Driving Me to Christmas (London Loves Book 5) (17 page)

The sun was coming up as they left the hospital, and the world was enshrined in a rosy glow. Sam sat in the front passenger seat of the T-bird, feasting her eyes on the stunning orange ball of hope in the sky, which would now slowly come back into their lives as they headed into the New Year. Paul and Scott were snuggled in the back of the car, peaceful in each other’s arms. Verlaine lightly gripped the wheel as he drove them along the snow-dusted lanes and back towards the big house.

The pretty winter scenery reminded Sam that there was something auspicious about today, but she couldn’t quite remember…

“Oh,” she said. “Happy Christmas!”

Paul’s eyes creaked open in the back. “Shit, it’s Christmas Day, isn’t it?”

“Happy Christmas, Sam,” Scott said with a sleepy yawn. He turned to kiss Paul. “Happy Christmas, muffin. I’ve got a special present for you in my trousers that you can play with later!”

Sam burst into laughter. “Subtle, Scott!”

Paul kissed him on the nose. “Happy Christmas, cupcake. I can’t wait to unwrap you.”

Sam threw Verlaine a loving smile. “Happy Christmas, baby!”

He glanced tenderly at her. “Happy Christmas, Sam. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He focused back on the road ahead and Sam allowed her disappointment to flicker through her, because he still hadn’t been able to propose. Back at the hospital, Scott and Paul had understandably wanted to know what was going on with Gemma and Jack, and they’d seemed touched and honoured to know there was another little Scott and Paul in the world today.

Sam gazed out the window, wondering whether she should tell Verlaine not to worry about formally proposing and just assure him that she’d love to get married. But he was making such an effort to be romantic, and she didn’t want to quash that.

Verlaine stifled a yawn as he drove. He looked sleepy, but energised – just like Sam felt. It was as if they’d all been through something magical together last night. She smiled. Of course, there was similar story of a baby born outside, filling the world with possibility and peace…

She twisted to face Verlaine and braced herself to ask him something she’d never asked before. “Do you want
me
to drive, baby? You must be shattered.”

He smirked. “You wanna drive this hunk of junk?”

“Yeah. If you’d let me drive your baby?”

“You
are
my baby.”

“Okay. Pull over.”

They switched places and, for the first time in her life, Sam proudly took the wheel of a left-hand-drive car. It was a strange sensation because the gearstick was on the opposite side and she kept hitting the door with her knuckles every time she reached down to change gear. But she quickly became accustomed to it, and after a mile-or-so Verlaine refrained from sitting bolt upright, and leaned against the passenger window to close his eyes for a while. She was pleased to know he trusted her. Now she just needed to trust herself. And why shouldn’t she trust herself? Even though she’d fainted last night at the sight of childbirth, she knew this whole experience had made her stronger – as challenges always did. Maybe she wasn’t cut out for midwifery – but that was okay; it wasn’t something she was interested in anyway. Sam realised now that it was important to acknowledge her limitations as well as strengths. And then she could cultivate those strengths and not pursue her limitations.

But she knew this adventure was far from over. There was still a mess of Americans waiting back at the big house to be taken care of. As she drove up the cliff to meet her nemesis, apprehension swirled in her stomach like a gaggle of geese. But this needed to be done. Running away wasn’t an option. Sam wanted to let Rebecca know that Verlaine was hers, because sometimes you had to fight for the things you loved, and she loved Verlaine more than anything.

As Sam drove the T-bird over the gravel driveway towards the house, she looked at the looming edifice with fresh eyes. It wasn’t intimidating anymore. In fact, the grey stone bricks looked quite attractive in the dawn light. Last night’s snow had settled thickly, and this morning the sky was a beautiful bright blue. The house shone like a pretty Christmas scene from years of old. Sam felt her strength and energy return.

They all gathered on the doorstep, and – not averse to making a dramatic entrance – Verlaine pressed the doorbell.

