Page 80 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

“You guys work together like clockwork,” Rory said a moment later when they were all seated.

“It takes a village,” Ana said with a smile.

They all held hands and shared a moment of silent thanks before digging into a beautiful breakfast of biscuits, eggs, and delicious coffee.

“Did you notice anything about the living room?” Ana asked Theo when their meal was finished.

He slid out of his chair and scampered over to the other room immediately.

“Presents,” he squeaked in amazement as he examined the packages under the tree.

“What about up on the bookshelf?” Ana’s mom asked.

“Stockings,” he yelled, hopping up and down.

“Would you like to open your stocking?” Ana asked.

“Yes,” he said, turning to her with hopeful eyes. “Please.”

“Okay,” she said. “Let’s take our plates to the sink and wash our hands, and then we can get started.”

It took a little longer than planned because Theo knocked over his sippy cup in his excitement, and when he went to pick it up, he knocked Rory’s whole plate onto the floor, where it broke into two pieces.

“Oh, no,” Theo cried, collapsing to the floor in sobs. “Oh, no.”

Ana’s heart ached. Theo still had a short fuse, and was so much more prone to sobbing fits than other children his age. She moved to clean it up and comfort him, but Rory beat her to it.

“It’s okay,” Rory said, getting right down on the floor with him. “These things happen, even to grownups. Did you know I broke my favorite coffee mug last week?”

Theo peeked up at him, crying a little more softly.

“I did,” Rory said, shaking his head. “It was blue and it had a logo for the Heroes Center on it. Captain Anderson gave it to me after I volunteered one day and I was so sad that it was broken.”

Theo wiggled over to lean on Rory, as if to comfort him.

“But you know what?” Rory confided. “It was just a mug, not a person. And now my second-favorite mug gets to be used every day. It was a present from my sister and it has Santa Claus on it.”

Theo giggled.

Ana quickly moved to clean up while the two of them talked about Rory’s mugs. Before she knew it, Theo was back on track, heading to the sink with Rory to wash up.

When she looked up, her mom caught her eye and gave her a significant look.

Ana nodded. Yes, she knew how great Rory was with Theo. It was one of her favorite things about having him for a boyfriend.

They all sat on the living room rug by the small but very pretty Christmas tree, which twinkled with colorful lights, and watched Theo open up his stocking and his presents.

He was absolutely delighted by everything he opened, and Ana thought more than once how lucky she was to care for this little boy who really knew how to appreciate these happy moments.

“I have presents too,” Rory said. “Hang on.”

Ana watched him jump up to grab the box he’d carried up the stairs and sit again with it. She had no idea what was inside, but it looked heavy.

“This one is for Theo,” Rory said, holding out a wrapped rectangular item.

Theo hurried over and sat on Rory’s lap to investigate, his eyes wide. He got the wrapping paper off and then his mouth dropped open.

“For fixing,” he gasped.