Free A Christmas Tail by Trinity Blacio

Betsy in his lap.
    “Just do what you did in the car, baby,” Davis said to her and nodded to Sally, who started to play the song.
    At first the only one who sang was Davis, but within a few minutes, Betsy’s voice joined his. Even the pilot turned, listening to Davis and Betsy sing. By the time the song was done, Lacey had tears rolling down her cheeks and Dan was holding on to her.
    “Davis, I owe you an apology. Anyone with a voice like yours, just wow, and Betsy darling, you can sing at all of our events. Wait until mom hears her. She’s going to flip.” Dan said.
    “I did hear and you’re right, they both need to sing at our family events. Thomas, Eric bring that right up there in front for Betsy. She can go through it while we fly.” Dorothy Edwards said from the back of the plane and stepping aside as Dan’s father and brother came in carrying a pine box.
    “You shouldn’t be here!” Dan stood placing Lacey on the seat he was just in.
    “Nonsense! I’m going to help Lacey buy her dress and other stuff. We also need to pick a lovely dress for her sister, because if I’m correct, she’ll be getting married very soon too?” Dan’s mother turned straight to him and gave him one of those looks mothers always do. The whole place started to laugh and he grinned.
    “Already planned on it when the time is right.” Barry bowed his head to the lady, admiring her spunk and reminding him of his own mother. “I think you and my mother will get along just great.”
    “I look forward to meeting her. Us girls will have lots to do while you men are busy searching for those bastards.” Dorothy moved up to where Betsy sat with Davis.
    “Dorothy Edwards!” Thomas, Dan’s father, spun around and glared at his wife. “What were you told about your language?”
    She waved her hand in the air. “You’re lucky I didn’t drop the F bomb, now move out of the way... Ouch! What did you do that for?” Dorothy rubbed her backside where Thomas had smacked her butt.
    “There will be more of that if I ever hear those words come out of your mouth. You know I won’t tolerate it.” Thomas grumbled and moved out of the way, but not before placing a small kiss on her lips. “Behave.”
    Barry glanced over at Dan and saw him shaking his head, his cheeks were pink and Lacey had a hand over her mouth trying to stifle the laugh.
    Even Betsy had her face buried into Davis’ shoulder, watching the scene play out.
    But she was once more the center of attention.
    “Betsy dear, this box is for you,” Dorothy said, kneeling down in front of her. “I know your momma died young, so over the years I have been collecting and saving. Your sister got one and now you’ll have one. It’s filled with stuff for your house. It’s called a hope chest.”
    At first Betsy didn’t say a word, but the way Davis was rubbing her arms and whispering to her, Barry knew she was having a problem with this. Slowly, she got down on the floor next to Dorothy and opened the chest.
    “My husband, Thomas is the one who made the jewelry box. He made one for each of you,” Dorothy said as Betsy ran her hand over it, but what she picked up next had him moving closer to her.
    “I made that. In our world it’s customary to document our children’s experiences. Since your children are older, I made a special book for each one. I thought you could work with them on each book, sort of like a scrapbook/baby book.”
    Barry knelt down behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing. Her emotions were all over the place, but nothing showed on her face as she stood and raced by him and Dorothy to the bathroom.
    “Did I do something wrong?” Dorothy looked up at him as he stood helping her.
    “No, but we must remember she’s never had anything for so long. I’m afraid she doesn’t know how to react when others give her something. If you’ll excuse me,” Barry moved down the aisle, but Lacey put her hand on his arm, stopping.
    “She’s