Page 43 of Two Hearts' Christmas Homecoming

Lex stilled, finally blinking. “I did, didn’t I?”

Amy jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly.

* * *

Everyone was gathered together on Christmas Eve in the living room when Lex began readingThe Night Before Christmas.

He’d actually been able to memorize the entire book.

Zane cheered him on, and even sat and sang beside Lex on the grand piano bench as Lex played Christmas music for nearly an hour.

‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas,’Zane sang before everyone in the room joined in.

When he was finished, Amy applauded.

“Come here, Amy,” Lex muttered. “Let’s see if you can remember.”

“You’ve actually been teaching her, Lex?” Lucy asked.

“I sure have, Mom,” Lex replied.

Ignoring the obvious silence after he’d called LucyMom,Lex started playing an intro for Amy. Resting both hands on the keyboard, she began tentatively plugging away atWe Wish You A Merry Christmas.

“You’re doing well, Amy,” Zane reassured her.

“So far, you’ve played all the right notes,” Lex agreed.

When she finished playing the entire song without a single flub, Lex had her stand up and bow to everyone’s applause.

Amy smiled widely, turning and giving Lex a big hug.

Sheepish, Lex patted her gently on the back.

“I could use one of those myself, Lex,” Mom said in an unsteady voice. “Or, rather, son.”

“Me too,” Dad said gruffly.

Lex cleared his throat. “Mom…Dad.”

They came together, hugging him tightly.

“I think I need one of those too when you’re finished with Lex, Mom and Dad,” Zane said hoarsely. “I don’t know what we would have done without all of you in our lives.”

There were a lot of tears shed their first Christmas Eve together, and it was a night Lex would remember for the rest of his life.

* * *

One month later, everyone was gathered around the dinner table for a change. Zane was getting ready to go back on the road, and Harry would soon be entering the Academy.

“I think I’d like to join the Air Force too,” Lex said to Izzy, much to everyone’s surprise. “I just don’t know if I can make the cut since I’m still so behind with school. I don’t even know when I’ll be able to get a drivers’ license, let alone become a pilot. But I’m really interested in learning how to fly.”

Izzy turned to Dad. “What do you think, Dad?”

“If that’s what you really want, then that’s what we’re going to help you do,” Dad replied. “Sure, it might take a little longer, and you’ll probably have to enlist rather than enter the Academy as Harry, and probably Izzy, are going to be able to do. But I’m a firm believer that you can do anything if you want it bad enough.”

Mom put down her fork. “I have some exciting—and surprising—news for everyone too.”

Everyone’s eyes were upon her.

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