Chapter Seven
The Christmas storm as it was being called, finally petered out and clean up began in earnest. Neighbors helped each other to pile the limbs at the curb and the snow sweepers cleared the streets. The evenings were spent at holiday parties and gatherings. Jessica and George were back on solid footing, not arguing, and on December 23rd the power was restored.
George knew that it would be risky to gift Jessica jewelry for Christmas. Although she knew where he stood in regards to their relationship, mostly. They still hadn't discussed it and it was something he wanted to change before he left for Boston. Jessica had gone into town to get groceries and generally needed space from the men so he decided it was a good time to wrap her present and place it under the tree. Seth had brought in a really nice fir tree from the tree lot and Jessica had decorated it while the men gave her unneeded, and unwanted, decorating advice. There were several gifts below the tree now so he would be able to slip it underneath another gift to hide it.
Jessica wandered through Charles Department store looking for gifts for the last few friends she needed. There were several baskets on display and she purchased a few to have delivered in the morning. For her female friends she bought baskets filled with soaps, lotions, and brushes, which she knew they would appreciate and for the men she bought baskets of tinned meats, sausages, cheeses, mustards, and the like. She even picked up one for Seth although she had a different gift for him as well.
She was leaving the store after arranging for her deliveries when something caught her eye. She had gotten George a hand knitted Amish sweater from her travels earlier in the year but she was giving Seth two gifts, surely it was okay for George to have two as well.
Christmas Eve day was festive. Gifts were arriving to Jessica's house by the dozens from friends and well wishers. George didn't know how many friends she had until he started adding up the bottles of wine, champagne, and other spirits.
This was the first day without Seth in the house. Yesterday he and Jessica spent part of the day cleaning, mopping, and getting Seth's home above his office back together. His office floors would have to be replaced so they moved his metal filing cabinets, that weren't damaged, to the hospital where his practice would be located for three months. The contractor told Seth it would take six weeks for all the repairs so Seth wisely doubled the amount of time he was told.
They were going to yet another party tonight but Jessica promised him they would be home early. Christmas day they would be home until they went to the Metzgers dinner at five. His wife, Maureen, was roasting a goose with all the trimmings including plum pudding. Jessica warned him they might have to eat sandwiches when they returned home, along with an antacid.
George went to the stereo and put on some Christmas music. The sound filled the house. He hoovered the rug in the family room after dusting and then earned a lot of brownie points with Jessica by cleaning all the bathrooms and mopping the floors.
"George, you're a guest. You don't have to clean my bathrooms but I do appreciate it." She gave him a kiss that quickly turned into something deeper. When they parted she was panting slightly and his green eyes had darkened.
"We could skip tonight's party…" he whispered in her ear.
She smiled at him. "Seth would send someone over or he would come himself. His motto is if he has to suffer, so should everyone else."
George wrapped an arm around her waist. "I enjoy spending time with your friends but I'm hoping to spend time with you too."
"I know, George." She kissed him lightly. "We'll have a quiet week after Christmas, just staying home for the most part unless you need to get out in the snow some more."
George laughed. "Lass, I've seen more snow in the past few days than I have all of last year at home."
They arrived home just after ten o'clock at night. George was thankful for the central heating in the house. It was very cold outside. While Jessica put the kettle on, he turned on a lamp in the family room and sat on the sofa. He was thankful tomorrow was Christmas. He needed a rest.
Jessica sat next to him on the sofa. "I don't want to go to bed just yet. Would you like to open a present?"
George smiled at her. "You're like a child, impatient to open presents."
"I'm impatient for you to open a present," she corrected. She pulled her gift out for him and placed it on his lap.
He rose and set the gift on the sofa while he went over to the tree and dug out a gift for her. "I'd like you to open this one," he stated. "Ladies first."
Jessica looked at the small box. It was definitely jewelry but what kind? Too large for a ring unless he was trying to fool her. George was famous for his teasing. She shook the box slightly.
George started chuckling. "You could just open it and find out."
"Where's the fun in that?" She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, dear." She carefully unfolded the wrapping paper from the box and set it aside. The gold embossed name of a famous jeweler was on the box. She lifted the lid and peeked inside.
Two triangular gold earrings were nestled in the velvet lining. She looked closer. They weren't triangles, they were tents. She could make out the center tent pole.
"The two diamonds represent our faces," he said softly. "I saw them a month ago and I knew I wanted to get you earrings because you wear them in your ears and I wanted to let you know that I hear you. I'm listening. I might not get it right the first time, but I'm listening to what you say."
"Oh George," she murmured before kissing him softly. The kiss grew heated but she was able to pull back. "I actually got you two gifts but I want you to open this one."
