After William walked me back home, I divided my money into five equal amounts, wrapping it all up in silk bags. I placed them under the tree, so I could give it all to Helen and the others after dinner. Margaret was nowhere to be found, until I saw her in the kitchen, tasting a plum pudding. The whole room smelled like ham.

She winked at me. “Pudding tastes good. It’s my favorite dish.”

Grabbing an apron off the wall, I tied it around my waist. “Where have you been? It’s like you disappear and reappear at random.”

Laughing, she set down her spoon. “That’s what I do, Adeline. Besides, I’ve been busy watching you and William. You’ve actually done well in this time period. I know it’s hard not slipping up.”

I scoffed. “Tell me about it. I feel bad not letting William know who I really am. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pretending, but there are so many things I can’t confide in him about. It’s not like I can talk about my real parents, or my job . . . or that I miss watching my favorite TV shows.”

She shrugged. “In the end, none of that matters. You’re still you. A kind-hearted woman who would do anything for her friends and family. The same woman who has always put others needs before her own. Even in your dream, you still think of others. Although, I am glad to see you enjoying yourself.” Her gaze saddened. “Unfortunately, your time is almost up.”

“How long do I have?” I felt the panic rise in my chest. My great-grandmother’s voice sounded just outside the door and Margaret smiled. “Have a wonderful Christmas Eve, Adeline. What you’re doing for Helen and the others is very generous. Even if it is a dream, your actions will not go unnoticed.”

“Wait! How long do I have?” She disappeared from view in the blink of an eye.

My great-grandmother opened the door, dressed in a plain black dress and apron. “I’m ready.” Then her eyes lit up as she walked in. “You already made the plum pudding? It’s one of my favorites. We’re nearly halfway there. I cured a ham earlier this morning. It’s been cooking for hours.”

“I thought that’s what I was smelling,” I said, grinning wide.

She nodded. “I had to kick Helen out of the kitchen. She insisted on helping, but I told her to enjoy the rest of the day off.”

“Speaking of Helen, there’s something I want to ask you.”

Brows furrowed, she grabbed a handful of potatoes and set them on the table. “What is it?”

The kitchen door opened, and William walked in with a large jug. He nodded toward the door. “Helen let me in. I hope that’s okay.”

My grandmother beamed and waved her hands in the air. “You’re always welcome here, William. Our home is your home.” She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. “What’s in the jug?”

Chuckling, he set it down beside the potatoes. “It’s eggnog. You can’t have Christmas without it.”

My grandmother fetched a cup from the cupboard. “I think I’ll have a taste, you know, to make sure it’s okay.” She poured some in her cup and moaned as she took her first sip. “This is delicious.”

I shook my head and laughed. “Is there liquor in that?”

William winked. “Only a little. Have you told her about the dress shop yet?”

My grandmother paused and turned her head our way. “Dress shop?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I leaned against William’s side. “I’m sure you’re aware by now that Helen’s an exquisite dress maker. It’s her passion. And William here has decided he would be willing to give up his building in town for her, and I’m going to fund all the renovations and materials.”

Her eyes widened. “That’s a large gift, my dear.”

I nodded. “I know. It’ll take a while for the shop to be ready, but when it is, will you be able to let Helen go?”

A look of sadness passed across her face, but it was quickly replaced with a smile. “I love Helen like a daughter. I would do anything to make her happy. If this is what she wants, I won’t stand in her way.”

I rushed over to her and threw my arms around her neck. “Thank you. I can’t wait to surprise her.”

She patted my back. “Me too. But we best get to work. Christmas Eve dinner isn’t going to cook itself. Besides, I think Helen has a surprise for you as well.”

I joined William by the table and helped him cut the potatoes. When my grandmother turned her back, he nipped at my ear. Shivers ran down my arm. “I can’t wait to spend more time with you tonight.”

I looked up at him. “Neither can I,” I whispered. Spending time with him was all I could think about.

Dinner turned out amazingly well. Granted, it took a lot longer to cook without a microwave or kitchen tools from the future. Still, the food came out perfectly. After we ate, everyone congregated in the living room by the Christmas tree and I’d handed gifts to Reginald and Evelyn—Edward hadn’t returned with my grandfather yet.

“Thank you, Ms. Adeline. I’m in your debt,” Reginald said, bowing his head. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he gasped in surprise. It took him a few seconds to return the hug.

