That night, Virgil told me that he was going to make a decision about retiring.

 “I think I will,” he said. “For you, and for Michelle, I want to try to see as much of her life as I can.”

I could tell that learning about Jessica, and realizing how much of her life he had missed, was weighing on him, and part of me felt a pang of jealousy that this was the thing that drove the point home, not for me or even Michelle, but I knew it was hard for him to face getting older and I was trying to be understanding.

“I want you around for a long, long time.” I said, putting my arms around his neck. “So I support this.”

“I won’t drive you crazy, being around the house all the time?”

 “We’ll get you a hobby,” I said with a smile. 

We kissed.

He had several more conversations with Jessica over the next few weeks, sometimes with me listening quietly, and I started to feel like I knew her. Finally one night he said:

“My wife Ella is here, if you want to say hello.”

“Hi Ella,”

“Hi Jessica,” I said. “It’s nice to know you a little bit.”

“It’s nice to know you, too, Virgil talks a lot about you.”

We had learned that Jessica didn’t have a bad childhood, but I could tell from the words that she used that just because it wasn’t bad, didn’t mean that it was good, or that she didn’t have some baggage. From the way she spoke about her step father, I suspected he knew Virgil was her father and that it had never really set right with him that she wasn’t his. That broke my heart a little bit for her.

“Virgil and I have been talking,” I said. I looked over at him and he raised his eyebrows. I nodded, and he smiled. “If you don’t already have plans, would you like to come to LaCera, and spend Christmas here?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.” I said. 

“I would like that very much,” She said. “When should I come?”

“How about Monday before, and stay through New Years?” I suggested.

 “Oh, that would be lovely… And I can meet Michelle?”

“Yes,” I said softly. Virgil smiled wide.

After we hung up, he hugged me close. “That was awfully kind of you.”

“It sounds like she never had a close relationship with her step father, and I’m sure she’s lonely,” I said.

“Should I have mentioned my heart condition, do you think?”

“When you’re ready to,” I said. He nodded.

“We have to tell Baby Girl,” he said softly.

“No time like the present,” I said. Michelle was in her room, reading. I went with him, and he knocked softly on her door.

“Hey Baby Girl, can mama and daddy come talk to you?”

“Yeah,”

Virgil sat on the end of her bed, and I sat at the small desk in the corner.

“You remember how I told you I was married once before I met your Mama?”

“Yeah,”

“And you know how your Mama explained to you how babies are made?”

“Yeah,”

“Well, the lady I was married to before your mama, she and I had a baby, but the baby wasn’t born until after she left, and I never knew,” he said softly. “You’ve got a big sister.”

“I do?” Michelle’s eyes were wide. 

“Yeah, and your mama and I decided that we’d like her to come visit for Christmas. Would that be okay with you?”

“Oh yes!” Michelle said excitedly. “What is her name? How old is she?”

“Her name is Jessica and she’s twenty one.”

“Wow,” Michelle said. “She’s grown up.”

“Yeah,” Virgil said sadly. “We’ll have to get to know her while she’s here.”

Michelle was very excited and couldn’t stop talking about Jessica for several days. 

“Do you think she will want to share my room?”

“She might want to stay in the guest room,” I said with a smile. “She’s grown up after all. She may even want to stay at the inn. She and your daddy have never met before. She may be shy.” 

We had reserved a room at the Ivy bed and breakfast in case Jessica wanted to stay there.

That evening I called Zaira.

“So do you remember when I first started seeing Virgil and I told you I was waiting for the other shoe to drop?”

“Vaguely.”

“It dropped.”

“Just now? What happened?”

“Turns out his ex wife was pregnant when she left, and she never told him. Virgil got a letter in the mail a few weeks back. I thought he was having another heart attack. He’s got a 21 year old daughter.”

“Holy shit.”

“I invited her for Christmas.”

“Jesus Christ, El.”

“I know.”

“You’re a better woman than I am.”

“I didn’t know what else to do… Virgil has been so despondent about getting older, about his health… and now this girl shows up out of the blue and he’s feeling guilty about how much of her life he missed. I had to.”

“You didn’t have to, Ella, but the fact that you think you do shows that you’ve got a great big heart,” Zaira said.

“You’re still coming for Christmas, right?” I pleaded.

“Yes, but do you mind if I bring a friend?”

“No, but I’m very curious.” It was the first time she had ever asked to bring someone to Christmas.

“It’s Sheriff Mason.”

“Zaira Ramirez!” I gasped. “The sheriff?”

“We got to talking while I was waiting for you at the hospital, for over an hour,” she said. “And then he came down to New Oxford and took me to Alfredo’s for our first date a few days later.” 

“Swanky.”

“He’s been the perfect man this whole time, and I think I really like him.”

“I can’t believe it.” Zaira had been firmly single for over 10 years, since she caught her fiance in bed with his assistant. She had sworn off relationships and had been a casual dater ever since. I pictured the sheriff in my head. He was about 40, with dark hair and bright blue eyes. He wasn’t a bad looking man, but I was surprised Zaira would want to be with anyone at all, let alone someone from such a small town.

“Believe it,” she said. “I can’t believe that Virgil’s ex-wife never told him.”

“He doesn’t like to talk about their marriage very much, but I’ve surmised that they brought out the worst in one another.”

“Hmm. And you’re okay with it? All of it?”

“For him, I am.”

“Wow,” Zaira said.

“You act like I didn’t uproot my whole life for this man once already.”

“I know, but…” She sighed. “I guess if this is the worst thing to happen in your relationship, there’s hope for us all.”

“Maybe,” I said with a small smile.

“You’re taking it rather well,” she said softly. “Are you okay? This is a lot to take in, in a short amount of time.”

