“Are you crying?” Cass reached out and wiped away a tear streaming down Charlie’s cheek. “What’s going on?”
Charlie shook her head. “Nothing. I was just thinking about our crazy swap last year and how it was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Being you made me realize what I really wanted my life to look like.”
“And being you did the same for me,” Cass said, her voice full of emotion, too. “And I’m so happy we’ve found a way to be together more often now, with the show.”
Charlie glanced over at Jake. “Hey, I need to do something before everything begins. You okay?”
“I am,” Cass said. “Just have to change.”
“I left the garment bag for you on our bed,” Charlie said, and Cass murmured her thanks before heading upstairs.
“Everything alright with you two?” Jake asked when Charlie joined him.
“All good. Just twin stuff,” Charlie said. “I wanted to give you something, before all the holiday chaos starts.” They were alone now, everyone else having moved to the kitchen or having joined the snowman-making outside. She reached under the tree and pulled out a rectangular box, tied with a green silky ribbon. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”
He untied the ribbon and took off the box’s lid, staring for a long moment at what was inside. A baked dog bone cookie with Big Sister written in white icing.
“Sharon made it, but I decorated it,” Charlie said. “It’s for you. Well, it’s for Bonnie, but the message is for you, obviously.”
Jake finally looked at Charlie and she saw . . . disappointment. Her heart sank.
“Who told you?” he asked, heaving a frustrated sigh. “I swore everyone to secrecy! Was it Miguel? Gran?”
“Told me what?”
He reached under the tree and handed Charlie his gift-wrapped box without a word. She opened it and inside rested a small golden dog tag. “What’s this?” she asked.
Before Jake could explain Faye walked back into the room, followed by the rest of the holiday guests, some who still had rosy cheeks from being outside. Suddenly the large living room was crammed with people. Charlie felt like she couldn’t get quite enough air.
“Gran, did you tell Charlie about the puppy?” Jake asked Faye.
“I most certainly did not,” Faye retorted.
“Puppy?” Charlie asked. She glanced at the dog tag again. “You got me a puppy?”
“She’s upstairs. A Havanese mix. I, uh, named her Marshmallow, but we can change it. I wanted it to be a surprise . . . she’s from the same rescue place as Bonnie. I dropped by with our Christmas donations, and when I met her, it was kind of like when I met you: love at first sight. She’s adorable and tiny and, well, she’s already destroyed our carpet and maybe one of your slippers.” Jake grimaced, then raised his hands and smiled. “Merry Christmas?”
“Oh my goodness . . . a puppy . . .” Charlie stared wide-eyed at Jake. “No one told me. I . . . I love the idea of a puppy, and can’t wait to meet her, but . . . That’s not what this message is about, Jake.”
The room went quiet as Jake read the biscuit’s message out loud. “？‘Big Sister’？”
Charlie nodded, tears coming to her eyes again.
“Oh goodness me,” Faye exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “She’s pregnant!”
“We’re having a baby?” Jake’s expression was shocked—but delighted.
Charlie started to laugh through her tears. “Merry Christmas?” she said, her voice wobbly. Jake whooped and then everyone gasped and cheered as he picked her up and spun her around.
“This is the best present ever,” Jake murmured, setting her back down as he kissed her.
“You’re sure?” Charlie asked.
“I’m sure,” Jake replied.
Cass peeked her head around the landing, looking just as overjoyed as everyone else. “Oh, Charlie.”
Charlie glanced up the stairs at her sister. “I’m sorry. I wanted to surprise you with the news later. I didn’t want to take anything away from you and Miguel today, so—”
“Take what away from Cass and Miguel?” Essie asked, just as Miguel walked into the room, impossibly handsome in a black tuxedo, a white rose secured on his lapel. He looked dapper but nervous, his fingers fiddling with his bow tie. But then he stilled, seeing Cass, and his breath caught. Absolutely mesmerized, all he could get out was, “Wow.”