Her eyes misting, Wendy smiled. “I’m sorry we pushed so hard. And in retrospect, I feel bad that we did. But I hope you know it wasonlybecause we were so excited for you to experience what we had. I hope you can forgive us for our meddling ways.”
Micah laughed quietly and hugged her. He kissed the top of her head. “I always knew that everything you did was with my best interest at heart. And I loved you for it.” He stepped back. “And now that I really understand what it was you wanted for me…Ithankyou for trying so hard to help me find it.” He glanced toward the living room and chuckled. “Besides, how could I be mad? Without yourmeddling,I would have never met Mark. Maybe he wasn’t my soulmate, but he’s become a treasured friend. And my life would have beenlesswithout him in it.”
“Mark is a gem.” Wendy smiled. “We’ve already officially adopted him as part of the family.” She squinted. “And we can’t wait to induct Graham into the family as well.”
Micah’s heart beat a little faster from simply hearing his name. “He is amazing,” he murmured. “You’ll love him.”
“Of course, we will,” Wendy laughed lightly. “For the joy he’s brought into your life, we will forever adore him.”
“He said your food was so good, you should open a restaurant.” Micah grinned.
“Oh, Lord,” Wendy sighed happily. “I officially love him to death.”
∞∞∞
As soon as Nick and Wendy had learned that Mark would be spending Christmas with them all, they had conducted a last-minute shopping spree to make sure he had plenty of gifts under the tree as well. This act of kindness wasn’t revealed until they sat down to open their one Christmas Eve present.
Eli shuffled through the gifts beneath the tree, found what he was looking for, and brought it to Mark. “Do you wanna open my present for you?”
Mark blinked. “You got me a present?” Surprise and adoration filled his eyes.
“Uh-huh.” Eli grinned. “We got lots of presents for you.”
Micah smiled as his throat knotted.
Mark looked at Nick and Wendy, a light mist to his eyes. “You didn’t have to. Just being allowed to spend Christmas with a family like this was enough.”
“Giving gifts is the best part of Christmas,” Nick said. “And we’re a gift-giving family.” He plucked at his ugly sweater and grinned. “Can’t you tell?”
Mark smiled uncertainly. “Is that what I have to look forward to?” He laughed quietly.
“Oh, no,” Wendy assured. “That is a special Christmas gift just for Nick each year.”
“And don’t I feelspecial,”Nick mumbled with an exaggerated grimace.
Eli giggled. “I like your sweater.”
“Wanna wear it for me?”
“No!” Eli laughed and shook his head vigorously.
“I thought you liked it.”
“I like it onyou,” Eli giggled again.
“Good one, bud.” Micah laughed and winked at the boy. He wished Graham was here with him to share in the fun—he already missed him like crazy. Before leaving, he had invited Graham to come home with him, but the man insisted he had some things to do before their “stay-in” date.
“Here.” Eli handed his small gift to Mark, then leaned against his knee, eager for him to open it.
“Shouldn’t I wait for everyone else to open their gifts as well?” he asked the boy.
Eli shook his head and grinned.
“It’s all right,” Micah chuckled. “Go ahead, before Eli spontaneously combusts.”
Mark laughed and nodded. “Okay. We don’t want that.” He squinted at Eli. “Should I tear it open?”
“Yes!” Eli hopped. “That’s how I do it.”
