Page 53 of Snowdrops and Winterberry
“Family is who you choose.” Adam repeated the lesson Lucas had ingrained in him during that long-ago Christmas celebration.
“And we aren’t ever going to unchoose you, Adam Boyce. Not ever.” He shrugged. “Even if you decide to unchoose us, it won’t do you any good. I know where you live.”
Unchoose them? Adam never would. Never could.
“The surprise, Papa.” Philip tugged impatiently on his father’s coattail.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. Under his breath, he said to Adam, “In case you were wondering who is truly in charge in this house.”
“I’ve known it from the moment I met your oldest five Christmases ago.”
Lucas laughed as his son dragged him onward. They continued all the way to the library.
When they entered the large room, Lucas said to Philip, “Go fetch it,” and the boy rushed without hesitation to a chairside table.
The little Lord Jonquil pulled open the drawer and, rising up on his toes, reached inside. He pulled out a leather box.
Lucas motioned for Adam to join him on the long sofa. He did so, and the boys climbed up, Corbin sitting on Adam’s lap, which shocked him.
Philip sat in the middle of them all and very solemnly said, “We’ve made Mama a treasure box, and we’ve all put treasures in it.”
“Things she considers treasures or things you consider treasures?” Adam asked.
None of the children seemed to understand the question, so Adam looked at Lucas.
“Whatever they think she will be happy to find in the box,” he explained. “It is an . . . eclectic collection so far.”
“You have to put something in it too,” Philip said. “You are one of Mama’s boys. You have to give her a treasure.”
“I don’t have anything to give her.” It had been one of Adam’s worries during the journey to Nottinghamshire.
Lucas slipped an arm around his shoulders and squeezed. “You’ll think of something. I have complete faith in you.”
***
Christmas Day
“Mama. Mama. Mama. Mama. Mama.”
Mother Julia met her oldest’s eyes. “Philip.”
Understanding slid over his features. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. Adam had seen him do precisely that a few times during his visit. He suspected the boy had been given very specific instructions on what to do when he was overly excited.
“It’s Christmas, Mama,” Philip said, nearly all his exuberance now firmly in place. “You have to have your Christmas surprise.”
“I have been very excited about this Christmas surprise,” Mother Julia said. “I can hardly wait to discover what it is.”
“It’s a treasure box!” Layton exclaimed.
“Layton.” Philip scolded his brother. “You can’t tell her what the surprise is. You’re ruining it.”
“I didn’t tell her what was in it,” Layton shot back.
“It’s a treasure box. She will know it has treasure in it.”
“Treasure comes in many forms,” Adam said. “She will still be surprised. No need to come to blows.”
With no more reassurance than that, the two oldest set aside their quarrel, rushing away together to collect the treasure box, which Lucas had brought into the room earlier.
