Christmas Male(72)
She turned to D.C. “What I think is that you inherited your much touted ability to improvise from your mother.”
“You got that right,” Jase said. “Only our mother never seems to land herself in the kind of scrapes that D.C. does.”
The Campbell family’s plans to meet in Manhattan on Christmas Eve had been scrapped once Nancy had decided that Fiona and D.C. were going to be delayed. Then she’d shifted everyone to plan B: meet at the family home in Baltimore on Christmas evening.
“She’s amazing,” Fiona said. When she and D.C. had arrived a few hours ago, there’d been presents piled under the tree, a bluesy version of “Silver Bells” drifting out of the stereo and the scent of food and candles in the air.
Something tightened in Fiona’s throat as she turned to meet her new fiancé’s eyes. “She even bought presents for me. When did she have time to do that?”
Jase spoke up. “When D.C. and I were kids, we always thought Mom had a direct line to Santa’s toy shop.”
“What makes you think I don’t?” Nancy asked as she tipped champagne into his glass.
Fiona turned to her. “I don’t have anything for anyone.”
Nancy set her champagne bottle down, took Fiona’s hands and drew her to her feet. “You gave me the best present you could when you agreed to marry D.C. I’ve been wanting to get him off my hands for a long time.”
As the room filled with laughter, Nancy hugged Fiona. “Magic diamond or not, I knew the moment I saw you in the sculpture garden that you were the one for Duncan. Mother’s intuition tells me you’ll be good for him.”
“He’ll be good for me,” Fiona said.
“Here, here.” D.C. raised his glass. “I can drink to that.”
When Fiona sat back down, D.C. leaned close and said, “The tradition Mom treasures the most is that we’re all together. We’ve always come together for Christmas if we possibly can. You’re a part of us now.”
You’re a part of us now. Fiona felt a burning sensation behind her eyes. Blinking, she slipped a hand into D.C.’s. “You said you wanted to give me new memories of Christmas, and you have. Thank you. Next year, I don’t think I’ll be wishing for a case to get me through to the New Year.”
D.C. leaned down to brush his mouth softly over hers. “We’re just beginning, Fiona.”
“Yes, we are. But I’m not sure you’ll ever be able to top this Christmas. This year I got you, my very own Christmas male.”
“And I got you. Forever.” Leaning down, he covered her mouth with his.
Washington Post—December 26
Private Amanda Hemmings to Be Honored
Police Commissioner James Cavanaugh announced today that Private Amanda Hemmings will receive the key to the city for her heroic actions in preventing the theft of the Rubinov necklace from the National Gallery.
And in the wake of the arrests that have been made, Gregory Shalnokov has announced that he intends to put the legendary Rubinov necklace on permanent loan to the National Gallery.
So true love will continue to abound in our nation’s Capital for some time to come!