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He chuckled. “I know.”
**
Christmas morning, they drank coffee alone. They hadn’t even put up a tree this year. It just didn’t feel like Christmas. Later today, they were all going to Heath and Hannah’s new home to celebrate.
“Let’s get dressed and make morning mass,” she suggested to Josh.
“Whatever you want.”
They showered together to save time. Something they hadn’t done in years, maybe when the kids were small, and they wanted to save time. She laughed at him when they were drying themselves off. Sophie put on some make-up and put on a red sweater dress trying to be in a festive mood. She slipped into her black, knee length boots. The dress was a size or two too big now, but she didn’t care. Josh wore dress slacks and a dark sweater. He helped her with her coat. They would have time to pray before Christmas services which is how Sophie liked it but only a few moments.
“I wouldn’t have made it if I had my hair to do.”
He chuckled at her. “No, you wouldn’t have.”
She wore a festive red cap on her head that covered her baldness and matched her dress, but it didn’t hide the fact that Sophie still appeared ill. It didn’t stop the compassionate stares or the pitiful glances either as they made their way down the aisle to a pew, but Sophie held her head high and smiled.
Josh grasped her arm while she genuflected in the aisle before slipping into the pew. She knelt on the bench. Josh sat down. She gave him a look over her shoulder and he slipped to his knees beside her.
“That’s better,” she whispered to her husband. He shot her a look but didn’t respond.
Hi, it’s me, God, Sophie.
I’m here again. Worried about Ally this time.
Watch over her for me, would you? I’m not really, sure what’s going on with her, but I’m really worried about her.
Deandra too. She says she’s doing okay but I hear the tiredness in her voice. Lift her up when she can’t do it herself.
Help Amy as she has her remaining chemo treatments. She has also become my friend. She needs one right now.
Take care of Kai as she gets to the end of her pregnancy with the twins.
“Scooch over.”
Sophie looked up. Kai was wanting in. Josh sat back on the seat and let Kai in. Sophie moved down so there was enough room for her and Roman who took the end of the pew in case he needed to escape with Alexander who might get fussy or loud.
Kai had to lean back on the seat, but her head was bowed in prayer.
Speaking of the devil. Watch over her for me because I really need her and Micki.
Sophie reached across and covered Kai’s folded hands.
“You okay?” Kai leaned closer to Sophie and whispered.
Sophie nodded. “I love you, Kai. I just want you to know that?”
She leaned forward into the seat in front of her as far as her belly would allow and put her arm around Sophie whose eyes never left the front of the church decorated for Christmas with potted Poinsettias and garland around the natural wood that enclosed the altar area. A tree that was decorated in only white lights with a star at the top. A manager sat its base, the baby Jesus now lay in his wooden crib, since Midnight Mass last evening.
“I love you too. I’m kind of glad I couldn’t stay awake last night otherwise I would have missed this.”
Her brother Ross and his family poured into the seat in front of her with both sets of parents, all surprised to see her.
Ross leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. His son, Dillon leaned over and pecked her cheek. “Love ya, Aunt Sophie.”
She smiled. Then she realized that Driver was making his way down the pew to sit beside her. So much for her prayers. She sat back on the cold, hard pew and removed her coat with Kai’s help. Then she put her arm around Driver.
“How are you kid?” She whispered.
