Page 47 of Candy Canes & Caroling

“Just cut it!” Heather exclaimed as the room filled with laughter.

Cameron picked up the knife, and Becca put her hand over Cameron’s. Once they’d cut down into it, they removed a slice and held it up. The shock on their face spoke volumes right before they both started crying. The cake was forgotten as they held each other, swaying back and forth as Cameron whispered in Becca’s ear.

“It’s a girl!” Ivy shouted when it was clear they weren’t going to announce it.

Heather squealed joyfully and threw her arms around Mel as the crowd cheered and clapped for the couple. After the applause died down and Cameron and Becca were still hugging, Heather slipped up to the table and whispered something in Cam’s ear. “Cam and Becca need a moment,” Heather said to the group. “Let’s eat cake, and then they’ll be out to visit with you all.”

Cameron led Becca out of the room, and Mel started serving cake as Indigo brought two more sheet cakes from the back room. “I’m worried about Becca,” Hazel said, biting her lip as she glanced behind us.

“Give Cameron some time alone with her. I’m sure they both need time to process, and it’s hard to do that in a room full of people.”

“Especially for Becca,” she said. “Her history dictates that being a girl means you’re weak and voiceless.”

“And she just found out she’s having a girl,” I finished, the scene coming into focus for me. “I didn’t think of that, but you’re right. That might be a shock.”

“Yep,” Hazel said, glancing behind her again.

“I’m surprised they decided to do a gender reveal in public. Becca had to have known there was a fifty-fifty chance.”

“Becca probably didn’t know she’d have this kind of reaction. It wasn’t on her radar, so to say, until it happened. That’s how PTSD works sometimes.”

“Sneak attacks,” I sighed, glancing behind us.

I would have to take Hazel’s mind off it for a bit, or she’d run back there to comfort Becca. That was one of my favorite things about her, though. She cared about everyone, even those she just met. “Since everyone is in here, we should go out there,” I said, motioning to the door. “Let’s go check out the tree farm while the sun shines!”

Hazel glanced behind her one more time and then met my gaze. “I know what you’re doing and I’ll allow it, but only if you agree to let me check on Becca before we leave.”

My sneaky smile was front and center when I winked. Of course, she knew I was playing her, but I crossed my heart anyway. “We won’t be out there long since I’m not wearing layers, but I’d like to look for the trees we need at New Beginnings.” I turned my chair back to the door. “Star, forward,” I whispered, hoping to escape before Ivy saw us leaving.

“Trees?” Hazel asked, following alongside my chair until we got to the door. She pushed it open and held it for Star and me to go through.

“We need to decorate the rec room for Indigo’s reception, correct?” I asked, and she nodded. “Then we need a big tree for the rec room. I thought I’d put one up in my apartment, and I figured you might want one for yours too.” My shrug was almost noticeable as I pushed my chair down the path toward the first part of the tree grove. The rubber tiles squeaked under my wheels, but I was surprised by how accessible it was for wheelchairs. “I figured we could pick out the ones we want and have someone from the tree farm deliver them for us whenever they have time.”

We wheeled between the first row of trees, and Hazel grasped my arm, so I had to stop propelling. She leaned down and braced her hands on my chair. “The Grinch wants a tree?”

“I’m not a Grinch,” I said with a sigh. “I just don’t have warm Christmas memories like you, Hazel.”

“Something tells me there’s more to it than that,” she said, still fully engaged and forcing eye contact, which made me uncomfortable. “My love for Christmas comes from my birthday being Christmas Eve. Where does your dislike for it come from?”

“Your birthday is Christmas Eve?” I asked, unable to keep the surprise from my voice.

“Why do you think I love Christmas so much?” she asked, her eyes sparkling.

“You aren’t going to believe me when I tell you this, but my birthday is Christmas Day.”

“What?” she gasped, her eyes rounding like saucers. “Are you serious?”

“Never been more serious. I was born at three minutes after twelve on Christmas morning.”

“This is so cool!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands like a giddy child. “I knew there was a reason I took the job here.”

“Birthdays were never a big deal in the family I grew up in. We never had parties, cakes, or gifts and even more so for mine. I was told early on that I wasn’t allowed to make Christmas about my birthday, so I pretended my birthday didn’t exist. That made it easier on the day I missed my mom the most, and I wondered what kind of life we could have had together. I’ve lived that way for twenty-five years, but you’re changing that for me this year. Your enthusiasm for the holiday has shown me that it’s okay to celebrate Christmas and my birthday without guilt. I’ll need your help to decorate my tree, though. Otherwise, all the ornaments will be at waist level or below.”

“Points for that one, Wallace,” she said with a smirk. “How about if we pick out two trees? One for the rec room and one for your apartment. That’s two trees for me to decorate and one to sit by in the evening with the only person I want to spend Christmas with this year.”

“You sure?” I asked, my gaze intent on hers. Hazel could never hide her true emotions, and what I saw in her eyes took my breath away. She was sure about the trees and where she wanted to spend Christmas—or rather, who she wanted to spend it with. Me.

“If there’s one thing you can be assured of, Irving, it’s that I say what I mean and mean what I say. I’m so glad I came to Bells Pass and met you. It happened at a time in my life when I thought I’d never be happy again, but you changed all of that just by being you.”

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