“You are going to be a great dad.” Nick grinned at him. He glanced at Micah and winked. “Hopefully before too long.”
“Nick,” Micah groaned and looked at Graham apologetically. “They think it’s my duty provide cousins for their children.”
Graham smiled and kissed him softly. “Understandable. You are theuncle.”
“Ilikehim.” Nick nodded emphatically, and he and Mark laughed.
Eli made his rounds, showing them each and every present that Santa brought him—which wasa lot.He finally drifted away to actually play with the toys and Wendy returned.
“She’s out,” Wendy told Nick with a sigh. “I love that little angel, but babies are exhausting.”
Graham chuckled. “Well, anytime you want a reprieve, just let me know. I’ll be happy to babysit.”
“I like him,” Wendy exclaimed and the other laughed. “What?”
“Nothing, dear.” Nick kissed her.
Sitting back on the sofa, Graham drew Micah against him as he sobered a bit. “Just before my father passed away,” he murmured. “He told me that he had the perfect gift for you.” He stroked his fingers through Micah’s hair. “He always wished he could repay you for all that you did for him. And he said he found it—the one thing that he believed you wanted more than anything else.” He shook his head, sadness in his eyes. “But he didn’t get the chance to tell me what it was, or where he’d put it. I looked everywhere. I wanted so much to bring it to you. My dad was so happy to be able to give you something back.” He swallowed thickly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find it. I would have loved to be able to give it to you today.”
Micah gazed at him, tears forming. “The one thing I wanted more than anything else…” he whispered and glanced at the others. All of them teared up and smiled.
“What am I missing?” Graham murmured, at a loss.
Micah laughed softly and touched his face, his tears thickening. “You,” he whispered.
“What?”
Swallowing thickly, Micah kissed him soft on the lips. “Youwere the gift that your dad wanted to give me…the one thing I wanted more than anything else.” He smiled, his throat working. “My own true love.”
∞∞∞
Micah gazed at Graham as the truth ofthe giftsank in. Micah wished with all his heart he could thank Sal for the gift of his son. But he believed the old man was looking down on them now and saw inside Micah—all the joy and love and gratitude.
You got your miracle.
A warm numbness seeped through Micah as he began to understand the full truth of this miracle. When he had asked for his miracle last Christmas Eve while standing outside the little diner…God had given it to him that same night—when he met Sal.
He looked at Graham, his throat knotting and eyes filling.
It just took a little while to get here.
