The Investigation
By Saturday, I couldn’t shake the doubt. I told Mark there was an emergency at the hospital. “I’ll probably be gone all day,” I said, feigning concern about a non-existent patient.
He kissed me on the cheek. “No worries. Emma and I will keep busy.”
After leaving the house, I parked around the corner and waited. Ten minutes later, Mark and Emma got into his car and drove off. I followed them at a distance, my hands trembling on the wheel.
They headed out of town, where houses were sparse and trees thickened. Finally, Mark pulled into a picturesque house. The snow-covered yard, the red door—it looked like something out of a Christmas card.
My heart sank when a woman stepped out onto the porch. She had soft brown hair, a warm smile, and handed Emma a candy cane before hugging her. Mark greeted her familiarly and walked inside.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I parked and marched toward the house.
The Truth
“Excuse me!” I called, my voice trembling.
“Mommy!” Emma squealed, running toward me.
The woman turned, smiling warmly. “Oh, hello! You must be Eleanor.”
I stopped short. “And you are?”
“Lily,” she said, extending a hand. “I’m the contractor working on the house.”
“Contractor?” I echoed, confused.
“Yes,” she replied, her smile faltering. “Wait, you didn’t know? Oh dear…”
Before I could respond, Mark appeared in the doorway, his face pale. “Eleanor, what are you doing here?”
“I think the better question is, what are you doing here? And why is our daughter calling this the ‘secret house’?”
Mark sighed. “I can explain.”
“Then start talking,” I demanded.
A Christmas Surprise
Mark gestured to the house. “This is for us,” he said. “I bought it with my inheritance from Dad. I’ve been working with Lily to renovate it as a surprise. For you. For us. I wanted to make your life easier—closer to the hospital, less commuting. I didn’t want to tell you until it was perfect.”
I stared at him, speechless. “You… did this for me?”
“For us,” he corrected. “It’s everything you’ve ever wanted. Emma has her own playroom, there’s a reading nook by the window, and the kitchen… it’s your dream.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as Emma tugged at my sleeve. “See, Mommy? It’s like the gingerbread house! Can we decorate it with candy too?”
I laughed, wiping away tears. “Thank you,” I whispered, pulling Mark into a kiss.
A Christmas to Remember
By Christmas Eve, we had moved in and decorated the house with a gingerbread theme—twinkling lights, candy canes, and laughter filling every room. It was a holiday I’d never forget, a reminder of love, trust, and the sweet surprises life has to offer.