The first delivery came at noon the following day. Boxes and boxes that had both Mrs. H and Robert in a frenzy.

“Mr. Brand never celebrates the holidays, Mandy,” Mrs. H said as she opened up yet another package with yuletide cheer. “I can’t imagine what has come over him.”

Robert had been relatively silent as far as comments go, but he moved with a peppier step and had begun to whistle Christmas carols under his breath.

The final delivery was a twelve-foot Douglas fir. Its scent filled the spacious penthouse with thoughts of the forest. The earthy pine smell had been just what was needed.

Elliot had called to check on Mandy no less than three times that morning and every phone call she had seemed more and more withdrawn.

The truth was that Mandy had awoken to feel irritated at herself for such a stupid accident. Not only had Elliot missed the gala, but Nate had as well. Nothing was said to her about it, but she caught a snippet on the news that morning.

There was quite a bit of speculation as to where the playboy billionaire had been and whom he had found more important than his mother’s charity.

Mandy hadn’t said a word to Elliot about catching the story. She knew full well that his publicist and public relations team would be all over it.

But it had been her fault, and she was well aware of it.

So, when the boxes began to arrive, Mandy had been disinclined to participate. That was until she saw what had been sent.

“Where should we place the tree, Mandy?” Robert glanced her way, “I was thinking perhaps in the foyer?”

“In front of the windows,” Mandy replied, “So that the lights can reflect off the glass and people outside can share in its beauty.”

Robert had called a few men in to assist him with the décor, and they immediately began moving the tree to where Mandy had specified.

Once the fifteen strands of lights were added to the tree, the reflection in the floor to ceiling windows was mesmerizing.

The ornaments that had been delivered from Neiman Marcus were a mixture of Faberge Eggs and hand painted Christopher Radko’s latest collection. Everything was seen to, the garlands, wreaths, even a sprig of mistletoe that caused Mrs. H to give Robert’s cheek a small peck. The butler had blushed three shades of red.

Mandy’s poor mood had dissipated throughout the afternoon as she helped to supervise the decorating from her position on the couch. Elliot had refused to allow her to go to work that morning, much to her dismay.

But all thoughts of work had fled, and once the last ribbon was hung Mandy settled down on the couch and watched the sparkling lights until her eyes grew heavy.

Elliot arrived home an hour later. He opened the door expecting to see the holiday decorations, hell, he had sent them. But, he hadn’t been prepared for the attack of past that enveloped him.

His mother had always been keen on celebrating each and every holiday. After she passed, he hadn’t the heart to continue the tradition. It reminded him too much of what he had lost. But walking into his home, with all of its fineries displayed so beautifully, and the woman who haunted his dreams sweetly sleeping on his couch had his gut clenching in an unfamiliar way.

He glanced over at the mantle over the fireplace and noted that they had handwritten Mrs. H, Robert, Elliot, and Mandy a stocking in gold letters.

Elliot had to swallow twice before setting his things down and walking into the kitchen to greet the staff and grab a much-needed beer.

Mrs. H glanced up from cooking when she saw him enter, “Good evening, Mr. Brand, it was a kind thing you did today.”

Elliot opened the double refrigerator and grabbed a drink, “Did she like it?”

Mrs. H raised a brow, “She was upset this morning, and understandably so. I wish you could have seen the light in her eyes as each box was emptied. You would have thought the poor girl had won the lottery.”

Elliot kicked himself for not being there. Indeed, he would have loved to have seen Mandy’s reactions.

“Where is Robert?” Elliot asked noticing that the older gentleman hadn’t greeted him upon entering.

“He went to the pharmacy to pick up Mandy’s medication. Dr. Robert’s called a mild painkiller in that would be safe to use during pregnancy.”

Elliot nodded and went to respond but was interrupted by a sleepy voice coming from the doorway.

He turned around and saw Mandy standing there with a wrinkle on her cheek and just fucked hair. She was stunningly gorgeous without a lick of makeup and in yoga pants pulled under her belly and one of his t-shirts.

“I don’t need any painkillers,” Mandy frowned before limping in and sitting in the chair that Elliot had pulled out for her. “I told Dr. Robert’s that at the hospital.”

Mrs. H didn’t tell Mandy that Elliot had her call the doctor’s office today to ensure she would have the medication if she needed it.

Elliot smiled and abruptly changed the subject, “Did you have a nice day?”

Mandy’s face brightened, and she leaned toward him, “Elliot, I cannot believe what you sent to us. I can’t remember when I have had a better day. My parents rarely did anything for Christmas. When we were little, the school would do Sub for Santa, but my parents would return everything and keep the money. I have never had a tree before!”

Elliot’s chest tightened. He knew that her upbringing had been different than his. But with every revelation, he could picture the thin younger version of her trying to make do without presents or decorations.

“We like to celebrate here,” Elliot fibbed, and Mrs. H choked on a laugh behind him. He turned and gave her a stiff glare.

Mandy’s brow furrowed, “They said that you had never had a tree before.”

Mrs. H, bustled over, “I real tree. This is our first year to have a live Christmas tree.”

Elliot was thankful for the save and well aware that he was revealing far too much of his hand to Mrs. H.

“Are you feeling up for company?” he asked Mandy.

She looked down in horror at her outfit. Her hand went up to touch the wild blonde strands.

“No!” she wailed.

“Not even your sister?” Elliot added.

“Oh!” Mandy laughed, “Of course, I am always up for Kim to come over. What about the coffee shop?”

“I believe that Nate has convinced her to hire another part-time employee. So, since she opened, she has the evening off.”

“Kim called a little while ago to check on you,” Mrs. H added bringing plates of parmesan chicken, salad, and steamed vegetables to where they were sitting at the informal kitchen table.

“I should call her back,” Mandy smiled sheepishly, “I didn’t return her call this morning. I was a tab bit cranky.”

Elliot wisely took a drink of his beer not responding.

Mrs. H broke into laughter, “More than a tad bit, darling. But you seem to have come around.”

Mandy blushed, “I am sorry if I was a bear.”

“Not at all dear!” Mrs. H brought over a plate for herself, and they began to eat. “I am just grateful that you are feeling better.”

Elliot couldn’t take her eyes away from Mandy as she ate. Every move was unconsciously seductive, from the moan of delight at the chicken to her licking her fingertips to get the dressing that had splashed there.

He was hard and hadn’t taken more than a handful of bites from his plate.

Elliot was starving, but it wasn’t for parmesan chicken.