No Angels (Willow Creek Christmas)

11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Bianca

I’m still shocked the Donaldson twins haven’t ruined anything by now. Last night was the final dress rehearsal and Jerry Donaldson looked rapt when Suzie Danzig lifted the baby Jesus from the manger. Maybe they haven’t done anything because the ringleader of the two is crushing on Suzie. Baby Jesus is a doll, because none of the new parents in town trusted the town scamps not to perform some disappearing trick with their kid. But maybe they shouldn’t have worried – one of the twins is definitely smitten.

A couple of the angels stepped on their hems and the shepherds keep complaining about the bathrobes they’re wearing. Farrah and Sarah are helping me with last-minute wardrobe malfunctions, and Emma provided the snacks. No icing on the cupcakes because she said it would be just another mess waiting to happen. The kids don’t seem to mind, they’re scarfing them down like there’s no tomorrow.

Taren walks in, pecks me on the cheek and hands me a bouquet.

“What’s this for?”

“My husband is over the moon that you’re here, and he’s been in a good mood for weeks now. It’s a little thank you from me to you for that.”

“I’m sure his mood has nothing to do with me.”

“It has everything to do with you and what he thinks this will do for Willow Creek. He’s excited you’re thinking about restoring the Majestic too.”

A dark-haired man in a blazer and jeans slides his arm around her waist. “My wife is right, you’ve been good for Willow Creek so far, Bianca Cassidy.”

He holds out his hand and I take it as he pumps enthusiastically. “I’m sorry I’ve been too swamped to introduce myself before now, but I’m Zane Reid.”

I smile when Taren affectionately rolls her eyes. “I know who you are, Mayor Reid. It’s been my pleasure, though I admit I was daunted at first by the prospect of directing and producing tonight’s show.”

He grins. “I know it’ll be great. Trevor told me he still can’t believe the change you’ve wrought in the Donaldson twins.”

I bend toward them so I can whisper. “Can I tell you a secret?”

They both nod.

“I think they’re competing for the privilege of being Suzie Danzig’s boyfriend. I heard a rumor she told them she won’t be seen with bad boys.”

All of my friends burst into laughter.

“She’ll change her tune when she hits fifteen. Mark my words,” Sarah observes. “I see it every day at Willow Creek High.” She’s the high school science teacher and girls’ soccer team coach, so she's speaking from experience.

The play didn’t go off without a hitch. One of the choir members started bawling in the middle of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing because she peed all over her robes. And the Donaldson twins aren’t completely reformed, because they lined the steps going up to the altar with strategically placed bubble gum, and when Joseph’s foot got stuck he almost fell right into the manger.

But it’s over and we received a standing ovation and the kids are all beaming now. I’m making my fourth bow when Mike bounds onto the stage.

“Folks, if you’ll stay seated, we have a surprise.” He waves his hand toward the back of the theater, and two lines of kids start walking toward us. They’re high schoolers and half of them have their instruments.

He turns to me. “Bianca, just because you aren’t going back doesn’t mean you should give up on Eliza Doolittle. I know it’s not Broadway, but I found you an orchestra and a choir if you’ll sing for us.”

The unmistakable notes of The Rain in Spain surround us and I want to give him a kiss he’ll never forget, audience be damned.

“Will you stay up here with me while I sing it?”

He lifts my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “It’d be my honor.”

He’s there to hold me steady, just like he has my whole life. He makes me brave. As soon as I open my mouth and the first stanza soars out, the crowd quiets. I close my eyes and grip the hand of the man who promised to take care of me and set the music free.

The church is quiet when I finish and I open my eyes, ready to face the judgment. But then the whole audience rises to its feet and erupts into applause and catcalls. Mike hauls me to his side. “Told you,” he says into my hair.

Later that night, as he spoons me from behind after he made me sated and sleepy from his very energetic, very bossy lovemaking, I flip around so I’m facing him.

“I made a decision tonight.”

“You did, huh?”

I can tell he’s trying not to get overexcited or get his hopes up.

“Yeah, I did. I decided Willow Creek is enough. I decided you’re enough. That you’ve always been enough and I’m not going to find enough anywhere else.”

“Does that mean you’re staying?”

“Yes, Callihan. It means I’m staying.”

He rolls onto his back and pulls me on top of him. “Does that mean you’re moving in? So we can make love every night underneath our story?”

I nudge his nose with mine. “Not right away. I’ve only been back for six weeks.”

“That wasn’t a no.”

“That wasn’t a no. It was a later.”

“I’ll take it, Bumble Bee,” he murmurs against my lips.