He shook the small box next to his ear. With a puzzled face he tried sniffing it.
"George!"
"Oh ho, you can inspect your gift before opening it but I can't?" he teased. Unlike Jessica he ripped the wrapping off. It too was a small box, larger than her earring box however. He opened it and found a solid, hefty ID bracelet. Engraved on it were the words, "Together yet apart".
"Flip it over," she whispered.
He did and this time it said, "Forever".
"I hope one day you can wear it on the other side."
They stared into each other's eyes for a moment. His green eyes caressing her blue ones. Without thought their lips came closer until they touched.
George thought he was exactly where he wanted to be and with the person he loved most. Giving her one last kiss, he pulled away. She looked at him with questioning eyes.
"It's getting late and we have a long day tomorrow," he whispered softly. He stood and extended his hand out to help her up. "I'll lock up down here, go on up."
Jessica was puzzled but did as he suggested. George locked up tight after checking all the doors and making sure all the lights were off. He quietly slipped outside and walked around to the other side. The north side where you could see all three bedroom windows. Crouching low he saw three cars that weren't covered in snow. They had obviously just arrived. He went back inside with a smile.
He hurried upstairs and turned on his room light then went into the bathroom. Later, as he got dressed for bed he thought about the citizens of Cabot Cove and their inquisitive nature. Others would call it nosiness. Jessica was in her room, probably already in bed with a book.
He went back downstairs and poured himself a healthy shot of brandy before checking outside. Yep, all three cars were there but he couldn't see inside of them. He heard the click of Jessica's lamp being turned off. Fifteen minutes later the cars drove away. As they passed under the street lamps he saw the women from the beauty parlor seated inside.
He smiled as he went upstairs. Score one for the man across the pond. He tapped lightly on Jessica's bedroom door. If she was asleep, he would leave her alone. Instead he heard her tell him to come in.
"I was hoping you would come to say goodnight," she said, as he opened the door and entered.
"I thought I should wait until the women from your beauty parlor drove away?" he smiled.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"I saw headlights when we got home and suspected some of your nosy friends wanted to see if one bedroom light or two were going to come on. So when I went upstairs after you, I turned on the guest room light." He smiled broadly. " Some of the stories Seth told me were amazing and I suspected Seth was warning me as well."
"You mean Seth thought you were going to be sharing a room with me?" she asked.
"No, I meant he was warning me to be careful about your reputation," he answered.
"Well, are you?"
"Careful? Always."
"No, are you going to be sharing this room with me?" she asked curiously.
"I won't decline an invitation," he admitted.
She pulled back the covers on the other side of her bed.
"Let me turn off my room light," he said. He switched off the light and when he returned to her room, it was dark as well.
Jessica shook her head that her friends would spy to see if George was sharing her room with her. No wonder the gossip was getting outrageous. A niggling thought rumbled through her head and when George entered the room, she told him to stay in bed for a moment. She got up and opened her curtains wide.
The night was cold and crisp but it was warm inside. She looked down one side of the street and saw the gaps at the curb where other cars had probably parked for a few minutes. A light sprinkling of snow was just beginning to cover the spot. She turned her head and looked down the other side of her street. There were plenty of cars covered in snow as though they hadn't moved in hours but there was one car, near the end. She could see exhaust coming from the back so the motor was running to keep the occupant warm. And there was only one person inside.
She smirked. So Seth was as nosy as the rest of the town. She rolled her eyes but wished he would leave and get some sleep. There were no stars out tonight but she still looked up to the sky, giving a wish for peace on earth. She closed the curtain and returned to bed.
"Darling?" whispered George.
"Just giving my yearly wish for peace on earth, goodwill to men," she answered. She snuggled into his embrace.
Christmas morning came early. Jessica was up at dawn. She expected early morning visitors and liked to put out a spread for them. She set up her side board with scrambled eggs, crepes filled with blueberries, a warm apple compote, bacon, sausages, breakfast potatoes, and blueberry muffins in warmers and on platters so people could help themselves.
She had her bedroom in its normal pristine condition but rumpled George's bed and threw his robe on it. She didn't doubt one or more guests would find a reason to go upstairs. If she didn't love them so…
George made himself useful by making room for coats and hats.
Seth was the first to arrive, as usual. "Merry Christmas!" he called as he entered the kitchen. Jessica helped him off with his coat and kissed his cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Seth."
"Happy Christmas, Seth. Give me those things." George took his outerwear and put it away while Jessica urged Seth to fill a plate.
"You outdid yourself, Jessica. This looks fantastic." Seth took his plate to the kitchen table and dug in. George filled one for himself and ate but Jessica declined. She said she ate while she cooked.
