3. Lydia

3

LYDIA

T he nights were always the same for me. I'd eat dinner, catch up on social media, and watch my comfort TV shows. However, now that it was December, I put my TV shows on hold and went straight to Christmas movies. Every night, I would turn on a new one, but sometimes I'd rewatch one of my favorites, which was what I was doing tonight by watching The Nutcracker for the millionth time in my life.

I'd just turned it on and had my steaming cup of hot cocoa beside me when my phone rang. My mom's picture appeared on the screen, and it made me smile. It was a photo I'd taken of her during one of our margarita nights. She had one of the umbrellas in her hair with her eyes crossed, looking goofy like always.

"Hey," I answered, grabbing the TV remote so I could pause the movie.

"Hey, sweetheart, I've already called Violet and told her, but I love the new addition to the Christmas village in the store. It has your sister's name all over it."

We both laughed and I had to agree with her. "Of course it does. I have no doubt she would've punched someone out if they tried to buy it before her."

My mother burst out laughing again. "That's Violet for you. But anyway, I just wanted to call and check in on you. Is there anything you need me and your father to help you with in the store?"

I reached for my hot chocolate and took a sip. "Nope. Violet and I have it handled. I have a feeling it's going to be a better year than last."

She breathed out a hopeful sigh. "Let's hope it stays that way. I like it when things keep going up."

I did, too.

I'd seen so many businesses tank and owners lose everything. There were times when I thought my parents were going to lose the gallery. Some years were better than others and sacrifices had to be made. I remembered those times when we didn't take a family vacation and when there were fewer presents under the Christmas tree. Luckily, we made it through, and I saw how much stronger it made my parents. That was why I spent the last few years of my life striving to grow the business and make sure we never had to worry about going under.

"All right, sweetheart, I'll let you go," my mother said, her voice soothing and calm. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Sounds good, Mom. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too."

We hung up and I hit play on the TV remote. I watched about an hour of the movie, and I could feel my eyes begin to get heavy. I didn't want to get up, so I stretched out and pulled my snowflake blanket up under my chin. It wasn't long before I drifted off to the sound of the "Sugarplum Fairy" song.

Lydia's dream

Transported back in time to Christmas Eve - Two years ago

" G ood afternoon, Ms. Scott. Merry Christmas Eve."

I opened my eyes to see Regina Blankenship standing behind the receptionist's desk, her smile as bright as always. My heart started to race, and I looked around to see the immaculately decorated hallways of my grandmother's retirement home. The staff always went all out for Christmas.

Confusion swept across me and all I could do was turn back to Regina and stare at her. She had her dark hair pulled back in a low ponytail and she had on her jingle bell earrings that she only wore on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Time either didn't exist or I was losing my mind.

The last thing I remembered was falling asleep on my couch. Regina's forehead creased and she stared back at me with concern. "Lydia, are you okay?"

Was I?

The clock on the wall said it was eight thirty, and I could see the sun shining in through the windows, so I knew it wasn't night. That meant there were several hours that I couldn't account for. I couldn't remember what time I woke up or how I even drove myself to my grandmother's place.

"I'm fine, I think," I ended up saying.

I was about to say something about her wearing her Christmas earrings early this year, but someone called out my name.

"Hi, Lydia. It's good to see you again."

I jerked around to see who it was, and my mouth dropped when I saw it was Margaret Grant, dressed in a pair of red scrubs with a sprig of mistletoe pinned over the left pocket. I didn't know she worked at my grandmother's retirement home.

"Hey," I said, glancing from her to Regina. Regina smiled at us and grabbed a black notebook off the desk before walking away. I focused back on Margaret. "I didn't know you worked here."

Margaret's brown eyes twinkled. "I don't." She flourished her hands out to the side, her brown curls bouncing around her shoulders. "But in your dream, I do. I kind of like wearing scrubs. They're comfortable."

I glanced down at my ugly Christmas sweater and jeans; it was the same sweater I wore two Christmases ago. Every year, Violet and I would make our own to wear on Christmas Eve. It was a tradition we started and wanted to continue for the years to come. Our grandmother loved seeing how crazy we could get with our designs.

"If I'm in a dream, it would make sense because I sure don't remember getting here. I swear I was just on my couch watching The Nutcracker ."

Margaret giggled, but her face was completely serious. "Oh, you were, Lydia. And now you're here." She pointed down at my sweater. "Do you remember when you wore that?"

I grabbed the hem of my red sweater and pulled it out so I could see the whole front. There was a giant Christmas tree in the middle with puff balls, glitter, and a variety of shiny ornaments all attached to it with tons of presents underneath.

