The Christmas Present: The Pocket Watch Chronicles Read online

  She sipped on her drink and watched Charlie Brown with Jim. She had to smile as she saw way too much of Lucy van Pelt in herself.

  And then, Linus spoke, reciting the Christmas story, and she remembered snuggling up on the couch and watching it with Jack and Katy when they were small. More precisely, she remembered watching them watch it. The expressions on their faces when Linus spoke in the quiet auditorium. The indescribable cuteness, when they were a little older and imitated the carolers—their eyes closed, lips in the shape of a perfect “O”, taking an exaggerated breath at the end of each phrase. Memory making at its finest.

  That was the thing about making memories: one had to be there, in the present, absorbing everything.

  When the Peanuts’ gang yelled, “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown,” Jim kissed her head and whispered, “Merry Christmas, Anita.”

  “Merry Christmas, Jim.” She raised her nearly empty glass. “And here’s to new traditions and making new memories.”

  “Here, here.” He clinked his glass against hers before draining it.

  “It’s still early. Do you want to watch another movie?”

  “Nope. There is another new tradition I want to try.” He got up, walked to the tree, pulled a package from under it, and brought it to her. “It’s an elf gift.”

  Anita laughed. “Elf gifts are not a new tradition.” The elves stopped by the house every Christmas Eve, while they were at Mass, and left a present for each kid. Oddly enough, the present was always new pajamas that had already been washed once and were ready to wear. As the kids grew older, the elves started leaving something for Mom and Dad too. Slippers, robes or even tee-shirts were common.

  Jim nodded, looking very serious. “Well, technically yes, but this year the present is for both of us from a very naughty elf.” He handed her the package. “But you can unwrap it.”

  Curious, Anita tore the paper off and opened the box and started giggling. She pulled out a sexy, deep red babydoll. “Cute, honey. But there’s nothing in the box for you.”

  “Oh, I beg to differ. You go put that on, and then I get to unwrap my present.”

  Anita grinned. “You’re on.” She headed to the bedroom, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll be ready by the time you turn off the lights and blow out the candles.”

  She undressed quickly and pulled the nighty on. She was actually surprised. She had shopped for things like this before. Usually, if she could find anything in more generous sizes, they just looked kind of silly on her. This garment was well made and styled to fit a fuller figure. She looked at herself in the mirror and actually liked the way it looked.

  In the mirror’s reflection, she saw the bedroom door open.

  Jim stood there holding one of the still-lit candles. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He turned off the light and walked up behind her, placing the candle on the dresser before wrapping his arms around her.

  She continued to look in the mirror. “It’s pretty. I like it.”

  He kissed her behind her ear. Jim’s sprinkling of gray hair glowed silver in the soft flickering light. He ran his hands lightly over her belly and up to her breasts, cupping them in his hands. He kissed his way down her shoulder. “You’re pretty. I like you.”

  She chuckled, turning in his arms to face him. “Well, your vision isn’t what it used to be.”

  “My vision is perfect.” He swatted her backside lightly before cupping a hand over each cheek and pulling her close. His mouth slanted across hers, kissing her, lightly at first then deeply and urgently as if he couldn’t get enough.

  She closed her eyes, swept away by his kiss. She loved this. She always had.

  His kisses moved to her temples, her eyes, her throat. He pushed the silky fabric aside and lowered his head to one breast, kissing, sucking, nibbling. It was as if electricity shot through her, igniting her desire.

  “I’m ready to unwrap my present now,” he said, his voice low and throaty with desire.

  She pulled his head back to her face, kissing his lips then whispering, “I have a little more unwrapping to do first.” She slid her hands under his shirt, rubbing them over his chest for a moment before lifting the shirt up and pulling it over his head.

