Chapter 26

Wesley whistled to himself as he combed his hair in front of his bathroom mirror.

I can't wait to see Josie today, he thought, smiling a little. I should have slept in longer. Now I have to wait hours.

He glanced at his watch, saw that it was still only eight seventeen, and sighed. The night before, he'd set an alarm for nine, planning on sleeping in as a Christmas gift to himself. But then he'd awoken at seven a.m., wide awake and as eager as a child on Christmas morning. It was almost as though there was something in the air, some inescapable Christmas magic that was awakening his senses, and making him feel extra alert.

Either it's Christmas, or the fact that I get to spend the day with Josie,he thought. Either way, I feel as light as a feather.

He took a step back and inspected his reflection in the mirror, frowning a little. He didn't usually think much about how he looked—he got his hair cut regularly and combed it, he washed his face, and he wore clothes that he knew looked neat and professional. Beyond that, he hardly looked at himself in the mirror. Today, however, he turned his head from side to side, making sure his shave was smooth. He looked at his glasses, wondering what Josie thought of them.

Does she like how studious they make me look?he wondered. Or should I wear contacts today?

He decided to keep on the glasses, since he knew that being himself was the first step in creating a successful relationship. He inspected the rest of his reflection, deciding that his dark green sweater showed off his trim physique.

I guess all those days at the gym have paid off, he thought with a chuckle. I actually look pretty buff.

He left the bathroom, wandering into the kitchen, where he leaned against the counter and finished his cup of coffee. He glanced at his watch, thinking about what his mother and father might be doing at that moment—his mother would be with her second husband and adopted kids, but Wesley had no idea what his father might be doing early on Christmas morning.

"It should be late enough in the morning for them now," he thought. "I should call my parents."

He wanted to call his mother first, since that phone call would be easier and likely to last longer. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed her number, taking another sip of coffee as he listened to it ring.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart!" She greeted him warmly, knowing who it was, without even bothering to say hello.

"Merry Christmas, Mom." A bittersweet feeling rushed through his heart as he heard her voice. "I miss you."

"I miss you too! How's your Christmas going so far?"

"Oh, great. Not much has happened yet."

"I'm sorry about this stupid snowstorm. I wish you could be here today. I'm sorry you have to be alone on Christmas."

"I'm sorry I can't be there too, but I actually don't have to be alone."

"No? That's great! Are you going to a party or something?"

"Something." He smiled, eager to tell his mother about Josie. "I met a woman, actually."

"You did?"

He could just picture his mother, standing there with her hand on her heart, tilting her face up in relief. He laughed. "I did. Her name is Josie Garner and she's smart and kind. And beautiful," he added, feeling himself flush a little. "I'm going to spend the day with her and her sister."

He and his mother chatted together for a while about their lives. He talked with her about his work, Blueberry Bay, and how things had been going with Josie. She talked with him about how his stepsiblings were doing, and the work that she and his stepfather had been doing on their house. He was happy to hear how well she was doing.

Finally, after a short pause, she asked him, "Have you called your dad today?"

He swallowed. "Not yet. I'll call him when we're finished talking."

"Okay. You should tell him about your new girlfriend. I'm sure he'd be happy to hear about her."

Wesley nodded, frowning. He hadn't planned on telling his dad about Josie—he'd intended to just wish him a Merry Christmas and not say much else. It was hard to have conversations with his dad, who never said much.

"That's a good idea. Thanks, Mom."

They talked for another few minutes, and then she said she needed to go. "We still haven't opened presents over here. These kids are starting to act like teenagers, but it sounds like they're awake, and now they'll be itching to get at it. I'd better go. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas!"

They hung up, and he stood still for a moment, smiling to himself and missing his mother.

I should call my dad,he thought, glancing at the clock. He's probably awake by now.

He dialed his dad's number, still feeling kind of strange about it. He'd talked to his father on the phone only a handful of times. He listened to it ring, drumming his fingertips on the counter.

I don't really want to tell him about Josie, he thought. He probably doesn't really care. Besides, we've just started dating, and I don't want him to think I'm getting over-excited about something that's just beginning.

