Page 101 of Pity Present

Colby is clearly on board with this idea because he comes over and picks me up like he’s going to follow through with Molly’s orders. Then he laughingly ruffles the hair on my head before practically dropping me on the ground. He must have been watching the clock because the buzzer sounds to signal the end of halftime.

I don’t even watch the second half of the game. I spend the whole time holding Molly’s hand and telling her how sorry I am. Itell her that I think she’s wonderful, and I thank her repeatedly for giving me another chance.

She says, “I liked you from the moment you saved me from falling on my face.”

“Which time?” I tease.

“Every time,” she tells me. “But that’s why this whole thing is so scary.”

“I promise on everything that’s important to me that I’ll never lie to you again, Molly.”

She nods her head slowly before leaning closer to me. Then she takes me by surprise and kisses me right there at the Bulls game. The kiss is sweet and special. It’s full of hope and possibility. I’m about to pull her closer when we hear the crowd start to chant our names. Breaking apart, we look up at the Jumbotron to see that we’re front and center on the Kiss Cam, which signals us to give them the kiss they’re demanding. And by golly, we give an all-star performance.

Tonight I learned that Christmas really does bring miracles. It brought Molly back to me, and this time, I’m not going to screw things up.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

MOLLY/ONE YEAR LATER

“Pass the french toast!” Ellen shouts down the length of the dining room table.

Blake picks up the tray and sends it in the direction of my sister, who is eight months pregnant and eating like she’s gestating quadruplets. Luckily, she’s only got twins in there.

Blake blows me a kiss before mouthing the words, “Merry Christmas.”

I cannot believe how many wonderful things this last year has brought. Blake and I have been nearly inseparable since the Bulls game last year. True to his word, he hasn’t lied to me once. Although, I wish he would have when I asked him if my new pants made my butt look big. At least after saying yes, he reminded me that nobody likes a bone but a dog. That’s when I decided he meant it as a compliment.

Henry stands up and raises his orange juice glass into the air. “I would like to toast to my lovely wife Ellen, who has blessed me not only by marrying me, but by giving me twin boys.”

My dad calls out, “Here, here!”

My mom adds, “Next Christmas is going to be wild!”

Henry’s kids are here with us, and they’re as excited as their dad about the additions to their family.

After we finish breakfast, we head off into the living room to open presents. Blake already gave me mine last night, and I love it. It’s a gold necklace with two hearts entwined together like they’re one.

After all the gifts are opened, I stand up and announce, “We need to get over to Blake’s parents’ house and then we’re taking off to the lodge.” We’ve decided to visit the Elk Lake Lodge every year at Christmas to remember where our love affair started.

My mom jumps to her feet. “Let me wrap up a fruit cake for you to take.”

My dad announces, “I bought them a bottle of scotch. It’s on the counter.”

We hurry to say goodbye to everyone and wish them a very Merry Christmas before heading out the door. As soon as we get into the car the phone rings. I look at the screen and announce, “It’s Ben.”

“Hey, Bennie,” I answer. “How are you doing?”

“Great!” he says “I got new ice skates, and a new basketball, and a fish tank!”

“You must have been a very good boy this year,” I tell him. And I know he was. He’s not had an easy time with his treatment, but the artemisinin regimen he was put on seems to really be helping.

“You know I was!” Ben says. “I just called to tell you guys that I love your present and I can’t wait to see you on New Year’s Day.” Blake and I bought Ben and his parents Bulls tickets to the rest of this season’s games. Their seats are right next to ours.

Ben says, “Mom wants to talk to you, so I’ll see you in a week!”

Francies takes the phone and says, “Merry Christmas, you two!”

“Merry Christmas to you guys,” we say in unison.

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