Coral McCallum

Last December

Snow was falling steadily in huge fluffy flakes as Jenny stepped down from the Greyhound bus. Miracle, population 1633, the sign outside of town had read. Well, she needed a miracle so on a whim, she had got off instead of staying on board all the way to Boston. It was late afternoon and Main Street in the small town was bustling with activity. Spying a sign for a coffee shop across the street, Jenny decided that that would be the perfect place to start to figure things out. She needed to pull together a plan and fast.

A few moments later, she stood outside the small, welcoming coffee shop. She smiled at the name, The Funky Bean, then a sign in the window caught her eye – “Help wanted. Apply at the counter.”

“Be with you in a moment,” called over the woman as she fought with some of the controls on the coffee machine. “Damn thing’s jammed,”

“Take your time,” said Jenny, then recognising the model of the coffee machine, added, “Turn the knob on the right anticlockwise then quickly flip it clockwise. That should clear it.”

“You think?”

Jenny nodded. While she had been in college, she had worked as a barista in a local coffee shop that had had the same machine with the same tendency to malfunction at the most inconvenient moments.

“Hey! That worked!” squealed the woman in delight. “How did you know to try that?”

“Magic,” teased Jenny with a wink. “Last place I worked had the same machine. It always did that if I’d had a run on cappuccinos.”

“Thank you! Saved me calling the engineer. This coffee is on me. What can I get for you, life saver?”

Deciding to push her luck a bit, Jenny replied, “A caramel latte and a job.”

“A job?”

“I saw the sign on the way in,” she explained. “I’ve just arrived in town. I’m kind of hoping this place lives up to its name.”

Passing her an application form and a pen, Rebecca introduced herself as the owner. “Grab a table and I’ll bring your latte over. If it stays quiet, I’ll join you and we can talk about the job.”

“Thank you.”

By the time Rebecca came over with two lattes, Jenny had completed the application form and retrieved a copy of her resume from her backpack.

“Impressive,” commented Rebecca as she read it over. “English graduate? I’d have thought a job in the high school or the library was more suitable for you.”

“Are they hiring?” asked Jenny directly.

“Well, no… not as far as I know,” Rebecca conceded. “And you worked as a barista for four years?”

“Yes, ma’am. Worked all through school. I also spent two summers before that working in the local ice cream parlour. That involved hot coffees as well as iced ones.”

“And I can call your referees?”

Jenny nodded.

“OK. How about a two-week trial?” Rebecca proposed. “And if that works out, we’ll make it all permanent.”

“When do I start?”

“Tomorrow at eight,” said Rebecca warmly. “Where are you staying while you’re here?”

“A room or an apartment is next on my list,” Jenny admitted. “I came here straight from the bus. Is there a motel or a boarding house in Miracle?”

“No motels,” began Rebecca. “A few of the locals rent out rooms.” She paused then revealed, “I own the two apartments over the shop. My brother lives in the larger one but the studio apartment is currently vacant. My last renter moved back west a couple of months back. It’s not much but its clean.”

“How much?”

“It’s only partially furnished…call it five hundred a month with a month’s rent up front as a bond.”

“Thank you. This town really is living up to its name.”

“Thank me after you’ve seen it,” joked Rebecca. “I’m closing up in an hour, so I’ll take you upstairs then and show you around.”

Flicking on the lights, Rebecca led Jenny into the studio apartment. It was a generous loft style space with a kitchen at one end and a round dining table in the corner between two of the apartment’s huge windows. Two couches set out in an L-shape created a lounge area.

“The bedroom’s through here,” explained Rebecca, opening one of two doors on the right-hand wall. “Sorry the furniture is a bit old-fashioned. It came from my grandmother’s house. I couldn’t bear to part with it. Bathroom is through the other door. It was remodelled last summer.”

“This is perfect,” sighed Jenny. “I love it. Thank you.”

Holding out the key, Rebecca smiled, “You’re welcome and thanks for paying the rent up front. I’ll leave you to settle in. There’s a food store on the corner of Main and Park, two blocks over. There’s a big ACME out on the highway about three miles west of town or there’s a Walmart out by the outlets.”