The call went to voicemail, and Wesley felt a strange mixture of disappointment and relief.

"Hey, Dad," he said, leaving a message. "I wanted to call and wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you're doing well." He paused, not knowing what else to say. He hated to leave a ten-second voicemail on Christmas. "I'm still working in Blueberry Bay."

Suddenly he thought of his own advice to Josie—that she should open up more with people and be more willing to share what was on her mind and heart. It was that kind of vulnerability that helped repair and strengthen relationships.

"And I've started dating a girl. I really like her. Her name is Josie, and she works for a newspaper and magazine called The Outlet here in Blueberry Bay. I'd love to tell you more about her sometime, if you get the chance. Feel free to call me back later today if you want. Okay. Well, I love you, Dad. Merry Christmas."

He hung up, feeling a sense of accomplishment, as well as a sense of peace.

I'm glad I did that,he thought. It's always good to be the first one to open up.

He wandered over to his miniature Christmas tree and fiddled with the ornaments on it for a while. He didn't know what to do with himself now that he'd called both of his parents. He looked at the gifts that he'd gotten for Paige and Josie, which he'd placed next to the little tree. He'd gotten Paige a book filled with baking recipes and for Josie he had purchased a beautiful Russian doll—to symbolize the way she'd been learning to open up and show her inner layers to people. He hoped she would understand the metaphor. But even if she didn't—it was a beautiful gift, and cost more than he had spent on a Christmas gift in years.

I really like her,he thought, smiling fondly. I hope that I spend next Christmas with her too, and—

At that moment, his phone began to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket, and his eyebrows lifted when he saw that it was his dad calling.

"Hey, Dad," he said, answering it quickly.

"Hey, son." His father's voice sounded gruff, as it usually did, and a little disinterested. Wesley had learned to accept that and understand that his father put up a front for everyone, not just him. "Sorry I missed your call just now."

"That's all right. How's your Christmas going?"

"Oh, you know, just a quiet day at home. Me and some of the guys are going to meet at the bar later."

Wesley was surprised that a bar was open on Christmas, and he felt bad for his dad, and for other people who had nowhere else to go.

"Well, I hope you have fun. Is it snowing up there too?"

"Yeah, it's snowing."

"Maybe you could take a walk or something. That might be nice."

His dad just grunted, and Wesley didn't say any more. He didn't want to push his dad too hard—and he knew that his father's bad choices weren't his responsibility.

"So tell me about this girl you're dating."

Wesley grinned. For a few minutes he told his dad about Josie—about how much he admired her, and how they had met. His dad listened quietly, occasionally grunting as if in approval, but not saying any words. Finally, when Wesley decided that he'd geeked out about his new girlfriend enough, his dad said, "Well, maybe I could meet her sometime."

"Yeah." Wesley smiled widely. "That would be great, Dad."

They talked for another few minutes, catching up briefly, and then his dad said that he needed to go. Wesley knew that wasn't true, since he'd just told him that he was spending a quiet day alone, but he felt happy knowing that his dad had asked to meet Josie.

After he'd hung up the phone, he tucked it into his pocket, thinking about Josie meeting his dad. He smiled and glanced at the clock.

It's still not time, he thought, but I bet they wouldn't mind if I got there a little early. If they're cooking brunch already, I can help them with that.

Digging out his phone, he texted Josie quickly to ask if it would be all right with her.

WESLEY: Hey! How would you feel about me coming over now?

She replied in less than a minute.

JOSIE: Sounds great!

He grinned when he saw her text and hurried to finish getting ready. He put on his coat and hat and tucked the presents and a bottle of red wine into a tote bag. Then he got into his car and drove to Josie's apartment, enjoying the sight of the glittering snow on his way there.

A few minutes later, he was standing at Josie's apartment door. Before he could open it, it was ripped open by Paige, who was wearing a green apron and covered in flour and grinning.

"Merry Christmas!" She gave him a hug. "Welcome to the madness."

