“Can you believe this weather?” Elly says. “It looks like we’re definitely having a White Christmas this year. Come sit by the fire. I’ve got some hot chocolate ready to warm you up.”
“With little marshmallows!” Aiden says as he grabs Luke’s hand and pulls him through the foyer to the great room. “Come on! I’ll show you.”
Mom and I follow the boys, where we find seats on one of the long sofas arranged around the fireplace. It’s wonderfully cozy in front of the fire. Classic Christmas songs are playing quietly on the sound system—Bing Crosby, Perry Como, and Frank Sinatra. Once in a while, a more contemporary song slips in, from Michael Bublé to Ariana Grande.
I sit back with a sigh, relieved to be out of the vehicle. The drive was a bit stressful with all the snow. I’m looking forward to a fun and relaxing Christmas with our family.
Luke and Aiden stand in front of the Christmas tree, staring up at all the lights and ornaments. It’s a huge tree, fit for a large room. It has to be at least seven feet tall.
Luke bends down to look beneath the tree, hoping to see presents. He frowns because there aren’t any. “I don’t think he knows where we are.”
“Santa will come tonight when you’re asleep,” I tell him. “You just have to be patient.”
Suddenly, there’s a loud ruckus in the foyer, and Aiden runs off to see what’s going on. When he returns, he has the news Luke has been waiting for.
“Aunt Molly and Uncle Jamie are herewith the new baby! Henry is here!”
Chapter 2
Rather than crowding the newest arrival in the foyer, I wait until Molly and Jamie make their way into the great room. Molly is holding Hazel, and Jamie is carrying Henry’s car seat which is covered with a soft pale-blue baby blanket.
Aiden and Luke are right on Jamie’s heels.
“Can I hold him, Uncle Jamie?” Luke asks. “Please?”
“Sure,” Jamie says. “Just let me set him down and get him out of his car seat.”
“Now we have three boys and five girls,” Aiden announces proudly. “The boys are catching up.” He addresses the room at large. “If anyone else is planning to have a baby, please make sure it’s a boy.” That statement is followed by a number of quiet chuckles.
Jamie sets the baby’s car seat on the floor and instructs Luke and Aiden to sit on the sofa if they want to hold the baby. The two boys obey promptly, both of them eager to hold their newest cousin.
Jamie crouches down in front of the car seat and unbuckles the baby. He carefully removes the baby’s fluffy blue sleeper and cradles the eight-week old in his arms. There’s something so magical about a new baby.
Henry is dressed in a light blue cotton sleeper. Even though his head is covered with a matching knit hat, strands of auburn hair—the same shade as Jamie’s—are visible.
“Are you ready?” Jamie asks the boys as he rises to his feet.
Luke holds out his arms. “I’m ready, Uncle Jamie! I’m right here, right in front of you.” It’s sweet how Luke does his best to accommodate Jamie’s blindness.
“Molly?” Jamie says quietly.
Molly steps forward, and they exchange kids. Jamie places their new son in the crook of Molly’s free arm, and he takes Hazel from her. Molly steps forward and lays Henry in Luke’s waiting arms. She discreetly hovers close by in case she’s needed.
“Be very gentle with him, sweetie,” I say.
“I will, Mama,” Luke promises. “I’ll be really careful, like when I held Sissy when she was tiny.”
Luke gazes down at the little face staring up at him. “Mama, I want a brother. Can we have another baby?”
Everyone in the room laughs at that.
“What’s this about wanting a brother?” Shane asks as he walks into the room. When he sees Luke is holding his new little cousin, he grins. “Ah, I see. Well, you’ll have to ask your mother about that.”
More laughter.
After Luke has had a turn holding Henry, Molly transfers the baby to Aiden’s waiting arms.
“I want a baby brother, too,” Aiden says as he glances hopefully at his parents, who are seated on another sofa, each of them holding one of the twin girls.
