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“It’s snowing,” Ginnysaid, jaw on the floor at the kitchen window. “I can’t believe Mrs. Sanders was right.” She turned off the faucet, hung the damp wash rag on the sink, and pulled out the canister of dog food.
Zippy, recovered from his paw and stomach woes, was ready to eat. His legs tippy-tapped across the floor as Ginny scooped his kibble. When the bowl was full, she slid it over to the hound, chuckling when he didn’t dive right in. “Sorry, bud. We’re back to normal portions.” Zippy cocked his head, sniffed, then tucked into his breakfast.
Henry and Josie shuffled into the kitchen, matching sleepy expressions. “Merry Christmas,” Josie said as she poured two glasses of orange juice.
“Merry Christmas, you two.” Ginny hugged her children, savoring the closeness for a moment before pulling back.
Not much of a morning person, Henry flopped onto a stool and rubbed his eyes. “Merry Christmas.”
Giving a glass to her brother, Josie leaned against the counter. Her gaze snagged on the window, and she gasped. “It’s snowing. Mom, did you see?”
Ginny was caught off guard by her daughter’s childlike wonder. “I did. Isn’t that wild?”
Henry slurped from his juice, his gap-tooth grin on full display. “Old Mrs. Sanders was right.”
“Hen!” Ginny admonished. “We don’t call heroldMrs. Sanders.”
Henry slid his sister some side-eye, seeking confirmation. Before she could reply, Max entered the kitchen. He was dressed in his favorite cooking clothes: a worn flannel and jeans. “Merry Christmas you guys.” He hugged the kids before planting a kiss on Ginny’s lips. When he looked out the window, he inhaled. “Old Mrs. Sanders was right. Look at it go!”
“Max,” Ginny said, poking him in the side with her coffee spoon.
Henry and Josie doubled over in fits of giggles. “I told you.” Henry gasped in between peals of laughter.
Max raised an eyebrow. “What did I miss?”
Ginny shook her head, intent on keeping the peace and what was left of her sanity. “Nothing. Let’s get coffee going so we can do presents.”
At the mention of gifts, both children hopped off their stools and bounded into the living room. Max opened the fridge, pulled out a tray of unbaked cinnamon rolls and an egg casserole he made the night before. “We will have breakfast in an hour,” he announced to the nearly empty kitchen.
Zippy sat on his haunches, waiting for a morsel to fall to the ground. When Ginny wasn’t looking, Max peeled a piece of sausage from the top of the pan and tossed it to the floor. Zippy scarfed it down before Ginny was done adding sugar to her coffee.
“Don’t open anything until we get there,” Ginny warned, handing Max his coffee. “Those two will be done before you even get breakfast in the oven.” She took a step to join the kids, but Max snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close.
“Merry Christmas, Gin.” He kissed her, slowly and with all the feeling called for on Christmas morning. Ginny’s coffee mug was hastily slid across the counter so she could return her husband’s passionate embrace.
“Merry Christmas, Max.” Ginny rested her forehead on his chest, sniffing in the scent of worn cotton and Max. “I love you,” she whispered, leaning into his hold.
He cupped her to him, breathing quietly and watching the snow fall outside. Despite the fact they’d been remarried for well over a decade, he never stopped to marvel at how lucky he was. During the darkest days of their divorce, he’d lain awake at night dreaming of this moment. A warm house, Ginny in his arms, two happy kids under the Christmas tree, and a goofy mutt running around for scraps. It was heaven; it was his life, and he would never take it for granted.
“Are you two done having a moment? Hen started shaking his presents, and I’m starving to death.” Josie thrust her hands on her hips, looking closer to eighteen than twelve.
Ginny reluctantly stepped back, winking at Max before addressing their daughter. “All right, you win. Let’s start the festivities.”
Josie grinned and bolted back toward the Christmas tree, this time with Zippy on her tail.
Two hours later, and the Sanchez family Christmas was officially in the books. The kids were surrounded by wrapping paper piles and more gifts than they’d be able to use in a year. Ginny was thrilled with her new necklace from Max, and he was in love with the high-end knife set she bought him for his new restaurant. Henry was already playing with his new video game before they were done packing up for the diner.
“What time should we leave?” Ginny asked, hooking her new necklace into place and sighing at the sparkle in her reflection. It was a simple gold chain, with three gemstones hanging from the middle—one stone for each of the kids and Max’s birth months.
“Whenever we’re all ready. Evan just texted that he and CeCe are already there. Apparently bed rest was just a recommendation from her OBGYN.” He did air quotes and scoffed. Everyone knew CeCe was unstoppable.
Ginny huffed. “I’m sorry, have you met CeCe? I’m surprised Evan hasn’t tried chaining her to the bed.”
“That’s a visual I don’t need.” Max shuddered. “I’ll give the kids a countdown and throw the rest of the food in the car. Ready in five?”
Ginny nodded before texting CeCe, Natalie, Mallory, and Alice that they were en route to the diner. She smiled as she tucked her phone into her purse and stepped out into their white Christmas.
