Page 11 of Reasonable Doubt (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #7)

“That’s important. For the record, I’m thrilled by this news. I’ll help you in any way you need.”

“I knew you would.”

After a light lunch, the two of them changed into their pajamas and fixed hot chocolate. They dropped down on the couch in front of the TV. “Ready for our favorite Christmas movie before dinner?”

“I am.” The familiar song that was the opening of Love Actually came on. Noreen never believed all you needed in life was love. Somehow, now, it made more sense.

* * *

“Nervous?” Noreen asked Nick as they drove on practically empty roads at seven Christmas morning.

“Yes.” He smiled over at her. “You look great in that sweater.”

“A Christmas present from Mom. She made it.” The garment was made of multi-colored yarn knitted together tightly. “I love it.”

“Tell me about your other gifts. What did you get her? What other presents did you receive?”

She recounted the way-too-many gifts her mother bought for her. She gestured to the backseat. “You got a lot of gifts for your family.”

“I hired a personal shopper. Gave her all the details. But I checked them out carefully so I won’t be surprised about any of them.”

Noreen was silent.

He asked, “You don’t approve?”

“No, it’s not that. I used a service when I was practicing medicine. It felt impersonal.”

“I guess it does. I’ll rethink that for next year.” He reached over and cupped her flat belly. “I’ll buy all her gifts.”

“Her, huh?”

“One can hope.”

“We can find out the sex in a few weeks.”

“That’s amazing.”

The roads were clear, so they made it to Pennsylvania in two hours. They chatted some, listened to Christmas carols on the radio and stopped for breakfast.

They arrived in his hometown of Preston at eleven a.m. “Mom said they’d wait for me to open presents. They exited his Lexus and grabbed the bags of gifts.

The house was a two-story colonial, gray with black shutters. Everything was well maintained. He stood on the stoop, the wind brushing his face and stared ahead. “I don’t know if I should ring the bell or not.”

“Ring just in case.”

His mom was on the other side of the door when it opened. Her white hair was freshly washed. She’d eschewed the flowered house dresses she favored and wore a pretty purple knit top and pants. “Nicky, I’m so glad to see you.” They went inside and she hugged him generously. “And who’s this?”

“My friend, Noreen.”

“Oh dear. I don’t have presents…”

“I brought some for her.” He pointed to the two big bagsful of gifts at their feet, all in glittery silver wrapping. “And some for you all too.”

“Come out to the family room.”

Once there, he introduced Noreen then Liam and Tommy came up to them. Tommy grinned from ear to ear but Liam scowled. “I thought you didn’t have any friends,” he said meanly.

“Noreen is special. Good to see you Liam. Tommy I can’t wait to get a look at your kids.”

“They’ve grown in two years,” Liam continued in the same tone.

Tommy hugged Nick. “Let’s sit.”

Liam strode away.

The family room was big, but a bit worn.

Familiar scents of coffee and baking dough surrounded them.

Tommy introduced his family to Noreen: a cute little wife, two tow-headed kids, Jesse and Nicky.

Oh, wow, Noreen thought. He had a namesake.

She caught sight of Nick. She’d seen that longing on his face before.

Nick had to keep his cool. It was hard with all the emotions these people elicited. He’d tried to prepare himself, but still he was shaken.

He put gifts under the tree and sat on the arm of the chair Noreen had taken. “Let’s have some eggnog.” His mother said.

Nick nodded. “I’ll have some.”

“Me, too,” Tommy said.

“None for me,” Noreen told her gently. “I’d like some ice water, if you don’t mind.”

Nick stood. “I’ll help you, Mom.”

They went into the kitchen and he got water from the fridge.

Poured it into a glass. His mother filled glasses with eggnog.

“I can’t tell you what having you here means to me.

I’m sorry Liam’s being such a pill. I tried to talk to him about his attitude but he’s a grown man with a strong will of his own. ”

“I can take it. I won’t let it spoil today.” He sniffed. “Turkey for dinner?”

“And all the trimmings.”

He noticed in the bright light out here that her face was pale. “Should you be doing all this? It hasn’t even been three weeks since your heart attack.”

“I’m fine. But don’t worry, Lisa made the dinner and brought it over. We’re keeping it warm.”

Back in the living room, he found Noreen talking to Lisa. She was animated. Things were getting better between them and they were being kind and friendly toward each other.

When everyone had drinks, Tommy’s boys passed out presents.

The kids opened their gifts first, Nick’s first. He hoped the remote cars and children’s style drones were appropriate.

They thanked him profusely. When they got to the rest of the presents, Nicky unwrapped play station from his parents. Nick froze.

“What’s wrong?” Noreen asked quietly.

“The gift Tommy gave Nicky. I got…I got the same thing for Scotty on his last Christmas.”

“Oh, Nick.” She scooched closer in the seat and took his hand.

He sighed heavily. “I’m so sick of being ambushed like this. I’m trying hard to go on with my life.”

“I know you are.” She kept hold of his hand. “I feel the same about ambushes.”

He studied her. “Did something happen to you that I don’t know about?”

She swallowed hard. “Yeah, but this isn’t about me. Maybe someday I can tell you.”

He leaned over and kissed her. It was a tender kiss but with heat behind it.