December Rain (20 page)

“No. Too much. I didn’t-”

“Stop.” Quinn leans forward so his quiet words can only be heard by her. “Don’t ruin my Christmas fun. This is nothing compared to what I want to give you.”

She flushes as the progression of gifts grow in expense. The first small box came with a note:

For your books

Love,

Harry Burns

Inside there’s a custom stamp that reads, “This Book Belongs To The Library Of Monica Waters.” Another
When Harry Met Sally
reference assures her that she’s in the hands of a thoughtful man.

“That’s a weird gift,” Amber says.

“It’s a reference to the movie
When Harry Met Sally
,” Monica explains.

“Never seen it,” she says.

Monica flashes a shockwave to Megan. “I know I’m a terrible mom, but I think she’s old enough to get the humor now.”

“Can I watch it?” she asks.

“Yes, we’ll watch it tomorrow.”

The humor gift is followed by a beautiful silk scarf that looks like ripples of water, then a new set of expensive bonsai tools from Japan rolled in a leather carrier. When he hands her the final gift, a small square turquoise box with a tiny perfect white satin bow, the room goes silent. It’s definitely the right size to suck the oxygen from Monica’s lungs.

Oh no! Tiffany? Seriously? Shit! Please don’t let it be… well maybe… no. Not yet.
He’s so impulsive.
Tears start to fill her eyes.

“Well, are you gonna open it?” Frank says. There’s a nervous giggle from the room.

Monica can’t look at Quinn or she’ll lose it. She lifts the top and there’s a gleam from inside, but it’s not a ring for her finger. It’s a silver key ring that looks like an antique skeleton key. Monica exhales. As she pulls it out she notices there’s a key on it.

“It’s not home without you,” Quinn says.

This is where Monica finally loses it and they become the only people in the world. Her heart races and before she can decide to smile or speak she lunges at him with a heated kiss. A little too heated for the audience but everyone claps. Her heart pounds hard as too many thoughts swirl in her head. She’s not thinking of the kiss or his tongue that subtly grazes her lips with no fear.

Amber quickly comes over. “I’ve never seen anything from Tiffany.” She squeezes in to take a look.

“Amber! Give ‘em a minute,” Megan scolds.

“It’s fine,” Monica laughs handing it to her and then looking back at Quinn. She tries to nonchalantly dry the edges of her flushed mouth.

He leans into her ear. “I love you,” he whispers.

The invite has been implied since the morning they made love, but not in front of everyone. Now it’s an official question. Not a proposal, but it feels the same. It’s as if the room is awkwardly waiting for her to put a definite “yes” in the air.

“Whoa, it’s really heavy. Solid Uncle Quinn.” Amber smiles handing it back and reaches for a fist bump from him. He obliges before wrestling her to the ground with tickles. Once she’s wiggled free his attention is back on Monica as is the rest of the room.

Monica puts her hand on Quinn’s left cheek and whispers, “I love you too.”

“So are you gonna marry her? At least make her an honest woman?” Frank asks.

Ellie gives him a wry smile while the rest of the room reacts quite different. Jay chokes on his coffee while Megan’s eyes widen trying to keep him quiet and breathing. Amber looks like she’s bursting with a secret and Monica’s face turns bright red. Quinn however, keeps gazing at Monica as if the question makes complete sense. It takes a moment for Megan to realize that Jay did in fact spill coffee on the carpet.

“Damn it Jay!” Megan says, running to the kitchen to grab a washcloth.

“What the hell is wrong with you boy? You forget how to swallow?” Frank snaps.

Jay laughs as he and Megan quickly clean up the spill. “Sorry Pop. You just… never mind. I just choked.”

Ellie gets up. “I’m going to start breakfast,” she says.

“I’ll help you,” Monica adds jumping up to escape. The other gals join in putting the commitment conversation to a rest.

“What’s going on?” Frank asks. He can tell Jay is hiding something.

