Page 48 of A Moon Lake Christmas Hero

"That's what makes it a Christmas movie!"

Their friendly bickering made me smile. I was getting better with names and faces. And it was nice to see everyone so relaxed and happy.

Alan and Jessie gathered everyone's attention by tapping a glass. "Since we're all here," Alan started, his arm around Jessie's waist, "we wanted to share something..." He pulled out a sonogram photo.

The room erupted in cheers before they could even finish their announcement.

Edith grabbed Carter’s hand, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Well, since we're sharing news..." Carter grinned. "I finally convinced this one to marry me."

More cheers, more hugs. Then Blake cleared his throat. "Actually..."

Claire elbowed him, laughing. "We're pregnant again, as well!”

The way everybody burst out into even louder cheers to that news, made me think there was some backstory I wasn’t aware of.

"Is there something in the water?" I whispered more to myself.

James leaned closer and whispered in my ear,“just be grateful, they’re you’re job guarantee.”

I looked up at him and got lost in his laser-beam eyes. “Yes, boss.”

He narrowed his eyes, then leaned down again and blew in my ear, making me giggle.

The joy in the room was palpable, every celebration flowing into the next, everyone genuinely thrilled for each other's happiness.

"Time for Secret Santa!" Lisa announced, and everyone gathered around the tree.

I watched in amazement as each gift seemed perfectly chosen. They really knew each other well.

Peter received a vintage record he'd mentioned once months ago. Birdie got a custom-made knife with her initials - Hawk's ears turned red when she opened it. Interesting.

"This one's for Erin," Jessie said, holding out a package.

"But I wasn't here for the Secret Santa drawing," I protested.

"We know," Claire smiled. "This is from all of us."

Inside was a hand-crafted photo album. The first page showed a picture from the bonfire where I'd first met everyone, followed by snapshots from various moments over the past weeks. The last page held a recent photo of me with James and the twins, baking cookies.

“Welcome to the family," Lisa said softly. "We're so glad you found us."

I blinked back tears as James squeezed my side

“And now, can all the children line up in front of the fireplace, please?” Jessie said.

The kids came in all sizes, and they all seemed more like siblings than mere friends.

I slowly got to know all of their names and faces as well.

It helped that at least three times per week, whoever had time came over to use the pool at James’s place.

Like a big family.

I focused back on Abby and Marley, who stood front and center, wearing their matching fairy dresses. They’d roped me into practicing Christmas carols with them, which had been more fun, than I ever thought possible, and usually ended up with us being a giggling mess on the sofa and James shaking his head, but secretly loving every second of it.

"Ready?" Jessie asked, and the children burst into an enthusiastic performance of “Jingle Bells.”

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