When the star was in place, I switched on the lights. The tree burst into color, and Stella whooped like she'd seen real magic.
"Mom! Come look!"
Elena poked her head out of the kitchen. The sight ofthe lit tree made her face bloom into that soft smile I knew so well. A familiar tightness settled in my chest — this was what happiness felt like.
God, five years ago, I almost tore all this apart.
"It's beautiful." Elena came and stood beside me. "You two did well."
"No doubt." I wrapped an arm around her waist. "My daughter and I make a great team."
She leaned into me, relaxed. "Proud," she said, smiling.
The fire crackled in the fireplace, throwing warm light across the room. I'd stacked wood earlier so the flames would last. The air smelled like gingerbread and hot cocoa, pine and warm wood — everything a Christmas should smell like.
After dinner, the three of us curled up on the couch for a holiday movie. Stella sat between us; Elena and I flanked her. We put on Home Alone, and she laughed until she snorted.
"That kid's so smart!" she said.
"He is." I smiled. "But if bad guys came, you wouldn't have to booby-trap the house like he did. You'd call Dad, and I'd sort it."
She nodded solemnly. "Because Dad would protect Mom and me."
"Always." I squeezed her small hand. "Dad will always protect you."
Elena's hand covered mine — warm and soft. We shared a look that said everything we didn't have to say.
When the movie ended, it was time for what Stella had been waiting for: presents. She ran to the tree in a little red dress I'd bought — velvet with white lace — and looked every bit the little princess I called her.
She grabbed a medium box and tore off the paper, squealing when she saw a doll. "It's Lily! A talking Lily!"
"You like it?"
"Love it!" She spun, hugging the doll. "Thanks, Dad!"
Seeing her grin warmed something in me.
"Here's another." I handed her one more box.
She opened it carefully. A kid's jewelry kit smiled back at her, and her eyes lit up. "Now I can make pretty things like Mom!"
"Be careful with the tools," Elena warned. "Some are sharp."
"I'll be careful!" Stella promised.
Then she lunged at a giant pink box, undoing the ribbon like it was a race. She lifted the lid and squealed at a massive teddy bear. "This bear will sleep with me every night! It's bigger than me!"
The bear was all soft brown fur and kind button eyes. Stella buried her face into its belly and then — I saw it — she blinked, a flicker of confusion crossing her face.
"Mom, there's something in here."
My hands started to shake. I'd never been this nervous — not in a shootout, not in a negotiation. Now my chest hammered and my palms sweated.
"Let me see." Elena reached in, found a zipper on the bear's belly, and unzipped it. She pulled out a velvet box, and her mouth fell open. The room went quiet except for the fire.
"Open it, Mom!" Stella urged, bouncing with excitement.
Elena's fingers trembled as she lifted the lid and inhaled when she saw the ring.