"I'm pretty sure I wore it on Christmas Eve two years ago," I replied, trying my best to comprehend what was going on.

If I was in a dream, it felt all too real. I'd never had one so vivid before. It was as if I was really standing in the hallway talking to Margaret. I could smell the Christmas tree just down the hall, that sweet scent of pine I never grew tired of. There was even a familiar warmth surrounding me that I felt before when I was at the fountain.

Margaret leaned against the desk and smiled when she pointed at the small calendar on the counter. "You're absolutely right. It was two years ago."

When I focused on the calendar, it wasn't the current date - it was Christmas Eve, two years previously. Margaret was right. "This is so weird," I whispered more to myself than to her.

Margaret laughed. "I'm sure it is, child. You've been given a second chance to find what it is you're looking for. On this day two years ago, you missed an opportunity that could've changed the course of your future."

My dream was getting stranger by the second.

"This is insane," I said, shaking my head and laughing at the ridiculousness. "What are you talking about? How is being here going to give me a second chance to find what I'm looking for? I don't even know what that means."

Margaret patted my hand and batted her eyelashes. "Lydia, dear, you've been blind for way too long. It's time for you to open your eyes and see what's going on around you." She grabbed my hands and squeezed. "What did you wish for at the fountain?"

My mouth dropped open in surprise. "How did you know I was there?"

She squeezed my hands again and the warmth I'd felt that night embraced me like a hug. "I know a lot of things, child. I was there. That's why you're getting a do-over. Two years ago, you had a chance at love, but you completely ignored it. That's why I want you to really be in the moment here. You deserve to find the one you want to give your heart to and get theirs in return."

That was exactly what I wanted and the exact words I whispered that night. All I could do was stare at her in shock. I wanted this dream to be real more than anything, but that wasn't the way the world worked. But at least I could possibly find true love in my dreams. Or maybe this whole scenario was my mind playing tricks on me. I could see my dream leading me to an elderly gentleman as a joke, as a way of saying Hey, you waited too long .

"This guy isn't a resident here, is he?" I asked.

Margaret let my hands go and tilted her head back, bursting out with laughter. "That's a good one. But no, he's not a resident. I promise your potential match isn't an old man." That was a relief. She nodded toward the hallway where my grandmother's room was. "Go and enjoy your day. Your grandmother's waiting for you. I think she's ready to beat you at cards." She winked at me and walked away, disappearing around a corner.

"Margaret, wait," I called out, following her.

But when I turned the corner, she was gone. Then again, that shouldn't surprise me since I was in a dream. Anything could happen. The next time I saw Margaret, I was going to have to tell her she was in my dream. For now, I was going to see my grandmother and play cards like we always did when I visited her. We used to play all the time with my grandfather. I was so afraid she'd be too sad to play after he died, but it was the opposite. I think it brought her comfort.

I walked down the hall toward her room and smiled when her door came into view. The doorframe was decked out in a green garland with twinkling white lights, and she had a wreath in the center of her door with sparkling red, white, and silver ornaments.

Before I could even knock, the door swung open and my grandmother was there, her eyes instantly dropping to my sweater.

She shook her head and chuckled. "You and your sister never cease to amaze me. I love your Christmas tree, Liddy Bug. I can't wait to see what Violet did with hers."

Liddy Bug was the nickname she and my grandfather used to call me for as long as I could remember. No one else ever called me that; I dreaded the day I would never hear it again.

I held out my arm and my grandmother linked hers with mine. In her right hand was her favorite winter-themed deck of cards; they had snowflakes on them.

"I thought you'd like the tree," I said to her. "You'll get to see Violet's later when she stops by."

My grandmother turned to her door and shut it. "Can't wait. I thought we could go into the recreation room to play today. Is that okay?"

We usually played in her room, but I remember on this day two years ago, she wanted to be more sociable. I was excited about it, that maybe she was finally going to find a way to enjoy life again. I understood that she lost her world when my grandfather died, but he wouldn't have wanted her to be sad all the time.

"I'm good with it if you are," I replied. "You look good in your outfit today, Nana."

She had her stark white hair pulled into a neat bun and was dressed in a green-and-red glittery sweater with black pants. I remembered her wearing that two years ago.

Nana looked up at me and smiled. "Thanks, Liddy Bug. Are you ready to get your butt beat? I feel like I'm going to win today."

And she was definitely going to.

"I'm sure you will, Nana," I told her.

