The doorbell rang and Violetta ran down the stairs, more excited about Christmas than she had ever been in her life. She opened the door and saw Jeff in his dinner suit. ‘Be still my beating heart,’ she cried.
Jeff stepped inside and looked at Violetta. ‘You look like a present waiting to be unwrapped,’ he whispered sexily in her ear, and she blushed.
Birdie walked down the stairs with Spencer following, ‘Hello, Doctor Carson,’ she said gaily.
‘Jeff, please call me Jeff,’ he said, taking her outstretched hand.
‘Jeff,’ she said. ‘Jeffery?’
‘Jefferson,’ he smiled.
‘Jefferson?’ said Violetta, and started to laugh.
Birdie frowned at her. ‘Don’t be rude, Violetta.’
Jeff poked his tongue out behind Birdie’s back and Violetta laughed even more.
‘Come on then, let’s have a drink,’ said Spencer, as he shook Jeff’s hand.
Just as they walked through the foyer, the doorbell rang again and Violetta rushed to open it. ‘Happy holidays,’ she cried to Carlotta and Alexia and Chris at the back, laden with bags and gifts.
‘You look great,’ said Carlotta as she kissed her sister.
‘Hey Chris,’ said Violetta.
She kissed Alexia on the cheek. She was wearing the Zac Posen Violetta had given her.
‘Thanks for the invitation,’ Alexia said. ‘We don’t do Christmas, so this is fun.’
‘Think of it as holidays more than Christmas, family and all that,’ smiled Violetta, as she led them through to the gorgeous sitting room, which the Christmas tree dominated.
‘That’s a hell of a tree,’ said Chris as he walked into the room. ‘Birdie, Spencer,’ he greeted them warmly.
‘Chris, this is Jeff Carson,’ said Violetta proudly. And the men shook hands.
The drinks were fun and Birdie was her most charming self, sharing the hostess duties with Violetta. Carlotta wore a black sleeveless dress and silver cuffs over her motion sickness bands. She still hadn’t told her mother, only just having introduced her to the idea of Chris, let alone a baby. Carlotta stuck to mineral water and Chris hovered around her, making sure she was comfortable.
Violetta danced about the room, making sure everyone was happy. Jeff winked at her across the room. She looked radiant and she knew it. Jeff’s adoration had made her more confident than she had been before. Their relationship was filled with conversation about everything and anything. Jeff asked her questions and her opinion on matters in and out of their world. Something Violetta had never had before from anyone. Between her opinion mattering at home and at work, her buoyancy filled the room and she sparkled as she moved between people.
Thea came and whispered in Violetta's ear.
‘Dinner is served,’ she said.
As everyone filed into the dining room, Violetta heard oohs and ahhs at the decorations. The table was dressed in white and violet. The glassware sparkled and the Christmas crackers had small labels with the guests’ names on them at their allocated seats. Pots of white and purple violets sat on the table and around the room, and the scent was intoxicating.
‘Violetta, it’s beautiful,’ said Birdie. ‘Violet and white, it’s perfect.’ She kissed Violetta on the cheek. ‘You make me so proud,’ she said quietly.
‘Spencer, you’re at the head of the table,’ said Violetta.
Spencer looked at her and cocked his head to one side.
‘You sure?’
‘Yes, it’s the right spot for you.’ She smiled at her father.
Jeff watched the moment between Violetta and Spencer and felt happy for her. She had wanted this night to be perfect and having Spencer at the head of the table meant so much to her. Just as Spencer was about to sit down, the doorbell rang. Violetta clapped her hands and ran to the door again.
She walked back into the room, with Grace and Frank on either side of her. ‘Look who stopped by!’ she cried.
