crowded entry, and a sense of peace and goodwill and happiness that Charlie wished she could bottle and carry with her forever. Meggie appropriated Daniel for a diaper change, and Charlie held on to Dave’s hand feeling like everything was right in the world.
She looked at the door and saw Marissa Longfellow, and to her surprise, Michelle was with her, dressed in a new winter coat, black leggings and boots that came to just below her knees. She was quite pretty today, with her hair washed and falling easily over her shoulders, and a little hint of makeup. Charlie tugged on Dave’s hand and led him to the entrance, where they stepped outside into the cool air peppered with fat, lazy snowflakes.
“Michelle. You look wonderful.” Charlie, who usually shied away from physical intimacy, gave the girl a quick hug. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Michelle smiled shyly. “Ms. Longfellow is my new Santa Claus. I have a court date after Christmas, but she convinced the judge to let me stay with her in the meantime. Extenuating circumstances, she said. And then we paid a visit to the secondhand store and got me some new clothes.”
Marissa smiled. “Michelle wants to make a new start. It won’t be a fast process or an easy one. She could use a helping hand, that’s all.”
“I agree.”
“Me too,” Dave echoed.
“I know that what I did was so wrong.” She smiled sadly at all of them. “But I want to build a better life and I want a better life for him too. One that he’ll find with a good family.”
Charlie knew it had to be hard for Michelle to say. “That’s very brave of you, sweetie.”
“I hope one day I can be someone my son can be proud of. I’m thinking it might be like asking for a Christmas miracle, but who knows, right?”
“Stranger things have happened,” Charlie confirmed, taking Dave’s hand. “I happen to be a big believer in second chances.”
“Me too,” Dave confirmed, looking down into Charlie’s eyes. For a long moment their gazes held, and Charlie felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
After they said their good-byes, they collected Daniel and headed back to Charlie’s for the night. She’d turned on her lights before leaving, and as they drove in the yard, cheery multicolored bulbs glowed on the new snow. She realized that she’d come to love this cottage. Come to love Jewell Cove, especially once she started to let people in. It was home. When Dave took the keys from her hand and opened her front door, her heart gave a little pang. She took a moment and made a wish. A wish that Dave would maybe want to make it his home too. When they stepped inside and shut the door, he pulled her close and kissed her: long, thorough, beautiful. She put her arms around his neck and squeezed. When he was here, it felt like a missing piece of the puzzle was finally in place.
She’d tucked Daniel into bed and poured them each a glass of wine as he built the fire, and she was ready to put on a Christmas movie when Dave took her hand.
“I have something for you.”
He led her away from the entertainment center and to the front of the tree, where a few gifts already waited, tucked beneath the branches. Confused and a little excited, Charlie couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips.
“What?” he asked. “You look like the cat that ate the canary.”