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In the kitchen, they found Knox manning the griddle, and Charlie whooped. “The pancake master is in action.”
Knox laughed. “Seth and Mara have been busy, too, and we’re almost ready for Christmas breakfast. Did you bring your appetite?”
Charlie nodded. “I’ll start with a dozen.”
Laughing, they brought their presents to the lobby’s living area and placed them beneath the tree. Jolie squealed, making everyone jump to look at her.
Jolie grinned and pointed at Rissa’s hand. “You’re engaged. You got engaged. Yay!”
Then she pulled Rissa into a hug. In only moments, everyone hugged and congratulated them.
Gray, holding tiny Jayna Rose in his arms, hugged Burke. “Congratulations, my friend. You’ve proved yourself to be a smart man.”
Rissa didn’t remember ever being the center of so much attention, but she didn’t hate it because it meant she’d miraculously become part of this wonderful family.
They laughed their way through a delicious breakfast, where Charlie put a good dent in his stack of pancakes, and then headed to the living room.
They brought in extra chairs from the lobby and the dining room, so that everyone could sit in a huge semi-circle facing the tree.
Charlie looked at Ella Mae. “Do you want to be a Christmas elf again, Ella? I’ll help you read the names.”
Ella squealed. “Pwesents.”
Olivia laughed. “Of course, that’s one word she says almost perfectly.”
The group let Ella Mae choose which present to give out first. She chose the gift bag Rissa had picked for Jayna Rose.
“That’s Jayna’s name, Ella. Can you bring it to the baby?”
“Baby. Pink pwesent.” With a happy hop, Ella brought the sparkly pink bag to Gray, who held his daughter. “Thank you, Ella. Jayna’s very first Christmas present.”
He passed the gift to Amber, who read the card. “From Rissa, with hopes that her gift will help Jayna always remember her past.”
Rissa’s tummy fluttered with nerves, wishing Ella had chosen someone else’s gift as the first one. Burke squeezed her hand, rubbed his thumb over her ring, and helped her relax. She was part of the family now. She’d chosen her gift with her heart, and she knew it would be accepted in the same vein.
Amber pulled out the tissue and folded it carefully. Then she peeked into the bag and let out a soft gasp. Eyes blinking back happy tears, Amber looked at Rissa. “They’re perfect. Thank you.”
Then she pulled out the two stuffed animals: a fox and a blue jay.
Gray grinned. “Fox and Jay. Those are amazing. And I think that’s the cue for my gift to Jayna. Charlie, can you help Ella get it?”
When Ella handed Amber the present, she pulled out a stuffed angel and a rose. Amber didn’t bother to wipe away her tears. “For your sister Angelina, and your mamma Rosina. Jayna, you’re a lucky, lucky little girl. You’re not only surrounded by family who loves you, but by people who know how to honor the past and the ones who helped us all come together.”
Burke kissed Rissa’s cheeks. “You’re amazing, Rissa. That’s the perfect gift.”
Rissa smiled, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. She vowed that was the last of the nerves. From now on, she would believe that not only was she part of this family, but that she didn’t have to measure up. They accepted her just as she was.
There wasn’t a better feeling in the universe.
Chapter 25
Christmas Questions
Burke was glad to feel Rissa’s body relax beside him. She wasn’t used to so much attention, and he knew she’d been a little thrown by the effusive reaction to their engagement. Then Ella chose her present for Jayna first.
Rissa hadn’t told him what she’d bought, but it wouldn’t have mattered. She was an incredibly thoughtful and intuitive person. The stuffed animals in honor of Fox and Jay would be well-loved.
Ella decided to give out multiple gifts at a time, and Charlie hurried to keep up as she kept moving around the room, dropping random presents in people’s laps.