It would have been best at this point for Jay to just change the subject, but he can’t let it go. He looks at Quinn and asks, “So when Monica’s situation… is resolved, you know, finalized and all, are you gonna ask her? Is there like a waiting period for that sort of thing?”

“What situation?” Frank asks. He’s getting frustrated with their avoidance. “Would you tell me what the hell is happening so I don’t put my goddamn foot in my mouth again.”

“Monica’s divorce.” Jay knows the second it leaves his mouth that he shouldn’t have blurted it out and his speaking outta turn has Quinn fuming.

“She’s getting a divorce? Meaning what? She’s currently married?” Frank looks at Quinn amidst his dead stare to Jay. “Son? Have you just asked a married woman to move in with you? Did you wreck a marriage?”

“Dad, please stay out of this,” Quinn says holding up his hand glaring at Jay.

“Can we just try to have a nice Christmas? It’s been going so great,” Jay says.

“Jay, you and Megan knew about this? You approve of this? What kind of example is that for Amber?”

“Dad, Amber is old enough to understand that love is complicated. We haven’t sat down and spent time talking about this at length because it’s not any of our business. They’re happy. She’s great. That’s all we needed to know.”

Frank looks at Quinn boiling with anger. “If she cheated once, you really think she won’t do it again. Can you really trust her not to?”

“Enough. I am not discussing this with you.” Quinn gets up and goes into the kitchen to get some coffee. It’s clear when he enters there’s something wrong in the other room. Monica fights the urge to cry, feeling like her presence has now ruined a Christmas that was going so great. He leaves without saying a word.

Megan squeezes Monica’s hand and it feels like Ellie already knows what’s going on. She wraps her arms around Monica and says, “There is no judgment here. I’m just so happy my son has fallen in love with such a wonderful woman.”

The women eventually return from the kitchen with a quiche and muffins feeling the shifted tone in their absence. Frank doesn’t even look at Monica which infuriates Quinn more every minute. Monica’s never seen him this angry, but he’s taken on a silence that makes her even more uncomfortable. He won’t even hint at what was said so she doesn’t go through the day blind. Fortunately Ellie and Megan keep conversations playful and inclusive so the spirit of the day isn’t completely lost.

Eventually Jay gets up and grabs his boots. “Let’s hit the road guys. Walking will take a little longer than skiing, so move ‘em out.”

When Monica runs up to the guest room to get her coat and scarf Quinn comes in and wraps his arms around her. “I’m sorry he’s such a dick.”

“I don’t even know what’s going on. You’ve barely spoken to me since breakfast. What did he say? Did you tell him about my divorce?”

“I really don’t want to get into it now. Let’s just go to town and not let him spoil the day. It started so great. You’re about to meet Ben, the Duck-Walker and also my best friend until I was ten, and his sister Lisa and a gaggle of kids and parents. It’s going to be tiring and overwhelming. You’ll love it, so let’s do it.” Quinn’s sarcasm attempts to muster enthusiasm and makes her laugh so she gives up a grin. He turns his face into a silly beggar to get a laugh.

She says, “I don’t get it. Downstairs... I’ve never seen you so pissed. It felt like you were upset with me.”

“No. Never. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to blow up at him or you inadvertently, so I just shut down.”

“And then you come up here and act silly?”

“I needed to hug you. I should have done it the minute you came into the room earlier. Just being up here alone... you remind me of my better self. I don’t want to be that oppressed pissed off kid that was afraid of telling him what I think. I certainly am not going to allow him to judge you based on his idiocy.” He can see she’s starting to question things more. “Come on.” He pulls her hand towards the door. “We’ll talk about it later when we get back. I promise.”

So Monica joins the group wondering if she’s supposed to pretend like Frank isn’t there or just tiptoe around anything related to their relationship. They start down the long stone driveway towards the tree lined street and walk towards town. The ice that was covering everything yesterday has vanished in the rain, and the sun is starting to peek out. They naturally break into pairs according to age with Quinn and Monica to the back, Frank and Ellie ahead in the front, and Amber fluttering between everyone. When the occasional car is heard all the Matthews men make sure to guard the womenfolk like they’ll break in the breeze.

