The Parting Gift(30)

“During the reign of Caesar Augustus….”

David’s voice continued to shake; it was obvious to Mara that he was trying not to have a coughing fit in the middle of the reading, but halfway through he had to stop.

“Son?” David looked to Blaine. “Will you finish the story?”

Why did everything seem to hold a double meaning for Mara? As if Blaine truly was picking up where his father had left off in the home, like the passing of the torch.

Blaine took the old book from his father’s hands and continued. His strong voice was so calming to Mara, she was afraid she would fall asleep.

When the story was over, Blaine stood and laid a record gingerly on his father’s old Victrola. As Silent Night drifted softly through the room, David leaned his head against the back of the sofa and closed his eyes in deep contentment.

He looked so happy there. The best day he’d had in a long time. It was getting late, however. As the song ended, Mara rose up to help him back to his room.

Blaine formed a sad smile. “Let me take him.”

Without waiting for an answer, he scooped his father up into his arms and turned towards Mara. “Thank you, for making this the best Christmas Eve we’ve had in years.”

Mara couldn’t speak. Words failed to express what she was even feeling in that moment. She gulped and nodded.



****



“You love her,” David said when Blaine set him in his bed.



Blaine didn’t answer.

“I’m guessing I’m closer to the truth than you’d like to admit. I know you aren’t one to share your feelings; we’re cut from the same cloth. But son, listen to me.”

Blaine sat on his father’s bed.

“Son, I can see you’re afraid to risk a broken heart. Love is too precious to waste. When you miss out on love, you miss out on life. I want you to live. My wish is for you to understand what it truly means to share your heart and your soul with another person. I had that with Emily. It’s your turn. I may be dying, but you…you get to live.”

“I am afraid.” The words were out of Blaine’s mouth before he could stop them. “I’m afraid of losing those I love.”

“Son, fear keeps you from being extraordinary. It is the absence of truly living. You can do anything, even if you have to do it afraid.”

Blaine kissed his father’s head. “I love you, Pop. I wish... I wish, I—”

“We’ve had these moments, Blaine. I wouldn’t take them back for the world. Don’t live your life regretting what’s past. These days are what matter. Now, go on. There’s a beautiful woman downstairs, waiting under the mistletoe.”

Blaine laughed as he got off the bed. “Alright, alright. See you in the morning.”





Chapter Twelve





The morning light streamed through the curtains and danced across Blaine’s face, waking him from a peaceful dream – his first in a long time. He sat up, sliding his feet off the cot and rubbing his eyes. It’s Christmas! The somnolent fog dissipated instantly. A broad grin broke across his face. Standing, Blaine stretched contentedly and grabbed his jeans from the floor.

Since the last Christmas Blaine had celebrated was when he was ten years old, the latent childhood joy at the thought of it returned full force. It was his impulse to run straight to the tree and start ripping open the packages, but he checked himself before bursting through the door.

Yesterday had been the perfect day.

The fact that time with his father was running out did weigh heavily on his heart, but it made it that much more important to make the moments he did have left count. And maybe, just maybe, that was the real reason behind his impulse to rush this morning.

He tugged the wool sweater over his head and ran his fingers through his hair to smooth it down. From the kitchen, the sound of Mara stirring brought another smile to Blaine’s lips. Another reason to rush.

True, he’d known her only a few weeks, but already he couldn’t imagine his life without her.

After popping a peppermint candy into his mouth, he stepped out of the room. Mara was standing on her tiptoes to reach the top shelf of the cupboard. The sight of her thrilled him, and he moved to her side.

“Can I get that for you?”

She laughed nervously as she dropped back onto her heels. “Yes, please. I need that glass bowl on the right.” He reached across her and brought it back down to her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said with a smile and leaned back against the counter with his arms crossed in front of him. “Merry Christmas.”

Mara had already turned to the refrigerator and was digging for something. His presence in the kitchen seemed to be flustering her, because she didn’t seem to remember what she was looking for there. Her head peered over the top of the door. “Oh, yes. Merry Christmas to you too.”

It was a little chilly in the kitchen. Blaine sauntered to the door to pull on his boots and his coat. “I’ll grab a load of firewood. It’s pretty cold in here yet.” Mara nodded at him with a smile.

When he returned, he started the fire in the wood stove and poured himself some tea. “Pop sure seemed to be doing well yesterday. Have you checked on him yet this morning?”