The Christmas Tree Guy (18 page)

“But…” Quinn invited her to finish.

“But, I was wrong. Things were good for only a couple of years. The boys started growing and moving from one milestone to the next. They rolled over. They crawled. They learned to talk and walk and the next thing you know, they were three.” She loved thinking about all of the wonderful little things she had experienced raising her sons. Remembering the day they found their toes or realized the fist they made in front of their eyes was their own. It was such a magical and extraordinary time for her. “Then one day things started to change. Matt became distant again and he stopped spending time with me, and it was like our babies were a burden or obligation. And then, just like that, one day we come home from his parent’s house, I get them bathed and down for the night and he tells me he’s leaving and he doesn’t owe me any explanation.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Here I am, thinking things are great and my husband of ten years turns to me and says his new girlfriend is waiting for him, and he’s leaving. It devastated me.” Just when she didn’t think she had any more tears left, she felt a fresh waterfall tumble down her cheeks and before she could wipe them away, Quinn shifted to wipe her tears with his free hand.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that.” His genuine compassion made her smile and she held her hand against his face as he leaned into it.

“It’s not your fault.”

“I know, but I hate you went through that.” She could see the fire flash in his eyes at the ill feelings he was developing for her ex-husband.

“I haven’t talked about this in so long. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put all of this on you.” She removed her hand from his face and wiped away the tears he missed with the back of her hand.

“Stop apologizing. I told you, I wanted to know everything about you, Syd, and I meant that. Knowing what you have been through helps me understand you better.”

“Why are you so good to me?” Reaching out, she ran her fingers through his cropped locks, loving the feel of his hair beneath her palm.

“Because you deserve it. You have no idea, do you?” His eyes lit up as he stared at her and she felt a surge of happiness invade her heart. “Syd, you’re special. You have such a beautiful spirit and I can’t understand why there are not more guys knocking down your door. I’m glad they aren’t, because that leaves me with less competition, but honestly, Matt was crazy to let you go.”

“Thank you.” She raised herself up to kiss him softly. “You’re amazing. I don’t know why you even want to get yourself into such a mess, but I’m thankful for you.”

“A mess, nah, its life. But if you are a mess, it’s a
beautiful
one to be in.” He moved over to kiss her forehead before leaning his against hers to look into her eyes. “You mean a lot to me, Sydnee, and if I have to tell you that every-day for the rest of my life, I promise you I will.”

“You’re too sweet.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him closer as they got lost in one another’s embrace, basking in the warm glow of the glittering lights of the tree.

###

During the next few weeks, Sydnee spent even more time with Quinn. They had lunch together and she enlisted Sara for babysitting duties for a few evenings. She was amazed at how quickly she’d gotten attached to him and she had to keep reminding herself she needed to take it slow and be careful. Each time she told herself that, she found herself even more enamored with him and she anticipated the time they would spend together.

They mutually decided to slow things down, which was hard because they were highly attracted to one another. They came to the conclusion that they should not sleep together again, at least until they knew each other a little longer. Of course that was easier said than done, and they usually ended up in bed together anyway.

Spending time with Quinn was like a drug to Sydnee and she just couldn’t get enough. And she had no intentions of rehabbing to kick her addiction. She started working out with him on a regular basis and it was exhilarating to have so much energy. Sara laughed at Sydnee’s giddiness, but she didn’t care. She was in a good place and was starting to truly enjoy her life.

“Hi, munchkins.” Sydnee smiled, walking in the door to her in-laws as the twins ran to greet her.

“Mommy!” They yelled, as she kneeled to give them both hugs and kisses.

“Did you have fun today?” Their outpouring of love was a welcome feeling she would never tire of and she tried to soak up as much of it as she could, knowing as they got older the hugs and kisses would become few and far between.

“Yes.”

“Were you good?”

“Yes.”

“I’m just sure you were.” Sydnee stood to greet Leanne.

“Oh, they were good. You should have seen them when we picked them up from school. They were so surprised.”

“Thank you again. It’s unbelievable Sean got sick and Monica had to pick him up from school early and I had a meeting with a client at the same time. I’m just glad you were free today. I can’t thank you enough for helping me out.”

“Honey, please. I’m happy to do it. I’m just glad you let me help you. Are you hungry? I went ahead and fed them so you wouldn’t have to worry about that once you get home. I know you’re probably tired.”

“Leanne, you didn’t have to do that. You are a God-send.” Following Leanne through the house, Sydnee removed her coat and scarf and discarded them on the arm of the sofa.

“Oh it’s okay. Go wash up and have a seat. I’ll fix your plate.”

“Mommy, Grammie made cupcakes.” Travis ambled beside her towards the kitchen table once she’d washed her hands.

“Did she? And how many did you have?”

“I had one and Charlie had one. I had one with white icing and blue sprinkles and he had one that had chocolate icing and yellow sprinkles.”

“Hmmm, those sound good. I think I see the one I want. The one with the pink icing and orange sprinkles,” she pointed to the other cupcakes sitting on the counter.

“Well, you could definitely stand to eat a few of them. You’ve lost weight.”

“Wow, Leanne, you really think so?” Sydnee sat at the table beside Charlie who was steadily coloring a picture.

“I would be a little worried, if you weren’t practically glowing.” Leanne placed a plate in front of Sydnee.

“Grammie, can we watch cartoons?”

“You sure can. Your favorite movie is already in the DVD player. Let’s go get it started so you can watch it while Mommy eats her dinner.” Sydnee watched Leanne escort the boys down the hallway to start the cartoons for them in the den.

“Those two are something else.” Leanne giggled, returning to the kitchen and taking her seat. “So, what have you been doing? You look great.”

