Michelle woke up early on Christmas morning ready to open presents. “Santa” had brought her some books. From Mama and Daddy, there was a telescope for looking at the stars. There were also new clothes, but those were less interesting.

From Virgil to me there was a beautiful opal necklace to match my wedding and engagement ring. From me to Virgil there was a warm new jacket, and a new set of wireless earbuds. 

Other gifts were exchanged, and Virgil and I presented Jessica with a small gift from the two of us. It was a silk scarf that one of the old ladies in LaCera had painted with wildflowers for the Wildflower festival in the spring, but we’d gone by and requested a special one for Jessica. It wasn’t much, but she still looked a little misty eyed when she opened it.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

“I wanted you to have a little piece of LaCera when you go back to California,” Virgil explained.

It was snowing again, and Michelle convinced Jessica, Zaira and I to come outside and help her build a snow family. Virgil stood on the porch, flannel clad arms crossed over his chest, dark eyes watchful. I worried about him. I would always worry about him… But he smiled wide at me as I scoped up a handful of snow and tossed it at Zaira. Soon the snowballs were flying wildly and we were all laughing with reckless abandon.

Christmas dinner was a delicious affair, with Virgil back in the kitchen, and good wine to go with the meal. 

“Can I have a sip?” Michelle asked Virgil. He looked over at me, eyebrows raised. I nodded. 

“Sure, one sip,” He said, eyes twinkling.

Michelle took a sip and immediately made a face.

“Yuck, why do you like it so much?”

“It’s an acquired taste.” I joke. Jessica laughed.

“It’s disgusting.” Michelle made a face. “I’ll stick with milk, thank you.”

“Good,” Virgil said, chuckling. 

The following morning, Zaira and Randy headed out, and Michelle, Jessica, Virgil and I spent the day eating leftover Christmas cookies and watching Christmas movies. The evening was nice, and relaxing.

The Monday after Christmas, Virgil has a follow up appointment with his cardiologist.

“Everything looks good.” His doctor proclaimed. “I want you to continue to take it easy, keep cutting back on the red meat, and incorporating more leafy greens, but you’re in good shape. You can go back to work if you feel ready, but no more heavy lifting, slow down a little bit. I want you to continue to exercise, but it bears repeating: you’re in great shape.”

“Thanks Doc,” Virgil said. “Happy Holidays.”

Back in LaCera, we took a walk through town before collecting Michelle and Jessica from Devola’s little farm.

That night, I sat down to work on my story in earnest. Once I started typing, the words flowed out of me like snowmelt out of the mountains. I could faintly hear laughing and giggling downstairs. It was comforting, I realized. I loved the sound of the three of them in the house.

Late that evening, Michelle came in to tell me good night. A short time later, Virgil came in and sat in the chair across from me.

“Hey you,” he said softly as he sat.

“Hey you,” I replied smiling.

“How’s the writing going?”

“Pretty good.” I said. “5,000 words so far.”

“Impressive,” he smiled. “But, you wouldn’t be avoiding the fact that tomorrow is your birthday, would you?”

“Maybe,” I admitted, looking at the clock.

“It’s just a number.”

“So’s sixty.”

“It’s a bigger number.” He chuckled. “Do you want to do anything special?”

“No, I’d like a nice lowkey evening at home with my husband and …my children.”

“That was fast.”

“My heart aches for her, I don’t think she’s ever really felt like a part of a family. Every time I see 

her, I just want to scoop her up and hug her.” I said softly.

“I know what you mean.” Virgil scratched his goatee. “She asked if she could call me Dad.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m for it.” He sighed. “What would you say to letting her stay here? Just until she figures herself out. Give her and Michelle a chance to get to know one another a little better. I haven’t mentioned it to her yet,” he said. “I wanted to know what you thought?”

“I think that’s a fine idea.” I admitted. “I think that poor little bird needs a place to call home.”

Virgil stood up then, and extended his hand to me. I took it, and he pulled me into his arms, spinning me around in a slow circle, as if we were dancing. He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“What?” He whispered, kissing me softly.

“You’re flirting with me,” I whispered back.

“I’ve been flirting with you for 11 years,” he said softly, and then he kissed me again.

“Don’t ever stop.”

“No plans to.” We went to bed, and he made love to me before we drifted off to sleep.

