Chapter 225 The Last Christmas
What was Elizabeth thinking about while knitting the scarf for Michael?
She must have been thinking about him, right?
She must have loved him once, right?
Now, she hated him.
So be it. Let her hate him.
Since Michael had decided to fully treat Eloise and marry Calla, he had to completely break off with Elizabeth.
He couldn't think about her anymore.
He couldn't keep her things anymore.
Michael gently took off the scarf and carefully folded it. He sealed it in a bag.
At Whispering Pines Estates, the snow had stopped and Dean was building a snowman in the yard with Pearl and Nolan.
Elizabeth stood on the steps watching them play.
Nancy brought a carrot from the kitchen, and Nolan took it to use as the snowman's nose.
Pearl had a string of red garbage bags, and Dean helped her tie them together to use as the snowman's scarf.
Suddenly, someone rang the doorbell.
Elizabeth looked over and saw it was the community property staff.
She walked over.
The staff asked, "Ms. Jones?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes."
The staff said, "There's a local delivery for you. Please sign for it."
Elizabeth took the package back to the yard.
Dean asked her, "Elizabeth, did you buy something?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "No. I thought it was something you bought."
She went into the living room and checked the delivery slip. The sender's column was anonymous.
She opened the package and a familiar scarf appeared in front of her.
Elizabeth picked up the scarf—this was the birthday gift she had knitted for Michael four years ago. She couldn't possibly forget it, and her heart instantly felt heavy.
She thought, 'What does it mean that he sent the scarf back? He couldn't even be bothered to show up. Is this to tell me that we are really over?'
Previously, it was always Elizabeth telling Michael that since they were divorced, they shouldn't see each other anymore.
But Michael never paid attention.
Now, by returning the gift, did it mean he had accepted Calla?
Elizabeth remembered passing by a jewelry store on the commercial street while driving Sarah home.
The store was brightly lit, and everything inside was visible from the outside.
She was driving slowly at the time and saw Michael helping Calla pick out a ring.
Calla smiled and showed Michael a ring on her hand.
Elizabeth couldn't see the style of the ring, but she could see Michael's reaction.
He looked at the ring seriously and nodded.
Then Calla's face lit up with a smile.
The store clerk quickly put the ring in a box for them.
Elizabeth stopped paying attention and stepped on the gas, driving away.
Since they had already bought the ring, the wedding must be soon, right?
The scarf that was returned to her said it all.
Elizabeth put the scarf in the washing machine and poured in a lot of detergent.
It had Michael's scent on it, and she didn't want to keep it.
She originally planned to throw it away but couldn't bring herself to do it.
After all, it was something she had knitted stitch by stitch, spending several nights to complete. How could she throw it away?
Elizabeth pressed the start button on the washing machine and returned to the living room by the floor-to-ceiling window.
Nancy was making soup in the kitchen.
The rich aroma wafted into Elizabeth's nose, stimulating her taste buds.
"Mom, it smells so good! I'm hungry!" She shouted towards the kitchen.
Nancy's voice came back, filled with laughter. "It's almost ready. I'm just about to serve it."
Elizabeth looked at the children still playing in the snow in the yard, along with Dean.
She thought, 'If life could always be like this, it would be perfect. Why complicate it with a man? It would only make me unhappy. Men are purely unnecessary.'
Thinking of this, she smiled and shouted to the yard, "The beef soup is ready!"
The three in the yard heard her shout and dropped their tools and toys, running towards the house.
Nancy was setting the table and laughed. "Slow down; everyone wash your hands first."
As soon as the kitchen door opened, a layer of steam formed on the dining room glass.
So everything outside became foggy and unclear.
Elizabeth looked around at her cozy home, feeling an immense sense of contentment and happiness.
On Christmas Eve, Elizabeth set up a big Christmas tree in the living room.
Pearl and Nolan were very excited.
Pearl tugged on Nancy's clothes and asked, "Grandma, are you cooking tonight?"
Nancy laughed. "Yes, and I'll cook a lot."
Pearl frowned. "Will the chimney be very hot?"
Nancy laughed even harder. "No. Grandma doesn't use the chimney to cook. We use it for the fireplace."
Pearl glanced at the quiet fireplace and felt relieved. "That's good."
Nancy was curious. "Pearl, what are you worried about?"
"I'm afraid Santa Claus will burn his butt."
Everyone laughed at Pearl's childish words.
Elizabeth hugged Pearl and kissed her on the forehead. "Pearl, Santa Claus won't get burned. Our fireplace isn't lit. We're using the air conditioner."
Pearl nodded. "Mom, will Santa Claus bring me a gift tomorrow morning?"
Elizabeth said, "Of course. Have you prepared the stocking by your bed?"
Pearl jumped up. "It's ready!"
Elizabeth said, "Not only will Santa bring you gifts, but Mom will also prepare gifts for you."
Pearl and Nolan exchanged a knowing look, unable to hide their smiles.
Nancy prepared a table full of dishes and brought out a big box from the room, which contained individual gift boxes.
She said, "Alright. My gifts are ready too. Here, this is for Elizabeth." She handed a red velvet box to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth opened it to find an antique-style brooch. She said, "It's beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Mom."
Nancy continued to distribute the gifts with a smile.
Suddenly, Elizabeth's phone rang, and when she answered it, Louis's excited voice came through. "Elizabeth, I have great news! Carter is fully conscious and awake!!"
Elizabeth stood up excitedly. "Really? Louis."
Louis laughed heartily. "Of course it's true. Next, we need to prepare a rehabilitation plan for him. Elizabeth, we'll need your help."
Elizabeth replied, "No problem!"
Louis asked, "Elizabeth, are you at home?"
Elizabeth said, "Yes, with my mom and the kids."
Louis said, "Alright. After Christmas, we'll visit Carter together."
Elizabeth said, "Okay; definitely."
Louis hesitated for a few seconds, then his tone changed.
He said softly, "Elizabeth, Merry Christmas!"
Elizabeth laughed. "Merry Christmas!"
She hung up the phone just as Nancy finished handing out her gifts.
Everyone's face was filled with smiles.
Elizabeth took out her camera and said, "I suggest we take a group photo to commemorate our first Christmas after returning home!"
The children cheered. "Yes, Mom. Hurry up and take it."
"I want to hold my gift in the photo."
"Me too, me too!"
Dean helped Elizabeth set up the tripod.
The family posed in front of the Christmas tree.
And the flash went off, capturing this happy moment forever in the camera.
In the many years that followed, whenever Elizabeth thought of this Christmas Eve, she couldn't help but shed tears.
Because it was the happiest Christmas of the first half of her life.
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