Chapter 56

Over the next few days, when she wasn't with Caden, Jocelyn spent time with Mallory decorating their house for Christmas. They were getting along better now than they ever had. Somehow, Mallory had seemed to change. She was more considerate and not nearly as self-centered as she had always been.
Christmas Eve morning, Jocelyn had wrapped a last-minute gift and carried it down the stairs. Everything looked beautiful. She bent down and turned the lights on the Christmas tree and set the gift beneath it.
"I'm going to California after the holidays," Mallory said behind her, causing her to jump.
"Oh! You scared me!" Jocelyn rose to her feet and turned around. "I didn't know you were there."
Mallory smiled. "Sorry."
Jocelyn crossed the room to her and took both of her hands into her own. "Mallory, you don't have to do that. We can live here together, like we always have."
Mallory nodded. "I know. But if I don't go now, I never will." Her lips curled into a smile. "I just realized that I don't need anyone to take me. I can go by myself."
Jocelyn nodded as a crease formed between her eyes. "Are you sure you want to do that? It's dangerous in California."
"I'm sure," Mallory said, smiling. "Jocelyn, now that I know you won't be left alone, I can finally leave."
Jocelyn's eyes opened wide. "You mean to tell me that you stayed here- for me? So I wouldn't be alone?"
Mallory nodded. "I couldn't leave you here alone. You're my baby sister."
Jocelyn pulled her sister in for a hug as her eyes welled up with tears. Here all this time she had thought that Mallory was being self-centered and had always thought of herself first. But all along, Mallory had been thinking of her.
"Mallory, you didn't have to worry about me. I'll be fine- no matter what." She pulled back and looked into her eyes. "You don't always have to be with the ones you love to know you love them."
Mallory nodded. "But just the same, I feel better now, knowing you won't be alone." She looked into her eyes. "I love you, sis."
"Love you, too." Jocelyn pulled her in for one last hug and then pulled back. "Now, let's finish getting the house ready. Caden and his parents will be over tonight." Jocelyn's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Are you sure you're okay with this? With Caden and his parents coming over?"
She shrugged. "Sure! Why not? Caden and I make better friends than anything else, anyway." Then her lips curled into a devilish smile. "Besides, I want to be able to come back and visit my nieces and nephews someday."
Jocelyn laughed. "Yeah, right. That won't be for a while, if ever. Caden's not even mentioned marriage yet."
Mallory shrugged. "You never know." Then she let out a deep breath. "I'll tell you what. I'll make the potato salad if you bake the cookies."
"Are you sure you don't want to help me bake cookies?" Jocelyn asked.
"Divide and conquer," Mallory teased. "Besides, you make better cookies than I do. Mine always come out flat."
They started walking toward the kitchen and Jocelyn replied, "The trick is to use shortening instead of butter."
"Really?" Mallory asked, pulling a pot out from under the cabinet for the potatoes.
"Really." Jocelyn loved that she and Mallory were finally getting along as sisters should. She just hoped it continued. But it seemed that Mallory had finally grown up. Also, she realized that Mallory loved her more than she knew, that she had been looking out for her all this time. Who knew?
The day passed quickly as she and Mallory cooked Christmas Eve dinner together. Soon, it was time to go to church. Jocelyn had always loved singing with the choir at church on Christmas Eve.
"Ready?" Mallory asked, appearing in Jocelyn's doorway, dressed in a tasteful red holiday dress.
"Wow! You look nice," Jocelyn said.
"So do you. I love your dress."
"Thanks." Jocelyn was dressed in a deep green dress and was sitting at her vanity, slipping on her earrings. "You go ahead. I'll be down in a minute."
Mallory tapped lightly on the door facing. "Well, hurry up. We don't want to be late. We're singing tonight."
Before she could say anything more, Mallory darted out of sight.
Jocelyn stood and looked at herself once more in the full-length mirror and smoothed her hands over her dress. It was calf-length and shimmery. Although she knew she shouldn't have, Jocelyn had bought it especially for Christmas Eve. She had also curled her long blonde hair and it fell into waves onto her shoulders. Then she slipped into her winter coat and walked downstairs.
On the first floor, the Christmas lights were turned off, and the house was empty. As she looked around, she was glad that Mallory had waited until after the holidays to move to California.
Jocelyn hurried outside and quickly locked the door. Mallory was already waiting in the car with the engine running.
"Ready?" Mallory asked as Jocelyn slid into the passenger side.
"Ready as I'm ever going to be," Jocelyn replied.
As they drove to the church, streaks of orange, pink, and red painted the evening sky.
"It's beautiful," Jocelyn observed, taking in the sunset.
"Yes, it is," Mallory replied, steering the car toward the church. She and Jocelyn had both been members of the church choir since they could remember. Jocelyn had always sung first soprano and Mallory had always sung in the alto section. But it was something that they both enjoyed doing together.
"When are Caden and his parents coming over?" Mallory asked, turning the car down another side road.
"They're meeting us at the church." It still seemed strange to talk about Caden so casually with Mallory. But it felt good at the same time. She was glad that they had all found a way to get along. "May I say something?"
"Make it quick." Mallory smirked. "We're almost there."
Jocelyn smiled. "I'm glad you're in my life."
Mallory looked over at her and returned the smile. "Me, too." Then she turned her attention back to the road. "Now, let's get through the service and then we can party down!"
Jocelyn laughed. "Party down, huh?"
"Sure!" Mallory shrugged. "Why not?"
Without minutes, Mallory stopped the car in front of the church. Kiki was waiting out front for her, shivering.
"It's about time you got here," Kiki teased when Jocelyn walked up.
"I could hardly get her out the door," Mallory chimed in. Then she leaned over and gave Jocelyn a quick hug. "I'll see you inside."