Free Silent Night by Colleen Coble

when they reached the living room.
    Davy leaped to his feet and rushed to Cassie. His green eyes were flashing with excitement “Aunt Cassie, did you bring me a new airplane for Christmas?”
    Bree put her hand on her son’s head. “David Robert, you know better than to ask for gifts.”
    Cassie had started the boy’s obsession with small airplanes two years ago at Christmas, and Bree suspected one of the boxes Kade was carrying in from the trunk held another of his favorites. She had to admit she was eager to see what else Cassie had brought. She thought of the most unusual gifts.
    Davy ducked his head. “Sorry.”
    Cassie smiled and hugged him. “You’ll know tomorrow.”
    Hilary appeared in the doorway. She wore her blond hair looser and softer now, in waves around her face. Her feet were bare, and her tender smile lingered on her daughter.
    Her smiles came easily now, and one popped into place when she saw Cassie. It faltered only a little when she spied Lauri. “I thought you two had arrived. Mother is dying to see you both. We’ve got fresh coffee on. If you ask nicely, Mother might let you have some pulla before dinner.”
    Lauri’s gaze lingered on Zoe.
    When Zoe saw she had Lauri’s attention, she twirled. “See my dress?” Red velvet swirled around her white tights.
    “Very pretty, Zoe,” Lauri said.
    The little girl preened, then plopped beside Samson and threw her arms around his neck. He licked her cheek and she giggled.
    Lauri followed Hilary to the kitchen. Bree went too with her arm locked in Cassie’s. The news was nearly ready to burst out of her. She didn’t know how she would be able to keep it in until they had dessert around the fireplace.

    Bree waited as Kade poked at the fire in the hearth until it was blazing. She glanced at her watch. Eight thirty. The adults had squeezed onto the sofa and every available chair while the children lounged on the floor with Zorro and Samson. Elvis crooned “On a Snowy Christmas Night” in the background.
    Bree’s heart swelled at the words of the song. “Give thanks for all you’ve been blessed with.” Her family was all here, the entire hodgepodge mix of Rob’s family and Kade’s, as well as her sister. They all made one whole. The group wouldn’t be complete without one another. She wouldn’t have changed a thing about her life in this one moment or these precious loved ones who brightened her life and accepted her for who she was.
    Through a mist of tears, her gaze found Kade’s. He looked a little teary-eyed himself, and she knew the words had impacted him as well.
    Hilary rose. “I think we can let the children have one special package each. Lauri, do you want to give your present? Your Uncle Mason and I have one for you, Dave.” She signaled to her husband who disappeared into the office, then reappeared with a huge grin and a red bicycle.
    Davy whooped and ran to hug his aunt and uncle. “Cool! It’s a ten-speed.”
    While he examined his new bike, Lauri rose and pulled a box from under the tree. Pink princess paper swathed it. She sat on the floor beside Zoe and handed it to the toddler.
    Zoe’s eyes were big. “A present!” She tore into the wrapping paper until the Cabbage Patch doll’s face appeared. When she struggled with the package, Lauri helped her.
    “Mama Lauri really wanted you to have it early,” Hilary said in a matter-of-fact voice. “You grew in her tummy until you were big enough to go home with us to your special room. Thank her for your present.”
    The child stared at Lauri’s belly, then smiled. “Thank you, Mama Lauri.”
    Bree’s throat tightened at the expression on Lauri’s face, then mouthed, “Thank you” at her sister-in-law. Hilary had been right about this.
    She rose and grabbed the basket of small packages. “Kade and I have a special gift to give each of you. I want you to open them at the same time.”
    Kade stepped forward to help her pass around the small, gaily wrapped gifts.