Patty opened the door. She looked tired and weary, still dressed in her party gear – just like they all were. She’d obviously been up all night. 

“Verlaine, Sam – I’m so glad to see you. I was worried about Gemma. Is she okay?”

Patty stepped back to let them all walk inside.

Sam hugged her. “Mother and babies are fine. Happy Christmas, Patty!”

“Oh, and to you, Sam!”

Patty gazed tenderly at Sam. “I just wanted to apologise about my total overreaction with the brooch situation. I know you had nothing to do with it – I was just so shocked to see it. Please know that when I was crying, I wasn’t even thinking of blaming you. I love you, Sam. You’re a wonderful girl and I don’t ever want you to feel isolated from my family.”

Patty’s words sunk into Sam’s heart like the warm rays of the sun. “Thank you for saying that. I’d never purposely offend you.”

“I know.”

Sam glanced down at her dress and realised she was still wearing the brooch. She unpinned it and held it out for Patty. “This belongs to you.”

“Oh, no, Sam. You should keep it. It suits you.”

“I do love it, but I couldn’t keep it. I know how much it means to you.”

Patty took it from Sam’s fingers. “You’re a lovely girl. I don’t have a daughter to hand it down to, but I hope one day to have a daughter-in-
law
.”

Sam grinned and looked away from her future mother-in-law. She caught Verlaine’s loving gaze. Scott had tears in his eyes. Paul was smiling proudly.

“So Gemma had her babies?” Patty asked. “Two boys, as she thought?”

Scott beamed. “Yeah, and Paul delivered one of the twins in the car!”

Patty gasped. “You’re kidding!”

“And Gemma’s calling them Scott and Paul,” Paul said. “How cool is that?”

“Very cool,” Patty said.

Sam opened her mouth to add that Gemma and Jack were getting back together, but the sound of laughter from the living room reminded her of what she was here to do.

Patty gestured to the living room door. “We’re just having breakfast. We were waiting for you two. Paul, Scott – you’re very welcome to stay for a bite to eat, but won’t your own families be missing you?”

“We just came to give Sam and Verlaine some moral support,” Paul said. “Is Rebecca through here?”

“Oh, er, yes.”

Paul strode towards the living room door and Sam followed. They all piled in and found Rebecca, Jim, and Ellie eating pastries on their laps and drinking coffee.

Ellie and Rebecca glared at Sam. She stared right back and raised an eyebrow, feeling like she was playing a game of ‘facial expression chess’. And she wasn’t going to lose.

Jim put his plate down and stood up. “Sam, how’s your sister?”

“Fine. She’s getting back together with Jack!”

“Oh, awesome.”

“It is.”

Jim shot her a sheepish look. “Sam, I wanted to apologise for last night – the brooch stuff. I think I spoke rudely to you at the time, and I’m sorry. I know it had nothing to do with you.”

Sam smiled into his eyes. “Thank you. I understand – you were just protecting the woman you love.”

Jim threw his wife a tender glance. “That’s true.”

Verlaine interjected. “Listen, everyone, I’ve got an engagement ring burning a hole in my pocket, and if I don’t do this now, well, she might think I don’t care at all.”

Verlaine stood in front of Sam and sunk to one knee. Sam’s heart lurched. She scrunched up her fists with excitement and tried to stop herself from giggling.

She watched – captivated – as Verlaine pulled a little velvet box out of his trouser pocket. He connected his gaze to hers and they held loving eye contact for a beautiful beat. Sam resisted the urge to run her fingers through his gorgeous curls. She knew everyone was watching and waiting, which enhanced the delight in her heart.

He opened his mouth. Sam braced herself to give her answer.

“Wait!”

It was Ellie. All eyes turned to look at her.

“What is it Ellie?” Patty asked. “Surely you’ve done enough?”

Ellie stood up. Sam saw that her black satin dress was creased after a night of sitting around, waiting. Ellie stepped into the middle of the room, as if taking centre stage. This was apparently going to be a big announcement.