"Seth, your nose is red. Are you coming down with a cold?"
"No, I was up late and it was cold last night when I went home," he answered. "When did you go to bed, George? You look chipper."
"Not too late. When we got home, Jessica remembered one of the warmers was still in the shed around the side of the house so I got it and cleaned it out for this morning."
"George! I thought you did that this morning. I told you it could wait."
"I knew you would fret about it," he replied, after swallowing. "You had already gone up to bed."
Seth smiled satisfied. Just as he had surmised. Jessica was keeping George in the guest room. Yes, they were adults but he didn't want Jessica to be a victim of scandal.
It was a wonderful Christmas morning. Friends arrived with more gifts and there was plenty of food. Well wishes and kisses were passed around freely. Eve Simpson smiled smugly when she kissed George and wished him a Happy Christmas. Jessica just shook her head and laughed when Deputy Sheriff Andy complained he didn't get a Christmas kiss. Eve was happy to oblige.
Everyone left by lunch time and they cleared away the food and washed the dishes. Content and full, they decided to skip lunch since they were due for dinner at the Metzgers and it would be five o'clock before they knew it.
Jessica spent an hour on the phone calling family members and friends that couldn't make it.
She finally settled on the sofa with George and yawned.
"Why not take a nap, Jessie?"
"First, you have to open your other gift from me." She stood and grabbed the seasonally wrapped box and passed it over.
George loved his Amish sweater. The greens and blues were in a handsome pattern and the thickness of the sweater meant he didn't have to worry about the cold indoors. "I needed this during the power outage,"
"Thank you, Jessie." He bent to kiss her cheek but turned her head instead and kissed her lips.
Jessica pulled back. "As much as I don't want to stop, I really need a nap if I'm going to be awake for dinner. It will be a late night."
She settled on the sofa with her head in his lap and fell asleep.
George sat thinking. He was enjoying himself today. Her friends were good people and included him in discussions without a problem. Once again he was thinking about retirement. Lately he had been discontented being alone. He was pretty certain he would need to work at least two more years. He was traditional enough to know he couldn't live off Jessica's kindness. He was fairly certain she wouldn't object to his moving to Cabot Cove. Maybe not full time now but later as their relationship grew stronger.
Wasn't she complaining about the summer people that clogged the roads and took up all the seats in the restaurants? Hmmm, winter in Cabot Cove, being snowed in and having cozy nights. Jessica could still write. They could leave in May or June and go to Wick. Summer in Scotland was wonderful. Everything was nearby, Ireland, Wales, England, and they could go other places too, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands.
George smiled. He was getting carried away but a seed was planted, now he had to hope a tree would sprout.
He let Jessica sleep for two hours before waking her.
She sat up, stretching. "Did you sleep?"
"No, it's not often I get to watch your lovely face while you sleep."
Jessica smiled and kissed him. "Dinner isn't formal, dressy casual."
"Could I wear my sweater?" he asked. He didn't mind showing it off.
"Of course, just don't wear more than a t-shirt underneath. It might get warm in the house."
Dinner was very enjoyable. Afterward they sang carols and spent time talking and laughing with each other. George had been deeply touched during the visit. When he arrived Maureen Metzger, Mort's wife, welcomed him into their home and escorted him over to a table that held a Yule loaf, Rowan twigs, and candles in every window. Maureen explained the traditions to everyone that didn't know and they went outside to burn the twigs which would dispel any bad feelings or jealousies among them. George was deeply moved as he was the only outsider supping with them.
This led to a discussion of family traditions held by the others, from roasting a goose or pig to leaving carrots out for Santa's reindeer.
Jessica didn't enjoy eggnog much and the punch bowls Maureen set out was a strong batch with rum and cognac in one bowl and bourbon in the other. Guests imbibed freely and Maureen had to refill the bowls regularly. Jessica sipped her one glass and switched to seltzer water. She wasn't the designated driver since she didn't drive but Mort told her that his deputies had been warned they would be escorting guests home. That explained the take home plates Maureen made for them before the meal started.
The singing was loud and boisterous, partly due to the alcohol, but mainly to high spirits. The Metzgers next door neighbors, Larry and Donna Holcomb came over after dinner with a basket of fruit and several bottles of wine as a gift. Calls for singing came from the guests and Jessica and Donna went into the kitchen to decide which songs to sing. They dragged Mort into the kitchen with them. A few minutes later they returned and gave a wonderful rendition of White Christmas in three part harmony.
