“It’s so good to see you, Lindy.” She heard that again and again, and it never grew old. Most of these friends of her parents were ones Lindy had known nearly her entire life. They were as close to family as one could get without a blood connection.
It was after eleven before the house was quiet once again. Lindy sent her parents to bed, as they were overly tired from the day’s activities. She cleared the plates and cups, filled the dishwasher and set it to wash, then headed toward her bedroom, too. Sitting up in bed, she looked over at her nightstand and saw the letter she’d written to Santa just a week earlier.
She reached for it and started to read again.
Dear Santa…
* * *
—
Unlike her childhood, Lindy slept in late on Christmas morning. With sheer determination, she managed to focus on the holiday and put any decision-making off for another time. Today was for family and fun.
Her mother already had the turkey roasting when Lindy made her way into the kitchen.
“Merry Christmas, Mom,” she said, and gave her mother a peck on the cheek.
“Merry Christmas,” her mother echoed. “I believe this is the best Christmas ever.”
Her mother said the same thing every year.
“I believe it is, too,” Lindy said, and this Christmas she felt it more so than any other. Her life had seemed to have made a positive turn. No matter what happened with Media Blast, she knew she’d given this latest project her best shot. Knowing that was what mattered most.
“Dad’s making breakfast.”
He sat in his recliner, next to the flickering fire in the brick fireplace, his iPad in his hand. “Just waiting for Sleeping Beauty to make an appearance,” he said.
Her dad’s sourdough hotcakes were not to be missed. Her mother started sizzling the bacon. Within fifteen minutes they’d gathered around the kitchen table, passing butter and pure, warmed maple syrup.
They’d decided to wait for Chad, Ashley, and Peter before opening the gifts. Seeing that the family would arrive at about noon, Lindy helped her mother get all the side dishes ready and the table set. She added an extra place setting on the off chance Billy could join them.
Right on the dot, Chad, Ashley, and Peter arrived. Sleepy from the drive, Peter waddled over, yawning loudly, to hug Lindy.
“Did Santa arrive at your house this morning?” she asked, picking him up and balancing him against her hip.
He nodded with another big yawn. “I got a fire truck and LEGOs and new pajamas.”
“Anything on your list that Santa forgot?” she asked. Knowing he loved working the wooden puzzles, she’d gotten him four that were currently under the tree. Her parents had wrapped up a child-style teepee tent for him that would fit nicely in his playroom. Peter would love that. He’d seen one in a catalog and had run to show his grandma.
He was late for his nap, so Lindy settled them both in the rocking chair. Peter closed his eyes and started to drift off to sleep, all the while protesting. He wanted to open his presents, pointing toward the Christmas tree.
“I want more presents,” he said with a pout.
“Take your nap first, and then we’ll open all the gifts. Okay?”
Asking was a mistake. “No, I want to open them now.”
“Sh-h-h, in a little bit,” she whispered, and continued to rock. It wasn’t long before he stopped fussing and fell into a deep sleep. Content, Lindy brushed the soft hair from his forehead and continued to gently hold him against her heart.
Soon after Peter was asleep, her brother approached her. “Let me take him. I’ll put him down in my old room.”
“Don’t you dare,” Lindy mouthed back. Holding the sleeping toddler in her arms was both comfortable and relaxing. Sitting by the warm fire, with Peter nestled in her arms, Lindy soon felt sleepy herself. Beau snuggled at the base of the chair. This was about as close to tranquility as she could imagine.
After an hour her nephew woke, sat up, and rubbed his eyes. “Can we open the gifts now?” he asked, eager to get off Lindy’s lap. “You said we could after I woke up.”
“I’m going to need an assistant to help distribute all these presents,” her father said, walking over to the gaily decorated tree. He picked up one of the wrapped gifts and looked to Peter.
“I can do it,” Peter said, eager to be helpful.
“Thank you, Peter,” her dad said. “I’ll read off the names and you can deliver them. Sound good?”
Peter nodded, nearly bouncing on his feet with anticipation.