“Local store will be fine for now.”

“It’s well-stocked. You should be able to get all you need there. Tom’s open until eight so you’ve time to grab some essentials tonight,” explained Rebecca. “If you need anything, you’ve got my number. Or my brother, David, is just across the hallway. Otherwise, I’ll see you in the morning.”

Once alone in the apartment, Jenny wandered round drinking it all in. This town really was well-named. Within an hour, she had a job and a place to live for at least a month. Suddenly she felt exhausted as a weight lifted from her slender shoulders.

Wearily, she carried her backpack through to the bedroom then decided to go back out to the store before unpacking. Her stomach was grumbling, and it dawned on her that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

Tom’s General Store was quiet when she entered. Lifting a basket from the stack at the entrance, Jenny walked up and down the aisles, picking up some essentials to tide her over for a few days. Even although she’d found a job, she still needed to budget carefully. She had some savings but in her heart, she knew that they would only last for so long. When she approached the counter to pay, a large basket of plush toys caught her eye. Smiling, she picked up a small, soft white rabbit with a red scarf round its neck and on a whim added it to her basket.

Behind the counter, a young guy was tidying up a display of lollipops. When he saw her, he smiled, “Hi. You find everything you need?”

“Yes, thanks,” replied Jenny, passing him the basket.

“You new in town or just passing through? Haven’t seen you in here before.”

“New. Just arrived this afternoon. I’m going to be working over at The Funky Bean.”

“Sweet. Glad to hear Rebecca’s finally hired someone,” he replied. “I’m Rudy, by the way. My dad owns this place. Was my Grandfather Tom’s store before him.”

“Jenny.”

“Nice to meet you, Jenny,” said Rudy flashing her another smile. “That’ll be forty-four dollars and ten cents.”

Shyly, Jenny handed him forty-five dollars. As he passed her the change, Rudy plucked one of the lollipops from the stand. “Your change and a lollipop on the house. Welcome to Miracle, Jenny.”

“Thank you.”

Just as she reached the door, Rudy called over, “Mine’s an Americano with an extra shot.”

“I’ll remember that,” she replied with a smile. “Night.”

“Have a lovely evening.”

Snow was still falling as she walked back to the apartment, but Jenny was oblivious to its chill. For the first tome in weeks, she felt calm and relaxed and had a good feeling about her future. Everything was falling into place and she secretly hoped that she’d just made a friend.

At five minutes before eight the next morning, Jenny entered The Funky Bean, ready for her first shift. A festive aroma of coffee, gingerbread and cinnamon greeted her. Instantly she felt queasy and began to panic that she might actually be sick.

“Morning, Jenny,” greeted Rebecca brightly, then noticing how pale her new start looked, asked, “You ok?”

“First day nerves,” replied Jenny, forcing a weak smile. “I’ll be fine. Oh, and good morning.”

“Hang your jacket through in my office at the back. You can leave your purse there too. The door’s locked when we’re open so its safe,” said Rebecca. “Then I’ll give you the tour. We open at eight thirty.”

By the time the closed sign was flipped over to open, Jenny had had a whirlwind tour of where everything was and had had a crash course on how to work the register. It all felt straightforward and similar to the last place she had worked.

Their first customer was Cooper, the local police chief. He introduced himself as “a flat white and a blueberry muffin to go” then welcomed her to Miracle. He was the first in a steady stream of breakfast regulars. Some opted to sit at a table for a leisurely breakfast while others were in a rush to get to work and needed their order to go. Working alongside Rebecca was easy, and the two women swiftly fell into a routine behind the counter that kept the orders flowing. There was barely time to catch their breath before the mid-morning rush and then the lunchtime rush.

“Why don’t you take your break now?” suggested Rebecca a t two o’clock. “When you get back, I’ll run to the bank then sort you out with some Funky Bean tees to wear. What size are you? Small? Medium?”

“Eh…faltered Jenny. “I like my tees pretty loose so large would be good.”

“Ok,” nodded Rebecca, her sixth sense twitching.