“Merry Christmas, Reginald.” I let him go. “Take care of yourself, and enjoy the holidays with your sons and daughters.”

He nodded and waved at everyone else. “I will. Goodnight everyone. Merry Christmas.”

Evelyn, my grandparents’ other maid, stood and clasped her hands in front of her. I’d never really spoken to her much before, except to tell her I could cook my own breakfast. She was a quiet woman; her voice barely rose above a whisper when she spoke. She bowed her head at me. “You are an angel, Miss Adeline. Thank you for the gift.”

“You’re welcome, Evelyn.”

Then she turned to my grandmother. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll retire for the night. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”

My grandmother hugged her. “Yes, it is. As soon as it’s over, you’ll have a whole week off. All of you,” she said, turning to Helen and Jonathan.

Helen clapped her hands with joy. Once Evelyn was gone, I fetched Helen and Jonathan’s gifts out from underneath the tree and handed them to them. They both stared at the lace pouches, knowing very well there was a substantial amount of money in them.

Helen sniffled and lifted her teary gaze to mine. “Before we open our gifts, I want to start off by saying, I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. The food was excellent, and the company even better. Not many people can say they love the people they work for.” She placed a hand over her heart, her tears glistening in the candlelight. “But I do. I love you both so much. Which is why I want to give you the good news.” Grinning wide, she looked over at her husband and he nodded at her.

Heart racing, I waved my hands in the air. “What is it? I’m dying here.”

Tears fell down her cheeks. “We’re going to have a baby.”

“Oh my goodness,” I cried, rushing over to her. She hugged me hard, while William shook Jonathan’s hand and congratulated him. “I know you’ve been trying for years.”

“We have. I’ve prayed and prayed for a child. You being here has been a miracle for us all.”

I’d never felt so fulfilled in my life. Being surrounded by happiness was the best feeling in the world. “I’m so happy for you, Helen.” I wiped away my tears and let her go. “The night’s only going to get better. Open your gift.” William and I sat back down on the couch.

She shook her head. “I want you to open yours first.” Walking up to the tree, she grabbed a large box from underneath and handed it to me.

I slowly opened it, and inside was the most gorgeous dress I’d ever seen. “Oh, Helen, it’s beautiful.”

She beamed. “I knew you would like it. Your grandmother bought the white, striped silk and I added in the green. At the bottom, I embroidered in some mistletoe to add a splash of red.”

My heart stopped when I saw the mistletoe. It looked exactly like the sprig Margaret had on her jacket the night of the rehearsal. What was it about mistletoe? Grinning wide, I held the dress to my chest. “I can’t wait to wear it tomorrow. Thank you so much.” I pointed at her present. “Now open yours.”

Taking a deep breath, Helen untied the ribbon and opened the box. Inside, was a contract and a deed to the old boot shop. Brows furrowed, she stared at it curiously. “What is this?”

“Do you know that old, vacant building at the edge of town?” I asked, and she nodded. “It’s yours now. You can turn it into your very own dress shop.”

William reached over and pointed at the contract. “This right here is a contract stating that I’m giving you the property. Once you sign it, it’s official. The other,” he said, sliding out the other paper, “is the deed.”

Her attention darted over to my great-grandmother.

“I know all about it. Adeline told me everything,” she said, smiling to reassure Helen. “I want you to follow your dreams, and now you can. Don’t worry about me and Andrew. We’ll be fine.”

Helen sucked in a breath and stared at the papers, more tears falling down her cheeks. “I could never leave you, Mrs. Hamilton.”

“You don’t have to,” I told her. “It’s going to take time for the renovations. The money I gave you both should take care of that, and then some. You can also buy whatever fabrics you want. When you’re not working at the shop, you can be here. This is your home.”

My great-grandmother wiped away her tears and nodded. “Your baby’s going to need a grandmother. All my grandchildren are older, they don’t need me anymore.”

“That’s not true,” I murmured. “Family is important. Nothing will ever change that.”

William placed his hand over mine. A part of me was ecstatic to be a part of something so amazing, but I couldn’t help but feel angry that it was fake—a dream I was about to awaken from. I didn’t want to wake up. I wanted to believe I was with my family, and with William. I loved him.

There were so many things I would miss about him. The way he smiled and the way he looked at me with those silvery, gray eyes of his. But what I was going to miss most of all was the way I felt when he was around, and the way he touched me. It was as if he was a part of my soul.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

Tears burned my eyes. “I will be.” Hopefully.