35. Ryland

35

RYLAND

M otion in my peripheral vision spun my head around. Megan sniffled and tucked her hand beneath her chin. Red rimmed her eyes as she took in Hannah’s plight and Scott’s reassurance. I’d almost jumped in to add my two cents to his adamant response. Later. Hannah looked overwhelmed, and the growing crowd worried me. I snapped another picture, Liddy attached to my hip. She fawned over the picture of the ice cream shop. “It’s so pretty.”

“You’re pretty.” I flipped the camera around and took a picture of us. I’d done it enough through the years to be able to work the camera from the awkward angle.

Megan coughed and rubbed her nose, ducking her head into her collar. No doubt she could relate to Hannah. Their situations were different, but both had found themselves feeling unwanted and alone as young adults. Arthur wrapped his arms around Megan’s shoulders in an attempt to warm her up. She allowed the embrace, even sinking in closer and letting her father comfort her. He’d always been in tune with Megan and her moods, but I’d never seen this much physical comfort between them. In the past she’d push him away every time.

I raised my camera and clicked a series of rapid shots before either of them caught me or Megan could move away. Her eyes were closed, the earlier anger melted into a soft expression of comfort. Arthur managed to show Megan without words that she was not alone either. He’d always wanted to be there for his daughter. Joy for both of them forced another round of pictures.

Snow peppered the air, cutting across the screen and creating a blurred backdrop of lights and color from the shops across the street.

“I want Mama.” Liddy leaned toward Hannah, who heard the quiet request and opened her arms wide. Scott kept them close, embracing mother and daughter, the three of them creating the perfect family dynamic. I stepped back and lined up the shot. Scott arched a brow but kept quiet as I clicked, then clicked again. I’d taken hundreds of thousands of pictures through the years, and I knew without looking that these would be my favorites of all time.

When everyone settled and the emotional upheaval drifted into a quiet acceptance, I tucked my camera back against my side and put the lens cap back in place. “Why don’t we take a walk?” I tipped my head toward the center of town. “We’re close to the big tree, and it’ll be lit up now.” I checked the sky. “The snow’s going to keep going for a bit. It’ll be beautiful.”

Hannah took my hand. “You don’t have to try and convince us. You had me and Liddy at big tree.”

“How big is it?” Liddy’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Is it bigger than the one at home?”

“Much bigger.” I pointed at the sky. “It’s so tall, if you stand directly under it, you can’t even see the top.”

“Nuh-uh.” Liddy argued automatically, kind of like her mother. “Let’s see it.”

We grouped up, the six of us knotting together and making our way down the sidewalk. The falling snow covered the concrete and filled the air with perfect flakes. Our breaths fogged out together, and a loud laugh from Liddy matched the rising tempo of Christmas music coming from the town square. “Look at that one, Liddy.” I pointed at a house tucked back in the hillside. “Do you see the snowman lights and the reindeer?”

“Ooh, pretty!” Liddy clapped and cheered. “We need more lights. Can we make giant trees in the yard?”

“Of course.” I’d make it happen, one way or another.

Hannah tapped my elbow with hers. “You don’t have to give her everything she asks for.”

“If it’s within my power, she’s getting it. And so are you.”

“I don’t need anything else. This is enough. Seeing her happy, knowing these babies will be loved,” she patted her stomach, “it’s more than enough.”

“Look, it’s the green man,” Liddy squealed and pointed as a man dressed in a Grinch costume strolled up the other side of the street. He heard Liddy, then spotted her, and waved wildly.

“Is that little Miss Cindy Lou Who?” He tented a hand over his eyes. “Have you gotten all your presents this year?”

“You can’t have them.” Liddy crossed her arms and frowned. When the man put his hands on his hips and tapped his foot, she laughed. “You don’t want my presents, Mr. Grinch. But I can get you one of your own.”

“Aww.” He snapped his fingers and kicked at the snow. “You’re too nice, Miss Cindy Lou Who.”

“Everyone deserves a present at Christmas. Even if it’s just a hug. Do you need a hug, Mr. Grinch?” Liddy had the power to take a person to their knees, she didn’t have an ounce of deceit or cruelty in her. She loved with such abundant power that it rattled me sometimes.

Even the Grinch character seemed uncertain how to take her. He wiggled his green feathery fingers at Liddy. “I’d accept a hug.” He crossed the street and kneeled down, letting Liddy squeeze him around the neck. “Thank you.”

I swore his voice cracked. When he released Liddy, he stood and met Hannah’s eyes, nudging her under the chin. “You take care of that girl. She’s one in a million. Means she’s got a good mama at home teaching her right.”

“You bet.” Hannah glowed with the praise and tugged Liddy tighter to her. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Grinch.”

“You too.” He backed away with another wave. “Don’t forget to keep some cookies out for me. That old Santa might bring you goodies for your stocking, but it’s the cookies that keep me satisfied.” He patted the stuffed belly of his suit and winked. “Though I’m fairly sure my heart just grew three sizes. The whole world might be safe from me now thanks to that hug.”

“That’s right.” Liddy poked a finger at him, her smile a mile wide.

“Go on with you.” He waved us past him.

“Henry would’ve loved to have seen that.” I shook my head. “He used to dress up and go out every Christmas. He’d pretend to be a caroler, and if people said no to his songs, he put coal on their steps.”

“Or in their mailboxes.” Arthur chuckled. “He brought me along one year. Made me carry a whole bag of coal. By the end of the night, I’d used every piece.”

