Chapter 24: Christmas Morning

† Monday, December 25, 2023 (Christmas Day).

Like many American families, the five of them congregated in the living room relatively early to avoid torturing Cosette with anticipation. So, they all found and wore their night clothes. Julie pulled out an old flannel nightgown and the Garniers were all wearing their new pajamas. The common tradition was that the kid would crawl around beneath the tree, retrieving and distributing the presents.

They all turned their attention to Cosette, who stood with her arms folded beside the tree.

“I have a couple of announcements before we do the gifts. I’ll be right back.”

She returned from the kitchen with the folding step stool and placed it beside the tree.

“We’re here tonight because on November 9th Mom and I were visited by an angel. The angel is still with us, even on Christmas.”

On top of their tree was a Victorian-era drawing of an angel mounted on a flat piece of cardboard. She climbed up and took down the topper and then passed it to Julie. Sette had used Julie’s all-in-one ink jet printer to scan the image. Then she altered the drawing to superimpose a cropped photo of Julie’s face, and reprinted the image and trimmed and pasted the print over the original.

None of the adults had noticed the alteration before this morning.

Julie, sniffling, passed the drawing to Sylvie, who then passed it to Theo.

Julie started, “Sette...”

“No, wait. I’ll be back in a moment.”

She came back with a glass of milk and a plate of cookies.

“For Santa.”

That earned Sette a chuckle and a wet smile.

“Also, there’s another ornament on our tree.”

Reaching around the back she pulled out another creation. Cosette had taken a piece of cardboard and bent it into a long upside-down “U” shape. With added pieces for the bottom and sides, she had created a model of Julie’s curbside mailbox. She handed it over to her so she could read the label.

5 Hardwood Court
J. Kaiser
S. Garnier – T. Garnier
C. Garnier

Julie looked up to see that Cosette was kneeling. “Please. Can we make this official?”

Julie abruptly stood and practically yanked her up to her feet, then wrapped her arms around her tightly.

“Oh, sweetie. Did your parents put you up to this?”

“No, it’s all me. Are you saying, saying no?”

Sette could barely choke out the words.

“Syl, Theo, what is your answer?”

“Please. Yes,” replied Sylvie, nervously.

Theo smiled, revealing his opinion. “Yes!”

“I guess it’s unanimous. Welcome to Number 5, Garniers.”

Syl and her daughter were sobbing, but happy. Theo walked over and unpeeled Julie’s hand from Cosette’s back to shake it firmly. Then he leaned in and kissed Julie, unleashing the last flood.

Tears running down her face, Julie asked, “Has our daughter forgotten about the Christmas presents?”

Cosette shrieked, “OUR dau—?!”

Pressing her little wet face into Julie’s belly, she wrapped her short arms around her body and squeezed hard. Muffled wails could be heard.

Julie tried to extract herself. Breathless, she called her name.

“Sette ... Cosette ... Please!”

Finally, Sette released her and asked, “You mean it?”

“Yes! You want to see what ‘Santa’ brought you?”

“Oh, today I believe in ‘Santa.’ I love ‘Santa,’ so much. ‘Santa’ is cool.”