“It was my idea,” Emma said proudly. “We made it while you were gone.”
While I was gone.
The tears flowed freely now. I lifted the house by its gold loop and let it dangle from my finger. It suddenly felt like a lifetime ago that I’d walked away from this rag-tag family, thinking I was better off.
“You’re officially part of the family, Maren,” Ethan said, coming to stand beside me. “We wanted you to know that.”
I blinked at them, moved beyond words. Carefully, I lifted the ornament and placed it on a branch at eye level, stepping back to admire it. The warm glow of the lights refracted in the glittery snow, making the little house look alive, like it was breathing.
Will pointed to his own ornament next. “Mine’s clear with a snowflake and Super Mario inside. First game I ever played. It’s, like… me.”
I held the branch steady while he placed it carefully, smiling at the tiny figure frozen mid-jump inside the globe. “That’s so you.”
Emma stood on her tiptoes to hang her glittery shooting star. I helped her find just the right spot, careful to tilt the star so the light caught it perfectly.
“Signature craftsmanship, as always,” I said with a grin, and she beamed.
Sadie bounced over next, holding the painted cat ornament, her small hands trembling with excitement. “Me next.”
I knelt beside her, helping her find the right branch, ensuring the cat faced outward. “There, perfect,” I said, and pressed a small kiss to her temple. She giggled, hugging my arm.
Finally, all the special ornaments were in place, glowing on the tree with the lights reflecting in every color. I stepped back, chest full, eyes misting over.
The kids began taking turns sharing their Christmas wishes. Sadie was first, of course. “I want a zoo for Christmas,” she declared loudly, eyes wide with seriousness.
Emma wrinkled her nose. “A zoo? Who’s gonna pick up all the poop?”
“Uncle Ethan and Uncle Miles.” Sadie waved her off, smiling, glittering with hope.
Adrian swiped a hand over his brow. “Phew, glad I got out of that one.”
Will sank into the couch smirking. “I think I want… a hundred more video games.”
The kids turned to us, eager to guess the adults’ wishes. “Uncle Ethan probably wants no Christmas break so he can work more,” Will said with a solemn lilt in his voice.
“And Uncle Adrian,” Emma added, eyes bright, “he wants color pencils of every color in the universe.”
“Uncle Miles wants extra hugs!” Sadie crashed into him with all of her weight.
He clung to her, rubbing her back. “That’s right, kiddo. Always extra hugs.”
The kids continued their playful banter, laughing and guessing, teasing and flailing about the tree. I watched them, my heart full, feeling the warmth of their joy, the magic of the tree, and the emotion radiating from the men who had become my family. Every ornament told a story. Every sparkle in the lights mirrored the laughter and love that had grown in this brownstone over the past few months.
Then Emma tugged at my sleeve. “What about you, Maren? What’s your Christmas wish?”
I didn’t know what to say, but my gaze flicked over to the three men lazing on the couch behind her.
28
Maren
“Can’t believe I didn’t know this place was here.” Ethan craned his neck in the driver’s seat to take in the view of the nondescript building as we pulled up.
“Is that where all the kids live?” Sadie pointed, her eyes shining with curiosity.
I smiled and slid the door open. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
The rental van pulled up in front of the orphanage, snowflakes swirling in the late-afternoon light like flecks of glitter caught on the wind. My anticipation was a mix of excitement and nerves. The kids tumbled out first, their scarves and mittens slightly damp, cheeks rosy from the cold. I followed, Adrian holding one hand, Miles another, and Ethan walking just a step behind me.
