“What’s this?” Anna asked me, pointing a trembling finger.
Logan arrived then, his steps much calmer than mine—he’d probably known what the fuss was about all along.
"Wow, what could that be?" he asked, with theatrical wonder.
I decided he’d made a brilliant life choice by not following his mother into acting. He was simply terrible at it.
Yet, it worked on the girls, who were too stunned to notice his completely false tone or the way he was visibly holding back a laugh. Aurora signed frantically, explaining that the boxes hadn't been there the night before and had appeared as if by magic. Anna agreed, her voice hushed with awe.
“They really weren't there. It's like they appeared in the middle of the night while we were sleeping.”
"I think that's exactly what happened," Logan confirmed, playing along. "I did hear some noises in the living room."
"Really?" Anna asked, impressed. "Why didn't you come to see what it was?"
"I was afraid it was a thief," Logan replied. That time, I was the one who had to stifle a laugh. "Let me see that..."
He approached, dragging the large boxes and pretending to examine them. A folded piece of paper sat on top of each one. He opened them.
"Look, this one has Rory's name on it. And this other one... it says 'Anna'. They're for you. Why don't you open them?"
He didn't need to suggest it twice. They descended on their respective boxes, tearing off the wrapping paper with fervor.
When the paper was gone, they both took a synchronized step back, their mouths falling open in identical expressions of pure shock.
Aurora signed the word over and over: "Bike! Bike! Bike!"
Anna pulled at one of the box flaps, as if needing to confirm that the contents matched the picture on the outside. “It's blue! Mine is blue! My favorite color! It's just like the one I drew in my letter!”
Aurora struggled to open her own box, and her sister, flustered with excitement, rushed to help. “Look, Rory! Yours is pink, just the way you like it!”
Rory's eyes welled with tears, and suddenly she burst into intense sobs. I grew worried, but Logan was faster, crouching down in front of her. Gently, he cupped her face, his thumbs wiping away the tears.
“Are you okay, Rory?” he asked, speaking slowly and clearly. “Are you sad? Wasn't this the bike you wanted?”
She shook her head, then made a series of rapid signs. Logan looked to me for a translation.
Smiling, I explained. “She said she is very happy.”
Logan's lips trembled, and I could see him fighting back his own tears.
Our attention snapped back to Anna as she announced, “Look! There are two more gifts here. Are they for you?”
She handed me a flat package and gave Logan a small box. I glanced at the tag on mine and saw it wasn't for me after all. Before I could say anything, Logan spoke up about his.
“This one isn't for me. It's for Evy.”
“Me?” I asked, surprised. I took the box, which was extremely light, and opened it. I laughed when I found a single piece of paper inside. “An IOU for a dog,” I read aloud.
Logan offered a conspiratorial smile. “I think live animals are harder to load onto Santa's sleigh. He must be planning to deliver it another time.”
“Evy is getting a puppy!” Anna was thrilled.
“Apparently I am,” I replied. Then I held up the unopened package in my hands. “And this one has Rory's name on it.”
Aurora hurried over, surprised, and took the gift. When she tore it open, she pulled out a pair of ballet shoes and a complete pink ballet outfit. She began tobounce on her toes, looking even happier than she had about the bike.
While the twins chattered excitedly to each other, Logan came to stand beside me.
