Page 85 of A Very Naughty Christmas

“In size, sweetheart, that’s true, but Wyatt is a real baby.”

“Mommy already told me that. And that I can help feed him and bathe him and change his diapers.” She paused to wrinkle her nose before she continued. “Not the poopy ones though—that’s disgusting. But I’m not to do any of those things without help, right, Mommy?”

“That’s right, baby girl. You are going to be such a great big sister, the best ever.”

“I am,” she cried as she stretched out the front of her t-shirt bearing the cartoon image of a crown-wearing princess in a pink dress—her favorite color—which said in large glittering print, World’s Best Big Sister. When all the adults shushed her, she turned to her grandmother and in a loud whisper asked, “I was nice to him, Nana. Can we get ice cream now?”

Her bribery out of the bag, Caroline grimaced, but Dixie appreciated her efforts. Emma hadn’t been as enthusiastic as the rest of the family when she’d learned an addition to the family was on its way, especially after being the star for six years. Better to have a little manipulation on this special day than drama to spoil it.

“Of course, sweetie, you did very well.” As her Nana held out her hand, the little girl squirmed off her father’s lap and ran to her doting grandparents, who once again each took a hand in one of their own.

Kyle’s dad glanced down at Emma, his lips twitching with obvious amusement. “I predict someday real soon, you’ll want to spend time with your brother without having to get bought off with ice cream.”

“Don’t count on it,” the precocious girl answered.

“We’ll be back,” Caroline called as they left to get Emma her payola.

“She’ll come around,” Kyle said as he leaned in and kissed Dixie’s temple.

“I know,” she sighed. “My only worry is how long it will take.”

“I loved my baby sister,” Emmaline said without taking her eyes from sleeping Wyatt. “Until she stole my favorite doll and pulled out all her hair, then she was the bane of my existence.”

“How long before that grudge ended?” Dixie asked, only having brothers to judge by; girls were a whole new world to her entirely.

“Who said it ever ended?” she replied, looking up, her eyes twinkling as she leaned in and took a deep breath of the baby’s head. “Ah, the fountain of youth, if we could only bottle it. May I hold him?”

“Absolutely,” Dixie smiled. “Kyle, can you help?”

He scooped up his son in his capable, confident hands and, when Miss Emmaline had settled into a high-backed chair, laid Wyatt carefully in his great-grandmother’s arms.

“What a perfect Christmas present,” she whispered.

“He won’t think so,” Kyle chuckled as he stood watching the two. “I can already hear him complaining about getting gypped on presents.”

“Nonsense. As a Christmas Eve baby, you’ll be conscious of slighting him and he’ll end up with twice as much. I always did.”

“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry,” Dixie moaned. “We spoiled your big party.”

“Oh, pshaw!” she demurred while gently rocking Wyatt. “It’s only a party.”

“But it’s your one hundredth birthday! You should go…”

“We’ll head over and make an appearance in a little while, dear. Seeing my great-grandson who shares my special day is much more important.”

“You’ll always have a connection because of it,” Dixie said tearfully. She flapped her hand at Kyle. “Get a tissue, honey. It’s starting already.”

Although there was an entire box on the nightstand, instead of giving it to her, he sat beside her once again, took her face between his hands, and did what he promised, gently kissing the tears away.

“Look at the lovebirds, Wyatt,” they heard as they gazed into each other’s eyes. “Get used to it. Always holding hands and smooching, just like your Great-Nana and Papaw did.”

Kyle chuckled as he lifted his head and pressed a few tissues into Dixie’s hand. His arm slipped around her shoulders as he snuggled his hip against hers and sat beside her once more on the bed.

“You need to be up and about in a hurry, Dixie,” Emmaline said as she gently patted the baby’s diapered and swaddled behind. “The gallery opening is in two weeks.”

“Thank goodness I won’t have to go looking like a New Year’s float as I thought.”

“Yes, he was anxious to get into this world a whole week early. But the timing is good for you. It would have been a shame if you had missed it.”

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