“Hi guys.”
“Hey, Mona.” Jenna’s fiancé, Jim, was a stand-up guy and when we’d get together in their city, we always had dinner with them, and he always made us feel welcome and part of the family.
Jenna was a little put off about being here, and it was easy to see. Her lips curled in mild disgust as she scanned the area – her old home. However, she refused to let Jesse fly Sarah over alone or even with him, so she packed her own bag for a few days.
“While Jesse gets Sarah settled, I’ll take you over to the B&B.” I grabbed one of the suitcases from the trunk.
Sarah bounded over to me and wrapped my leg in a hug. I set down the luggage and liftedher into my arms.
“Hi, Mommy Mo.” Her sweet nickname for me.
I gave her a squeeze and tickled her nose. “Hello, my sweet. Are you ready for a fun few days?”
She nodded in excitement, nearly colliding with my face.
I set her down and picked up the suitcase again. “First, I’m going to take your mommy and daddy Jim over to their house, okay? And when I come back, we’re going to have all the fun.”
Sarah hugged Jim and her mom, who had a hard time letting go,something I could understand. The first Christmas without your child would be tough, but Jesse’s had to do it for three years.
However…
“C’mon.” I tipped my head toward the house at the end of the lane. “Lily’s got your place ready to go. You’re going to love it.”
Jim grabbed the rest of the bags as Jenna finally stood up, tears in her eyes. “See you soon, honey. Mommy loves you.”
I threw my gaze to Jesse and tipped my head in a questioning gaze.
Jesse cleared his throat. “Being that it’s Christmas and all, we’re having a big family dinner tomorrow on the back decks. We’d love it if you joined us.”
My heart swelled at the olive branch extension.Jenna hadn’t offered up any time last Christmas, but okayed him to see Sarah on Christmas Eve, for a few hours.
Jenna leaned against Jim as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’d,” she gazed up at Jim. “We’d very much like that.”
“Great.” Jesse took Sarah’s handand led her towards the house. “Dinner’s at four. Just come on out. You won’t miss it.”
It would be impossible to miss with the giant bonfire and the party goers.
He hunched down to Sarah’s height. “Want to see your room?”
“So, the place you’re staying at used to be my old beach house, and it’s now a B&B run by my sister…” I led them down the lane, past Dakota’s house, past Eric and Lily’s and their family of three, and over to the steps of my old home.
I had so many memories, the best, however, was the most recent one. Because the furnace was busted and the home ice cold, I stayed with Jesse. That stay changed my life. It gave me a new family with Eric and his friends, and it gave me Jesse. Over the past couple years, it also gave me more with a stepdaughter and her family. It made me believe in myself, and the magic of Christmas.