Page 72 of Yuletide Acres

“You did so good,” Poppy smiles at Marissa, accepting her cocoa with a smile. “I’m going to sit right here and take some photos of you three decorating.”

Marissa shakes her head. Wrong answer, Poppy. “You have to help. I have the most important job for you.”

Poppy’s face softens as she sets down her cocoa. “What’s that?”

Marissa pulls out the angel topper, placing it in Poppy’s lap. “I want you to put up the angel. It’s for my mom.”

I hold my breath, uncertain how Poppy is going to react. I know it’s hard for her, the fact that I’ve been married. I’ve had a child. All these things we planned together; I’ve already done.

But my beautiful Sunshine Girl surprises me yet again as she smooths the angel’s dress. I see her wide hazel eyes bright with tears as she smiles at Marissa.

Without a word, she reaches out her hand to my little girl, leading her to the tree. Handing her the angel, she scoops her into her arms. “I have a better idea.” Lifting her up, she helps Marissa place the angel, assisting until she sits straight on the bough. “It’s a beautiful angel for a beautiful angel, from her beautiful angel.”

I hold back the tears, but when Marissa throws her arms around Poppy’s neck, a few slide down my cheeks. I hear sniffling to my left and see my mother dabbing her eyes.

“Now it feels like Christmas,” my mother whispers, wrapping her arm around my waist.

She’s right. Ever since Poppy returned to my life, every day feels like Christmas.

We spend the next hour decorating the tree and dancing to Christmas songs. Then we all pile together on the couch as the snow piles up outside.

Marissa insists on sticking near Poppy, her head resting on her shoulder as we admire the twinkling lights. “Where does your family live, Poppy? Are they coming here for Christmas?”

My ears perk up at the question because the truth is, I know nothing about Poppy’s past. She insisted on living in the moment, not delving into the dungeons of yesteryear.

“I don’t have any family.” Poppy meets my gaze and I realize I’m finally going to learn the history of my Sunshine Girl.

“You don’t have family?” Marissa inquires, her nose scrunched in confusion.

Poppy shakes her head, turning Marissa to the side to braid her hair. “No, I’m an orphan.”

“What does that mean?”

“My parents died when I was very little. I don’t remember them.”

“Like me?” Marissa’s eyes widen at the idea that Poppy can understand her so intimately.

I see the tears shining in Poppy’s eyes as she nods. “Just like you. But I didn’t have a wonderful father and grandmother. I grew up in foster homes.”

“What’s a foster home?”

“It’s families that take in kids that have nowhere to go. I lived in four foster homes until I was sixteen. The last family I was with planned to adopt me.”

“Why didn’t they?” I really hope that Marissa isn’t pressing Poppy too hard. My heart hurts with the knowledge of her tragic upbringing.

Poppy pauses, wiping a stray tear. “They died in a car accident. So, they didn’t get a chance.”

Marissa turns back to face Poppy, wiping her tears with her tiny fingers. “I’ll adopt you, Poppy. I’ll be your family.”

With a cry, Poppy pulls Marissa close and I waste no time in embracing them both. My heart breaks for the tragedies that Poppy endured, and now I finally understand why she held those around her at arm’s length.

Everyone she loved left her.

Including me.

As I pull Poppy to my chest, murmuring words of comfort, I know two things for certain.

Poppy will never be alone again, and I’m expanding our family as soon as possible.

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