As soon as Tessa gave him the phone number Andrew went into the kitchen to call Jacques while Monica attempted to explain the rather complicated situation to a very confused Phil.
"Hi, I'm Andrew..."
"Oh yes, allow me to introduce myself!" Andrew was startled by the man's thick accent at first. "My name is Jacques. I'm sorry about my son's behavior, he has been like this since his Mother left. He used to be a good little boy, but now he is a woman hater. I know he has played tricks..."
"Do you even know what kind of tricks?" Andrew asked.
"Well no, but..."
"Let me tell you something, these were not harmless little eight year old tricks. Let me tell you that. He attacked my daughter in the park yesterday and stole her bike, leaving her crying on the ground."
"Oh, so that is where zee little girl's bike came from."
"Yes, that's correct. And the first trick could have killed her. Tell me, what part did he have in the school play?"
"He was working backstage, with zee ropes that made people fly."
"Well, he cut the rope that was holding my daughter in the air and she fell, and it could have killed her." He said, realizing that he was getting into unmentionable territory by mentioning the fact that Zoe stayed in the air anyway, and was glowing no less.
"You mean, that was not part of zee show?"
"No."
"Oh, well I will make sure that my son leaves your daughter alone. If not, he will have the end of my boot to answer to."
"Good." Andrew said.
"Farewell Andrew."
"Bye Jacques."
............................
When Andrew came back into the living room he found Monica sitting alone on the couch. Phil had left. He sat down next to her and kissed her cheek.
"The problem's solved. That boy's father is going to take care of everything. He will be punished and watched."
"Good." She said as he kissed her. "And now our little Zoe is safe. God has answered our prayers."
"In his time." Andrew pointed out.
............................
The next day was finally Christmas Eve. That day Tess finished making all of the cookies, and even the next night's dinner. Gloria spent the day playing the piano, while Adam sat with her, just listening to the sound of the music. Andrew and Monica spent the day with the girls. When the night came they got dressed up and went to church. When they came home, they had dinner and Monica put the girls to bed and read to them. That night's reading selection featured holiday favorites such as, "The night before Christmas," "Elosie at Christmastime," "Madeline's Christmas," and of course, he story of the birth of Jesus.