“Thanks. I actually started working out with a friend on a little more regular basis.” Sydnee still hadn’t told Leanne and Charles about Quinn. She had just never been able to work up the nerve to share it with them.

“Well, it’s working. Not that you looked bad before, but you are getting toned and you just look like you’re blissfully happy.”

“I am. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”

“That’s good. I’m guessing it has something to do with your new friend?” Leanne grinned as Sydnee’s eyes widened and she swallowed hard, gazing at her plate before glancing at her mother-in-law.

“My new friend?”

“Yes. Charlie and Travis said their Auntie Sara stayed with them when you went out with your new friend. I figure he has something to do with the happiness you’re exuding out of every pore.” Leanne flashed an all-knowing smile and Sydnee knew she wasn’t going to be able to keep her secret any longer.

Sydnee shook her head. “Well, I guess there’s no keeping a secret around those two.” Sydnee squirmed, knowing eventually she would have to tell people if she and Quinn were to get serious. She just wasn’t ready for it yet. It was all still so new to her and she wasn’t sure how she would tell anyone. Sara knew, but she still hadn’t told her brother or her mother or even her in-laws. What would they say? Would they have the same reactions as Mina? She was pretty sure her brother wouldn’t have a problem with it. He was a lot like her in the sense that they kept an open mind about things. Kellen was a born mediator and had been a buffer for her with their mother their entire lives. Sydnee felt it was because her mother liked Kellen a lot more than her. Of course, Kellen said it was because he reminded her so much of their father, who had passed away during her freshman year in college. She worried what her mother would say. It nagged and needled at her mind constantly. Every time she was with Quinn, it was like she was doing something wrong, and she continuously worried what her mother’s reaction would be. Now, it looked like she was going to have to tell her mother-in-law. It was bad enough she was seeing someone else that wasn’t their son, but she was seeing someone who was younger, and who was white.
Heaven
only knows how this is going to go.

“Oh, honey, don’t worry about it. They didn’t mean to tell, they were just excited about Sara playing video games with them. The next thing you know they were talking about how she comes over when you go out. Is it serious? Oh, look at me being nosy. I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.” Leanne waved her hand, grinning and dismissing her last question.

“No, oh, no, Leanne, it’s okay. I don’t know yet. I’m a little confused at this point about where it’s going. Kind of a long story.”

“I have time if you want to talk about it.” Sighing, Sydnee pushed her plate away, propped her elbows on the table and placed her head in her hands. Leanne must have thought she was crying because Sydnee could feel her hand pat her arm. “Sweetheart, it’s okay.”

Looking up, Sydnee grinned at her mother-in-law and shook her head. “I’m so confused.”

“Anything I can help with?”

“The new friend I met, well, he’s a great guy. He is caring, and understanding and really a wonderful person to be around. He’s positive and he has so much energy and life.” Sydnee couldn’t contain the smile that automatically popped onto her face when she thought of Quinn. His eyes, his deliciously delectable little smirk, his laugh. Everything about him had her in full swoon mode and she could kick herself for being so head over heels gone for the guy.

“Doesn’t sound so bad.”

“He’s not. He’s great, but the problem is, he’s younger than I am.”

“Okay, what’s a few years? What is it, like two or three years?”

“Try eight.” Sydnee folded her hands and slowly looked over at Leanne.

“Eight? Hmm…”

“Yeah and he’s also…white.”

“Oh-kay, well…” Sydnee watched Leanne’s facial expression for any change. Sydnee knew what she was thinking, but what was her mother-in-law, the grandmother of her children, thinking about her or her decision to see a younger white man?

“Yeah, exactly. I don’t understand it, Leanne. Here I am, a thirty-four year old single mother of two with a great job, and my friends have fixed me up with doctors, accountants, and lawyers that are all my age. But, I meet a twenty-six year old personal trainer while buying a Christmas tree, and I am more interested in him than any of those others.” Sydnee returned her head to her hands. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Honey, nothing is wrong with you.”

“But why couldn’t I be attracted to one of those guys closer in age to me than this unbelievable guy that was fourteen years old when I married Matt? Oh, that sounds horrible.”

“Oh no.” Leanne laughed at her ex-daughter-in-law and squeezed her hand.

“Leanne, I’m a cradle robber.” Sydnee moaned, dropping her head to the table.

“Okay, now stop it. Sometimes we can’t help who we have things in common with. And I’m sure this man is something special to have you looking so happy.”

“That’s what makes this so confusing for me. He’s unbelievable. I’m having a hard time finding anything wrong with him. He’s almost too good to be true, and you know when someone is like that, they usually are. Just look at Matt.” Pausing for a moment, she placed her hand over her mouth and her eyes opened wide. “Oh, Leanne, no offense, but you see how that turned out.”

“Believe me when I say, no offense taken. I love my son, Sydnee, and I always will, but honestly, honey, I cannot and will not condone what he did to you and my grandchildren. Can I ask you something though?”

“Sure.” Sydnee had always loved being able to talk to Leanne about any and everything under the sun. They had a close relationship, a lot like she wished for her and her mother.

“Is he someone you want to be around Charlie and Travis?” Sydnee looked at Leanne wistfully and dipped her head. Nowadays Sydnee wasn’t too sure of anything. She wanted to make the right decisions when it came to her children. They were everything to her. She was devastated when Matt walked out on them. She was their constant, and they had done more for her than anyone could possibly imagine. Now, she was faced with a decision to let a new man into their life and it was a decision she did not want to take lightly. Especially since she wasn’t sure exactly how long he would be in their lives. It was all so complicated. She really liked Quinn. He was smart and caring, and she could see the boys absolutely loving spending time with him. His enthusiasm and energy would be a positive influence on them, she was sure.