CHRISTMAS MORNING

Bill went in search of his girls. That made him smile. He had girls, plural. What he found made him pull out his phone and snap a picture. He found Aubrey in the closet, sleeping comfortably and Charlotte on the floor by the closet. What caught his eye the most and tugged at his heart was the sight of their hands, holding on to each other. That's what he took a picture of, no faces. It was his job to keep her safe and that meant no pictures with her face.

Aubrey's little hand held gently in Charlotte's. The trust was there that she was safe in the small gesture and that made him so very happy.

He quietly stepped away and went out to the living room to turn on the Keurig for their coffee and then he started to think about breakfast.

Inside the closet, Aubrey stirred, opening her eyes. She was warm. She couldn't remember the last time she woke up warm.

Charlotte woke up too and groaned. Fifty eight year olds generally shouldn't sleep on the floor unless they wanted to be stiff and in pain. Then she remembered the child whose hand she still held. She looked at Aubrey and smiled. "Merry Christmas, Aubrey." Yes, she was worth the stiffness.

Aubrey didn't have any memories of having Christmas before, so she didn't have any expectations.

"Should we go see what yummy food Bill is making us? We can eat it by the fire, how does that sound?"

Aubrey nodded. "I…Um. I need to go."

"To the bathroom?" Aubrey nodded. "Ok, sweetie. You do that and I'll go to my bathroom and I'll meet you in the kitchen."

A few moments later, Charlotte emerged into the kitchen with Aubrey's hand in hers. "Good morning, Bill," Charlotte greeted.

He smiled and turned, slapping the towel over his shoulder. "My beautiful girls. Merry Christmas." He came over and kissed Charlotte and then the top of Aubrey's head. "This is going to be a good day, Aubrey."

"It is?"

"Yes, it is. First, I'm making waffles with strawberries and whipped cream and then bacon."

"Can we eat by the fire?" she asked, recalling what Charlotte had told her.

"Sure thing. We will eat by the fire and then its time to open presents."

Another thing Aubrey wasn't accustomed to. Everything was so different here, she was kind of overwhelmed. Her Daddy always told her she talked too much so she decided to just be quiet about all of it.

….

Elizabeth stood at the living room window, staring out into the snow. It was still snowing. She estimated they had at least a foot and it was drifting so it was hard to be accurate.

William came in the door, stomping his feet and brushing the snow off his coat. He had gone out to look for Harvey. He hadn't returned from his morning walk to do his business one hour before. She was worried.

"Dad?"

"I found him, Beth."

"Where is he? He has to be frozen."

"I'm sorry, honey. He's gone."

"What?" she gasped, tears immediately running down her face. "He was fine. I mean, he's old and his arthritis…"

"Mama?" Joey reached up for her when he saw her tears. He was so sensitive, just like his father. She picked him up and cuddled him, Joey touching her tears with his fingertip.

"I'm ok, baby." He laid his head on her shoulder and grabbed onto her hair, twisting his fingers in the curls. He did that to fall asleep. It was a comfort to him and now it helped her too. "Where is he, Dad?"

"I left him where he was. Just behind the barn."

She nodded. "I don't know how I'm going to tell Jack."

"I can do it, if you want," William offered.

"Tell me what?" Jack asked from the door. He sighed and removed his boots and wet coat so he could greet his family.

"Dada!" Joey said, pointing.

"Hi, buddy!" He kissed his cheek and then Elizabeth's lips, lingering. "Merry Christmas, beautiful. Hey, why the tears?"

William left the room so they could have some time.

"Jack, its Harv. He went out to do his business and he didn't come back."

"It's ok, I'll look for him."

"No, Jack. Dad found him. He's gone."

Jack's eyes filled with tears. He nodded and sat down. It was as if the last piece of his father was gone. Yes, his ring was on his finger but Harv had pulled him from the despair of losing his father and now…

Elizabeth put Joey on the floor and knelt in front of Jack. "Honey, I'm sorry."

