He snorted.
“What’s so funny?” Stella asked from the stairs. Her voice brought him back to the present. It was the loveliest sound in the world.
“I just recalled my conversation with Naomi when she first gave me an earful and then told me her conditions to help me.” He reached for her hand and played with her charm bracelet.
“I hope she wasn’t too brutal.”
“She was her usual self, and I welcomed her honesty and bluntness.”
His phone announced an incoming message. “It’s Aaron. Man, social media is a bitch. He’s telling me the photos from last night are all over the internet. People sure don’t waste time bragging about what they witnessed.”
“Did he attach some of the photos?”
“No. I learned long ago it’s best to ignore it all. But, wow, listen to this. He wants me to meet with him in Baltimore next week.”
“What’s going on there? Anything special?”
“He wants us to go to the Hippodrome Theater. I only know it’s an impressive theater with lots of history. I’ll call him later to find out more.” He thought for a moment. “Do you think you can take Friday off? We could stay through Sunday and maybe have dinner with Andrew and Sarah.”
“I’ll put in for the day as soon as I get to work tomorrow. Are you going to take Andrew up on his offer to tour the Center?”
“I’d like to. Let’s call them later, too.” David kissed her again. “Did you notice how we’re making plans like any other old couple? I love it,” he said and nibbled on her neck. “How much time do we have until we meet your parents?”
“Not enough,” Stella laughed.
CHAPTER 43
Stella—December 2018
S
tella listened while David did his voice exercises upstairs. After his arrival seven weeks ago, they set up the second bedroom as his study. Stella loved how they had fallen into a routine so easily, and didn’t want to think about him leaving for France in less than a month.
A gusty wind howled outside, and the sky was full of dark clouds. Stella wondered if they’d get their first snow today.
But it was a lovely day to be decorating their Christmas tree with her collection of ornaments. David wanted to get a fresh tree, so they bought one at a nursery outside of town. She told him he was lucky they didn’t live in an apartment, because Philadelphia’s fire code prohibited natural cut trees in high-rise and multi-unit buildings.
The tree stood tall and proud in front of the French doors, only slightly crooked near the bottom, but—she thought—imperfections were part of life, and it would look magical when they lit the electric lights. The ornaments she chose were the white porcelain stars and bells she had collected for many years, ever since Naomi gave her the first set as a gift.
She reached for the tree topper and stretched to put it on top of the balsam fir.
“Let me help you, love, before you fall onto the poor tree.” David put his hands on her hips and lifted her up. “Good thing you don’t weigh much.”
“Thanks, I guess,” she laughed. “Do you like it?”
“I love it. As you know, my mom always decorates theirs the day after Thanksgiving. I saw it when I was there, and she’s still using some of the ornaments Sabrina and I made as kids, but I like your idea of waiting until closer to Christmas.”
“It’s what my family always did when Luca and I were little, and I have no reason to change the tradition.” She clapped her hands, “All set. Want some tea?”
“No thanks. I have to run out for an hour or two. Do you need me to pick up anything from the store?”
“No, we’re all set. It’ll be fun when everybody’s here tonight for our Christmas Eve dinner.”
“Is Frank coming? He and Naomi seem to be spending a lot of time together.”
“She invited him but wasn’t sure what his plans are. He’s making a lot of spur-of-the-moment decisions, which she says suits her fine. I’ll just include a place setting for him, and if he’s not coming, we can take it away.”
“Sounds good. Okay then, I’m off. Text me if you change your mind and need something. See you later, love you.” He kissed her on her nose and grabbed his warm jacket.
After she carried the empty ornament boxes to the basement, she began to set the table and mused about her earlier comment regarding family traditions. It made her wonder what traditions she and David would create with their children one day.
She was longing to feel his baby growing inside her. But she needed to be patient. At least things were moving in the right direction. Their trip to Baltimore last month had been promising.
David and Aaron had talked to the Board of Directors of the Hippodrome Foundation and been told one of the Foundation’s goals was to introduce touring Broadway artists to students, so the students could learn about career opportunities from professionals.
When they met Andrew later at the Center for Music and Medicine, David was equally impressed with their mission and opportunities. At dinner, the men discussed the different programs of the Center and the Hippodrome Foundation, as well as the benefits and need for music therapy in rehabilitation and in education.
She and Sarah had spent time shopping and catching up over lunch. Sarah took the day off and showed her two of the most outstanding libraries Stella had ever seen. The Enoch Pratt Free Library was opened in 1886, and was one of the oldest free library systems in the United States.
And the George Peabody Library, also nicknamed “Baltimore’s Cathedral of Books,” was widely recognized as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and an essential space for teaching and research.
She’d been
