“As soon as you like.”
Lainey nodded. “Love you both.”
A few more greetings prevented her leaving right away, and it was nine fifteen before she finally managed to walk home, wearing the correct coat this time. Once inside, though, she rushed to the storage closet and dug out the boxes—again. Racing against the clock, she replaced the mantel decorations and centerpieces, then set up the tree and decorated it, though the garland wasn’t quite as precise as before. She shoved the empty boxes away, dashed around and tidied the cottage, started a fire in the fireplace, redid her makeup, and took out a bottle of wine and uncorked it to breathe.
At eleven forty-five she fluffed her hair, took a breath, and went to the fridge to put together a plate of crackers, Brie, and red pepper jelly, as well as fresh, crisp grapes and strawberries.
At twelve sixteen he knocked on the door.
She opened it, stepped aside for him to come in, disappointed that he was out of uniform but so insanely happy to see him that she got over her disappointment in a flash.
“It’s after midnight,” he said softly, unwinding his scarf and taking off his jacket.
“Then I guess it’s the perfect time to say Merry Christmas,” she replied, moving into his arms where she belonged.
And it was.