I shove Grizz away playfully.
“You girls go get the gifts sorted. We’ll clean up,” Tommy says, but doesn’t look like he’s going to move at all. The whole dish of food is gone. All of us certainly over-ate.
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” I get up and hurry out of the kitchen, Kelsey behind me.
“You leaving the baby in there?” she asks.
“They can manage.”
The tree has been accumulating gifts for over a week now. When things would come in, we’d wrap it right away, label it, and shove it under. There are so many, you’d think a bunch of kids lived here.
I start sorting them into piles, when I notice Kelsey is just standing there. When I look up at her, she looks like she’s about to cry.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She chews on her lip, staring at the boxes on the ground.
“Kelsey?”
Taking a deep breath, her gaze flicks to me. “I had an idea, but I wasn’t sure if I should do it.”
“What idea? About what?”
She glances at the kitchen quickly, then back at me. “I wanted to wrap the test and give it to Tommy.”
My hand comes up to cover my mouth, and I really have to fight back tears. I’m pretty sure my period is coming or something, because everything makes me want to cry the past couple of days.
“Kels, that’s a beautiful idea.”
“I’m just so scared.”
I get up and go to her for a hug. “I know it’s scary, but you have us. We will be here for you through this. I promise.”
I really have no idea what to say to someone who has gone through this and continues to go through this. I can’t imagine how she feels, and I know my words won’t do anything. But I hope that knowing she has someone who will support her no matter what will help even a little.
She stares at the Christmas Tree deep in thought, then nods. “I’m going to do it.”
“Yeah?” I say, louder than I should have.
Her smile is a little forced, but she says, “Yes. I want to share this with him. And if something—”
“Hey,” I say softly, getting into her line of vision. “Let’s focus on the good, yeah? It’s Christmas. Let’s celebrate. Be happy. Enjoy family. This is good news, Kels. Enjoy it.”
“Okay… Yeah. Yes. Keep him occupied for a few?”
“Absolutely.”
She hurries upstairs, and I head into the bathroom to get my crying out so I don’t ruin everyone’s Christmas.
Chapter Forty-Five
Anastacia
We’re all comfortable in our pajamas on the living room floor, surrounded by piles of gadgets, electronics, clothes, and so much more all over the floor. Opening gifts meant for me was so much fun, and each one made me feel loved. The thanks I got for the gifts I gave made me feel appreciated. My heart has never been so full.
There’s just one gift left. The one Kelsey put together for Tommy, that I slipped beneath the couch. I’m waiting for her signal to pull it out and hand it to him. Grizz is showing Dorothea her new stuffy, while Tommy watches with a smile. Kelsey is nervous, I can tell, and she won’t look at me. But this is up to her, and she has to do it on her own time. If she changes her mind, then she changes her mind. I have to accept that. I can’t push her on this.
“What time are we heading to the club?” she asks.