Late afternoon, Rebecca handed her three black tees with the Funky Bean logo on them, “Sorry.  Best I could do was medium. I’m out of large but I’ll order more large tonight. We sell the tees here too. Kids love them.”

“Thanks,” said Jenny. “Want me to change into one just now?”

“It’s cool. Save it for tomorrow’s shift.”

After more than ten hours on her feet, Jenny felt utterly exhausted as she climbed the stairs up to her apartment. It had been a good first day though. A large dog came bounding down the stairs towards her.

“Goliath!” yelled a voice from above. “Get back up here!”

Jenny froze as the huge dog stopped in front of her and began to nudge her with its nose. Instinctively, she put a protective hand over her stomach.

“Oh, I am so sorry,” apologised a young auburn-haired woman. “You must be Jenny. I’m Holly, David’s girlfriend, and this fuzz butt is Goliath. Rebecca never mentioned that you were pregnant.”

“Hi,” said Jenny shyly. “I haven’t told her yet. Please don’t say anything. I need this job.” Then her hormones took control, and she burst into tears.

“Hey, no need to cry,” consoled Holly softly.

“I’m sorry,” apologised Jenny, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “It’s such a mess. I know I should’ve told Rebecca…”

“Sh,” interrupted Holly, grabbing Goliath’s collar. “Come upstairs with me. I’ve just ordered pizza. Let’s share it and you can tell me all about this “mess”. A Mess shared is a mess halved or something like that.”

Over a large pepperoni and an apple juice, Jenny explained that she was six months pregnant. She thought she had had the perfect partner then she had discovered that he had a wife and twin boys in LA and had been lying to her all along. As soon as she had told him she was pregnant, he had called her all the stupid bitches under the sun and left her. He had blocked her number and ignored her emails for six weeks then out of the blue, she had a cheque from his lawyer with clear instructions not to name him on the birth certificate or attempt to contact him ever again.

“What a douchebag!” exclaimed Holly, Passing her pizza crust to Goliath.

“I feel like such an idiot for falling for him.”

“We’ve all done it at one time or another,” said Holly. “But you need to be honest with Rebecca. She needs to know about the baby.”

“But she’ll fire me!”

Holly shook her head, “Trust me, She won’t.”

“She won’t what?” asked a male voice from the doorway.

“Jenny, this is David, Rebecca’s brother,” introduced Holly. “David, this is Jenny, your sister’s new barista.”

“Hi,” he said warmly. “Nice to meet you. Rebecca was singing your praises when I spoke to her earlier. “I hear we’re neighbours too. So, what won’t she do here?”

“Fire Jenny,” replied Holly.

“Why would she fire you?” he asked looking puzzled.

“Because I haven’t told her I’m pregnant,” answered Jenny.

“Holly’s right. She won’t fire you, but I agree, you need to tell her. Honesty’s the best policy here. Rebecca will understand.”

“I hope you’re both right.”

Next morning as she looked at herself in the mirror, wearing one of the Funky Bean tees, Jenny realised she would have no choice but to tell her boss. The medium tee clung tightly round her middle accentuating her small but perfectly shaped baby bump. Praying that Holly and David were right, she headed downstairs to the coffee shop.

“Morning!” called out Rebecca as she heard the door open and close.

“Morning, boss,” greeted Jenny. “Before I start can I talk to you about something? It’s something I should have mentioned.”

Turning round, Rebecca immediately spotted what her new recruit wanted to talk about and smiled to herself, noting that her sixth sense had been right.

“You mean about being pregnant?”

“You knew?” gasped Jenny, her eyes wide.

“I had a strong hunch,” admitted Rebecca with a smile. “When’s baby due?”

“Second week in March.”

“Congratulations! There’s a great day care place beside the church. I don’t think the waiting list is too long. If you register now, you should be able to get a place …if you want to that is,” gushed Rebecca. “I’ll introduce you to a good doctor too. She comes in every Thursday afternoon for a decaf cappuccino and a slice of banana bread.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

“No! Why would I be?” laughed Rebecca, coming to give her a hug. “David didn’t tell you, did he?”

“Tell me what?”

“I’ve been there. My son’s away at college. He’s nineteen now.”

