Chapter Eighteen
The Crystal Ball was in full swing by the time they arrived, fashionably late. Ryan looked very handsome in his tuxedo, while Gillian wore a white empire waist dress, the long, silver flecked folds of her skirt trailing elegantly behind her.
Gillian sways to the music, wrapped in her husband's strong, loving arms, her head resting on his shoulder. Her eyes sweep over the room, smiling at all the happy couples.
"It seems like it's been so long ago since we were here last, dancing just like this. We were just kids then, so naïve to think that being in love would somehow protect us from ever having another problem."
"But we made it here, didn't we?" He says, stroking her soft, auburn hair. Tonight it was wound up tightly, held in place by a sparkling barrette.
"Yes, we did."
****************
Off the dance floor, Gillian discreetly removes a shoe and tries to rub the soreness out of her feet. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she turns and smiles widely.
"Grandmama!"
"Gillian, dear, how are you?" Eugenia says as she kisses her lightly on the cheek.
"I've never been better, but my ankles are another story."
"Oh darling, that will pass. Only a few more months to go, and you'll have something mighty impressive to show for all your aches and pains."
"I can't wait." She says, as she pats her stomach. "Ryan and I have a lot to look forward to next year."
"Yes, you do. Speaking of Ryan, do you mind if I share a dance with the father-to-be?"
"Not at all, Grandmama. I'm afraid I'm not going to be much of a dancing partner tonight." Gillian says, gesturing toward the refreshment area. "He's right over there."
She watches as her Grandmother pulls Ryan into a slow waltz. Over Eugenia's shoulder, Ryan wiggles his eyebrows at her, and Gillian laughs.
***************
"Silent night, holy night…."
Ryan and Gillian sit in front of their Christmas tree, their hands clasped together. Gillian is fidgeting with excitement to open her first present. This tree is special-- it is the first they've decorated together. Over a long weekend, during which tinsel and Christmas lights were strewn from one end of the house to the other. This would never be Ryan's favorite time of year, but with Gillian it could be easier, and sometimes actually fun.
"All is calm, all is bright…"
Finally, they exchange gifts---underpants decorated with holly leaves for Ryan, and a Hungarian-to-English dictionary for Gillian. She swats him with the book, and he ducks for cover.
"Round yon virgin, mother and child, holy infant so tender and mild…."
They agree that they didn't have to buy each other gifts this year. They have everything they need, just the three of them.
"Sleep in heavenly peace."
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