He wrapped his arms around her and let the tears run their course. After a few moments, he pulled back and kissed her long and slow. "I missed you, Elizabeth."

"Not as much as I missed you."

"Dada!" Fin ran in and attacked them both with a giggle. "Home," she grinned, dimples popping.

"Yes, I am, sweet pea." Seeing Fin helped him feel a tiny bit better. Who could resist her dimples?

Jack's phone buzzed. He opened the text. "Got a big surprise. Here's a hint," Jack read. Then he opened saw the picture. Two hands, holding each other. One larger and light, one, a child's, darker toned. "Interesting." He showed Elizabeth. "From Pop."

"Oh! They got her," she whispered.

"Who?"

"I'll let them tell you." Charlotte had spilled the beans a week before when they had gotten the call. Elizabeth had promised not to tell anyone. "I'm so glad you're safe," she told him with another kiss.

A while later, Bill's big four wheel drive truck pulled into their drive. Elizabeth opened the front door just as they stepped on the porch, Bill holding Aubrey.

"Come in, Merry Christmas!"

"Hi, sweetie," Bill said, kissing her cheek. "Boy it's cold out there."

"Come in and warm yourselves by the fire, then. Jack's making hot chocolate for everyone."

"Pop pop pop pop!" Fin cried running in circles around them. "Pop home!"

Elizabeth chuckled. Fin loved to say his name, thinking it sounded funny.

Bill put Aubrey down and helped her out of her shoes and thin coat. Elizabeth wished she had warmer things to give her. "Hi, I'm Elizabeth. You can call me Beth, if you want."

Charlotte picked up Fin and hugged her tight. "Hi, Finny. It's good to see you." Aubrey looked up at Charlotte holding the little person she called Finny. Aubrey felt something in her tummy, like she wanted to be the one Charlotte was holding. She didn't say anything though, remembering her Daddy's words.

Elizabeth held out her hand to Aubrey. "Let's go sit by the fire." Aubrey took her hand slowly and followed her dutifully.

Jack was sitting by the fire in his chair, Joey on his lap. Jack hadn't noticed his parents come, he just watched the flames dancing, thinking about Harvey.

"Jack?" Charlotte put Fin down and walked over to her son. Jack turned his head and saw his mom, which brought on more tears. "Oh! Son, what is it?"

He wiped his eyes and shook his head, not wanting to say the words.

Charlotte kissed the top of his head and tilted his chin up so he would look at her. Then she knew. The sadness was evident. "Harv?" He nodded. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry."

Aubrey had been watching the whole thing. She didn't know exactly who he was but Charlotte had called him "son" so that helped. But he was a man. Why was he crying? Aubrey looked at Elizabeth, questioning.

"His dog, Harvey, died. He was his best friend."

"Sad," Aubrey said. She knew that she had been sad when her Mama had left but she barely remembered. Weirdly, it had been a bit of a relief when her Daddy had been taken away by the cops a few weeks before. She had never had a pet or anything so she didn't know what that felt like to lose one. Apparently it hurt though.

The rest of the morning, Aubrey sat quietly watching. The sad man always held either the little boy or little girl on his lap. He didn't say much. However, everyone else was happier. They sang songs and ate food and opened presents.

"This is for you, sweetheart," Elizabeth told her, holding out a small purple bag.

"Me?"

"Yes. I hope you like it."

"Its purple. It's my favorite. Thanks."

"The bag is not the gift, Aubrey," Charlotte prompted. "Look inside."

Aubrey did as she was told and pulled out a stuffed black and white kitten. It was like the doll Bill and Charlotte had given her. She didn't know what the purpose of it was. "Thank you," she told Beth, a small smile on her face.

"Its to keep you company if you get sad or lonely," Beth whispered. Aubrey understood now. She nodded and held the kitten in her hands, stroking the fur. Lonely, she understood. Even with all the people around, she didn't feel like she belonged. She didn't look like them. They all had each other, but she didn't really have anyone, except the little object in her hands.

