Page 13 of Saving St. Nicolas

“Happy to help. Have a good night and be safe,” he calls out.

“You too,” I reply with a smile.

I walk inside, placing my presents into the box labeled donations for children’s wing, sticking the Uber drivers’ card in my clutch, then checking my coat before making my way into the festivities. I look around and see the hospital out did themselves this year with the decorations, it’s homey and yet classy all at the same time.

I watch as the kids run around in an area set up for them, and I can’t help the smile that crosses my lips. They are all toddlers, ranging between a year and three. They are all dressed so cute.

I walk in a little further, looking for Leia, when the waiter comes next to me.

“Would you like a drink, ma’am?”

“Yes, please,” I say as I grab a drink off the tray. “Thank you,” I tell him before he walks away.

“You made it,” Leia says as she excitedly walks up to me.

“I told you I would be here, and here I am.”

“You look gorgeous,” we both say at the same time, then again with “Jinx,” until we fall into giggles.

“I’m so glad you are here,” she says as she hooks her arm around mine and leads me over to where the stage for Santa is currently set up.

I look at the Christmas tree, taking in the beautiful lights and decorations.

“Did you do this?” I ask her.

“I did,” she replies, beaming. “Well, me and some of the other volunteers,” she concedes.

“You all did a beautiful job. Wait, what is that burning smell?” I ask, concerned.

“The cooks probably burned another dish back in the kitchen,” she answers, wavering her hand in the air. “They seem to be having issues in the kitchen tonight, but I was promised they would not serve us burnt food,” she says with a laugh.

“That’s good to know,” I say with a grimace on my face, then I ask, “Is Emily and Krista coming?”

“Krista is here, she’s currently on the phone with Will. Emily and Jake were having a hard time wrangling the kids, but they should be here soon,” she replies.

“I can’t wait to see the twins,” I say with a smirk.

Emily delivered early at home with the help of her husband, Jake. The boys were in the NICU for a while, but they seem to be thriving and causing their parents grief like I knew they would.

“Hey, sorry about that. Wow, Ri, you look gorgeous,” Krista says as she walks up.

“Thanks, Kris, and so do you. When is Will coming home?” I ask her.

“His team plays Christmas Eve, but as soon as the game is done, he is catching a flight home and will be here for Christmas,” she says.

“That’s great news, I know you are excited for him to be here with you for Leia’s wedding,” I say, then look over at Leia, “Tell me again why you are getting married on Christmas Day?”

“Well, this is Noah and mine’s Christmas present to each other, but really, this way he can never forget our wedding anniversary,” she whispers.

We all laugh, but then she says, “Also, I know everyone will be here, and that’s all I really want. My family and friends celebrating with me, and hey, I did make it for late afternoon, so everyone has time to open presents, no matter how it’s wrapped,” she says with a little pout and devilish smirk all at the same time.

“Thank you,” Kris says, but then she sighs.

“What’s wrong,” I ask.

“I’m worried about Will. This will be the first Christmas without his dad. I’m not sure how he’s going to deal.”

Will’s dad passed away from prostate cancer a couple of weeks after Krista and Will got married.

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