Landon's homecoming was much more low-key than Lily's had been. There were no relatives ambushing, no big banners or balloons. There was just Matt, Julie, Lily and Landon spending time together as a family.
Lily was a natural big sister and was happy that her baby brother was finally here.
Landon was a pretty mellow baby most of the time, but not if he was hungry or needed a diaper change.
That summer, when Landon was about four months old, Lily wanted to start ice-skating. Matt decided to let her try. He soon discovered that Lily was a natural skater. She had little trouble keeping her balance, unlike most three-year-olds.
Lily asked, "Daddy, what sport can be played on ice?"
Matt thought and said, "Well, there's always hockey."
Lily asked, "Can I play hockey?"
Matt told her, "In a couple years, maybe. But not right now. Just settle for watching it."
Lily said, "Okay."
A few weeks later, the new season began. Matt soon learned that defending the crown was much harder than chasing it. Although Matt proved that his previous season was not a fluke, the defense was much more porous than the year before.
During the season, Matt and his family went to the ceremony for the thirty-year anniversary of the tragedy at Marshall. After the ceremony, Matt said, "Landon, your daddy played at Marshall in college. Someday, in about twenty years, you'll be following in his footsteps. You'll be Landon Saracen, quarterback, number seven. And I know you'll make me, Mommy, Lily and seventy-five souls very proud."
On Christmas Eve, Matt had a game. His team needed a win to remain in playoff contention. Although Matt played well, the defense collapsed and the team lost.
After the game, Matt and Julie took Lily and Landon to church, where Julie noticed that Matt was unusually quiet. After church, Julie was getting Lily in her pajamas when she said, "Matt, you've had a sour attitude. What's going on?"
Matt sighed and said, "I lost. I wanted you and the kids to be proud of me."
Julie said, "We are. Just because you lost doesn't make us any less proud of you. You did your best, you tried your hardest, and the other team beat you fair and square. The kids have to know that Daddy can't win all the time." Matt knew she was right. Julie added, "Come on. It's Christmas Eve."
Lily cried, "Mommy, I'm hungry."
Matt said, "Oh my goodness, we forgot to feed the kids. And we don't have too much."
Julie said, "Then let's go to a restaurant."
Matt said, "Julie, be reasonable. It's Christmas Eve. What's going to be open?"
Matt said, "This is the restaurant? The House of Pancakes?"
Julie said, "So? We're in a jam, it's open, and the kids will love it." As they got out of the car, Matt said, "You didn't even change Lily? She's in her pajamas!"
Julie said, "She's three years old. And it's not church."
Matt exclaimed, "I can't believe we went to The House of Pancakes for dinner on Christmas Eve!"
Lily said, "Daddy, you need to turn that frown upside-down."
They got in their booth and Lily said, "Daddy, can we sing the Snoopy song?" Matt said yes. He and Lily started singing, "Christmas bells, those Christmas bells, ringing through the land, bringing peace to all the world, and good will to men." Lily said, "I love that song."
Matt said, "Me too."
"Me too," said the waitress who had come to take their orders. "Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas!" called Matt, Julie and Lily. Matt was out of his post game funk. Amazing, he thought, how a few Christmas bells can cheer a guy up. This ended up being the best Christmas Eve of all.
