I took the chair next to her at the table. “It would be a tragedy for you not to be anyone’s mother. Victoria loves you. Why I used to kind of hate you.”
Her head jerked up and we shared a chuckle. “I don’t hate you, Sara. Not then, and not now. It makes me happy we’re able to be friends and give Victoria a great Christmas.”
“Me too.” My lips curved into a smile. “Thanks for not making me sleep on the porch.”
She giggled and dropped her hand to my forearm. “Thanks for making us dinner.”
“Morning,” Josh muttered as he stumbled into the kitchen, pressing a kiss to the back of Brianna’s head before making his way to the coffeepot.
“Isn’t it like the butt crack of dawn? I know whyI’mup this early.” He squinted at us as he took a sip of coffee. “No clue why the two of you are.”
“I had nervous energy, so I finished prepping dinner for later and finished baking. Well, I’ll be finished when Victoria wakes up and ices the cupcakes.”
“She needs to be in bed early tonight.” Josh nodded to her room down the hallway. “I have that bike to put together. It’s too big to hide.”
“Are you going to be able to do that in one night?”
Josh answered me with a cocky grin. “I can do it in an hour. It’s what I do all day. This one doesn’t have an engine so maybe forty minutes.” He snickered before putting the empty mug in the sink.
“I have some last-minute gifts to get.” Brianna downed the rest of her coffee. “I want to get to the mall when it opens.”
“On Christmas Eve?” I shrieked.
“Some things I can’t hide either.” She winked at me before rising from the chair. She gave Josh a quick kiss on the lips before rushing out of the kitchen.
I leaned my elbows on the table and swiveled my head. “You got really lucky finding someone like Brianna.”
“And fuck, don’t I know it.” He chuckled as he ambled over to the table.
“She’s so damn understanding. She’s almost not even—”
“Real? That crossed my mind more times than I could ever count, and you don’t even know the half of it. All I put her through when we were kids.” His eyes went vacant for a quick moment. “Anyway, I’m glad you guys are getting along. And we can all make Christmas nice for our kid this year.”
I smiled until my eyes landed on my phone. I stared at Denise’s text most of the morning but still hadn’t decided if I was texting her back. “This is definitely shaping up to be her best Christmas so far.”
“I better get going. Shop is closing early, but we have some deliveries and pickups.”
“People really buy motorcycles as Christmas presents?” I squinted at Josh.
“You’d be surprised. See you guys tonight.” He left the kitchen, and I was alone once again, tapping my finger, trying not to stare at the phone.
Denise had nothing to do with my parents cutting me off, as she was only a kid. I needed to move past the fear and get back the family I had left.
Snatching my phone before I lost my nerve, I pulled up Denise’s text and punched out a reply.
Me: Merry Christmas to you, too. I miss you. I’m in Queens until January 3. If you’d like to see me and meet your niece, let me know.
I meant it, all of it. I missed her so much and wanted her to finally meet Victoria. Maybe this was the holiday season for miracles.
Sara
“SO, WHAT IFI just open one . . .” Victoria shook one of the smaller presents under the tree as she pouted her lip at all three of us. Josh was ready to acquiesce before I held up my hand.
“Tomorrow. Josh and Brianna don’t know your Christmas M.O. One turns into two, then you want to wait up for Santa.” I crouched on the floor and kissed her forehead before I took it back.
“That was the best lasagna I’ve ever had in my whole life. Seriously, best Christmas Eve dinner I’ve ever had.” Brianna gushed from behind us. “And dessert.”
“Santa has like ten different cookies this year, too!” Victoria’s eyes widened. She forgot about the present, as I predicted she would.