  He kicked off his shoes while she unbuckled his belt. She caught her thumbs in his waistband, pushing it down and over his hips. He kicked out of his pants before capturing her mouth in another soul-stirring kiss. He rained kisses over her face and down her neck as he pushed her, ever so slowly, towards the bed. His hands ran lightly down her back until he reached the hem of the short gown. Then, just as she had, he slid his hands under the garment and up her sides, pulling it up as he went. In an instant it was over her head and discarded with his clothes on the floor.

  Anita laid down on the bed, scooting to the center and reaching for him.

  He tsked. “I’ve barely just unwrapped my gift. I want to play for a while.” He made a circular motion with one hand. “Roll over.”

  Anita did, hugging several pillows to her chest and turning her head to one side. She closed her eyes.

  He stepped away from the bed for a moment, then she felt the bed sink under his weight as he knelt beside her. He bent over her and kissed her neck, then nuzzled behind her ear, causing her to giggle. He gave a low, throaty chuckle and planted kisses slowly and deliberately down her back until he reached the ultrasensitive spot at the base of her spine.

  He knelt up again. There was the unmistakable squelch of lotion being squeezed from a tube followed by Jim rubbing his hands together. A moment later, he began rubbing the lotion into her back and she was in paradise. The rough skin on his hands combined with firm, gentle pressure could not be duplicated by the most skilled massage therapist.

  His hands slid under her arms, grazing the edge of her breasts before returning to her back. He massaged his way down over the base of her spine and onto her backside. He massaged her cheeks and thighs, his thumbs circling ever deeper, closer to her core. When she was panting with need he helped her turn onto her back.

  He massaged and kissed her breasts, nibbling first on one then the other. “I love these. You have gorgeous breasts.”

  “They aren’t what they used to be.”

  “Thank God for that.” At her questioning frown he added, “If they were it would mean you weren’t a mother and we’d have no children.”

  “Or that I had a good plastic surgeon.”

  He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, causing them to pebble before giving them a light squeeze, eliciting a surprised gasp.

  “I prefer them just like this. Soft and responsive.”

  He kissed his way down her belly, moving between her legs as he did. There were no words between them. They had become unnecessary years ago. When she reached the point where she could stand it no longer, he raised up on his knees and slid his hot length into her. He started moving in her, at first achingly slow. She rose to meet him, pushing him to drive harder and faster. In a moment, or perhaps an eternity, she was overcome with the shuddering waves of her climax. The muscles at her core contracted repeatedly around him until she felt the warmth of his seed filling her.

  They lay like this, connected, in each other’s arms as they had so many times. It was beautiful and perfect. She adored this man who knew every tiny detail about her. He had been right. They, the two of them, were the constant in a world that would continue to change around them.

  Chapter 8

  December 23, 2014

  Hamilton, New Jersey

  It had been six years since Gertrude had encouraged Anita to look at things from a different perspective and had asked her to help an old woman and her family have one last Christmas together. Those had been the most remarkable fourteen days, or rather fourteen seconds, of Anita’s life. And that Christmas—the one she’d been convinced was ruined—had been equally as memorable.

  Jack had arrived as planned late in the afternoon on Christmas Day. A light supper and a quiet evening was exactly what his l
ittle family needed.

  Katy had called that morning to wish them Merry Christmas and tell them she hadn’t been able to book a flight from Philadelphia on Christmas Day. “I am standing by for a direct flight tomorrow morning, but if that doesn’t work out, I can take one later that connects through Chicago. I’ll definitely be there by dinner time—as long as you don’t eat too early.”

  But a little after seven in the evening, on Christmas Day, she arrived with her new fiancé, Anthony Soldani.

  Anita could scarcely believe it. After hugs were shared all around she said, “I thought you couldn’t get a single seat on a flight today, much less two. What happened?”

  Katy grinned broadly. “Well, Anthony’s sister-in-law—his oldest brother’s wife—heard me talking to you on the phone and apparently made a few calls. By the time we sat down to dinner this afternoon she had arranged for us to fly by private jet.”

  Jim scowled. “You’re kidding. Who can get a private jet on Christmas Day?”