“But you don’t look old enough!”

“I was sixteen when I had him,” revealed Rebecca. “Long story for another day but I’m not about to fire you for being pregnant or make you homeless.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank me by getting this place ready for opening up,” said Rebecca giving her another hug. “We’ll work this out. Promise.”

“This town really is well named!”

One of Jenny’s first customers for the day was Rudy, the boy from the grocery store. Smiling shyly at him, she said, “Americano with an extra shot?”

“Well remembered,” he praised, grinning back at her, “Can I have it to go, please? I need to get to work.”

“Sure. That’ll be three ninety-five.”

Handing her a five-dollar bill, he said, “Keep the change.”

“Thanks.”

As she prepared his coffee, she was acutely aware that Rudy was watching her every move. When she turned round and passed him his coffee, he asked, “What tome do you finish work?”

“Six.”

“I was wondering,” he begam awkwardly. “Would you like to see a movie tonight? The movie theatre is showing vintage Christmas films. It’s Gremlins tonight.”

“Rudy, I’d love to but I need to be straight with you,” replied Jenny, acutely aware of the baby kicking her hard in the ribs.

“I sense a but coming here,” he sighed looking disappointed, “If you’re seeing someone else…”

“I’m not,” interrupted Jenny. “But I was a few months ago and…well… I’m pregnant.”

“So I see but I’d still like to take you to the movies.”

“I’d like that,” she replied, smiling across the counter at him.

“Great. I’ll pick you up here at seven. Film starts at seven thirty.”

“See you then.”

Miracle’s movie theatre was a quaint old-fashioned cinema and when the film reached the scene where the gremlins were watching Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Jenny began to giggle.

“Feels a but like they could be in here,” she whispered to Rudy.

“It does kind of,” he laughed softly. “This is one of my favourite Christmas films.”

“Mine too.”

It was snowing again when they came out of the theatre.

“I’ll walk you home,” offered Rudy, pulling on his stripy beanie.

“It’s only a couple of blocks. I’ll be fine,” insisted Jenny.

“I insist,” he stated then reached out to take her hand. “Tonight’s been fun.”

“It has,” she agreed, a warm tingly feeling spreading through her as their hands connected.

“Next week, as its Christmas week, they’re playing It’s A Wonderful Life. If you like, we could go.”

“I’d like that.”

“Cool. Let’s go on the 23^rd. Unless of course, you have plans.”

Jenny laughed, “Plans? I only know three people here other than you. I’ve no plans for anything anytime soon.”

“You’ll soon make friends,” he assured her. “But until you get sick of my company, I’m happy to hang out with you.”

“Thanks,” she said, squeezing his hand then half under her breath added, “Could do with a friend.”

“I heard that and I’m happy to be your friend. I like you. Like you a lot, Jenny.”

“I like you too but I’m not looking for a relationship. I mean who wants a relationship with someone like me!”

“Don’t put yourself down like that!”

“I’m being honest. Single and pregnant with a married man’s child isn’t an attractive look. Once the baby arrives, I’ll have my hands full and there won’t be any time for dating.”

“As long as you’ve time for a friend.”

“Always!”

Valentine’s Day

Pulling her XXL Funky Bean tee over her head, Jenny groaned as the baby kicked her had in her already tender ribcage. There were still four weeks to go until her due date and as she pulled her tee down over her huge baby bump, she wondered just how much bigger she was going to get.

Since she had arrived in Miracle, life had been good. Thanks to Rebecca, she had been connected with a fabulous doctor and had arrange day care for the baby. There had been a lot of debate between her and Rebecca over maternity leave and they had eventually compromised at six weeks off followed by twelve weeks of half-shifts. Both Holly and David had proved to be great neighbours, especially David who had helped her to transport the crib she had bout second-hand and had carried it up to the apartment for her. One afternoon between Christmas and New Year, Holly had introduced Jenny to her Granma who had instantly adopted her. Granma had been busy ever since and had made her two beautiful, crocheted baby blankets plus a pile of handknitted hats, mittens and cardigans.

