A Family for Christmas by Mary Eason Page A

made dinner for us. So, take your time.”
    Jack left her without another word. As she watched him go, she couldn’t deny his anger or her regret.
    This wasn’t the fairy tale she’d once experienced with him. This was nothing like what she’d longed for having again.
    She’d been such a foolish girl, looking at life with rose-colored glasses. Such a child back then. She hadn’t understood that there was more to life than fairy tales.
    Rachel dressed quickly, picking out her favorite dress. While it was several years old, it still fit nicely and the red color accentuated her blonde hair and green eyes.
    She found Sammy sitting at the kitchen table, trying to concentrate on a book.
    “Momma, are you ready yet?”
    “Almost, honey.” She ruffled his hair and kissed the top of his head. “What are you reading?” She avoided Jack’s gaze entirely. She hadn’t felt this nervous around him since the night they’d made love for the first time and realized how much they cared about each other.
    “The Night Before Christmas.”
    “Sammy, let your mother eat.” Jack held out the chair for her. She hated that she was conscious of his every move. It was just the holiday and ceremony that was making her feel this sentimental. Would he even remember all those Christmases past they’d spent together?
    She glanced up and found him watching her as well. In his eyes, she saw the truth. Jack, too, was remembering.
    “You look beautiful, Rachel. Red always did suit you.”
    She wondered if he felt as awkward with her as she did with him. Somehow, she doubted it. Jack was always so confident and assured.
    But then, she knew so little about his life now. How many other women had cared for since their marriage ended? She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to that question.
    “Momma, are you and Daddy going to be staying in the same room ?”
    Her gaze collided with Jack’s. She couldn’t breathe. This was the last question she’d ever expected to hear from Sammy and she didn’t know how to answer it. How could she tell him that theirs was not a normal marriage?
    “Not for a while. Your mother likes her space.” She couldn’t read what Jack was thinking, but his answer seemed to satisfy Sammy for the moment. She prayed that over time he would come to accept their arrangement as normal.
    The small church where they had said their vows earlier in the day was now packed with people celebrating the most holy of times.
    The three of them found a seat at the back of the church. Rachel was aware of several curious glances their way. News traveled fast in a small community. By now, just about everyone around would know about her marriage.
    “What did you expect? They’ll be happy for us. And for you. Sam’s been gone for several years, Rachel. You’re not doing anything wrong,” Jack whispered.
    “I know. It’s just that I feel like such a fake. I mean our marriage is...”
    He lifted her left hand so that both of them could see the wedding ring. “Why would you feel like a fake? We are every bit as married as any other couple in this room, honey. And the sooner you accept that, the better. We’re together now. There’s nothing either of us can do to change the past, but I’m committed to making this marriage work. I never want to lose you again.”
    She couldn’t look away from the sincerity she saw in his eyes. She believed he meant every word.
    When they left the church they found it had started to snow again. The atmosphere around them took on a surreal feeling, as if the whole world was hushed and waiting.
    “Momma, can I stay up for a little while longer tonight?” Rachel was actually grateful for Sammy’s presence on the ride home. It kept her from having to try to find something to say to Jack.
    “No, baby. You need to go to sleep for Santa to come.”
    Still, it took over an hour and several stories before Sammy finally fell asleep.
    She found Jack sitting in front of the tree, putting the