章 62: Cranberry Season (December) Part 9
"So why are you crying, sweetheart? Come here." He pulled her into his arms. "Yet another souvenir from the violin contest," he told her. "I saw those in a store window and they reminded me of your eyes. You're the first woman I ever bought jewelry for."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. I was afraid of giving the wrong idea. I wasn't going to give a gift like that unless my heart was in it."
"Fabian DiSanti, you are the soppiest romantic ever," she said, "and I don't know what I did right to deserve you!" She reached over onto the coffee table and snagged a tissue from the box that was sitting there. "Now I'm a little afraid to give you my serious present," she said. "I'm not sure it measures up." She handed him the large box and he accepted it this time.
"Wow," he said. "It's heavy." As soon as he got the paper off, he could smell it.
"Lisa, you didn't!" He opened the box and his jaw dropped. "You did! Honey, they don't fit me. Don't you remember?"
"Try it on," she suggested. Fabian stood, looking at the black leather jacket as though he was afraid it would break his heart by binding his shoulders or gapping at the waist just like all of the others. He pulled it on and the look of awed surprise on his face made Lisa laugh. The jacket fit him like a comfortable old friend. It smelled redolently of new leather.
"Honey, how did you do this?" he asked, almost in shock.
"Felicia has your measurements," she said. "I asked her for a copy and went to Lange's farm. They not only have a butcher shop but a tannery. I bought it at Kendall's and Stuart Lange altered it to fit your measurements. That really looks good on you, Fab."
"You think so?"
"Yes I do. Annie was right -- that's a really good look for you."
"Why don't we see how your present looks on you?" He picked up the jewelry box and freed the pendant from its velvet backing. She turned, lifting her hair; he put the necklace around her neck and fastened it. She took out the small hoop earrings she'd been wearing and replaced them with the matching sapphire set.
"Perfect," he said, then kissed her. "Have you eaten?"
"No, why?"
"Addie invited us over for breakfast. I thought we'd probably have time even with all of your deliveries."
"That sounds lovely," Lisa smiled. She went over to check on the fire and discovered that it had gone to ashes. Just in case there were any live coals, Fabian went to the kitchen and brought back some water to pour over the grate to make sure everything was out. They packed up Lisa's gifts for her family and Fabian's family into cartons that she'd had waiting. Then Fabian helped Lisa into her jacket and walked her across the yard and up the steps to the deck. Something brightly colored caught Lisa's eye, and she picked it up as Fabian knocked on the door. Adrianna answered, smiling.
"Hi!" she said. "Merry Christmas! Ooo -- Fab! Nice jacket!"
"Thank you," he said. "It was from Lisa."
"Great job, Lisa!" Adrianna turned to her, then looked puzzled. "I thought we were waiting to exchange at Mom and Dad's this evening?" She ushered them both inside and closed the door.
"We are," Lisa told her, handing her the gift that she'd found outside on the picnic table. "I found that. I think Santa left it for you." Fabian helped Lisa out of her jacket and put it on Adrianna's coat rack. Then he reluctantly pulled off his leather jacket. Adrianna looked curiously at the present.
"Who would drop off a present on the deck and not knock?" she wanted to know.
"Maybe you were at work," Fabian shrugged. "Open it. I want to know what it is."
Adrianna suddenly darkened and her jaw set.
"Moreno! It was Moreno!" she exploded.
"Adrianna." Lisa caught her arm before she could dash the present to the floor. "Remember what day this is. Someone gave you a gift. Some day, you might regret it, if you don't accept it. Or worse."
"You're right," Adrianna sighed. "But I feel like I'm stringing him along by accepting."
"No," Fabian said, shaking his head. "It wasn't given with strings. It was given because he wanted to give you a present at Christmas." Adrianna looked at him suspiciously.
"What do you know about this, Fab?"
"Nothing whatsoever." He shrugged again. "I didn't even see it on the table; Lisa did. I'm just telling you how it would have been for me in his situation. I would have given a gift from the heart and left it anonymously, not wanting a confrontation at Christmas. I would have hoped that it would be accepted in the spirit in which it was given."
Lisa wrapped her arms around him. She remembered only too well the night of the thunderstorm, and knew that he still felt the pain from it. So did she.
Adrianna inspected the gift. It was beautifully wrapped. It looked professional, in fact. She opened it and gasped. Inside was a hand-blown glass ornament. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen -- colorful, graceful and delicate. She slowly put it back into the box and started to cry. Lisa handed her a box of tissues and took the ornament from her. Adrianna cleaned up her face.
"If you want to talk later," Lisa said, "let me know." Adrianna nodded, then threw away the used tissues and went to the sink to wash up before making breakfast.
Lisa has a lot of deliveries to make of Christmas day. It's difficult to figure out how she finds the time to make all of those pies!
"Merry Christmas!" Lisa gave one-armed hugs to Larry and Fatima DiSanti.
"Come in! Come in!" Larry smiled. "Wow! Nice coat, son!"
"Lisa gave it to me," Fabian grinned. "She had one altered to fit me."
"My sister-in-law knits and had a set of Fabian's measurements for sweater purposes," Lisa explained. "Here's your Christmas pie." She handed him a box.
"Oh, I love this pie!" Larry sighed. Fabian laughed.
"Me too, Dad. She's been breaking my heart with how many we've given away today."
"Oh, stop," Lisa said. "You can't eat them all. And I didn't give that many away -- I got paid for most. Should we put the presents under the tree, Fatima? Or would you rather we brought them back this evening?"
"Oh, put them under the tree," Fatima told her. "They'll look nice all day." Fabian put his armload of presents for his family from he and Lisa and arranged them under the tree. When he stood, his mother said, "Lisa, Fabian? Please come with me?" Lisa looked at Fabian, who shrugged.
"What's up, Mom?" he asked.
"Just come with me, please. I have something to show you."
Lisa and Fabian followed her to the master bedroom. Fatima opened her jewelry box.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
"Always with the questions!" Fatima shook her head. "A little patience brings answers. Sit down and get some." Fabian grinned; he'd heard that a lot through his life. He led Lisa to the end of the bed and they both sat down. Fatima turned, holding a small box.
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