The highlight of her week was still movie night with Rudy. Every Monday, they went to see whatever film was showing that week then on a Wednesday they went to the weekly quiz night at The Double, making up a team of four with Holly and David. Friday’s quickly became pizza night. When he had finished at the store, Rudy would bring pizza over and they would watch TV together. It was a simple life and one that Jenny hadn’t dared to dream about when she had stepped of the bus all those weeks ago.

“Morning,” called out Rebecca when she heard Jenny arrive.

“Morning, boss.”

“You ok, honey? You sound tired.”

“I didn’t sleep much last night. Couldn’t get comfortable. This one was so restless,” admitted Jenny, rubbing her hard baby bump. “I must have lain twisted. My back is so sore this morning.”

“Grab yourself a decaf and a breakfast muffin and sit for a bit before we open,” instructed Rebecca, noting that the girl’s bump looked lower than it had the day before.

“Thanks. I think I will.”

By twelve thirty, the Funk Bea was packed, Every table was occupied and there were three customers waiting to be served, In the run up to Valentine’s Day, Rebecca had been advertising that customers would get a heart shaped cookie with every order. Word had spread and the shop had been busy all morning,

“Two lattes and a cappuccino,” said Rebecca, passing the ticket to Jenny.

“On it,” she replied with a grimace.

“Back still bothering you?”

Jenny nodded, “Achy and kind of tight feeling every now and then. I’ll be fine once the rush is over.”

“Once you’ve poured those, go and take your lunch break. I can handle things for an hour.”

“Thanks.”

As she passed the cups along the counter to Rebecca, Jenny felt a warm wetness soaking through her leggings. At first, she thought she’d spilled something than a realisation hit her just as the first strong contraction gripped her.

“Rebecca!” she cried. “I think the baby’s coming.”

Everyone in the coffee shop turned to stare at her.

“Ok,” said Rebecca calmly. “Coffee will need to wait.” Then she turned to her customer and announced, “Folks, we need to close up. Baby incoming.”

Despite Jenny’s protests, Rebecca insisted on shutting up shop and driving her across town to the local hospital. Jenny had called ahead and her midwife, Tara, was waiting for them when they arrived.

“How far apart are your pains?” she asked as she ushered them both into the delivery room that she had prepared,

“About three minutes,” replied Rebecca before Jenny could answer. “They established pretty quickly too.”

“Ok, Jenny, let’s get you into something more comfortable and I’ll examine you,” said Tara, calmly taking charge.

“I’m scared,” whispered Jenny as Rebecca helped her to get changed into a gown. “It’s too early.”

“It’ll be fine,” assured Rebecca. “Trust me. Everything will be ok.”

When she examined her a few minutes later, Tara commented, “You must have been labouring for a while, honey. You’re pretty much fully dilated.”

“Is that good?”

“Very,” assured the midwife. “Let me just get the doctor to write up some pain meds for you. I’ll be right back.”

“I was to get a spinal.”

“No time for that, I’m afraid. If I was a gambling person, I’d say baby will be here in less than an hour.”

“Less than an hour!”

“Yup. Stay calm. I’ll be back in a minute or two.”

“I can’t do this!” wailed Jenny, a wave of panic crashing through her as another strong contraction gripped her.

“Yes, you can,” countered Rebecca firmly. “You’re doing great.”

“Promise me you’ll stay with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere, honey. I’ll be right here beside you.”

As predicted by the experienced midwife, with a piercing wail, Jenny’s baby came into the world forty-five minutes later. The baby was a little girl with a shock of thick dark hair.

“Congratulations. You have a beautiful baby daughter,” announced Tara, laying the baby straight onto Jenny’s chest. “And she’s absolutely perfect.”

Tears glistening on her cheeks, Jenny gently stroked her tiny daughter’s back, marvelling at how perfect she was.

“Let’s get that cord clamped and cut then we’ll get little miss checked over,” said Tara efficiently.

Jenny nodded as the midwife reached for the cord scissors.

“Rebecca, would you like to do the honours?” Tara asked, holding out the scissors.

“Please,” encouraged Jenny, looking up at her friend.

“I’d be honoured to.”