Charlotte noticed Aubrey keeping to herself but watching. The poor thing looked lost. She sat down on the floor so her knees bumped Aubrey's. "You ok, Aubrey?" Aubrey shrugged, returning her eyes to her toy. Charlotte stood up and moved to the recliner by the fire and held out her hands to the little girl. Charlotte felt that they had a little trust after sleeping in the closet and Aubrey offering her hand. "Come here, sweetie."

Aubrey looked at her, eyes questioning. Then she walked slowly over and allowed her to pick her up and put her on her lap.

"I want you to know something, honey. You have me and Bill. You have my son, Jack, and his wife, Elizabeth. You have Elizabeth's parents and you even have Joey and Finny. All of us are yours now. You can trust us and we will take care of you and love you, ok?"

Aubrey looked at her, her big brown eyes filling with tears. She felt something else now. She felt wanted. "Thank you."

Jack watched his mom loving the beautiful little girl on her lap. His mom had lost a daughter many years before and now, she had a chance with another one. It was a bittersweet thing to see.

Jack got up and laid Joey in the play pen and then went over to introduce himself. He knelt down by them and held out his hand. "Hi," he offered a smile. "I'm Jack. What's your name?"

"Aubrey," she told him.

"Nice to meet you. I'm glad you're here."

"Why?" It still confused her that these people felt that way. As far as she's always been told, she was too noisy and talked too much.

"Because you belong with us, our family. Pop and Charlotte will take good care of you."

He stood and bent down to kiss his mom's cheek. "Love you, Ma."

"Love you, son."

…..

JULIE AND MIKE'S HOUSE

It was the twins first Christmas and it had been perfect. The babies wouldn't remember it but Julie and Mike certainly would. The house was decorated, but not overly, however, Mike had strategically hung mistletoe in a few rooms and had already stolen a few kisses.

Mike pulled out a small box and left it on the island with a single pink rose on top. They had agreed to not spend more than fifty dollars each on gifts for each other and he had stuck to that.

Julie came into the kitchen after putting the babies down for their afternoon naps. "What's this?"

"Your present, babe," he told her kissing her yet again.

"You know that you gave me those angels down the hall and they are the only presents I'll ever need, besides you of course."

He slipped his arms around her waist and kissed her again. "That's probably the sweetest thing you've ever said to me, Julie. I feel the same, but I wanted to get this for you."

He handed it to her expectantly. She smiled and lifted the lid. "Oh, sweetie. It's amazing." It was a mother and child necklace depicting a mother with her arms around two children. She had her eye on one but she never allowed herself to buy it, knowing keeping to a budget was important.

She put the box down and kissed him this time, deep and passionate. A moment later, she turned and lifted her hair as he fastened the clasp at her neck.

"Ready for your present?"

"Sure."

She guided him to the bar stool by the island and then handed him a picture album. She had worked weeks, getting it perfect. Finally in the last week she had finished and was super excited to get his reaction.

The first picture was the ultrasound that showed the twins. Then the next showed pictures that had been taken throughout her pregnancy with them. As the pictures went on, Claire and Kendall's first attempt at solid food was shown, including one where the food had ended up all over Mike's shirt and face. "That was a good one," he told her with a laugh.

Next showed a picture of Mike sleeping on the couch, both girls asleep on his chest. "I love this one," she told him. "It shows what an amazing father you are."

"They're amazing," he told her. As tiring and stressful as the last year had been, he wouldn't give up a single moment of staying home with them. He was grateful for every day he had them.

The last picture made him pause. The letters on the page said, "Coming soon, this summer" under a picture of Julie, her hand on her tummy.

"What? Julie?"

She smiled and nodded. "In June."

They hadn't talked about a third, having one or not, but she wasn't upset about it. She hoped he was ok with it.

He picked her up and twirled her around, kissing her again and again. He was speechless.

"So you're happy?" she asked with a laugh as he set her down.

"Yes. I'm just…" He shook his head and kissed her cheeks and forehead. "Very happy. Thank you."