Page 79 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

“Merry Christmas to you,” she replied, giving him a big hug.

“How was church?” Ana asked.

“Beautiful,” her mother replied, as always. “You’ll go in the afternoon?”

“Of course,” Ana replied.

“Rory’s coming this morning?” her mom asked as Ana poured them each a cup of coffee.

“Yes,” Ana said. “And then we’ll all go over to his sister’s place, if that’s still okay with you.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” her mom said.

Ana knew that was true. Her mother had put together a beautiful plate of homemade empanadas, little candies, and chocolates to bring with them. And they had made some clothing and a stuffed lion for Leo, as well as a few things for the new baby who would be arriving any day now.

Before Ana had a chance to fix herself a coffee, the doorbell rang.

“It’s like he knows,” Ana’s mom said, shaking her head with a fond smile on her face.

Ana headed down the stairs to find Rory waiting with a big box in his arms.

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” he said when Ana let him in.

“No, no,” she said, then looked down at her pajamas and sweater. “I mean we only got up a few minutes ago.”

“You look beautiful,” Rory said, his voice a little husky.

Ana felt a thousand butterflies take flight in her chest, and she hurried back up the stairs, hoping she wasn’t blushing as much as she thought she was.

“There he is,” her mom called out as they both stepped into the apartment. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” Rory replied, setting his box down on the floor.

“Merry Christmas,” Theo yelled at the top of his lungs, running up to Rory.

And when Rory swooped him up in his arms and spun him around, Theo let out a waterfall of delighted giggles.

“I have some good news,” Rory said.

“What is it?” Ana asked.

“Evangeline had the baby super early this morning,” Rory said proudly. “They’re still at the hospital, so we won’t get to see them today. But when we do, you’ll get to meet baby Asher.”

“Oh, how wonderful,” Ana said.

“Asher,” her mother echoed. “What a nice name.”

“We have presents for him,” Ana said. “And now we can make him a blanket with his name on it.”

As Ana helped her mom in the kitchen, they talked about how sweet it was for the baby to have a Christmas birthday and they all vowed to make sure he never missed out on anything because of it.

“Okay, who’s ready for breakfast?” Ana’s mom asked at last.

Theo cheered, and Ana got out plates and silverware so the adults could serve themselves.

“I’ve got him,” her mom said, shooing her away when she went to the cupboard that held Theo’s plates and cups.

“Thank you,” Ana said, turning to fix a plate for herself and another for her mom, so she wouldn’t have to stop once Theo was set up.