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And as he turned to get up off the bed he saw little Jessie standing in the doorway, a glass of water in her hand. And she was beaming.
EPILOGUE
The strains of 'I'll be home for Christmas' faded away and then Meg's all-time favorite came on, Bing Crosby's rendition of 'White Christmas'. He was the ultimate crooner as far as she was concerned. This was her favorite time of year and she just could not get enough of the Christmas carols.
In less than twenty-four hours it would be Christmas Day and she could hardly wait. With a sigh she sank deeper into the rocking chair and as Bing Crosby crooned the words to the beloved carol she looked down into the angelic face of her newborn son, Drake Duncan II.
He was the perfect Christmas gift, born just two weeks earlier, a seven pounder. He was going to be tall like his father. She could see it in the length of his little legs. And he would be just as handsome. He was the most beautiful baby she had ever seen. Next to Jessie, of course.
"Can I hold him, Mommy?"
Meg looked up as her daughter walked into the sitting room, looking so serious and big-sisterly. At six years old she now considered herself a big girl and more than capable of caring for her brand new brother. "I'll let you hold him," Meg said, "if you sit on that cushion on the floor and you stay very still. Can you do that?"
"Of course, Mommy. I know how to hold Drake. I've done it before."
Meg raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And when was that?"
"Daddy let me hold him when you were sleeping," she began then she bit her lip and her eyes grew round. "Are you mad?"
Meg gave her a soft smile as she settled onto the cushion. "No, Jessie, I'm not mad." She got out of the rocker and went to lay the baby gently in Jessie's arms. "But I do need to speak to your daddy. Where is he?"
"Right here, sweetheart." The deep voice came from the doorway and when she looked up there stood her husband of seven months, looking so handsome in a black turtle neck sweater that showed off his muscled frame.
She raised an eyebrow. "And what happened to the Christmas tree sweater your mother sent?"
He grimaced. "Maybe tomorrow. Not sure I can stand the torture today." Then he smiled and opened his arms to her and Meg walked into his embrace. He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "How's my girl doing?"
Meg sighed as she leaned into him. "Doing fine now that your namesake is fed and asleep. I wonder if you were as ravenous when you were a baby?"
Drake chuckled. "You can ask my mom when she gets here tomorrow." He looked over at Jessie holding Baby Drake and smiled. "She's such a great big sister," he whispered so that only Meg could hear, "and the best daughter I could ever ask for."
Her heart swelling with love for him, Meg slid her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight. "And you're the best daddy I could ever want for Jessie and Drake."
With her head resting against him, Meg heard the rumble of laughter in Drake's chest. She lifted her face and peered up at him. "What's so funny?"
"I'm just remembering when Jessie told me she wanted a daddy by December twenty-four. She wanted one as a special Christmas gift for you, she said. She got her wish so I guess there really is a Santa Claus."
Meg sighed with contentment and laid her head back on his chest. "I guess there is," she said softly. "I couldn't have asked for a nicer gift."
And as she relaxed in Drake's embrace her thoughts went back to Jessie's drawing of the family she'd wished for. She would have to remind her to do another one, now that baby made four.
This would be her first Christmas with her wonderful family of four. Thank you, Santa.
THE END