Later that evening, Jenny was propped up in her hospital bed with the baby sleeping soundly in a crib beside here when there was a knock at the door. Before she could say that it was ok to enter, the door opened and Rudy stepped into the room carrying a bouquet of flowers, a big pink ballon and a soft plush teddy bear.

“Hi,” he said shyly. “I heard your news. Congratulations!”

“Hi, yourself,” replied Jenny smiling at her friend. “Sorry I meant to message you, but I fell asleep. Sounds like news travels fast around here.”

“Well, going into labour in a packed coffee shop kind of accelerated the news,” laughed Rudy, giving her a hug, then turning his attention to the baby, said, “She’s cute. Love the hair. Budding rockstar with that haircut!”

Jenny giggled, “It’s a lot of hair for a little girl, that’s for sure.”

“You got a name for her yet?”

“I was thinking Lily.”

“I like that. She looks like a Lilly,” Rudy approved. “And are you ok?”

Jenny nodded, “A bit tired and sore. Doctors says we can probably go home the day after tomorrow. They want to keep an eye on her for forty-eight hours because she was a few weeks early. She’s doing great though. Her weight was good. Seven pounds ten ounces. She’s breathing fine and feeding ok too.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said, stroking the baby’s tiny hand. “We’ll need to rethink our movie nights now. How do weekly DVD nights sound instead? I’ll bring the soda and the popcorn.”

“They sound great,” said Jenny softly. “But only if you’re sure. I’m kind of a package deal here now.”

“I’m sure,” said Rudy coming to sit on the edge of the bed. Taking her small hand in his, he added, “I’d like to see more of you. More of you both.”

“More of me? Like dating?”

Rudy nodded, “I didn’t want to say before. I felt kind of awkward. Didn’t know how you’d feel about dating while you were pregnant…” He faltered, “Shit! I had this all rehearsed in my head on the way up in the elevator.”

She giggled at his nervousness. “I’d love to spend more time with you. Let’s take this slow and see where it goes.”

“That works for me.”

Christmas Eve

Snow had been falling steadily over Miracle all day, causing chaos as everyone rushed to get ready for Christmas. Business in The Funky Bean was brisk, with most customers only too glad to get in out of the cold. Working as a team, Rebecca and Jenny were serving up coffees and cookies and ensuring that the empty tables were swiftly cleared away and wiped down ready for the next customer.

“Remember day care shuts at twelve,” prompted Rebecca at eleven thirty.

“I’ll run over and pick up Lily in ten minutes,” replied Jenny as poured another Funky Bean Festive latte. “Are you sure its ok to bring her back here?”

“Of course.”

“Rudy’s finishing at two. He’ll swing by and pick her up then.”

“It’s fine. She can sit in one of the baby chairs with a cookie til he gets here. Plus, you know that our regulars love her to bits. You’ve a whole coffee shop of sitters here.”

“Ain’t that the truth!” laughed Jenny. “I think Auntie Rebecca loves her being her just a little bit too.”

Rebecca laughed and turned to serve the next customer.

Fortunately, there was a lull in things a few minutes later. Seizing the chance, Jenny grabbed her coat and dashed across to the day care centre to collect her daughter. The snow was gradually easing off, having blanketed the town in at least six inches since breakfast time. When she entered the day care centre, Jenny was a little embarrassed to discover that Lily was the last child there.

“Sorry,” she apologised. “Work’s been busy. I couldn’t get away before now.”

“It’s fine, Jenny,” assured Maggie, the owner. “We’re open for another hour or so. If you hadn’t made it over, I’d have dropped her off to you on my way home.”

“Thanks, Maggie,” said Jenny as she wrestled Lily into her fuchsia pink snowsuit. “What would I do without you? I still can’t believe how kind everyone has been to me this past year. Miracle sure has lived up to its name.”

“No need to thank me, honey.”

Hoisting Lily into her arms, Jenny said, “Have a fabulous Christmas. I’ve a couple of extra days off so we’ll see you on the 29^th.”

“Hope you have a lovely Christmas, and that Santa Claus spoils this little angel.”

“I suspect he might,” laughed Jenny before heading back out into the snow.

