The First Christmas
Chapter 17 - The First Christmas
Their first Christmas together was uncomfortable.
Alexander bought too many gifts.
Noah returned half.
Sophia arrived late and brought takeout because nobody trusted Alexander near an oven. Mrs. Ward refused retirement for one more holiday and corrected everyone’s table settings despite the lack of formal guests.
The empty chairs mattered.
Claire.
Amelia, Alexander’s mother.
Harold, whose absence carried relief and anger.
Victoria, awaiting sentencing.
Noah asked whether they should invite Victoria to call.
Sophia said no.
Alexander said the choice belonged to Sophia more than him.
They compromised on a recorded message. Victoria could speak, but no one had to answer.
Her message contained apology mixed with justification. She said she loved them. She said fear distorted her choices. She asked Noah to forgive her before prison took more years.
Noah stopped the recording.
“She still thinks forgiveness is another deadline.”
Sophia turned it off.
They ate in silence for a while.
Then Noah told a story about Claire burning a holiday pie and claiming the smoke alarm was festive music.
Alexander laughed so hard he cried.
Later, he gave Noah one gift.
A blank leather notebook.
No company seal.
No family crest.
No instructions.
“What is it for?” Noah asked.
“Whatever you decide belongs in it.”
Noah nodded.
He gave Alexander a cheap brass compass from the school science store.
“It points north,” he said.
Alexander held it like something priceless.
That was the first holiday not organized around preserving the Vale image.
May you like
It was messy.
It was enough.