“There usually aren’t this many cars out,” Jay says.

“There’s only been four,” Monica says.

“It’s because of this nice weather break,” Megan adds.

Quinn starts bantering with Jay and Megan as they separate from Amber and Monica a bit. The route continues past some of the businesses along Main Street, towards a small town park reminiscent of the movie
Ground Hog’s Day
. Maybe it’s just the overall charm of towns along the east coast, but there’s a Punxsutawney quality to this place that makes it feel safe and wholesome.

“Is this town anything like where you grew up?” Amber asks.

“Not even a tiny bit. Kansas is more spread out than this and Vegas was like Mars in comparison. I would have liked this though.”

“It’s alright. I’m glad we’re close to the city.”

“Do you get to go in much?”

“My dad takes me to the city every now and then for a Yankee game or a concert and my mom likes to go in to shop. I’m probably there like once a month.”

“That’s kinda awesome.”

Amber touches Monica’s arm signaling to slow her pace. She waits until everyone else is out of earshot. “It doesn’t bother me that you’re going through a divorce.” Monica is thrown off by the adult shift to the conversation. “I just wanted you to know that. Most of my friend’s parents have been through them and I get it.”

“You get what?”

“That love is complicated and sometimes you can’t grow as a person with the one you’ve married.” Monica looks at her, stunned. Amber continues, “I know it’s a serious commitment, but sometimes you just can’t make it work. I understand that. I’m really happy my parents work hard to stay friends, but I’ve seen other parents who are miserable and make everyone else miserable too. What’s the point in that?”

“I don’t know what to say, Amber. You sure you’re only thirteen?”

She smiles and reaches for her hand as Quinn starts to slow down to join them.

“I’m so glad you’re here and that you make Uncle Quinn so happy.”

Monica throws her arms around the young woman, and gives her long brown hair a stroke. “I’m so glad I got to finally meet you. He never stops talking about you.” Quinn smiles at them huddled together. “He was of course right about you being the smartest and funniest person in the family.” She winks at Megan who overhears and laughs.

“Watch it Kansas,” Jay says.

Ellie turns as they enter the park and begins walking backwards. She takes stock of her children and their happy families.

“El you’re going to break an ankle walking like that,” Frank says.

“I’ll be fine Frank, I’m just looking at our lovely family. We have so much to be thankful for today. Don’t you agree?”

Frank glances behind and sees Amber send him an adorable smile and wave from the back. He can’t help but smile at her. “I suppose we do,” he says.

Satisfied with his response, Ellie turns back around and reaches for his hand. Frank doesn’t take it, instead nestling it back into his pants. The gesture is noticed by the entire Matthews clan as they get closer to the huge gazebo in the middle of the park. Worried looks are exchanged between siblings before the mob ahead of them start waving. At least twelve people are bundled up next to a long folding table with large silver drink dispensers and white mugs.

“Welcome Matthews!” they say together.

“Merry Christmas Donaldsons!”

“Merry Christmas!”

Monica notices she’s the only one not clued in to the greeting. Suddenly there’s a break in groups and everyone starts hugging and greeting individually. It’s the warmest welcome she’s ever witnessed in real life, especially from the outside. Quinn jumps to grab her hand and guides her to a couple waiting with smiles.

“Monica, this is Ben and his wife Misty.”

“Hi,” Monica says. They each return the greeting and begin introducing their three children, of which she remembers the name Jessica from the stories told the other night.

What follows are a string of introductions, followed by jokes about remembering everyone’s names. The Donaldsons all have an oddly fascinating sense of humor. They’re nice people, very generous too, but there is a genuine wholesome factor that Monica finds foreign. She’s so grateful that Quinn’s good at fielding questions about them and how long they’ve been together. He makes sure to use a lower voice when talking about them so he doesn’t perk his father’s ears.