Just like that, the holidays loomed. I had not seen Griffin since that fiasco in Martha’s Vineyard. I was so happy. Elliott was in fine form. Was it too much to ask to spend Christmas in New York? I approached Henry about the possibility of coming in January.

“What’s going on with you?” Henry inquired.

“Nothing. It’s just I’ve never spent a Christmas in New York before. What’s another two weeks? I promise I’ll fly down the first week in January.”

“You haven’t seen Daddy since last Christmas. Whatever’s going on with you, fix it, Bailey. I want to talk to you about something you might like.”

“You piqued my interest. There’s nothing to fix. But I’ll see you in January. I promise.”

The holidays lifted everyone’s moods. Elle was happily married, and Reggie had recently gotten engaged. Any sisterly concern they had for me seemed to have abated. Elle and Reggie shared the difficulties of juggling family Christmases and get-togethers. I was happy that I did not share those issues, since my family resided in Atlanta. And just like that, my heart interrupted those settled thoughts in a know-it-all fashion and reminded me of Elliott. That night, with no evidence of internal commotion, Elliott and I decided to spend Christmas and New Year’s together in the city.

A week before Christmas, Elliott and Lea met me at the door of the restaurant late one afternoon. Elliott’s eyes were dancing with mischief. He handed me a fat envelope before saying, “I think those shops you frequent have been missing your presence. Take the rest of the day off. That’s an order.” Lea nodded.

It was true. Since I had moved in with Elliott, I had not had a lot of extra time for shopping. I popped in all my regular haunts. I texted both Reggie and Elle to see if they wanted to meet for a drink. I had found each of them a unique necklace at The Sleepy Anarchist. They gave me a discount for buying two, for having cash, and because they had missed me. I also bought Elliott presents and stopped at a little shop on Madison Avenue that did nothing except wrap presents in exquisite paper and ribbons. It was decked out in upscale holiday merriment. Presentation.

“It looks like somebody has already gotten her Christmas bonus,” Reggie said, looking at the packages that circled my feet.

“Two are for you. I took the liberty of ordering cocktails,” I said, watching them exchange glances. I wasn’t the sharpest member of Lady World, but I knew something was afoot. “Any news you can share, Elle?”

“October brought us a premature Halloween treat. I’m going to have a baby in July.”

“That’s wonderful news! I’m so excited for you. Of course, you are going to let me ‘vision’ the nursery?” We laughed.