Page 176 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Good morning and Merry Christmas.” Suddenly, Derek Darling was at their elbow. He glanced down at the card in Josie's hand. “Christmas card?”
Malcolm shook his head. Josie handed the card to Derek, who quietly read it. “Liliana. Well, I'm not surprised.” He glanced up.
“But we are not... a couple.” Josie circled one hand between Malcolm and herself. She felt his grip on her shoulder tighten. “At least, we weren’t when we were with Liliana.”
“Maybe Lilliana was a very perceptive young lady.” Derek gave a little quirk to his head just as his wife reappeared, looking very pale. “Victoria. Are you all right?”
“I guess so,” Victoria said, pressing one hand to her stomach. “Merry Christmas, honey. I'm pregnant.”
Derek swayed on his feet. “Really? I didn't realize. Maybe I've been working too much.”
“Maybe?” Victoria asked with one of her sassy smiles.
Well, this had become a very private moment. Emily and Bryn were waving to them from the table. Josie's parents had taken a seat next to Aurelia. “I think it's time we get some food,” she whispered to Malcolm, stuffing the card into one pocket.
“I'll finish checking off the gifts.” Phyllis reached for the clipboard.
“This is quite a spread,” her father said to her when they finally took their seats.
“You’d think I never fed the man,” her mother grumbled.
“So much excitement today.” Aurelia raised her brows at Malcolm.
Settling in with her food, Josie didn't know if she was even hungry. This day was filled with so much happiness. And she loved having both her parents and Malcolm's mother there.
Over at the front door, Victoria's father had arrived with his wife. Obviously they had just been given Victoria's news. Theman was absolutely beaming, clapping his son-in-law on the back. Usually Mr. Pomeroy gave the clinic a very generous gift at Christmas time. Josie had a feeling that in light of Victoria's pregnancy, that gift might be even more generous this year.
Although so much was happening, Josie’s hunger finally got to her and she picked up her fork. In her hurry to get dressed that morning, she hadn't bothered with her makeup. No way did she want the peppermint lipstick to interfere with her tastebuds this morning. At the table in the back of them, Emily and Jackson were feeding Alex. But their rambunctious little boy insisted on feeding himself. Sheldon was in Trevor's arms, while Bryn hovered over them.
Josie didn't know when she’d had a Christmas this happy, although everything was a bit of a muddle in her mind. She would sort this all out later when she had time to think. Right now it was enough to relax in the glow of a perfect holiday when she was with all the people she loved. Still, her mind kept going back to the infant she’d held in her arms. Later, she wanted to get Derek alone and ask him some questions. She'd read about single women adopting. Why not?
Before long, Phyllis positioned the rocking chair in front of the tree. “Can I ask you a favor?” Victoria tugged at her sleeve, looking paler than ever. “Josie, can you help Phyllis hand out the gifts? Make sure everyone gets the right one. I just can't handle it today.”
“Of course.” Slipping away from the table, Josie took her place. Every package was marked, so it wasn't very hard.
Carrying a huge sack over one shoulder, Big Mac ambled in dressed as Santa, shouting, “Ho, ho, ho.” The children exploded. Before long wrapping paper was flying as the kids opened the gifts from the patrons of Victoria's Pantry.
“Alexander Hart,” Santa called out, holding a cumbersome package in his lap that must have been the fire truck.
Looking like a proud father, Jackson approached with Alex in his arms. But when they reached Santa Claus, the little guy was more interested in Santa than in the package. His tiny fist reached toward the snowy white beard.
“Oh, let the child sit on my lap,” Big Mac murmured.
“If you're sure.” Jackson handed his son over but stayed close, with Emily right behind him.
Looking oh so pleased, Alex smiled up at the big man with the white beard and red hat. “Dada,” the baby said, loud as could be.
“What? No.” Jackson look horrified and Emily burst out laughing.
“Dada,” the little boy said again, reaching for the white beard.
Still laughing, Emily stepped in and lifted Alex from Santa's lap while Jackson carried the gift back to the table. The poor man looked absolutely crushed but he quickly recovered.
The gifts had almost all been distributed when Malcolm reached under the tree and came up with a gift bag. The wrapping looked like something she had seen Eileen working on in the library that week. “This is for you,” Malcolm said.
“Oh that Eileen.” She quietly sat down at the table and began to unwrap it. Inside was a lot of shredded red tissue, but when she pushed all that aside there was a little blue box. Feeling breathless, she was glad that everyone seemed caught up with their own gifts. But not her parents. And certainly not Aurelia. Oh no, her eyes were glued to that beautiful velvet box.
Hands shaking, Josie flipped up the top. The most beautiful ring she'd ever seen winked up at her. “Oh, Malcolm. Really?” She looked up into his eyes.
