Page 16 of Even More Christmas Magic and Romance (Holiday Hiccups #3)

Sixteen

FIRST OF ALL, it’s the holiday season, a season that’s supposed to be about peace and joy. Secondly, our soon-to-be-born baby needs to have grandparents who are getting along. Those are two good reasons for my mother and Stanley’s parents to get their acts together.

The night following our walk with Stanley’s mom, I told Stanley what I thought. As I lay in bed, with my back snuggled against him, I expected him to agree with me. Stanley didn’t sound as convinced as I thought he should be.

“Glory, of course I want everyone to be getting along,” he said, “but do you think we have a right to impose what we want on others?”

The correct answer was, “No, we don’t have that right.”

But I couldn’t force myself to say those words.

And I had a valid reason for my attitude.

I’ve been very good about minding my own business around Stanley’s parents and my mom.

Being so passive went against my normal way of handling problems. When I was alone with Stanley, I needed to vent, and Stanley needed to let me speak my mind.

Fortunately, he knows me very well. After asking me a reasonable question, he became the wonderful listener and advisor I needed.

“Glory, I want the same thing you want,” he said as he held me close. “My wish is that peace is restored, and we’re all happy.”

Those were the words I wanted to hear. “Thanks,” I immediately replied, “because I find it very painful to think about our baby being born into a nest of hostility.”

“Again, I completely agree,” Stanley said.

I hesitated. “So tell me what to do to feel better.”

Stanley kissed the back of my neck. “You’re very wise, so you tell me more about how you see this situation,” he whispered.

I hesitated again. “Even if I have no right to interfere with another person’s wishes, that doesn’t mean I have to like their actions.”

Stanley nuzzled my ear and kissed it too. “It’s valid for you to feel however you want.”

Since I wasn’t facing Stanley, he didn’t see my frown, but I’m sure he heard my unhappiness when I replied. “Stanley, that doesn’t help. I don’t want to feel this way about my mom and your parents.”

Stanley gave me another gentle hug and pulled away. “I feel like getting up. How about you?”

I bristled. “What? You want to get up? I thought we were having a conversation.”

Stanley came around to my side of the bed and held out his hand. “Let’s go downstairs, and I’ll make us some cocoa. You can even put a stick of peppermint in yours and make it very festive.”

I took his hand and let him help me out of bed. “Cocoa? Peppermint? You know I’m trying to watch my sugar intake.”

“I know,” Stanley said as he handed me my robe. “However, sometimes it’s okay to bend the rules a little, right?”

I smiled. “I guess a little bending is allowed.”

Ben didn’t seem to agree with our plan to get up. When I looked over at his doggie bed, he gave me a sleepy look. That look conveyed everything. He’d had a busy day, and he was ready for some down time. After a moment of staring, he went back to sleep.

Watching little Ben snooze so contentedly, I was reminded of last Christmas.

When I least expected it, Stanley came home with a surprise gift, a tiny white puppy.

I named him Ben. I’d always wanted a dog as a kid.

Holding little Ben and looking into his bright, black eyes, I knew my wish was finally fulfilled.

Ever since, Ben’s continued to bring me joy.

The thought made me more agreeable to Stanley’s offer of cocoa.

By the time we’d gone downstairs and I’d settled into a kitchen chair, I felt better about my mom and the Bickermans.

Maybe it was because Stanley was at the stove, warming milk.

Ever since we’d met, his presence was comforting.

In the middle of what I considered a disaster, he remained calm and came up with simple and helpful ways of dealing with the situation.

I rearranged my Christmas tree salt and pepper shakers and let out a sigh. “Stanley? Honey?”

Stanley continued to stir the milk and glanced at me. “Yes?”

“Why do I get so upset while you remain so calm? Sometimes, your attitude is very helpful, but sometimes it’s annoying.”

Stanley turned off the flame under the pot and came over to the kitchen table. “Glory, do you know why I look up to you?”

Stanley had changed the subject, but I liked the new direction he took. “You better remind me,” I blushed.

“A while back, I told you the story about our high school days.”

I played ignorant and hid an inner smile. “I can’t remember what you said.”

Stanley laughed. “Very well, let me repeat myself. Back then, I was a little like my mom. I lacked self-confidence. But you always seemed to have a sense of yourself. You knew what you wanted, and you went for it. It made me want to do the same.”

I shrugged. “I just wanted to be the best when it came to a food drive. But that seems silly now.”

“Not really, you made that food drive a success and helped a lot of people. Now, I see how you look at our moms. You want them to succeed too.”

“Of course, I do,” I said.

“I’m sure they will, but in their own time,” Stanley said. “Some things can’t be rushed.”

I began to grumble. “That’s my problem. I’m impatient. But what you’re saying makes sense. They’re on a different time line, right?”

“Exactly, your mom has already taken a lot of steps to create a better life for herself. My mom is at the beginning of her journey.”

“It’s kind of exciting when I think of it in that way.”

“Glory, I hope you realize something about yourself. You inspire people. You inspired me when you were still a teenager. Even as a senior in high school, you were already a leader. As for me, it took time to achieve your kind of confidence. However, you remained my inspiration even when I felt I wasn’t measuring up. ”

I scowled. “And now? Am I a terrible disappointment with all my complaints?”

“That’s not possible. I love you, Glory, from head to toe.”

Stanley voiced the statement with such conviction, I felt a burden lift.

The tension in my body began to ease, and my heart did a little leap.

Sitting quietly and taking in the cozy kitchen and Stanley, I knew how lucky I was.

“Whenever I’ve been scared, you believed in me.

Now, you’re helping me to believe in our moms.” I paused.

“Don’t let this go to your head, Stanley, but you’re my rock. ”

Stanley bent over and kissed my forehead. “Good, I like being your rock. As for our parents, I know they’ll all be wonderful grandparents.”

“That’s what I want for our baby,” I said. “I want people around our child who are positive and happy.”

Stanley went back to the stove and turned on the flame under the pan. “Then let’s start now, with us. Let’s enjoy some cocoa and be happy.”

His suggestion and tone was filled with the confidence that he said he learned from me.

But now, we’d switched places. I was the one who was inspired.

I realized the only thing I had to do was relax and enjoy a cup of delicious cocoa with Stanley.

The peppermint stick that Stanley handed me would make it extra special.