Page 125 of The Twelve Months of Christmas
“Good thing you’re not driving,” Arianna said.
“That’s why I live down the street from you, designated driver,” Molly said.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“Yes. Dessert,” Sunny said. “You drink for two and I’ll eat for two,” she told Molly.
Arianna shook her head. “You guys.”
They made her smile, and were good medicine for her. It seemed like lately she had little more energy than her mother, and the girlfriend moments worked like a tonic.
“You know you love us,” joked Sunny.
“I do,” Arianna said, suddenly serious. “You’ve helped me stay sane. I really don’t know what I’d have done without you these past few months.”
“You’d have managed,” Molly said. “You’re stronger than you think, girl, and you’re doing great.”
“I’m managing, but there are times when I feel almost as tired as Mom is.” Keeping worry at bay was hard work and worry had a way of sneaking up on her like a vampire and draining her dry. “Between the business and taking care of Mom and Sophie, every once in a while I have to check to see if I’ve still got a grip on my life.”
“You do,” Molly assured her.
“Thanks to my friends,” she said, and smiled at both of them.
“You really are doing fine, and you’ll continue to, no matter what,” Molly said to her later as Arianna drove her home.
“No matter what,” Arianna repeated. Three words that should be stricken from the English language.
“Your mom was telling me only the other day how proud she is of you. You pulled yourself out of the pit of despair and you haven’t looked back.”
Arianna gave a snort. “Nothing to look back at. You know, when Wyatt said he wanted out I thought it was the end of the world.”
“Funny how there are always new worlds waiting to be explored,” said Molly.
Yes, there were.
Christmas in September was a smash hit and Sunny’s heart was full to overflowing to see her entire family present. In addition to the games she’d planned, they played teacher, allowing each kid to assign the grown-ups funny tasks. The best was Bella’s assignment for her dad.
“Not the chicken dance!” he protested.
“Extra credit,” said Bella.
“I don’t want extra credit,” he said.
“It’s either that or miss lunch,” Bella said sternly.
“I’ll dance,” he decided, and Sunny filmed it, already envisioning that up on TikTok.
She got another even more important video, one of Mia talking about life lessons she’d learned, her daughter seated next to her. “You should always give people the benefit of the doubt because you never know what they might be going through,” she said. “Always forgive because if you don’t the person who will suffer the most is you. And, finally, be grateful for each moment you have here because each one is a gift.”
She reached out and took Arianna’s hand and squeezed it, and Arianna managed a watery smile.
“Your followers will love this,” said Sunny. “And now, how about doing that latest dance craze that’s on TikTok, show ’em how to live every moment to the max.”
Mia looked horrified. “Oh, I couldn’t.”
“Sure you could,” said Sunny.
“How about we do a group dance,” Mia proposed.