He laughed, his eyes immediately searching the apartment for Josie. She was standing in the kitchen, wearing a red apron that matched Paige's green one and beaming at him.

"Hey," she said, her eyes shining.

It really feels like Christmas morning now,he thought, grinning at her. She's so beautiful.

He walked over to her and gave her a hug, and she took his bag from him.

"Presents!" she exclaimed. "You didn't have to get us anything."

"Psh, yes, he did. We got him stuff," Paige said breezily as she stepped back to the baking station that she'd created for herself.

Wesley and Josie laughed as Josie showed him where to hang up his coat.

"What are you baking?" he asked.

"Gingerbread!" Josie said, her eyes twinkling. "We thought it might be fun to make a gingerbread house later."

"Perfect." He grinned at her. "How can I help?"

"Put on an apron and pick up a spoon," Paige told him, throwing an apron at him.

He caught it and tugged it on, and then noticed that the front of the apron said ‘Kiss the Cook.'

"Oh, yeah?" he asked, grinning at Josie.

"Paige!" She shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. "I told you not to buy that one for him."

Paige chuckled gleefully and continued to sift the flour. Josie covered her face with her hands, laughing and blushing. He grinned, hoping that perhaps he'd have a chance to give Josie a Christmas kiss at some point in the day.

"Can I get you a drink?" Josie asked him. "Something festive? We have some eggnog. Or coffee with peppermint creamer?"

"I'll take some eggnog," he told her. "That sounds great, thanks."

She smiled shyly at him and went to get a glass out of the cupboard.

"Honestly, you two," Paige said, pretending to shake her head in disapproval. "You're both acting so tongue-tied. Would you even be talking to each other if I wasn't here?"

"Yes," Josie protested, and he laughed.

Once everyone had their own glass of eggnog ready, they dove into the baking in earnest. Paige gave both of them detailed instructions, and whenever they had a question about something, they asked her about it.

"You'd better watch yourself this time, Ms. Garner," Wesley told Josie as he sprinkled flour on top of the greased baking pan. "If you even think about smearing dough on my cheek, I'm going to read your mind and beat you to it."

"Mm, clearly you can't read my mind because I've already thought about it." She grinned at him mischievously, her eyes twinkling.

"There will be no dough attacks in my kitchen," Paige said. "Behave yourselves."

They continued to laugh and tease each other as they finished their preparations. Soon the gingerbread was in the oven, baking and filling the kitchen with a rich and spicy aroma.

After they'd cleaned up the kitchen, Paige went back to her room, saying that she still needed to wrap her Christmas presents. Wesley stepped closer to Josie, glad to have a moment of privacy with her.

"How's your Christmas going so far?" he asked her, his voice soft. He looked into her beautiful eyes and felt like he could get lost in them.

"Very well." She beamed at him, her eyes shining. "We got a call from our mom earlier. She was calling us from rehab."

"That's great! How did it go?"

"Really well. Paige and I both said that it was important to us that she stays in rehab and starts to make a real recovery. I told her that I want a relationship with her again—a real one, where we spend time together, but I said that I couldn't do that unless she makes the necessary changes in her life."

He nodded, listening intently. Josie's expression was a little sad, but there was a lift to her shoulders that he noticed. She looked hopeful.

I hope everything works out,he thought, so that she and her mother can have a real relationship again.

"What did Paige say?" he asked her.

"She said that she was going to see her and spend time with her, but that she was going to insist that Mom be sober when she's around her."

"That sounds like a good boundary." He nodded. "I know she doesn't have the same amount of strain in her relationship with your mom that you do."

Josie nodded, looking sad for a moment—but then she smiled. "It's nice to hope that things are going to work out," she said.

He gave her a warm hug, and she nuzzled her head against his shoulder ever-so-slightly.

"I'm so proud of you for taking care of yourself and your sister," he told her sincerely as they pulled apart from the hug.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Their heads began to move closer together, but at that moment, Paige came back into the kitchen, holding a couple of wrapped packages.

"Hey, are you guys almost ready to—okay, wow, don't mind me."