My birthday was the low key affair I wanted. Virgil made my favorite meal, and Michelle presented me with a handmade book of coupons for chores around the house. I grinned.

Jessica moved out of the Inn and into the house, staying in the spare room now. She helped Virgil make dinner, proving that she was no slouch in the kitchen either. I was glad. 

The town’s New Year’s Eve Party was held in the newly constructed meeting hall, which had been built when the town outgrew the church hall.

Nearly all the members of the town brought a covered dish or drinks. Virgil contributed a very large pot of chili, and I made a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread. Michelle darted off to her friends Riley and Tyler. Jessica hung back with Virgil and I as we visited with other folks from town.

Devola and I hugged and she introduced her three boys to Jessica. Her husband Evan joined us, and with him was a younger man I didn’t recognize.

“This is my baby brother, Andrew.”

“Just Drew,” Drew corrected, but he was already eyeing Jessica.

“It’s nice to meet you Drew.” I shook his hand. “This is my husband Virgil, and our daughter Jessica.” 

“Can I get you something to drink?” He asked her.

“Sure,” she smiled. The two of them headed off to the refreshment table. Virgil’s mouth took on a grim set, and I smiled.

“What are you grinning at?” He muttered

“LaCera working her magic again.” He softened a little bit at that. The music started then and Virgil spun me around on the dance floor for a little bit. I loved dancing with him, he moved well. After a while, Michelle came over and wanted to dance with Virgil.

“Go on,” I urged him. “Go dance with your daughter.” I watched with a very full heart as he spun Michelle slowly around on the dance floor. She was tall for her age, and she was already looking so grown up. The years really had flown by, I thought. I felt my eyes growing misty.

“You ok?” Devola asked me, coming up alongside me. She put her arm around me. “I heard the scuttlebutt in town of course, but I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to catch up.”

“I’m all right,” I told her honestly. “I’m just happy he has a chance to know her,” I nodded to Jessica, who was looking at Drew the way I imagined I looked at Virgil… and Drew was looking at her with the same intensity. “This town,” I chuckled. “She’s magic.”

“She’s sure something,” Devola agreed. “Do you ever think about how much things have changed since you came here?”

“All the time,” I said with a small laugh. “I remember vividly how much I didn’t want to get sent here, and how I’m so glad I did.”

Devola nodded. 

We watched Virgil and Michelle dance for a bit longer, then Virgil came back over to me. We drank and danced the night away. A few minutes before midnight, I looked around for Michelle and found her, Riley, and Tyler asleep on a couch at the far corner of the meeting hall. We woke them up, and Michelle sleepily joined in the countdown.

“Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year!”

Someone burst into a rendition of Auld Lang Syne, and we all joined in. 

“We’re heading home,” I told Jessica as I hoisted a still sleepy Michelle up in my arms. She was heavy but I could manage her the short distance back to the house. 

“Oh,” she said, looking back at Drew. I smiled.

“I can make sure she get home okay, Mrs. Baker,” Drew promised. “We’ll be right behind you.”

“All right,” I said, still smiling. 

“Let me carry her,” Virgil said.

“I’ve got her, it’s fine.” I said.

“Where’s Jessica?” He asked.

“Drew’s going to walk her home.”

Virgil grumbled.

“Don’t be That Dad,” I teased. “He’s just walking her home.”

“That’s how it starts, remember?”

“You worried she’s going to fall in love and move to LaCera?” I said, still teasing. “There are worse things.”

“Mm,” he said, looking at Michelle in my arms. “Not looking forward to that with this one.”

We settled Michelle into bed at home, and then waited in the living room for Jessica. Virgil kept going to the window and looking outside. 

“They’re on the porch,” he muttered. “How long does it take to say good night?”

“My dad used to flick the porch lights on and off – Virgil Baker, don’t you dare!” I chastised him.

Finally, Jessica came in, her cheeks a little flushed.

“Sorry,” she said. “We were just talking.”

“Uh-huh,” I teased her now. Her ears turned pink. Just like her dad.

“Well, uh… Good night.”

“Good night,” I said.

“Good night.” Virgil said. 

Later, snuggled up in bed, he rolled over and took my face in his hand.

“Happy New Year, Mrs. Baker.”

“Happy New Year, Mr. Baker.” 

We snuggled together, drifting off to sleep entwined in each other’s arms.