A nice cottage in the midst of the woods, a bottle of wine, a roaring fire – all the elements for romance, perfect way to spend a Christmas evening. Yet how could Gracy feel anything but contempt for her husband after seeing him locked in a passionate embrace with a woman young enough to be his daughter?

It was a winding road that led to the tiny cottage on top of the hill.  Katy watched her Blake with gilded eyes, scanning the handsome face. “This place is gorgeous this time of year during Christmas, isn’t it Gracy?” he asked.

Gracy reverted her attention to the lovely drive, trying to focus on anything other than her husband.  How could he just sit there so cool and collected? They had been together for five years.  It grieved her to know that he had casually tossed those wonderful years away for that woman – Rosy darling, as she’d overheard Blake refer to her.

She would have trusted him with her life but that had been washed away.  A few months back, she had paid a surprise visit to Blake’s office, hoping they could enjoy a romantic lunch together. But what did she see? There, on the side of his desk, had rested Rosy in a red, low-cut dress that Gracy wanted to rip apart.  She had been whispering to Blake, and Gracy could never erase the disturbed reaction on his face. Blake had nonchalantly soothed over the moment, passing Rosy off as a business acquaintance. Like an idiot, Gracy had swallowed his story.

A month later, she saw them huddled together in a dark corner of a posh restaurant, their hands locked as Gracy slowly made her way to the table. Awkwardly, he had attempted to explain the situation, failing miserably. Rosy had vanished from there. Yet again, Gracy bought his story.

But everything changed last week.  Gracy made a decision to postpone her business trip and surprise Blake at home.  He’d been wonderful to her lately, especially by planning the romantic trip to the lovely cottage in the woods.

Gracy hurried home that day, stopping at the market to buy some fruit, cheese and wine.  She and Blake were going to have the most romantic weekend!

She remembered everything.  That’s how it always is in the end.  One takes in every sight, every sound, every movement….She had turned her key in the lock of their apartment, then she had quietly entered, the pungent smell of roses mingling with the air.  Laughter, from the den. Blake and Rosy were too close, looking into each other’s eyes, hugging. Unable to take it any more, Gracy  had turned, unnoticed, slipped out the door, then had vanished into the fog of the early evening.

“Gracy? My love!” Gracy looked at Blake as he drew her back to the present.

“Darling, you’re crying,” he observed, his brow tensed in confusion. Blake felt utterly helpless. She was doing this again, this new crying saga that had seemed to become her familiar stage these days.  Hell, what was wrong with her?

She simply got down and ran into the cottage when the car stopped. Blake and Gracy spent the next couple of hours settling into the cottage, both feeling acutely miserable.  The owner of the cottage had set out a beautiful basket of fresh fruit.

In the refrigerator a meal of chicken roast, baked potatoes, and custard had been prepared for their evening meal. Homemade bread too was there. However, at this point, neither Blake nor Gracy felt like eating.

Blake lit a warm, cozy fire and asked Gracy to join him. “There’s a reason I brought you here, Gracy.  This seemed like the perfect spot and I wanted to tell you something.”

My God, he was going to do it!  He was going to tell her about his affair with that Rosy woman. Her heart started beating loudly.

“Sweetheart, my surprise can’t wait a moment longer,” he continued, pushing a rather large box package as he spoke that Gracy hadn’t noticed. He dragged it to her. “For you, my darling,” he handed it to her.

Gracy’s hands shook. What could this be?  Did he want to end their marriage, right? Carefully, she eased away the packing and gosh, what was it….it was an exquisite Christmas tree, all done up beautifully with stars, bells, streamers and all!

Her gaze flew to her husband.  “I hope you like it, darling?  Rosy’s done a masterpiece,” Gracy’s eyes filled with tears. All this time Blake had been meeting with Rosy for this wonderful tree, just for her!

Gracy sniffed and told him, “I thought you were cheating on me.”

Blake cut her off. “I love you too mush to ever go to someone else. I was so worried that you were acting strange.” He hugged her close to him. “Merry Christmas to you sweetheart!”

The warm fire crackled beside them but it could not match the warmth they felt for one another.