“Drea, nothing is wrong with wanting to say yes.” Cora reached across the table to give Andrea’s forearm a reassuring squeeze.
“Drea, sweetie…listen to me.”
Andrea looked over at her cousin.
“Life is short, unexpected, but it’s also wonderful and fulfilling when you have the right person to share your ups and downs with.” Tessa looked seriously into her eyes. “You love that man, and I can see…we’ve all seen…how much he loves you,” she looked around the table at the other women, waiting for them to agree with her. The others subtly shook their heads in agreement.
“Go with what your heart tells you,” she said finally.
“I love you girls,” she cooed.
“Aww, we love you too, Drea,” Cora returned before they all held hands reassuringly.
“Not that I don’t like this nice little kumbaya session we’re having here, but why aren’t we on the dance floor having fun like we should?” Kerry asked.
“You’re right. We came to party. Blow off some steam,” Andrea responded. Finishing the last of her drink, she slid out of the booth and stepped up onto the bar’s main floor. She allowed the upbeat tempo to move her, her arms going up in the air as she moved her hips side to side.
“You go, girl!” Kerry cheered, getting out of her seat to join her. Pretty soon, the others slipped out of their seats and moved their body rhythmically to the beat as the disco lines bounced off their bodies and the dance floor.
Cheers elicited from the other patrons as they watched them enjoy their time. Pretty soon, the pull of their enthusiasm caused the dance floor to be packed with other bodies seeking to have a good time and it would turn out to be a good night for all.
The following morning Andrea woke up with a bludgeoning headache. Groaning loudly, she rolled out of bed and made her way toward her bathroom for a shower. Hopefully, the water would liven her up, and her headache would recede.But her head remained pounding after the shower. Putting on a comfy sweater and leggings, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen to see what she could take to alleviate the inconvenience.
Putting on the kettle, she removed the honey from the cupboard and got ginger and a lemon from the refrigerator. After pouring the hot water into a mug, she squeezed the lemon and grated some ginger. She attached a pinch of cinnamon, allowing it to steep. After adding the desired amount of honey, she brought the steaming cup to her lips, inhaling the slightly tangy ginger aroma and clearing her airwaves. She sighed in satisfaction. After a few more sips, she made her way to the family room.
The fresh woody fragrance of the pine wreaths and garlands, intermingled with the sweet holly scent, diffused throughout the house and was indicative of the yuletide season fast approaching. Pretty soon, there would be other scents permeating the air, like the spicy scent of cinnamon and cloves and the refreshing, calming aroma of peppermint. There was already a shift in the atmosphere of the town. Most of the shops had a holiday-themed display. Garland and pepper lights decorated the storefronts, and, in some shops, a beautifully decorated tree was on exhibit, with a few even having a nativity scene set up. The sound of ‘Drummer Boy,’ ‘Silent Night,’ and others could be heard everywhere.
“Hi, Mom.”
Andrea looked over her shoulder to see Rory standing in the doorway.
“Hi, sweetie,” she smiled. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep,” Rory replied, walking further into the family room.
Andrea patted the space beside her on the couch invitingly. Rory came to sit beside her and folded her legs under her, then accepted the end of the throw her mother offered, settling it over her lower half.
“What’s that?”
She looked down at the mug in her hand. “Oh. It’s just something to calm me. I had a headache,” she explained. “I’m feeling much better now.”
Rory nodded and gave her a smile of acknowledgment.
“Are you excited about your wedding?”
Her smile broadened. “I am.”
Andrea reached over to squeeze her daughter’s arm, and Rory reached up to grasp her hand in hers.
“I can’t believe that in only a week and a half, I’ll be…married,” Rory voiced.
Andrea looked over to her daughter and gave her a knowing smile. “I can.”
The two sat in comfortable silence, watching the orange embers of flame in the hearth of the fireplace.
“You know…this is becoming my new favorite room in the house.”
“Mine too.”