We arrived at the recreation room, and it was decorated from floor to ceiling with Christmas decorations. The room was huge with over twenty round tables, a kitchen off to the side, and a games area where several people were playing various board games, checkers, and chess. There were a lot of people visiting their loved ones today.

"Open your eyes."

Margaret's words echoed in my mind. I looked around at all the people, but there weren't any men around my age that could even possibly be a match for me.

My grandmother pulled on my arm, grabbing my attention. "Let's get a table before they're all gone."

I knew where she would take me before she even led the way. We ended up at a table in the corner, right by the hot chocolate station. She sat down and began to shuffle the deck of cards.

"Do we want to play rummy?"

"Of course," I answered, already knowing that was what she would choose.

Everything was playing out exactly as it did two years ago. We played rummy for about an hour, and then we switched to poker and ended up playing a few games of Go Fish.

My grandmother dealt out the cards and I made sure to keep a watchful eye out on the room. I was doing what Margaret suggested . . . keeping my eyes open. We played Go Fish for about twenty minutes, and it was my turn to deal next. As I was shuffling, I caught two figures by the doorway out of the corner of my eye. My stomach began to flutter, and I knew without a doubt that this was the moment I was supposed to watch for.

Holding my breath, I turned to look at who the people were, and my heart stopped. There was a young man around my age standing behind a wheelchair with an elderly man sitting in it. All the tables in the room were filled with other people, but two seats were available at ours. The guy was very good-looking and dressed in jeans and a thin, dark gray sweater. If I had paid attention two years ago, there's no way I would've forgotten him. He had auburn-colored hair that was more of a subtle red, and a smile that could melt anyone's heart. We locked eyes and I had no clue what came over me, but I lifted a hand in the air, waving him and the other gentleman over.

"Liddy Bug, what are you doing?" my grandmother asked, her voice a low whisper.

The guy wheeled the older man toward us, and I smiled, whispering back so only she could hear.

"I think they were looking for a place to sit, Nana. There's nowhere else but here."

When they arrived at the table, both men grinned at us, but the younger man spoke up. His eyes were unlike any color I'd ever seen; they were a mesmerizing smoky gray.

"Hey. I'm sorry to intrude on your card game but is there any chance my grandfather and I could join you?" he asked.

I glanced over at my grandmother, hoping she would say yes. She fidgeted with the cards in her hands for only a second, but then she nodded.

"You are more than welcome to," she answered.

The guy pushed his grandfather's wheelchair up to the table beside my grandmother and sat beside me.

He held out his hand. "I'm Max Harper."

I shook his hand, which was warm and strong. "Lydia Scott, it's nice to meet you."

His smile grew. "Likewise."

He introduced his grandfather, John, to us, and I did the same with my grandmother Amelia to them.

"My grandmother and I were playing Go Fish. Do you want to play a game?"

Max's grandfather nodded with excitement and Max chuckled. "If you don't mind, that'd be nice."

We played for a while and then Max and his grandfather taught my grandmother and me how to play Kings in the Corner. It was a fun game, and it made the time fly by. The next thing I knew, it was two hours later, and my phone was blowing up with text messages from Hailey, asking where I was.

"Do you have to leave?" Max asked.

I slid my cards over to my grandmother, who barely acknowledged me; she was too busy talking to Max's grandfather, who seemed to be just as enamored by her. I texted Hailey back, saying I was about to be on my way to her house. Her family always had a huge Christmas Eve party, and I never miss a single one.

"I do," I said, hating I had to leave. "My best friend's family has a Christmas Eve party every year and I'm running late."

Max nodded toward the door. "If you want, I can walk you out to your car."

My heart pitter-pattered in my chest. "I'd like that."

I wanted to believe all of this was real, but in the back of my mind, I knew it wasn't. It was just a dream, showing me what my life could've been like.

Max and I headed outside to my car after saying goodbye to my grandmother and Max's grandfather.

"Do you come here often?" Max asked.

I leaned against my car and nodded. "I do."

His brows furrowed. "So do I. I'm surprised I've never seen you before."

"Same," I agreed. I looked over at the retirement home and laughed. "Then again, this place is huge."

Max slid his hands into his pockets and glanced back at the building. "That it is." He turned back to me and smiled. "I know you have to get going, but I had fun playing cards." He held out his hand and I took it, waiting for him to let go, but he didn't. "Hopefully, I'll see you again," he said.

I waited for him to ask for my number, but what good would it have done in my dreams?

"I hope so," I ended up saying back.

He released my hand and slowly walked back toward the building while I hopped in my car. I watched him disappear inside and thought I'd wake up from the dream, but it didn't seem as if it was time to wake up.