Page 9 of Office Mistakes

Charlie foundhimself warmly welcomed by Perry and Beryl. He followed them into the kitchen, offering to help.

Beryl waved him away. “It’s all done,” she told him. “It’s just getting it all to the table now. Go on out so you can keep Audra and Amelia out of the presents.” Raising her voice, she yelled, “Stop shaking boxes!”

“I’m not,” two equally guilty-sounding voices replied.

Laughing, Charlie made his way back to where a pile of gifts sat underneath an impressive tree.

“They go all out,” he commented admiringly.

“They do,” Audra agreed. “It’s Beryl’s favorite holiday, and now we have this little elf to buy for.”

Charlie smiled down at the beautiful little girl. “Did Santa Clause drop by last night?”

“Uh-huh,” she answered, scrambling to her feet. “Let me show you my favorite present.”

She ran from the room and came back holding a doll that looked remarkably like her. Settling between Audra and Charlie, she held it up for their inspection.

“She’s so pretty!” Audra exclaimed.

“What’s her name?” Charlie asked.

“Elise. She has the same hair and eyes as me. See?” Amelia pointed to the curly black hair and pale blue eyes.

“I do see. Two pretty girls.”

Amelia giggled and snuggled against Audra while engaging the two adults in animated conversation until they were called to the table.

“Wow.”

Audra laughed. “And every bit of it is delicious.”

“Is that an actual goose?”

“Yep,” Perry replied. “Beryl demands goose for her Christmas dinner. Let’s eat.”

Charlie sat, eying the feast spread before him: roast goose, potatoes, green beans, honied carrots, bread, and more. His mouth watered. “This is going to be so much better than frozen pizza.”

Replete from the meal,which had ended with a luscious, triple layer caramel cake, the group made their way to sofas and chairs.

Audra chose to sit on the floor, close to the tree and her back to the low-simmering fire. Amelia sat beside her, and Charlie chose a chair near them.

“Now,” Beryl said, “who thinks it’s time for presents?”

Audra and Amelia looked gleefully at each other before Audra pulled a box from underneath the tree.

Half an hour later, Audra lifted the top from the last gift and, gasping, pulled out a slim briefcase made of smoky lavender leather. “Beryl. Oh, Beryl, I love it.”

“It’s for when you land the promotion.” Beryl winced. “Sorry, Charlie.”

Charlie smiled. “No problem. It’s a great gift.” But he was reminded-again-that neither Audra or the promotion was guaranteed to be his.

Amelia yawned, and Audra ruffled her hair. “We’d better go,” she said. “I know you must be tired. Want us to help you clean up?”

“Absolutely not,” Perry told her. “We cleaned up as we went, so there’s not a lot left to do.”

After a round of hugs, Audra and Charlie bundled into their coats and headed for Audra’s car.

Snow was lazily drifting down when they made it back to the condo. Audra lifted her face and let a few flakes land on her tongue. “I’m always glad when it snows on Christmas,” she said, and Charlie smiled at her.

Feeling warmth spread through her, Audra smiled back. “Do you want to come in? For some hot chocolate,” she quickly added.

Not wanting to leave her just yet, Charlie agreed and followed her inside.

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