Page 85 of Choices

And I've never been happier.

Diego and Lauren insisted they host us for Christmas. And truthfully, we were all happy to. The weatherman called for a white Christmas, and snow is always so much prettier at the farm than in the city, where it's instantly turned into dirty mush.

Plus, in Northern Virginia, snow could mean a few inches or a few feet, and none of us really want to be stranded in the city.

Christmas is on a Friday this year, so on Wednesday, we pack up the kids and all their stuff, plus presents, and head to the farm. Behind us, I can see them bouncing around and dancing in the SUV their mother is driving.

It warms my heart to see them so happy. I knew the divorce and disappearance of their father would be hard on them, but they're stronger than I thought they'd be.

The snow has just begun to fall in fat, chunky flakes as we pull through the gate at the farm. Rico increased the security here since the Vitale threat has been increasing. Here we had two layers of 24-hour patrols. It meant we could relax for the first time in weeks.

Maria, Diego's house manager/maid/personal chef greets us at the door with her arms wide. She may be on the payroll, but she acts like the Nona none of us had the luxury to have. The kids all run to her, practically dog-piling her and I make a mental note to remind them to be more gentle with her in the future.

Santiago and Rico pull out the luggage and bags full of gifts while Lauren, Diego and Hannah share their own rounds of hugs and well wishes.

Lauren went an extra mile this year decorating the house, I'm sure for the kids. It's a cruel God who denies a woman with such a big heart her own children to fill it.

But maybe sending Hannah and the kids is his way of making up for it? Lord knows she's starting to love these kids like her own.

Diego confided in us that she had been worried at first about stepping on Hannah's toes and acting too motherly. We'd confessed to Hannah and she'd laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes.

"I will never complain about someone loving my babies."

So here we are, all loving on her babies. We follow the chatting crowd into the house and disperse. Santiago and Rico go put the luggage in the rooms and the presents under the tree, and the kids and everyone else to the kitchen for Maria's homemade cookies.

It's Christmas Eve at the farm and it looks like something out of the movies. Diego and Lauren went the extra mile for the kids. Lights adorn every side of the house and the roofs, battery-powder candles sit in every window, and garland rests on the mantle and around the railings.

A twelve-foot Christmas tree adorns the corner of the living room, blocking one entire wall of windows.

That night, Maria, Lauren, Hannah, and Viv are in the kitchen, helping Maria prepare all the typical Colombian Christmas dishes - lechona, tamales, ajiaco, and natilla.

Normally, we don'tcelebrate Christmas, but this year we have every reason to.

Just as we're sitting down for dinner, the snow starts falling. It's freaking picture-perfect. And I've never been happier.

I grab Hannah's hand and squeeze it. Trying to convey just how much I love her.

But I need to say it. “I love you, pretty girl.” I say quietly, so that only she can hear me. I think she’s known it for awhile, but I don’t want to leave room for any doubt.

She gives me a look like she already knew, before she leans her head against my shoulder. “I love you too, Matthew Richarson.”

We watch our family chatting and laughing, Christmas music in the background, fire in the fireplace, good food, this little cocoon we’ve created for ourselves.

“It’s pretty perfect, isn’t it? The people, the food, the place?”

She looks up at me through her lashes with a serene smile on her face. I want to capture this moment forever. Our very own Happily-Ever-After.

I drop a kiss to her nose.

“It sure is, Pretty Girl.” And after a moment of hesitation. “You’re ours, right? Like, in it for the long haul?”

She’s surprised by my vulnerability but drops a chaste kiss on my lips. “Yeah, babe. I’m yours. Forever.”

Chapter thirty-seven

Rico

Christmas morning comes around and I wake to the sound of excited whispering down the hall. I pull Hannah against me.

---