George only had eyes for Jessica while they sang. Her lovely voice echoed in his ears long after the song ended. Seth, who had been watching him, smiled as he realized George finally figured it out. The woman had charm and grace and it wasn't going to be kept contained. He wondered if there was a proposal in the works. He was wrong before much to his embarrassment.
Seth declared he only had two drinks and was more than capable of dropping a few people home so he took two couples home and then returned to take George and Jessica home.
He agreed to a cup of coffee when Jessica invited him inside. He sat in the kitchen watching her plate up some cinnamon rolls. George was working on getting a fire in the family room fireplace started. Seth rose and went to stand by Jessica. "I'll only have the one cup, Jess." He leaned closer and spoke softly. "If you need me to stay and chaperone, just say the word."
Jessica looked at him questionably. "Why would I need a chaperone?"
"George has stars in his eyes and you have the makings of a romantic evening…" Seth waggled his eyebrows at her. "I'm not poaching. I just don't want you to be hurt although I don't think he will hurt you."
Jessica smiled at her dear friend. "Thank you, Seth but I think I'll be okay. George is mindful of my reputation so I won't be jumping his bones, as they say." She laughed when Seth began sputtering. George walked in with a curious expression on his face.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Jessica turned to smile at him before turning back to Seth and squeezing him tight. "Nothing, just grateful for a wonderful friend." She moved away and set the cinnamon rolls on the table.
Half an hour later Seth left and Jessica cleared away the dishes before joining George on the sofa.
"It was a good Christmas," mused Jessica. "Good friends, good food, and I'm just filled with love for everyone."
George smiled at her. "Then I wish you many wonderful Christmases ahead." He kissed her softly. "You sing so beautifully." He watched her blush.
They sat listening to the silence outside, looking at the flames in the fireplace, and at times staring into each other's eyes.
"Seth really likes you," she said as he put his arm around her.
"Why do you say that?" George asked.
"He offered to stay and chaperone." Jessica lifted her head so she could smile at him. "It's surprising because usually he offers to throw out anyone that dares to get fresh." Giving his hand a squeeze she continued, "I told him it wasn't needed and I wouldn't jump your bones."
"I have to say that's a wee bit disappointing," he nuzzled her hair.
"I didn't say you couldn't jump my bones," she informed him. She smiled up at him.
He chuckled. "I should have known you would have a loophole." He pulled her closer in his arms and kissed her. "You're not too tired?"
"I wouldn't mind a soak in the tub," she admitted.
"Let me do it," suggested George. "I'll do everything." He slipped up the stairs and Jessica went into the kitchen. Everything was cleaned and put away already. She set up the coffee maker for in the morning and stirred up some eggs in a bowl. She would make omelets in the morning. Satisfied she went upstairs to grab a robe and nightgown.
George came out of the bathroom just as she exited her bedroom. "Everything's ready." He opened the door with a flourish.
Jessica stared into the bathroom. George had lit candles on the sink and the edge of the tub. There was a glass of wine on a stand next to the tub, along with some fruit and cheese.
"Thank you, dear. I'll enjoy my soak." She kissed his lips and slipped inside the bathroom.
George smiled as he went into the guestroom. He tried to keep his mind off of Jessica lying in the bath. He could hear her softly singing. He couldn't take it any longer. Knocking on the door, he cracked it open just a peek.
"Jessie?"
"Come in, George."
He opened the door wider and went inside. Grabbing a stool he placed it beside the tub and sat down on it. The clear water didn't hide anything from his eyes.
"Listening to you sing tonight was the best gift and just now, hearing you, I'm reminded that I am privileged to have you in my life. I love you, darling." He reached for her hand. "I wanted to do this properly but I can't wait a moment longer." He kissed her wet hand and stroked it softly. "Will you marry me, my dear?" He opened his hand and revealed the ring hidden. A simple solitaire in a gold setting that he slipped on her finger.
Jessica was speechless. She wasn't expecting a proposal. She thought about their arguments, her stubbornness, his high-handedness, the difficulties of living so far from each other, but it could all be managed. He was watching her. Her thoughts crossed her face until an ethereal look came over her. A look so devoted and loving that it took his breath away. She rose from the tub and he helped her out. Slipping on her robe, she lifted her face to his.
"Yes, darling, I'll marry you."
Jessica slipped out of the guest room early. George was sound asleep. A quick shower and she was dressed and in the kitchen within a few minutes. She stopped every few minutes to look at the ring on her finger. George put it on her right hand since her wedding band from Frank was on her left. She removed her wedding band and placed her engagement ring there. She smiled softly. It was time. She loved Frank with all her heart but he was gone except in her memories. She took the ring upstairs and placed it in her jewelry box. The end of a chapter but not the end of the book, she thought.