“That’s because Dad couldn’t sing.” Hannah laughed then blew out a long cloud of white breath. “He used to do that to our neighbors. One year, it was so bad they tried to bribe him with food not to sing anymore.”

I didn’t even try to stop my laughter. “I told him once that he sounded like a wounded bear.”

Hannah agreed with a nod and a grin. “That was on a good day. When he really belted it out, like when we cleaned house and listened to the radio, he’d get so loud and annoying that I started wearing earplugs.”

Megan and Arthur slowed until they ended up at the back of the group. They spoke to each other, Megan asking questions about things she’d missed growing up and Arthur offering support and answers the best he could.

“Between the Christmas caroling, cookies, and buying presents for every kid in my class at school, he was a pretty popular guy.” Hannah held it together as we walked and talked. “He had this one ornament for the Christmas tree, and it didn’t matter what I said or did, that ornament always went on last. He said it was tradition, and you never broke tradition.”

“He started that in college.” Arthur spoke up. “Was it a snow globe ornament?”

“Yeah. How’d you know?”

“Because he bought all of us one and made us promise that no matter where we lived, no matter where life took us, we’d always hang that ornament on our tree at Christmas and remember him,” I answered before Arthur had the chance to.

“But.” Hannah stopped and turned. “You didn’t say anything about that. When we decorated the tree.”

“The snow globe ornaments are still in their boxes.” Scott inched off the sidewalk so others could pass. “We wanted you and Liddy to hang them with us this year. Kind of a new start for an old tradition.”

“Like this.” I placed a hand on Hannah’s elbow and started walking again. “Maybe we can start a few new traditions. Like taking a walk around downtown and looking at the decorations and lights. Watching the tree lighting ceremony.”

“I’d like that.” Hannah answered, a shy smile brightening her eyes.

We made it all the way to the town center and up to the massive tree taking up almost an entire block. Liddy craned her neck with an “Ooh” and stared up with her mouth dropped open.

“Thank you.” Hannah rested her temple on my shoulder and hugged me with one arm.

From devastated to happy. I’d call this night a success. Once Liddy finished examining the tree, declaring it beautiful but not as pretty as ours, we turned and made our way back to the SUV. Hannah offered to drive her car back, but Megan and Arthur said they would take it, using the opportunity to spend time together for some more father/daughter conversation. I expected there would be many more of those talks in the upcoming weeks and months.

Deena met us at the front door with promises of warm drinks and food, and we ate hurriedly as Liddy yawned and almost fell asleep in her soup. Hannah carried her toward the stairs, pausing beside me. “I’ll be over once I put her to bed. Tell Scott and Arthur.”

Megan left the dining room with a goodnight and a kiss to Arthur’s cheek. We retreated to my room moments later to wait for Hannah, and when she walked in, I knew for certain that Chad’s callous neglect had been overcome. Her attempt to let Chad back into Liddy’s life had failed, but I was glad to have it over and done so we could move on.

Hannah flipped the lock on my door and lowered the robe from her shoulders. Beneath it, she wore a red, lacy satin slip that showed every curve and hollow. Scott stretched out in the bed and locked his hands behind his neck. “I need to say something.”

“Me too.” Arthur and I chimed in together.

Hannah stilled instantly. “What?”

I stood first and took her hands. “Hannah, there is no other woman in the world for me. I’ve fallen so deeply in love with you that you never leave my thoughts.”

“You stole my line.” Scott scooted around and planted his feet on the floor. “I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were not ready to hear us.”

“Us?” An audible swallow sounded.

“Us.” Arthur confirmed by standing and moving to her side. “We’re all in love with you. No one expected it, and we didn’t plan for it. Maybe today isn’t the best day to admit it but?—”

“Love should never be hidden away,” I finished for him.” Feelings are never shameful.” I sat and pulled her onto my lap. The red satin spilled over my legs, revealing her porcelain skin. “We want you in our lives, Hannah. Not just our beds.”

“You…” She stuttered and stopped, looking to Scott for help.

He dropped into the chair beside me. “I love you. So do Arthur and Ryland. We’re madly in love with you. The I want to be with you forever kind. The will you marry me kind.” We’d not prepared that part, but Scott often went off script so I wasn’t surprised.

Tears welled in Hannah’s eyes. “You’re not just saying that because I’ve had a bad day?”

“Do you really think we’d do that?” Arthur kissed her before she could answer.

When she came up for air, dazed and aroused, she settled harder on my lap. “I love you too. All of you. I tried not to. I thought I’d given up my right to love someone the way I love you three. It’s so strong sometimes that it scares me.”

“Welcome to the club.” Scott pulled her from my lap to his, bringing her legs around to straddle his waist. “Scary love is the best kind. It terrifies me that I might lose you.”

“Me too.” She ran her fingers through his hair and brought me over for a kiss on the lips that had me hard and aching by the time we pulled apart. “I don’t want to think about losing any of you. I want to love you and be loved by you.”

“Done.” I stood and picked her up, carrying her to the bed and laying her down, settling in next to her. Arthur and Scott joined us. This was a night meant for savoring. We’d experienced almost every kind of sex from frantic to slow and sensual. Tonight, I hoped to bring a new level of emotion to mix with the physical. “I love you.” I kissed the curve of her jaw and nuzzled her neck.

Hannah hooked a leg over my hip and pulled me closer. “There are not enough words for how much I love you.”