Chapter 4: A New Everyday Life

The following week passed with surprisingly little stress, especially considering it was Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, they danced around the Christmas tree and sang carols.

During one of the songs, Anette started crying. Helene led her over to the sofa and put an arm aroud her, while the others continued singing around the Christmas tree.

“That was always the first song we sang at home,” Anette sniffled. “I miss Mom and Christmas with her, Grandma, and Grandpa.”

Helene held her and wiped her eyes. Ten minutes later, Anette had cried herself out, and they returned to the others.

Afterward, they unwrapped their presents. Stef received a bike and a board game from Helene and Mikkel. Anette received wireless headphones, a set of artist’s markers, and a sketchbook. They both received various homemade gifts from the children. To ensure they wouldn’t feel left out for not having any gifts of their own to give, Helene had purchased a variety of small items in advance. The day before Anette, Stef and Helene had selected and wrapped gifts for Rasmus, Jannik, Ingegerd, and Danielle.

They stayed home and enjoyed each other’s company in the days following Christmas. Some uncles, aunts, and cousins came to visit and say hello to the family, but their visits were brief, because they knew the new foster children needed peace and quiet to settle in.

Stef agreed to let Anette put on his nighttime diaper every evening. He soon began to cooperate more actively, lying down and lifting his bottom when Anette asked him to so that she could more easily slip the diaper under him. Once this became a routine, Mikkel said Stef could stop wearing the back-zip sleeper at night as long as he promised not to take off the diaper until morning. Stef refused. The sleeper was warm and comfortable, and he especially liked it when Anette helped him put it on.