  Anthony laughed. “My sister-in-law, Elizabeth. She comes from a fairly wealthy family.”

  Katy shrugged. “I told her I didn’t want to take the pilot away from his family today. She just laughed and said he jumped at the chance when he found out he could bring them along and have a few days at a beach resort as a surprise Christmas present.”

  Yes, that had been an amazing Christmas. But then, each Christmas since had been extraordinary in its own way, Anita made certain of it. She immersed herself fully into each celebration and savored the joy around her, regardless of where she was and who she was with.

  When the season had passed that year, everyone had gone home and the decorations were put away, Anita realized that memories, even the best ones, could be fleeting. Even now, just days later, things were fading a bit. She had made Maggie a promise and she couldn’t fulfill it if she allowed herself to forget anything.

  So Anita spent days writing down every single detail that she could remember of her time as Agnes. Even after she had finished with the bulk of it, if something happening around her reminded her of a moment she hadn’t captured, she’d jot it down and add it to the memoir. It had been a labor of love for a young woman who she’d hold in her heart forever. As a result her memories of those fourteen days stayed vivid and fresh.

  But Anita didn’t tuck the memoire away when she was finished. She kept it in her desk drawer so that she could read it from time to time. In fact, she read it often. She’d pull it out and curl up with it on a rainy day. When life seemed to be rushing by, she’d take a step back and revisit those memories. The words reawakened every tender memory for her. She was connected again through the sights, sounds and even the smells that she’d lovingly recorded. Over the years she smiled at one of the first sentences she had written: I wish I could have had a camera. Photos would have been nice, but putting the memories into words, even if it took thousands, had served their purpose.

  The memoir resulted in a new, private tradition. Sometime, during the week before Christmas, she would find time, alone and uninterrupted, when she could read it through and savor it all again. A couple of years ago, she had dozed off while reading it in her recliner. She woke to find Jim standing next to her, reading the pages that had slipped from her hand.

  Oh, dear God. She had never told him about her experience with the pocket watch.

  “Wow, Anita, this is a great story. Did you write it?”

  Story? Okay we can go with that. “Uh, yeah. It’s nothing really. I was just fooling around a little.”

  “I think it’s good. You might have something here. Maybe you could get it published.”

  Anita laughed. “I doubt it, but I’ll keep it in mind.”

  So for the last six years, she kept the memories alive and fresh for the day when she could tell Maggie’s sister everything. Anita had also kept her word about never seeking out Magdalena Mitchell. Oh, she looked her up. With the internet being what it is, she knew when Maggie graduated from high school and then nursing school. She knew when Maggie’s mother Elise had died.

  Oddly, life pulled Anita closer and closer to the Mitchells. As it turned out, Anthony’s younger brother, Luke, taught at the Catholic high school Maggie attended. In fact, Luke had been one of her teachers. Even so, Anita never reached out.

  Now, however, that was about to change. Earlier this year, on June the twenty-second, Magdalena Mitchell had passed away suddenly in the night. The time had come to share Maggie’s life with her sister.

  The problem was, Anita had never once imagined how she would do this. The immediate aftermath of the funeral seemed the wrong time. But when was the right time to contact a stranger and tell her about something like this?

  Then Katy, Anthony and their three children were visiting at Thanksgiving and Katy asked, “Mom, how about you and Dad come to New Jersey for Christmas? Jack can drive up with his family either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It’ll be fun. Maybe it’ll be your first white Christmas.”

  Anita had smiled. Her first white Christmas had been at Castle Carr in Scotland, in the year twelve-eighty-one. And in that instant she knew the time was right and an opportunity would present itself while she was in New Jersey, at Christmas.

  It was the Sunday before Christmas. Anita and Jim had gone to Mass with Katy, Anthony and their children. Most of Anthony’s family lived in the area and went to the same church. While it took up several pews, they all sat together.

  After Mass, a young woman stopped Anthony’s brother, Luke. “Hey, Mr. Soldani, it’s nice to see you.”

