Page 154 of The Twelve Months of Christmas
“Later? Later when?”
“You’ll know,” Mia said.
She didn’t need to say anymore. Arianna dropped it like a burning coal.
Mia was at her side now, looking adorable in the Christmas jammies Arianna and Sophie had given her earlier in the month. But frail. So frail.
“Oh, Mom,” Arianna said, tears filling her eyes.
“No crying. It’s Christmas Day, and this day is a good day. We don’t want to mar it with tears.”
Arianna swallowed hard, trying to be brave.
“You go on down and enjoy the rest of your day with your daughter and the evening with your darling when he gets here.” Mia put a hand to Arianna’s cheek. “Thank you for a lovely day. I know you have many more ahead of you.”
“She’s right, you know,” Alden said later when it was the two them alone on the couch, enjoying the glowing lights on the Christmas tree.
“I wish people didn’t have to die,” she said, wiping at a tear.
“I know,” he said. “But you wouldn’t want you mom to keep going, feeling more miserable all the time.” He kissed the side of her head. “The Christmas story makes everyone’s story better.”
They’d had music streaming in the background. “O Holy Night” began to play. Like a message.
“Kiss me,” she said, and he did, and there with his arms around her, she felt comforted.
The Weed had the kids for Christmas, but offered to give them up on New Year’s Eve and Day because she had plans to go into Seattle and party.
“Super Mom until they get in the way of her fun,” Sunny said in disgust.
“Hey, it works for me,” Travis said. He studied her. “You okay with not going out?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “Baby and I are perfectly happy to stay in. I can make that baked brie cheese in puff pastry I’ve been wanting to make.”
“That’ll be great for us. I’ll pick up chips and pop and hot dogs for the kids.”
“I’ll teach them how to play Pig,” she said.
“Dylan already knows how to be a pig,” cracked Travis.
“The card game,” she clarified.
“Oh, my gosh, that goofy thing your family plays? I had the world’s sorest nose after that game.”
“Yeah, but wasn’t it worth it? You didn’t end up being a pig.”
He rolled his eyes.
“We can play Spoons, too,” she said.
“No, I’ve seen how violent that game gets. I don’t need you getting hurt. Pig will be fine.”
“Okay. Pig and Wii bowling.”
He chuckled. “You are such a party girl.”
“What’s life without a party?” she retorted.
Indeed, and the kids were perfectly happy to play games on New Year’s Eve, and Travis and Sunny made it into a real party by letting them each invite a friend.
