Christmas Ever After

“She fell,” Alec said shortly, “and she should probably be sitting down so let’s get indoors.”

“Good idea.” Incurably friendly, Liv slid her arm through Sky’s. “Come inside. You need to meet Mum, Dad and Uncle Harry. And Granny is here. She can’t wait to meet you.”

Alec watched as Skylar was swallowed up by the embrace of his enthusiastic family. The dogs were barking, everyone was talking at once and he was left on his own to unload the luggage.

Nelson nudged his leg and he gave a grunt.

“It’s your lucky day, pal. She likes dogs. Looks like you won’t be spending the weekend shut in the garden after all.”

By the time he’d transferred everything to the hall, everyone was in the kitchen and Sky was standing by the range cooker holding a glass of mulled wine and looking slightly dazed.

“I’ve never had mulled wine before.”

“It’s red wine, spices, a few slices of citrus fruit. Delicious. I think it counts as one of your five a day, but Simon disagrees.” His mother opened the oven and removed a tray of golden-brown, flaky pastry snacks. “Fetch the cooling rack please, Liv.”

“And a touch of brandy. Don’t forget the brandy.” Uncle Harry winked and then crossed the room and embraced Alec. “The wanderer returns. We’ve killed the fatted calf in your honor.”

“It’s a turkey. Calves don’t have wings, Uncle Harry.” Liv pulled the wire rack out of the cupboard and set it down on the center of the table. “And we’re eating it tomorrow. Tonight is game casserole. I helped make it. The meat has been marinating in wine for the past two days. Mum used one of Dad’s precious bottles and he threw a fit so you’d better say how delicious it is.”

Alec shrugged off his coat. “Where is Dad?”

“He’s on the phone as usual. He’s not even supposed to be working this weekend but the practice has been decimated by a flu bug. You know how it is at this time of year.” His mother arranged the pastries on the rack while Skylar sipped the wine and closed her eyes.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It’s—”

“You probably shouldn’t be drinking alcohol anyway.” Alec interrupted her before she could deliver a caustic remark that might upset his mother. “Leave it and I’ll find you something else.”

Skylar opened her eyes. “No way. It’s delicious. I was going to say it tastes like Christmas.” She ran her tongue over her lips. “It tastes like Christmas in a glass.”

“I always think the same thing.” Alec’s mother handed her a plate and gestured to the rack of cooling pastries. “This end is mushroom, garlic and chestnut. The far end is feta and spinach. You need to relax, Alec. You’re very tense.”

Of course he was tense.

He’d brought a stranger into his home at a time of year that was reserved for family, although so far he couldn’t fault her manners.

“You should sit down,” he said to Skylar, his voice gruff.

His mother nodded. “Yes, you should. That bruise of yours is nasty, dear, and you do look very pale.”

“I always look pale without makeup.” Skylar licked her fingers. “These are delicious. The only thing I can produce in the kitchen is soup. You’re a wonderful cook.”

Alec saw his mother melt like ice cream left in the sun.

“Settle yourself there and rest,” she said. “Simon will take a look at your head as soon as he’s off the phone. Maybe we should give you something nonalcoholic. After all, you have to save yourself for the champagne later. We don’t want you falling asleep in the middle of the celebrations.” She glanced up as Alec’s father walked back into the room. “Well?”

“It was Mary from the village. She needed reassurance, that’s all.”

“So you don’t have to go out? That’s good.”

“Celebrations?” Alec helped himself to a pasty. “What are we celebrating?”

“You really need to ask?” His mother exchanged looks with his father. “It’s been three years since you brought anyone home, Alec. We’d almost given up and now here you are with Skylar. I know you won’t want to talk about it, but—well, we’re just so happy for you both.”