Josie and Wesley stepped away from each other, laughing and flushing.

"I mean, that's what it says on his apron," Paige said, winking. "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone while I put these under the tree."

She disappeared into the living room, and Josie and Wesley turned back to each other, smiling shyly.

"Come here," she said to him.

"What is it?" he asked as she began to tug him over to a corner of the kitchen.

She pointed above their heads, smirking, to a bunch of mistletoe that was hanging from the ceiling.

"Paige must have put that there," she said, laughing. "I didn't notice it until now."

He looked up at it, grinning, and then looked down into her eyes. He felt a flutter of warm happiness.

"Merry Christmas, Josie," he said softly, and they shared a sweet kiss.

* * *

"You didn't have to get me anything."

Sandy shook her head emphatically as she snuggled down under a plaid fleece blanket on the couch. "Don't be silly, Tommy. Of course we wanted to buy you Christmas presents."

Tommy smiled at her, and then at Daniel, who was standing next to the Christmas tree and grinning like Santa Claus himself.

They had all slept in later than usual, and after a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and chocolate-chip muffins, they were finally getting ready to open presents. Sandy was eager to see what Daniel thought of his gift from her—and she couldn't wait to watch Tommy open the presents they'd bought him. They'd discussed each one with care before purchasing them, talking about all of the things that he needed or might want, and carefully budgeting to make sure that they spent as much on him as they could.

Sandy's "boys"—as she'd started to affectionately call them—had been pampering her without ceasing ever since they'd learned that she was expecting. They'd insisted on getting in the way while she made breakfast that morning, trying to do things for her, and they'd insisted on cleaning up all the dishes themselves. Now that they were all in the living room together, she was sitting under the blanket and drinking the mug of tea that they had insisted on giving her.

"Okay, Tommy," Daniel said, lifting up a present from under the tree. "You're going first."

He handed the teenager a large box beautifully wrapped in red and white paper.

"Thank you," Tommy said, hesitating before opening the gift. "Really, thank you."

"Open it," Sandy urged him. She smiled at him warmly, but inside, her stomach was filled with butterflies of nervousness, and she felt a little nauseous.

She'd been nauseous on and off as Christmas approached, just like she had been before finding out she was pregnant, but today she knew her seasick stomach had much more to do with nerves than it had to do with her pregnancy. Today was the day that she and Daniel planned on asking Tommy if he would like them to adopt him, and she was very nervous.

It hasn't spoiled my day though,she thought, smiling fondly at Tommy as he carefully unwrapped his first gift. I feel like there's a circus of butterflies in my stomach, but today has still been so cozy and perfect and warm. It feels like we're really a family. Oh, I hope Tommy says yes!

Tommy finished unwrapping his gift, and his eyebrows lifted as he pulled a dark blue bike helmet out of the box.

"But…" He hesitated. "But I don't have a bike."

"Yeah, you do." Daniel grinned at him. "It's in the garage."

"No way." Tommy's jaw dropped and then a grin lit up his face. "Can I go look at it now?"

"Let's go." Daniel looked just as eager to show Tommy the bike as the teenager was to see it. The two of them raced out of the living room, and Sandy leaned back, smiling fondly at them but feeling another twist of nerves.

Oh, I think my hormones are messing with more than my stomach, she thought. I wish I wasn't so nervous about this. But what if he doesn't say yes?

A few minutes later, the boys came back into the living room, and Tommy gave Sandy a huge hug.

"Thank you so much. I really mean it. Thank you so much."

He continued to be almost speechless with gratitude when he opened his other two gifts, which were a new set of snow boots and a laptop. Sandy and Daniel watched him fondly and accepted his hugs warmly.

"I have gifts for you two," Tommy said, reaching under the tree for a couple of packages that he'd wrapped in a striped green paper. "But they're not nearly as nice as the ones you gave me."

"They better not be, we make significantly more money than you do," Daniel told him, winking, and Tommy laughed.

Sandy's heart melted as she unwrapped her gift. Tucked inside a cardboard box was a framed picture of Tommy and herself and Daniel, standing in front of the wharf. It was a picture that they'd taken when they went for a walk together after the first snowfall.

