Page 12 of Even More Christmas Magic and Romance (Holiday Hiccups #3)

Twelve

I STARTED BACK home after Lolly and I said goodbye to each other.

As I drove, I felt like a weight had lifted.

Thanks to my sister’s understanding ways and her approach to the things that scared me, I regained the sense of safety that I’d momentarily lost. I knew I could trust that Stanley and I would be able to figure things out together.

My trip to Dad’s house was fortunate for my sister too. When I arrived, Lolly was in quite a state. Together, we were a soothing balm for each other’s tender feelings. We both benefited from each other’s wisdom.

I got a wonderful surprise when I pulled into my driveway.

I was greeted by holiday decorations. A family of Christmas deer were stationed on one side of the drive.

On the other side, Santa’s sleigh looked like it had just arrived and was waiting to be filled with presents.

Both the deer and sleigh would be beautiful to see at night, all lit up with flood lights.

Before I had a chance to pull into the garage, Stanley came out the front door.

When he waved from the porch and I saw his handsome, smiling face, I thought about all the times he’d been extremely patient and considerate.

During my many upsets, he gave me the space to work things out.

Most importantly, I remembered how much I loved him.

I thought about how our shared love would be there for our child.

If I harbored any remaining doubts, they melted away.

In fact, I was surprised that I could even have had such doubts in the first place.

It made me wonder if emotions were contagious.

Maybe my visit to my Mom’s was safe as far as physical health was concerned.

However, I might have contracted a bad case of emotional negativity when she and Barbara voiced their complaints.

It made me promise myself to stay more aware and not apply other people’s problems to my own life.

As for my mom and how sad she appeared, I was sorry she was going through a rough period.

Still, like my sister pointed out, anyone, even a person who’s made lots of good choices, can backslide.

I had faith that she’d once again connect with her confidant self.

When I thought about Stanley’s mom, Barbara, I had to believe her strength would be there to help her discover a way to a better life too.

It felt good to go into our house, sit in the kitchen and watch Stanley do his magic with lunch.

I was starving, and Stanley knew it. He quickly presented me with a tantalizing green salad and a lentil soup he made the day before.

After a few bites of salad and some warm, yummy soup, I came up for air. “Where’s your dad?” I asked.

Stanley sat down at the table with a mug of coffee and a thoughtful look on his face. “Dad went back to his motel. We talked a little about Mom, but he said he needs time to decide what he should do.”

I took a sip of tea and cradled the tea cup. “Do you think your mom will talk to him?”

“If they do talk, I think she’s afraid Dad will shut her down.”

“Or maybe she doesn’t have the confidence to stop that from happening.”

Stanley nodded. “That’s exactly what I think too.”

“Is there any hope for a reconciliation?” I asked.

“I believe they still love each other, but I don’t know if that’s enough for a happy outcome.”

I took another bite of salad and sat back. “What about you, Stanley? Do you feel you can stand up to your dad?”

Stanley leaned in a little. “If you’re asking if I’m afraid of my father, the answer is no.

However, his personality is pretty fixed.

I can hold my own in an argument, but that doesn’t mean Dad is going to stop being Dad.

And I’ve accepted who he is, and at the same time, his attitude hasn’t stopped me from doing what I think best in life. ”

I remembered my earlier upset. “Okay, but what about the Christmas lights for the front porch? You two had different ideas, and now there aren’t any lights at all.”

“I knew you’d notice,” Stanley said with a smile.

“So what happened after I left for Mom’s house?”

“Believe it or not, my dad can be vulnerable, especially now that Mom has left him. I decided to forget the lights while he was here and move on to something we could agree on.”

I recalled the man who made me breakfast the day before. Stan Sr. was so different when it was just the two of us. “Your dad can be very thoughtful, at least with me.”

Stanley grinned back. “Does he have a choice if he wants to be around you?”

I considered his statement, trying to take a look at myself and how others saw me. “So you’re saying I give off a vibe that tells him how to treat me.”

“You demand respect because you respect yourself,” Stanley said. “In my mom’s case, I don’t think she knows how to embody that quality.”

“That’s a shame because I’m sure she’s very capable. The proof is sitting across from me. Your mom raised an exceptional son, and from what I know, she’s contributed more than her share when it comes to the causes your father supports.”

“Thank you, Gloria, and you’re right about my mom.

She’s always been an amazing mother. She believed in me when she couldn’t believe in herself.

” Stanley stood up and helped me out of my chair.

He put his arms around me and held me as close as possible.

“I am so grateful for you, my dearest Gloria.”

“Really? Are you sure I’m not too pushy or headstrong? In the past, I’ve been accused of being those things.”

Stanley kissed my lips and snuggled my neck with a gentleness that sent chills throughout my body. “Those people were probably jealous,” he whispered. “As for me, you’re the perfect combination of a leader and a person who’s compassionate and kind.”

“But I do have my faults. I’m sure of it,” I insisted.

“The fact that you know you’re like all of us, perfect and yet perfectly flawed, makes you the woman I love completely.”

What could I say to that? Nothing. I simply gave in to my heart and kissed Stanley back more passionately than ever.