“I want Verlaine to marry Rebecca,” she said. “They still love each other. It’s their destiny to be together.”

Her words bounced around the dilapidated walls a few times, then dissipated. The others continued to look at Ellie, in case there was more to come.

There wasn’t. Ellie glanced away sheepishly – her thunder well and truly stolen by the group silence.

Verlaine was still down on one knee, holding Sam’s hand. He broke the awkward tension. “Ellie, I don’t love Rebecca. Sam’s everything to me. Why are you so keen for us to get back together? I always thought the prospect of your daughter ending up with a mechanic was unbearable for you.”

Patty stepped forward, not taking her eyes of Ellie. “I know why. But first I think you should finish what you started down there, Verlaine.”

The two women glowered at each other. Sam threw her attention over her lovely man, who smiled tenderly up at her. He opened the little box, revealing a simple solitaire diamond.

Sam grinned. A thought trickled into her mind: Scott had probably helped to choose that ring. It was beautiful; perfect for Sam to wear proudly for eternity.

Verlaine lost himself in her eyes. “Sam, from the moment I saw you in that little café, I knew you were the woman I wanted to spend my forever with. You’re brave, and strong, and wise. And you’re so beautiful, inside and out. I love you with all my being. Every cell in my body worships you. And I was wondering… Will you marry me?”

Sam swallowed down her tears of elation. “Yes, of course!”

Verlaine gasped and grinned, as if he hadn’t been sure what she was going to say. Then he excitedly slid the ring on her finger, and stood to embrace her.

“I love you, Sam Jenkins!”

Paul and Scott bundled in for a group hug. “Congratulations!”

Verlaine grinned at Paul. “You’re gonna be my best man, right?”

“Of course! Hey, I can deliver your first child!”

Sam whacked him on the arm. “No!”

Patty and Jim hugged Sam strongly, making her feel integrated in their family. 

Jim put his hand out to shake his son’s hand, but Verlaine forced his father to hug him.

Patty stood back and inspected Sam, biting back her proud maternal tears. “I’ve always wanted a beautiful sweet daughter. I’m so happy it’s you – you’re perfect for my son.”

“Thank you, Patty.”

“Uh uhh. It’s Mom from now on, please!”

“Okay, thank you, Mum.”

Sam stifled her sadness, wishing her own mother was here to see this. She buried her face in Verlaine’s chest. He kissed her on the head.

“I love you,” he said.

“Verlaine,” Patty said. “I’ve got some good news. When you and Sam make your marriage official, you’ll both be the joint owners of this house.”

The petals of time froze as the universe attempted to process this staggering news.

Verlaine frowned – more clarification was definitely needed. “What?”

“Why?” Sam asked.

Patty threw Ellie a smug glance. “Because this house actually belonged to Verlaine’s grandmother; my mom. She left it in her will for Verlaine, but specified he could only have it when he got married. She was an old traditionalist, and obviously had no idea that people would just cohabit like they do nowadays. But that’s the rules in the will – we were legally obliged to follow those instructions. I confided all this in my best friend just before my mom died. I guess since she stole my brooch, Ellie also wanted the house, too. When Rebecca’s marriage fell apart, she obviously decided to use her own daughter as a bargaining tool – something I never imagined she was capable of. I mean, what sort of a mother would do that?”

Ellie glowered at Verlaine. “My late-husband left me with vast debts. This was the only way I could see to pay for everything. I’m going to have to sell my business now and my house. All because
you
won’t marry my daughter!”

Verlaine opened his mouth to defend himself, but Sam spoke first.

“It’s not too bad losing everything. It happens to the best of us, unfortunately. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – that’s what experience has always taught me.”

Ellie tutted and looked away.

Verlaine pulled Sam close and frowned at his mother again. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“Because I didn’t want you to feel that you
had
to get married.”