Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(109)

Julia raises an eyebrow. “Sure. Aren’t you scared?”

“How can someone be scared of such a little cutie like him?” I mean, Arthur looks like a very calm baby. I softly hold the back of his head and nestle him against my chest. “I’m sorry to have brought up my mother. I shouldn’t have.”

I notice Arthur drooling on my dress and decide to hand him back to Julia.

“It’s alright, Petra. Don’t worry. My mom just doesn’t like when we talk politics, that’s all.” Julia places a soft kiss on his head, but Arthur seems to want something else. “Would you mind if I breastfeed him?”

I’m shocked. I’ve never seen a baby do that, let alone in front of me. I’d prefer to leave Julia alone, as I feel strange disturbing her privacy, but then someone knocks on the door and, before we can say a word, opens it.

“May we come in?” ask Yara and Maud playfully.

“Of course. What a question.”

The women enter and each give Arthur a kiss. Yara holds him and starts giggling with him, while Julia sits on a sofa at the back of the room. I notice how Clarissa, the maid, is unzipping her dress from behind. As Julia pulls the dress down, I lay eyes on her beautiful white lace bra. Yara hands her little Arthur back, who seems delighted and joyful to be nestled against his mother’s chest. I look away when Julia pulls her right breast out.

Yara opens the first window in front of the door, which is the one furthest away from Julia, and lights up a cigarette.

“Oh, beautiful, Yara,” rebukes Maud. “I can’t believe this.”

“Still smoking?” Julia shakes her head. “Didn’t you tell everyone you stopped?”

Yara takes her first puff quietly. “Calm down, you two. It’s only one cigarette to celebrate Christmas. I stopped in public and in front of the kids. That’s what I promised. Oh, sorry, I’m so rude. Do you want one?” she asks, looking at me.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.”

“Well done, Petra. Don’t smoke—it’s terrible for your body and skin. Plus, you’ve got such a spotless and flawless one,” flatters Julia. “You will age gracefully.”

Yara rolls her eyes.

“How do you handle your stress and anxiety, Petra? I’m amazed by your discipline. You don’t smoke, you don’t drink…” asks Maud.

“I’m sure she has other ways of releasing her stress,” teases Yara.

The three girls burst into laughter, but I raise an eyebrow.

“We know about you and our brother. It’s okay, don’t worry.”

“Did he tell you?” Did they notice he was touching me?

“No, but you and your father are the only non-family invited. So, it’s not hard to guess… Plus, let’s be honest, the way you both look at each other says it all.” I blush and smile, looking down. “By the way, you know he’s gonna have the talk with Margaret, right? That’s why he brought you here,” continues Yara, enjoying her cigarette.

My heart skips a beat. “The talk?”

“Well, yeah. He never invited Amanda to Christmas in ten years. Margaret has this weird old tradition that Christmas has to be spent only with family.” Wow, Mom was right. “Or those who will soon be a part of it…”

“Lovers are therefore excluded,” interposes Maud.

“That’s why you and your Dad are here,” adds Julia with a big grin on her face.

“You mean he needs to ask her?” WTF? He’s an independent adult, after all. And what if Margaret doesn’t like me?

The sisters look at each other, carefully choosing their words.

“Yep. She has to give him her blessing.” Yara has to be joking—after all, she always speaks in this playful, frisky way. “Poor guy, we never needed it, but since Margaret has to give him the family ring… Anyway, you'll be fine.”

My heart skips beat. It doesn’t seem like a joke anymore.

Julia smiles at me. “Indeed, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought you here. Don’t worry,” she adds with her usual soft and mellow voice.

“But what about Hendrik Van Dieren?” I dare to ask. “I didn’t see him. Are he and Margaret separated?”

The sisters fall silent, looking again at each other.

“Kind of dead,” giggles Yara. “You know, when Mom found out about his bastard, she didn’t take it lightly.”

“Yara!” triggers Julia.

“What? It’s alright, Petra knows him. You know Jimmy, right?”

“Vaguely.”

“Let’s say Hendrik is far, far away,” snaps Julia, closing the subject.

A cold silence arises in the room, but Julia breaks it. “What if we brunch at my house tomorrow? Sebastian will be out duck hunting with his friends and family.”

What? Her husband is a hunter? No one else seems bothered by her announcement. As a vegetarian, I can’t help but feel sick picturing the poor animals being killed by those men. Fuck, it’s so barbaric! I start to wonder if Alex is also a hunter. Oh God... I shudder at the thought.

“Great idea. I’m in.” Yara takes a last puff of her cigarette before throwing it to the snow.

“Sounds like a plan,” adds Maud.

Julia smiles radiantly at their assent and looks back at me. “What do you think, Petra?”