"Thank you," she said, finding that she was suddenly blinking back tears.

"This is incredible!" Daniel held up the framed document that the teenager had given him, looking totally awestruck. "Sandy, look at this. He's gotten people in Blueberry Bay to give five-star reviews of the grocery store. They've all signed it, and said things like, ‘Best grocery store in the state.' ‘Always friendly and communicative.' ‘Really great bread.'" He laughed, holding out the document to Sandy so that she could see it.

"I thought you could hang it in the front window," Tommy said, grinning. "It's not really necessary, since everyone already thinks you have the best grocery store, but I thought it might be nice for you to hear them all say it."

"Tommy, that was so thoughtful," said Sandy, holding her hand against her heart. She was amazed by the time and the care he'd taken to put such a sweet idea into action.

Daniel was blinking a little more than usual, and she could tell that her husband was also deeply touched by the gift. He gave Tommy a bear-hug, and as he pulled away from it, he made eye contact with his wife.

She knew what he was thinking. He wanted to ask Tommy about adoption now.

This does feel like the right moment,she thought, feeling her stomach drop as if she was descending a steep slope on a roller coaster.

"Tommy, come sit down between Sandy and me for a second," Daniel said, sitting down on the couch. "We have something that we want to talk with you about."

Tommy's eyebrows lifted, and Sandy's heart went out to him when she saw that he was nervous.

He probably thinks we're about to say something bad,she thought.

"It's a good thing," she assured him. "At least, we hope you'll feel that way."

He sat down between them on the couch and waited for them to say more, his hands folded in his lap.

"Tommy," Daniel said, speaking slowly as if he was searching for the right words. "You know that Sandy is pregnant, and we're about to have a new baby in our home. Well, pretty soon anyway."

Tommy's face fell, and Sandy squirmed, wishing Daniel was introducing the idea differently. She could tell that Tommy was misinterpreting what he was trying to say, but she didn't want to interrupt her husband. She knew that he would get to the point in another few seconds.

"But the thing is, we always used to say that we wanted two kids," Daniel continued. "And before we knew that Sandy was pregnant, and even after we found out about that, we were hoping—" He paused, then cleared his throat as if there was suddenly a lump there. When he spoke again, his voice sounded husky. "We were hoping that we could adopt you. If that's something that you would like."

Tommy sat perfectly still, his eyes wide in shock.

Oh, please say something,she thought, biting her lip. What if he doesn't want us to adopt him because of the baby? Maybe he feels like it will be too much. Or does he think it's silly for us to adopt him since he's going to be eighteen soon?

"We've loved having you here," she said, her voice also quiet. "We don't want you to disappear from our lives, not ever. We want to continue to support and nurture you for many years to come."

"That…" Tommy swallowed and took a shaky breath. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, we're sure," Daniel told him firmly, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

Tommy nodded emphatically, blinking back tears. "That… that would be amazing. I would love that."

"Really?" Sandy asked, feeling a flood of relief and joy.

"Yeah. You both mean the world to me. Coming here has been the best thing that's happened to me since I lost my parents. You… I love you guys."

"We love you too, son," Daniel said, and they all wrapped their arms around each other in a group hug. Sandy could feel Tommy shaking a little bit, and she almost started to laugh as she realized that all three of them were crying a little.

She thought about how Daniel had called Tommy "son" and realized that soon, he really would be his son. She smiled at both of them as they broke the hug, all of them laughing a little.

"Let's play some games when we're done with presents," Daniel suggested.

"I'll make some hot cocoa," she offered. "And we can eat some of those cookies that Paige gave us."

"Sounds great to me!" Tommy looked slightly in a daze, but his eyes were shining.

As Daniel went back to the tree to finish handing out the rest of the presents, an overwhelming happiness filled Sandy's heart.

Look at us,she thought, gazing at Tommy and Daniel. We're a family. She put her hand on her stomach, envisioning their future with the fourth member of their family. I'm truly going to have the family that I've always wanted.