"Thank you, Dad."
"We make a good team," he says with a smile that gives me a hint of a future collaboration, and for the first time in a long time, I feel the bond with my father strengthening.
The bell dings for the third time.
"They're here," Ash says, running to the door.
"Ash!"
"Xander!"
The twins run to us in turn and then swap. In the time I've been spending with them, I'm realizing they have two speeds. Very quiet and focused or extra energetic and bouncy.
I love to tease Ash and say they're like mini girl-versions of him, which always gets me a look, but I know he's secretly proud of the comparison.
We sit around the table I bought specially to fit everyone. Christmas is four days away, and today is the last time we can all be together. Mia and Nicki will be with Nicki's family, my parents decided to start their retirement travels early and are going for a Caribbean Christmas, and I've been invited by Victoria to join them at the farm.
All I can say is that I'm glad Ash has his own cottage because I'm planning on unwrapping our very special presents without an audience.
"What's that noise?" I ask.
"I didn't hear anything, Xander," Annie says.
"Wait. I think I hear it," my dad says. "Is it the roof?"
"Oh no, don't tell me it's happened again this year," I sigh. "Every single Christmas."
The twins perk up, and Izzy says she hears something too, which is funny because there's no actual noise. Ash snorts.
There's a knock on the door.
"Well," I declare. "I better see who it might be."
"We'll go," the twins say, and run to the door.
They gasp when Santa is on the other side, bag full of presents in hand. Poor Santa, also known as Mia's actor friend, almost falls sideways when the girls pull him in to have cookies and milk.
Santa leaves them a few presents because they've been good girls all year, and then heads off to deliver the rest to all the boys and girls around the world.
"Poor man," Izzy says.
"I know," Annie follows.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"He thinks he's Santa. But it's okay, we didn't ruin it for him," Annie says.
"Yeah, everyone deserves a hug sometimes. Especially at Christmas," Izzy says.
All the adults stare at each other, and the room erupts in fits of laughter.
"I guess next year we can do without Santa," I whisper in Ash's ear.
He nods. He's laughing so hard there are tears in his eyes.
The day has turned out so much better than either of us expected. After everyone is gone, we clear up and then sit on the couch in front of the Christmas tree, enjoying the warm glow of the fireplace.
I can see Ash looking at the publishing contract under the tree, like a present. I know every word that is printed inside the envelope, but this must be his decision.