“I’m trying to be. I can’t help but be mad, but I’m not mad at Virgil. And I don’t blame the daughter for wanting to know her father. Both of her parents are gone now.” I paused. “That probably isn’t helping Virgil with his feelings about getting older, either.” I realized out loud.

“Damn girlie, that’s a lot.”

“Yeah, but we’ll get through it.”

“That’s a good attitude to have.”

We chatted for a while longer. I wasn’t sure how the coming days and weeks were going to play out, but I was trying to be strong for Virgil. His health was my number one priority, but I wanted him to be happy, too. I wasn’t sure what meeting Jessica would do to him, but I hoped that it wouldn’t hurt him.

Jessica flew in the Monday before Christmas, and rented a car to get to LaCera. She arrived at the Inn around midday, and checked into the room we had booked for her. We gave her some time to settle in, and then we walked into town to meet her.

She was in the reception area of the Inn. It was like looking into the future and seeing Michelle grown up. She had long dark curls that fell down her back, and big brown eyes. She was the spitting image of her father.

Virgil walked up to her and extended his hand. They shook awkwardly, but Michelle threw her arms around Jessica and smiled wide.

We decided to take a walk around town for a bit, and then we would go back to the house for dinner.

“There’s a few people in town who would remember your mother, if you’re curious about talking to any of them,” Virgil said softly.

“Mom never talked much about LaCera, even after I found out. She told me a little, but I don’t think she liked living here much.”

“No, she didn’t.” Virgil said.

“What’s it like here?”

“Quiet,” I said. “The people are friendly, but nosey. You’ll probably get some stares… people are definitely going to gossip, but we’re more or less used to being the hot topic around town.” I paused. “The spring is the big time for this place, people come from all over to see the wildflowers.”

“I just realized,” Jessica said as we walked down the main street. “I never asked what you all do for work.”

“Well, I’ve just retired, more or less. I was a mechanic though.”

“How come you retired? You’re kind of young for that, aren’t you? Sorry if that’s prying.”

“Ah, well… I was going to tell you sooner or later anyway… I had a heart attack back in November. It was mild, but I don’t want to take any more chances with my health.”

“Oh no,” Jessica’s hand flew to her mouth. “And I wrote you that letter, I’m sure that must have stressed you out, I’m sorry.”

“How could you have known?”

“What do you do for work, Ella?”

“I’m an editor for The Globe Travel Blog,” I said. “That’s actually how I met your… Virgil.” I wasn’t sure if she would want to refer to him as her dad like that. “I got sent here on an assignment… And I fell in love.”

“Wow,” Jessica said. We walked down the lane to the house. Once inside, Virgil set about making dinner. Michelle insisted on showing Jessica her room, her science fair ribbons, and her mineral collection.

Virgil made a chicken with roasted vegetables, and as we sat down to eat, Jessica cleared her throat.

“That you for inviting me here, really. I… I wasn’t sure what I expected when I wrote that letter, but it was really kind of you to ask me to spend Christmas here.”

“It’s our pleasure,” I said.

After dinner, we played a few hands of cards and talked for a bit. Jessica was eager to learn about Michelle, and vice versa. The two had much in common beyond their looks.

Around 9, Michelle started to look sleepy, so I sent her off to bed, then I cleared off so that Virgil and Jessica could have some time alone together. I cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. When I was done, I sat at the kitchen table reading for a while. After about an hour, I heard a noise at the kitchen door. Jessica stood there looking awkward.

“Hey, everything okay?”

“Yeah, Virgil is going to drive me back to the inn, he went to go get his boots. I just wanted to say good night, and thank you.”

“Of course, you’re welcome,” I said. “I’m sorry Michelle will probably be waiting for you to get up tomorrow morning though, she’s excited to show you the town and everything. She’s very excited about having a big sister.”

“She’s a great kid, you’d done a great job with her.”

“She’s all Virgil,” I said softly. “But thank you.”

 “Thank you, for being so cool about this, I mean.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I would think a lot of women might be angry or even territorial. You’re just… not what I expected.”

“I hope you weren’t expecting a wicked stepmother.”

“I kind of was, honestly. But you and Virgil seem really happy and like really good people.”

“Thank you.” 

She looked terribly sad.

“Is something wrong?” I asked gently.

“I know you don’t know me… I… I’m really thankful you asked me to spend Christmas with you. I’m sure you’ve gathered that my relationship with my …parents wasn’t great. I’m not looking for a do over with Virgil, but… I guess I’m just glad to have found you all.”

“Oh dear,” I said softly. I wasn’t sure what to say to that. “Of course, sweetie.”

Virgil came downstairs then.

“Ready?” He asked.

“Yep.” Jessica turned back to me. “Thanks again.”

“Of course.”

“Love you,” Virgil called to me.

“Love you, too.”

He was back a short time later, Jessica safely tucked away at the inn. We went to bed, and he wrapped his arms around me.

“Jessica told me that you were much nicer than she expected, and that she’s really glad to have a place to be this christmas.”

“She told me about the same.” I rolled over to face him. “She seems sweet, and sad. I’m glad we invited her up.”

“Me, too.” He kissed my forehead. “Thank you for being so understanding.”

“Oh Virgil,” I sighed. “Everyone seems to think I should be angry or upset about this. I’m just terribly sad for you both, and all that you missed out on with each other.” 

He nodded.

“Me, too.” A sigh. “Have you thought about how you’re going to feel after the town gossip train gets rolling?”

“I’m sure it’s already rolling. She looks just like you.” I said softly.

“She does, doesn’t she?” He seemed proud of this. “But seriously, are you okay?”

“Yes, I am.” I said. “I told you before we even invited her here that I was okay with it, and I meant it then and I mean it now.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.” He kissed me again, and then we drifted off to sleep.