Winter Magic Returns
At
The House of Four Seasons
by Atonia
Part 3
The next morning when they came downstairs the living room was piled with tree ornaments.
“A subtle hint,” John said.
Toni laughed, “It’s only a few days away. Today we’ll go find a tree.”
Bundled and armed with a hatchet they set off for the stand of Christmas trees. They came to the empty place where he’d chopped down their tree two years ago.
“I missed you so much last Christmas.” Toni said taking his hand.
“Why didn’t you come?”
“I don’t know now, I thought I wanted to go home and sort myself out. I wasn’t sure about this place and at that time if I’d called you it wouldn’t have been the same, you wouldn’t have known me.”
“I would still have loved you.”
“It wouldn’t have been the same, I was in love with you and if you looked at me and didn’t know that…”
“I would have known, do you think I can look at you and not know what you’re feeling.”
“But it would have seemed strange to you, you may not have felt the same for me.”
“We’ll never know because you didn’t ask for me.”
“Have I hurt you John?” and she knew right then that she had. “I didn’t know the magic was going to change, I couldn’t go through that again.”
“Let’s find a tree,” he turned and walked away.
“John…John,” she ran after him and caught his arm, “John please…”
“I am who I am Toni, I don’t change this year, next year I’ll be the same only I’ll love you more.” He pulled her to him, “don’t ever forget that.” He blinked his wet eyes and kissed her.
Toni sniffed and looked up, “We can’t be standing out here in a Christmas tree patch crying John.”
“You’re right, let’s find a damn tree and go home and cry.” He started to giggle and it was infectious.
John chose the tree and when they got it back to the house it wouldn’t fit, so he had to take it back outside and trim the bottom off twice before it would fit in the tree stand under the beamed ceiling. While he was wrestling with the tree Toni went into the kitchen and made them hot cider with a good shot of whiskey for extra warmth.
“The tree is up, kinda straight and I’m not touching it again,” John declared removing his hat and coat and tossing them on a kitchen chair.
“I could have told you it was too tall but I didn’t and you were so good to make it fit, I am so sorry for all your trouble,” she kissed him and handed him a cup of cider smiling broadly.
That night they decorated the tree and cleared the living room of ornament boxes and sat by the fire. Millie the cat closely examined the tree before hopping up on the sofa with John and Toni. The house sighed at the cozy scene and went about preparing a warm scented bath to entice them up the stairs and into the bed.
Christmas came and went John got a computerized hockey game and Toni got her box of chocolates and four nice picture albums in seasonal colors. She looked at the bright green one for spring and frowned. She still had no idea what to do. John told her not to worry over it, he would help her when the time came to worry.
New Years Eve found them back in Toni’s bedroom on the sofa watching the ball drop.
“Dick Clark never ages does he?” Toni said.
“He probably looks his age off TV.”
“You won’t age either John, what’s going to happen to me?”
“You’re not aging, you haven’t changed since I met you.”
“I hadn’t really thought about that but you’re right I haven’t had a haircut since I came here, it stays the same. And something else too…I haven’t had a period, does that mean I can’t get pregnant? I’ve never used any kind of birth control.”
“Do you want to get pregnant?”
Toni didn’t answer immediately, did she? “I don’t know John, I think I would have to talk to all seasons you know because if I had your baby it would be in summer or fall. You wouldn’t be here for the birth.”
“True and Terry would be delivering him…I’d have to think about that. It’s up to you I think if you wanted to get pregnant the magic would allow that. It would change your life here; we would have a magical child you know.”
Toni nestled in against him, “It’s something to think about for next year…a magical child.”
John wasn’t sure it was a good idea, a child with four fathers how could that be explained. He would miss much of its growing up. And then what if another season wanted a child what if they all did, Toni would be pregnant for four years. He tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. He was amazed sometimes at her capacity for love.
By mid January the pond was frozen solid and John was skating again. Toni would go down and watch him but declined to get back on skates herself. She would bring him a thermos of hot soup and chocolate. He practiced his hockey shots and would join her on the bench for hot drinks.
February came too soon and John asked her if she’d decided on spring. They were in her bedroom on the sofa.
“No I haven’t John, I guess I don’t want to think about it.”
“Well you better start thinking about it or you’re going to be alone here for three months.”
Toni looked at him knowing he was right, she never wanted to think about the winter season being over.
He tossed a DVD in her lap, “Look at this one…I’m serious, you need a strong guy to keep you in line.” Smiling he mussed her hair.
Toni eyed the DVD, “You’re sure about this?”
“Sweetheart, I’m not sure about anything, it’s just a suggestion, he would be good to you I know that.”
Toni put it aside to look at later, she couldn’t be thinking about spring, Winter was here and he was coming on strong today. “What’s up with you today?” she asked.
“Um,” he laughed, “you want me to answer that?”
“John Biebe you are insatiable what’s brought this on today?”
“Oh probably just thinking about Valentine’s day…you know…cupids and stuff.”
“Got an arrow in your pants have you?” she laughed.
“Damn right.”
Toni took him to the bed and took care of that arrow.
“John you have no idea…”
“Yes I do…”
“Love you…”
“Love you too.”
He left on February 28 right after breakfast that Toni cooked for him. He got on his snowmobile and rode away up the road past the stables. He stopped once and looked back but the house was a blur through his wet eyes.
