Two Hearts for Christmast by Lisa Y. Watson Read Free Book Online Page A

mom and dad would’ve piped in to ask, he looked over and said, “I’ll tell you later.”
     “ I got everything taken care of, but it took much longer than I anticipated, Lacey.”
     “ I get it.”  She stood up.  “Thanks for dinner, Grandma and Pop Pop.  Thanks for the gifts, Aunt Addie and Dad.  I’m tired so I’m going to bed now.”
    Everyone said goodnight.  Christopher stood up and sat the giant penguin she’d left over by the counter, along with her chocolates.  He sat down in the seat she’d vacated and shook his head.  “That was a disaster.”
    “ What did you expect?” Yvette asked.  “Tonight meant the world to her, Chris.  It was her first lead, and she wanted nothing more than to have her family there to see it.”
    “ I know.  I screwed up royally, and I’m sure it will be a long time before I’ll be able to make it up to her.”  He glanced at his wife.  “Or you.”
    Yvette stood up.  “I’m going to put Robin to bed.  Margaret and Anthony, thank you so much for coming and sharing in Lacey’s special night.  You’re more than welcome to stay.  I’m sorry we can’t offer more than the pull out in the family room, but it is very comfortable.”
    “ Honey, it’s fine.  We booked a hotel for the night so don’t you worry about us.”
    Yvette went over and hugged them.  “Thank you both.”
    “ Our pleasure, Yvette.  We’ll see you tomorrow.  Don’t you dare cook; we’re bringing over breakfast, okay?”
    “ You’ve done so much already,” Yvette replied.  “It’s bad enough you can’t even use your own townhome when you’re here and—”
    “ Nonsense,” Margaret interrupted her.  “You all being here is breathing new life into this house.  We’re glad to help in any way we can.  Now you relax, and sleep in tomorrow.  We’ll get here early so you don’t have to cook.”
    Tearfully, Yvette nodded.  “Thank you.”
    “ Son, see us out,” Anthony replied in a voice that brooked no refusal.
    “ Yes, sir.”  Christopher got up, kissed Robin on the cheek and then walked his parents out.
    ***
    “ What the heck was that?” Anthony ground out.  “How could you miss your daughter’s play?”
    “ Dad, it was important,” Christopher stressed.  
    “ What’s more important than Lacey’s performance?” his mother chided.  “That’s a moment you can’t get back, Chris.  Whatever’s going on with the business could have waited until tomorrow.  You know family comes first.”
    “ It did…” he blurted out.  “You know what I’m working on.  Look, I know I messed up, but it couldn’t be helped.  I’ll tell you both about it later.  Right now, I’ve got a disappointed daughter to make amends with, and an angry wife to face.  If anyone’s sleeping on that couch tonight, it may be me,” he said, seriously.
    “ Well if you do end up there, you’ve earned it,” he mother concluded.  
    “ I know.”
    Despite being angry, she kissed her only son.  “I love you, Chris.  We’ll see you in the morning.”
    “ Love you, too, Mom.  And thanks for being here for my family tonight.”  His eyes connected with his father.  “I really do appreciate you both.”
    Anthony pulled him close and slapped him on the back.  “Don’t make it a habit of disappointing your wife and kids, Chris.  No good can come of it.”
    “ I understand, Dad.  And I won’t.”
    His father grunted his approval, and then took his wife by the hand.  “Let’s go, Maggie.  We’ve got a hotel room and I plan on making the most of it.”
    His wife let out a shocked gasp.  “Tony, really.”
    He laughed and held the door open for her.  He shut it and walked around the car to his side.  “A happy wife is a happy home, Christopher.”
    He nodded.  Right now, he had little of either.  Christopher waved as his parents pulled off.  A long sigh escaped his lips.  His day had not gone according to plan, but he had to stay the course.  It