  “Paige, it’s good to see you too.” He opened his arms and gave her a hug. “How are things?”

  “Okay. You know, I miss Maggie.” Tears welled in her eyes. “But deep down, I know she’s in a good place. It’s just hard right now. It’s easier at college. It’s pretty lonely here.”

  Anita could scarcely believe her ears.

  “I’m sure it is. Listen, we’re celebrating Angie’s birthday this evening at Mom and Dad’s.”

  Paige smiled. “Angie was my first-communion partner.”

  “Your what?”

  “My first-communion partner. You know, they matched up an eighth grader in their confirmation year with a kid who was going to make their first-communion? And we did religion stuff together?”

  “Hey, that’s right. I forgot they did that. I think one of the Danvers boys was mine. Anyway, why don’t you come by for dinner?”

  “Thanks but I probably shouldn’t. I don’t know what Dad is doing.”

  “Nonsense. Bring him too. It’s a tough time. I’ll tell Mom you’re coming.”

  Anita smiled. As Gertrude had said just before Anita had left the thirteenth century, the universe was unfolding as it should.

  After a dinner of the best lasagna Anita had ever eaten she said, “Natalie, dinner was fantastic as always. And as always, I overate. You don’t mind if I take a little walk for my digestion, do you?”

  “Not at all.”

  Before anyone could offer to go with her, Anita turned to Paige. “You’re from this neighborhood, aren’t you Paige? Do you want to come with me to make sure I don’t get lost?”

  “Sure, Mrs. Lewis. I overate too. It’s hard not to when it’s this delicious. I’ve been living on college food for the last few months.”

  They hadn’t walked very far when Anita said, “Paige, I think you and I have a mutual acquaintance.”

  “Do we? I don’t think I know anyone in Florida.”

  “She’s not from Florida. At least I don’t think she is. Her name is Gertrude.”

  Paige stopped and stared at Anita. “Gertrude? Pocket watch Gertrude?”

  “One and the same.”

  “How do you know her?”

  “She gave me the pocket watch a few years ago. Six to be precise.”

  “You used it and came back?”

  “I did.”

  “I guess you know she gave it to my sister.”

  Anita nodded.


  Paige shook her head. “Maggie refused to believe it would work. Somehow, I knew…I just knew, it would work.” Paige looked down. “I told her if she fell in love she should stay and she did. God, I miss her, but after Maggie died, Gertrude told me she had fallen in love and was very happy.”

  “Well, my sweet girl, she is very happy indeed.”

  “You met her?” Paige’s tone was incredulous. “When you went back?” Before Anita could respond, Paige’s face fell. “But you couldn’t have. She only left in June. You said you used the watch six years ago.”

  “That isn’t the way time travel works, and I did meet her. I spent one of the most amazing Christmases of my life with her six years ago in the year twelve-eighty-one.”

  Joy lit Paige’s face. “You did? And she had a good life?”

  “To use her words, she is ‘blissfully happy’. She wanted me to find you and tell you about her life and her family. When I got back, I wrote everything down, every detail, so you could have it.” Anita pulled a copy of her memoir from inside her coat. “This is it. It’s my Christmas present to you.”

  Paige took it in her hands and looked at it as if it were a priceless piece of art. “This is amazing and unbelievable. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Paige’s brows drew together. “But why did you wait so long? You could have…you could have…”

  “No, I couldn’t have and all the reasons why are in there. My cell phone number and email address are too. It’s probably best if you read it first, but then I will talk to you as often and as long as you wish.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Lewis. I don’t know what to say.” Tears started streaming down her cheeks.

  Anita pulled her into a hug. She felt love coursing through her. Maggie’s love, Agnes’s love and her own love for Maggie, Agnes, and now Paige. She also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she had one last mission related to the pocket watch and this one would last as long as she lived. Maggie had sent her to Paige, not just for this moment, but to be a loving presence forever. “You needn’t say anything, dear. Merry Christmas.”