“Coffee’s ready,” Joyce said from the kitchen. “And I’ve whipped up some scrambled eggs and toast for everybody. We’re gonna need a good base in our bellies for unwrapping all those presents under the tree. Come on in and eat!”
When they all stood up to go into the kitchen, Carrie almost gasped out loud. She didn’t, which was a good thing because she didn’t want the kids to think it was anything out of the ordinary, but when Adam stood up, the kids went tearing after him, Olivia almost jumping on his back. “After breakfast, can I show you what I got, Daddy?” David asked. “I haven’t had a chance to show you yet.” Carrie had never experienced that kind of happiness before. It came in a rush, flooding her, but right on its heels was an intense feeling of sadness and fear that she may not get a chance to have this for herself. She couldn’t wait to get started living. But she’d miss them. Soon, she’d have to pack her things back into her car and head home.
“Of course you can,” he said, smiling down at David. The affection she’d seen in his eyes was present, but what surprised her more than that was the look of complete adoration that David had, gazing up at his daddy. She thought how this was probably what David had wanted all along. Adam turned around and tickled Olivia, making her squeal. Carrie laughed out loud, covering her mouth in surprise.
The kids could barely sit to eat once everyone had taken their coffee, toast, and eggs to the table. Carrie wanted to savor the moment, take in all the wonderful faces around her. Everyone looked so happy. Even Sharon was smiling as David sat next to Adam, telling him about what he hoped was under the tree. Carrie wrapped her hands around her mug, wishing the kids wouldn’t be so hasty. If only she’d known when she was a child how numbered those days were. She could remember that one day a year—that magical day—when nothing was wrong, and she could have everything she’d ever wanted. Back then, everything she’d ever wanted was a doll or a card game. But now she wanted things that were too big for even Santa to bring her: a family, someone to love, a person she could live out the rest of her years with. Don’t rush it, she wanted to say to the twins, but she knew they could never understand.
“Is anyone ready to open some presents?” Joyce asked. Both children began bouncing up and down, their hands in the air. “I don’t think they can wait much longer, Adam. Do you?” she kidded.
Adam looked down at David who was sitting beside him. There was that little, amused exhale and then a smile, and Carrie could hardly manage the feelings she had for this man. She’d never been able to understand how people meet each other and fall in love because it had never happened to her before. She’d tried to find answers in her books, plan her way to happiness, but the answers would never be there because she couldn’t plan who she was going to fall in love with. This feeling couldn’t be created. It just happened. Like lightning. And—boom—it had definitely struck.
“Leave your plates, and I’ll get them later,” Joyce said, standing up. Carrie set her empty coffee mug down onto the table and followed the Fletcher family into the living room.
To her surprise, Adam sat down on the floor next to the tree. In the soft light of morning, the lights on the tree were as bright as stars. He reached under it and pulled out a present, his eyes squinting to read the tag. “For David, with love, Grandma and Grandpa.” David’s eyes got big, the excitement showing on his face, as he took the present from Adam.
The ribbon that had been taped around the present fell loose, and David dropped it down beside him. Joyce scooped it up and put it into a trash bag she’d brought with her into the living room. With a rip, David pulled the paper off and turned the gift over in his hand to inspect it. He took in a loud breath when he saw what he was holding.
“It’s a model race car that you can paint yourself,” Bruce said, his adoration for his grandson clear. “What do you think?”
“Can I paint it now?” David asked.
Everyone laughed, and David looked around, his little eyebrows pulling together in concern. “How about after we finish unwrapping everything?” Bruce said. “I promise I’ll help you.”
Adam reached under the tree and pulled out another present. “This one is for… me,” he said quietly with a slightly surprised look on his face. “It’s from ‘Everyone,’ it says.” He looked up from the tag on the gift, making eye contact with those around him. Gently, he pulled off the wrapping, handing it to Joyce as she reached out for it. It was a book. He turned it over in his hands and let out a “Ha!” and then a chuckle that could make Carrie’s tummy do somersaults. He turned it around for everyone to see. “100 Useful (and Not Useful) Things to do with Beer.”