CHAPTER ELEVEN (THREE MONTHS LATER, CHRISTMAS DAY)
Christmas. It's the first Christmas without Lizzie, and Marin's first Christmas. I think having Marin has been a healing presence. Yes, we did feel a void without Lizzie there, but we were able to celebrate this milestone in Marin's life. She needs a life apart from Lizzie; so much of her life has been tied to her sister. I found out I was pregnant with her the day Lizzie died, she's using Lizzie's room, and she still looks almost exactly like Lizzie did as a baby.
We did reminisce about Christmases with Lizzie. The float she made in eighth grade, "Rock and Roll Christmas," was priceless. She was in shock when she saw it was finished. She sacrificed working on the float to help us fix the plumbing in the retirement home. Seeing Aerosmith's Steven Tyler dressed up as Santa on the float was icing on the cake for her. That Christmas, Aaron Carter's video debuted. Lizzie, Miranda, and Matt were so cute in the video. Too bad Sam and I wound up in a holding cell, trying to get Lizzie and her friends (who were causing trouble on the set)! Lizzie's stocking hung with the rest of the family's. Mom made the kids' stockings when they were born and she followed suit for Marin. Yes, Sam made us dress up as Santa and his elves for our annual Christmas picture. Somehow this year, it didn't seem quite so lame. I dressed Marin in a Mrs. Claus dress. She looked so cute! There's just something about a baby at Christmas.
Opening presents was festive as usual. I handed out presents Lizzie had bought for everyone. She even had a present for the baby. How did she know? Sometimes I think that child had a sixth sense. I made sure Lizzie's friends got their Christmas presents as well. Miranda and Gordo are so sweet. They had Christmas presents for Matt and Marin. They're dating now. I'm not surprised. I think they relied on each other to get through this. They're pregnant. Miranda told me that if it's a girl, she and Gordo want to name her after Lizzie. I feel honored and know Lizzie would have been thrilled. Hmm, would have been thrilled. It's almost been a year, but it seems like forever.