Page 44 of Unholy Night

“Mom! You have presents too! Open mine first though!” She presses a package into my hands. I look down and it’s wrapped in birthday paper she must’ve found shoved in a closet somewhere.

Carefully I undo the paper and pull out the picture frame made of popsicle sticks and bits of crafts supplies. Where she found the picture to put inside, I have no idea. It’s of the day she was born, just me and her and I’m smiling larger than I can remember ever smiling. If I count, I can probably see every tooth in my mouth. Underneath the picture in glue and gold glitter, ‘Number 1 Mom’ is written.

“Do you like it? I used the rest of the gold glitter on this, that’s why we had to use silver for Satan Claus’ letter.”

My chin wobbles as I trace my fingers gently over the picture. “I love it.”

Setting it aside, I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my lap. She barely fits anymore, but I pepper her face with kisses just like I did when she was a toddler. She squirms and complains until I throw in some tickles too, which cause her to giggle. We’re interrupted when Rudolph tries to fit in my lap too, causing both of us to laugh when he seems bewildered why he doesn’t fit.

“Love you, Mommy.” Mandy throws her arms around my neck then quickly jumps out of my lap. “Now! Open the other presents!”

Without waiting she rips into the waiting gifts with glee, little squeals of excitement as she finds gifts I wouldn’t have been able to afford even if I still had my job. A game console with games. I pick one up and glance at the cover and am thankful they’re age appropriate.

“Mommy! Open some of yours too! I’ll help Rudolph.” Indeed, the hound has a pile of his own presents, one that is bone-shaped and already sporting signs of chewing and drool.

“Okay.” I surreptitiously wipe the tears from my eyes and open the nearest gift, careful to keep Mandy’s close. I try to not gasp when I see the luxurious bottles of skin care products I only dreamed about and the lotions that cost a small fortune.

“Are those nice?” Mandy pauses to look at me in curiosity. “They don’t look like the ones you normally use.”

“More than nice.” I open one of the bottles and take a delicate sniff. “These are the kinds of things only really rich people use.”

“Good! You’re already so pretty, you’ll probably look so amazing after using those Mr. Lucifer won’t be able to look away!” With that she returns to her stack of presents.

I push away the pain her comment brings and instead focus on what I received. Even if I never see Lucifer again, I will remember our magical night every time I use these, and feel even more magnificent.

After that, the presents continue to grow in expense, clothes, shoes, things I’ve denied myself for years, all ending with a bracelet of rubies flashing with fire. They’re even warm to the touch as I lift the bracelet from the box. I bring it close to my eyes in astonishment. Real rubies are often cloudy, not the crystal clear red stones people like to call rubies. Maybe they aren’t rubies after all, maybe they’re some sort of special stone you can only find in Hell.

“Ooooh.” Mandy leans over and studies the bracelet. “It looks like there is a little bit of fire in each one.”

“It really does.” I nod. Maybe there really is a little piece of fire in each stone, given who it’s from. Who knows? And the thought of having something that was made in hell makes me smile. Which would have sounded insane yesterday. But today I know how precious stones from Hell are, that they are created by souls wanting to be better.

I place the bracelet back in the box and carefully tuck it with the frame Mandy made. After I’m sure they’re safe I turn to Mandy and the giant pug. “Now, show me what you two got!”

Rudolph turns his head as if understanding and shows off a studded collar, obviously proud. He also has a matching leash and food bowls. And food. Someone in Hell is clearly a planner and I have a feeling I owe Fuchsia a thank you.

By the time every present has been unwrapped and carefully examined all three of our stomachs are rumbling. Laughing at Mandy’s attempt to drag the dog food to the kitchen, I follow behind her with Rudolph's new bowls while the dog himself keeps pushing at Mandy’s legs as if to hurry her along. In the kitchen we put down a towel, because I’m certain Rudolph is not going to be a neat eater, and set up his bowls.

While Mandy feeds her new best friend I turn to the fridge and frown. There isn’t much for us to eat and there certainly won’t be any large Christmas breakfast. But there is cereal and just enough milk to feed Mandy, and I take that as a small sort of win. I grab a bowl before opening my pantry and come to an instantaneous halt. It is full. Every shelf is lined with food. Canned goods, different types of cereal, even a bag of potatoes meet my eyes. Real potatoes. Not the flaky kind that comes in a box. Bread, bagels, and rice fill just one shelf. Stacked neatly on the floor are paper goods and more dog food.

“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Mandy comes to stand next to me. “When did we get all of that? Oh my god! Look! It’s the chocolate loop cereal I’ve been asking for! Can I have that for breakfast? Please?”

I don’t answer her. Instead I close the door and walk to the refrigerator.

“Mommy?” Mandy trails behind me. “Can I have the cereal?”

“Just a minute, bunny.” I grab the handle and slowly open the door. I let out my breath and stare at the full shelves. Eggs, milk, butter, fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit. There’s even yogurt. How do they know the types of yogurt we like?

I lift my hand to my mouth and whirl to the counter where my stack of unpaid bills sat last night. They are gone. Tears fill my eyes. I know if I call the companies I will have zero balances.

“Mommy?” Mandy watches me with worry. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I reach out and pull her to me. Her little arms wrap around my waist and she presses her face against my stomach. “I’m very much okay.”

“Did Mr. Lucifer give us all this food?”

“I think so, bunny.” I let go with one hand and wipe the tears from my face. When did he have time to plan this? When did it occur to him to do this for us? “Maybe with some help from his friends.”

“I really like Mr. Lucifer. He’s nice, isn’t he?”

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