Holiday Kisses

“They’re beautiful,” Dyna whispered as she clamped hers onto her wrist. “Look! The wings sparkle.” She angled it toward the lights of the tree. “Thanks, Xander.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Xander’s turn.” Cyril announced.

“My...what?” Xander sat up as a manila envelope was placed on his lap. He looked at Dyna, who shrugged as if she hadn’t been the one to put it there.

“I only do what I’m told. You owe me. It’s not everyone I’d go into the office for Christmas week.”

“Why would you have to... What is this?” And why were his hands shaking?

“Open.” Cyril pointed a finger to the envelope.

“You heard him,” Antony said. “Open it.”

He did. But he didn’t quite understand what he’d pulled free. He saw his name on the legal documents. He saw the firm’s name. And a...transfer of ownership? Blood rushed through his veins, roared in his ears.

“You’re buying us out,” Antony told him. “Well, you’re buying the name at least. The rest of the company we’re selling.”

“No.” Xander shook his head. “No, Antony, we talked about this—”

“Not. With. Me.” Cyril cut him off. “My. Decision.”

“Dad.” Xander shook his head. His father wasn’t up to making any important decisions. Not now. Not for a while.

“Get off your high horse, Xander,” Antony snapped.

“Antony!” His mother glared at him. “We discussed this. If you can’t explain civilly, I will.”

“You’d better, Mom,” Dyna said. “Just to be safe.”

“Xander.” His mother reached over and pulled Jeremy onto her own lap. “We know you’ve been trying to salvage the firm. Doing anything and everything to keep it as it was. But the truth is it can never be what it was. Your father knows that. He accepts it.”

Xander looked to his father, and for an instant, saw his Grandfather Nico in his drawn face. His father had always been a giant of a man—large and robust—but with a heart ten times his size.

“The jobs will be safe,” Helen promised. “It was part of the negotiations. Everyone except you will stay on and merge with the new company. And the money we receive will be plenty to ensure your father continues to get the best care. But you... You will go on. And do great and amazing things with Costas Architecture.”

“A man with no clients,” Xander said on a laugh. It all sounded great, but it also sounded like a fantasy. We can all live a fantasy if that’s what we choose. Calliope’s words rang in his ears.

“That won’t last long,” Antony said. “Not if those drawings you did for the butterfly sanctuary are any indication.”

“How did you—?” He looked at his sister. “Alethea.”

She shrugged. “You really didn’t think I wouldn’t take pictures of those plans, did you? As soon as I got home I showed them to Antony and Dad. Told them what your ideas were for the building, where the inspiration came from. Who inspired you.”

“Beau-tiful. Plan.” Cyril said. “You. Up here.” He motioned to his head. “Grandfather. Special.”

“You see things I don’t,” Antony said. “You always have. And as good as you are at schmoozing the clients, you’re even better as an idea man. Whether this job works out or not, if this is what Butterfly Harbor can inspire, there’s nothing stopping you. So sign on the dotted line already.”

“I—”

Ophelia dropped a pen on to the envelope.

“Boy, you’re all just prepared for everything, aren’t you?” Xander pulled the papers all the way out, flipped to the last page. “Wait, how much?”

“We didn’t want to break your bank,” Antony said.

“I’ve got you covered.” Alethea whipped out a twenty and handed it to her father. “Tip money. Consider this my investment in your future, Xander.”

“Twenty bucks? For the entire firm?”

“For the name,” his mother corrected. “And for the future. Speaking of which, I want to know more about this Calliope woman.”