“They sure did,” Prissy confirmed, her head resting on Stan’s shoulder. “They couldn’t stop raving about dinner and the complimentary bottles of wine you gave them.”
“They were delightful guests,” Asha said, smiling graciously. “I do hope they can come back.”
“They’d love to,” Michael assured her. “But flying the whole crew out to France once a year would get pretty expensive. So the network execs probably won’t go for it.”
“But you’re one of their biggest stars,” Asha pointed out. “Surely you can persuade them?”
“Oh, he can,” Reese purred, sliding a suggestive smile at Michael. “My husband can beverypersuasive when he wants to be.”
“TMI,” Manning called out jokingly.
Michael snorted. “Says the man who’s had his tongue down his wife’s throat all night,” he quipped, drawing howls of laughter from the others.
Looking around at the sea of animated faces, Mama Wolf beamed with happiness and contentment. “What a wonderful Christmas this has been,” she declared.
All laughter and conversation ceased as everyone turned to smile at the family matriarch.
“You know,” she began philosophically, “as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ today, I feel like the most blessed woman on earth. Not only has God given me an abundance of loving family and friends, He’s also blessed me with the precious gift of time. During my long life on this earth, I’ve witnessed many tragedies and experienced just as many triumphs. I’ve seen our country progress in some ways and regress in others. Because of God’s grace and mercy, I was able to do something I never thought I would—cast a vote for our first black president. Not once, but twice.” She smiled, her dark eyes shining with satisfaction. “If the Good Lord calls me home tomorrow, I’ll leave this earth with no regrets.” Pause. “But I sure wouldn’t mind if He kept me around a while longer to enjoy more of these holiday gatherings. They give me life, as the young folks say.”
Hearty laughter and shouts of “Amen” filled the room. Mama Wolf smiled radiantly as everyone got up and went over to hug and kiss her.
When it was Samara’s turn, the family matriarch gently cradled her face between her hands and confided in a hushed voice, “I had one of my fertility dreams not too long ago.”
Samara grinned. “Did you?”
“I sure did.” There was a conspiratorial gleam in the old woman’s eyes. “Every time I dream about waterfalls, one of you girls turns up pregnant. Am I going to find out who’s expecting during tonight’s special performance?”
“Yes,” Samara said with a twinkling smile. “But something tells me you already know.”
Mama Wolf beamed ecstatically, then hugged her long and hard. “Congratulations, baby,” she whispered in her ear. “I’m so happy for you and Marcus!”
Samara laughed, returning her fierce hug. “Thank you, Mama.”
Just then the older children stampeded into the room, squealing with laughter as they chased one another around the sparkling Christmas tree.
As Milan ran past her parents, Marcus reached down and scooped her right up. She burst into high-pitched giggles as he swung her into the air and blew raspberries against her neck.
Not wanting to be left out, Matthew and Malcolm raced over and threw their arms around Marcus’s waist.
Samara’s heart melted as she watched her husband and children. She thanked God for them, and she couldn’twaitto tell Marcus about the coming addition to their family.
Smiling at the thought, she glanced at her diamond-encrusted Chopard watch, one of her Christmas gifts from Marcus.
It was almost five o’clock.
She smiled with quiet excitement.
Just two hours to go before show time.
