Page 26 of Single Dad's Christmas Cookie

This measuring game seemed to tickle Amelia greatly, and she could not stop giggling.

“What’s all this racket?” Bryan said as he stepped out of his office.

I gasped, not realizing that we were next to his office. “Sorry, sorry,” I said.

“We’re measuring for decorations, Daddy,” Amelia said as she stayed in place and bounced as I held the end of a ribbon halfway up the stairs.

“Why don’t you use a tape measure?” he asked.

“Because I didn’t have one,” I admitted.

“Good point. Where were you thinking about putting the tree?” he asked.

Amelia let go of the spindle of ribbon and squealed with delight as she launched herself at her father. “Can we get a Christmas tree? Can we really, really? Can we?” Amelia danced around in her excitement.

The smile he gave his daughter warmed my heart.

“I think that would be good this year. We can have a Christmas tree.” He looked up at me and asked, “How do we get one?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

12

BRYAN

Nova nudged me in the ribs with her elbow. I glanced over and she pointed at Amelia’s back. My daughter sat on the floor in front of the Christmas tree, swaying back and forth. The tree had consumed the entirety of their day, and Amelia was enthralled by it. Each sway to the side was corrected with a slight jerk back into a more upright position.

Nova suppressed a giggle as Amelia finally, slowly slid to the side. Her little limbs fell to the side as she lost the fight to sleep.

“And she’s out. Poor kid, she’s had a long day,” Nova said.

“Long?” I glanced at my watch. It was barely past dinner. Amelia still had food on her plate.

“She’s spent a lot of energy. It’s all been very exciting for her. She’s worn out.”

“I never thought Christmas trees were that thrilling,” I admitted.

“They are when it’s the first time you’ve ever had one,” Nova said.

“We’ve had Christmas trees before,” I said.

“When? Not last year. Did you have one the year before?”

I shook my head. The last tree we had was the year Natalie left us. Amelia would have been two. “It’s been a while.”

Nova stood and began collecting the dirty plates from our dinner. Amelia had insisted that we eat where she could watch the tree. And I had insisted that Nova join us. After all, she had done the majority of the work getting the tree and then coordinating decorations. Amelia’s time and energy had been spent dancing around and being generally excited.

So, we had dinner sitting around the den where the tree had been put on display. Nova and I sat on the couch using the coffee table, while Amelia had taken up her position on the floor in front of the tree.

“I’ll set these in the kitchen, and then I’ll come back and get Amelia to bed,” Nova said.

“Don’t worry about Amelia. She’s not going anywhere.” I chuckled. “I’ll take her upstairs and get her in bed as soon as I finish.” I took another bite of the hearty chili Nova had prepared. “This is really good.”

“Thanks, I’m glad you like it. There have been so many additional things going on, I found it easier to start a pot of chili and let it simmer all day instead of preparing something more elaborate. If you need me to make something different, please let me know,” Nova said.

“This is warm and filling. It’s perfect.” I had another spoonful. Mother would have called itpeasant food, a bowl full of meat and beans. But I liked it. There was enough spice to be interesting, and topped with cheese, it felt more filling than aroasted chicken breast would have. “Besides, Amelia liked it, and that’s important.”

I realized Nova stood over me because she was waiting for me to finish and hand her my dishes. I handed her the empty bowl.

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