Things had started to quieten down by the time she arrived back at The Funky Bean with Lily. Quickly, she took off her coat and beanie, then extricated Lily from the snowsuit and secured her in once of the café’s colourful plastic baby chairs.

“I’ve made Miss Lily her favourite babyccino,” said Rebecca passing Jenny a sippy cup and a snowman cookie.

“Thanks,” she replied. “Miss Lily loves your babyccinos.”

Spying her favourite red cup, Lily squealed with delight as she reached out to grab it.

“Don’t snatch, Lily,” scolded Jenny firmly. “Say thank you to Auntie Rebecca.”

The little girl giggled and smiled at Rebecca.

“She’ll say it soon enough,” said Rebecca. “Can you please clear those tables at the back? I want to run the dishwasher and can squeeze those mugs in.”

Lunch trade was steady and before Jenny realised it, it was after two o’clock. Only two more hours to go until closing time. Next time the door opened, sending an icy blast through the place, it was to allow Rudy to enter.

“Afternoon, ladies,” he called out cheerfully. “Have I time to grab a sandwich before I take Lily upstairs?”

“Of course,” said Jenny. “Haul her over to that empty table and I’ll bring your order over. Festive feast good on wholegrain good for you?”

“Perfect,” he replied. “And a coffee.”

“Americano with an extra shot on the way.”

Since Lily’s arrival on Valentine’s Day, Jenny and Rudy had barely been apart. They had naturally slipped into an easy relationship, accommodating the baby into their dates as often as was possible. Once a month, Rebecca would watch Lily while they went to the movie theatre, affording them a few precious hours alone. Having a baby in the mix wasn’t the ideal way to begin a serious relationship but it hadn’t stopped them falling in love.

With the last customer served, all tables wiped down and the dishwasher running, it was finally time to head home for the holidays. As they locked up The Funky Beam, Rebecca asked, “What time are you going to Holly’s Granma’s tomorrow?”

“Granma said to be there for two,” replied Jenny, slipping her hands into her pink mittens.

Both Holly and David had insisted that Jenny and Lily join them for their family Christmas get together at Holly’s grandmother’s. It was a double celebration as Christmas Day was also Holly’s birthday.

“I’ll be there by one thirty,” promised Rebecca. “I need to be there early to ice Holly’s birthday cake. It’s easier to do it there rather than have to drive over balancing it in the car. I’ll see you there.”

“See you tomorrow.”

When she reached her front door, Jenny could hear her daughter giggling and Rudy singing Jingle Bells, slightly out of tune. As she entered, they both looked up and Lily came crawling over to her.

“Hey, baby,” greeted Jenny scooping her up into her arms. “You been having fun?”

“She’s been great,” said Rudy getting to his feet. “Think she’s ready for a nap though.”

Right on cue, Lily yawned and rubbed her eyes before snuggling into her mother’s neck.

“Come on, tired girl. Let’s put you in your crib for a sleep.”

It only took her a few minutes to settle the little girl and when she returned to the living room, the space had been transformed into a cosy Christmas scene. Rudy had lit several candles, put on some Christmas music, dimmed the lights and poured them both a glass of champagne.

“Happy Christmas Eve,” he said, handing her a glass.

“Happy Christmas Eve,” replied Jenny sitting on the couch beside him. “You didn’t need to go to all this trouble.”

“Well, I thought we could do Christmas just now. I need to go to my parents’ house tonight. You know what they are like.”

“I know,” nodded Jenny, although deep down she didn’t. Her family had never been close.

“Dad’s a stickler for tradition,” continued Rudy. “He loves having the whole family home over the holidays.”

“I get it.”

“Hopefully next year you and Lily can come too.”

“But we’re not family,” began Jenny, wishing that she was part of Rudy’s big loving family.

“Look in your glass,” he prompted quietly.

At the bottom of the glass, among the bubbles, Jenny could see something sparkling.

“Oh!”

“Jenny, will you and Lily marry me?”

Tears sparkling in her eyes, she replied, “Yes. Yes, we will.”

“cue film credits” … Hallmark moment

And they all lived happily ever after in a little town called  Miracle.