At least the house smelled like Christmas. They’d decorate the tree as a family before the babysitter arrived at six. Then she and Jared would leave for the mystery destination Kayla had booked, a luxury cabin in a secluded canyon setting an hour’s drive away. Emphasis on secluded.
Leaving glitter-sprayed pasta bows to dry on the kitchen counter, they drove to the Christmas store for their last ornament. It was a tradition to buy a special one every year, and Maddie was choosing for the first time, a responsibility she took very seriously.
Kayla tried to keep Rocco entertained as Maddie wavered between a rock star dragon and a plastic cookie. “Honey, don’t wipe your nose on your sleeve. Use a tissue.”
By the time they left the store with the dragon, she’d passed Maddie another three tissues. Kayla eyed her daughter anxiously in the rear-view mirror on the way home. If Maddie was going to catch Rocco’s cold, surely it would have happened earlier?
The little girl only sneezed twice as they dug the other boxes of ornaments from storage, but when Kayla finished untangling the lights, Maddie was lying on the couch. “I’m hot, Mommy.”
Kayla took her temperature. High.
She thought of the luxury four-poster bed, the stone fireplace in the bedroom, and the spa under the stars. Then calmly canceled the booking, woke Rocco from his afternoon nap, and took Maddie to the doctor. In the waiting room, she texted Jared the news and got an Okay in return. The doctor recommended fluids and rest.
It was dusk when they pulled into the driveway.
Jared came out to meet them, opening Maddie’s door. “How’s my girl?”
“I’m sick, Daddy.” Full of sniffles now, Maddie started to cry. “I don’t wanna be sick.”
“Aww, baby girl, it’s okay.” Unbuckling her seat, he picked her up for a cuddle.
“A cold, not the flu, thank goodness,” Kayla reported. “Probably picked up from Rocco.”
Hearing his name, Rocco grinned, supremely indifferent to the plans he’d disrupted.
“I have a surprise inside,” Jared told Maddie. “This is to make you feel better, too, Mommy.”
He led them through the dark hall and toward the living room where green, gold and red lights flickered on the walls. Turning the corner, they saw the Christmas tree all lit up.
Maddie oohed. “It’s so pretty.”
Jared looped his arm through Kayla’s. “We’ll hang the ornaments together, but I figured putting on the lights would cheer you up.”
“It does.” Kayla kissed him. Not for a second did she begrudge staying home for their sick child, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t disappointed.
“Come into the kitchen. I picked up chicken soup and rolls. Made lemonade for the patient and bought wine.”
Her spirits lifted even higher. “Thank you,” she said softly, and he touched her cheek.
“Hey, it’s my job.”
They decorated the tree after dinner, while Maddie watched from the couch, huddled under a blanket, occasionally getting up to help. Jared lifted her to add the star on the top. Rocco crawled in and out of the empty boxes Kayla had wrapped in Christmas paper for him and fell asleep in one, curled up like an opossum. Jared carried him to bed, while Kayla settled Maddie, who’d decided she only wanted Mommy.
When she returned to the living room, he’d poured two glasses of wine and set up his laptop with a flickering fire screensaver.
“Is this where I tell you the deposit is non-refundable?”
He handed her a glass. “We can’t seem to get a break on our dates, can we?”
Kayla shook off her despondency and pulled Maddie’s blanket over her knees. “Hey, let’s look on the bright side. Our child’s cold is not serious, the tree is finally decorated, and the fire is cozy.” She pretended to warm her hands on it, but Jared’s smile was distracted.
“Fuck this,” he said suddenly. “We can still have a date.” He went to the doorway and knocked politely on the jamb. “Hey, Betty, I hear you couldn’t get out of babysitting tonight. How about inviting me in?”
Kayla smothered a laugh. He was trying to channel earnest geek but the grin was all big bad wolf. “Well, I’d like to, Bob, but the parents are very strict about boys dropping in.”
He took a couple of steps forward. “Not even if he’s here to help you study for your big school test tomorrow?”
“And what’s that, Bob? Biology?”
His eyes laughed at her. “English lit. ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’”
“Well, you can try, but considering I’m in leggings and a sweater…”
“You’re right, I can do better.” Bob took a seat beside her, his leg touching hers. “‘See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek.’”
“Wow, Bob, how do you know so much Shakespeare?” It was very, very hard not to laugh when he narrowed his eyes. This was an old grievance.
“Someone talked me into playing in the school orchestra for Romeo and Juliet our senior year.”
“Good to see you’re not bitter.”