by Sharon Coady
She turned and handed it proudly to Anne. “I picked this one out all by myself.”
Anne took the package and opened it. Inside, was the most beautiful baby book she had ever seen. “This is lovely!” She pulled her daughter close. “I’ll cherish these gifts always.”
“This is for you as well, Anne.” Kyle pulled a bag out from beside the tree. “It’s something I think you need.”
She glanced into the bag and found another baby book. Anne looked at him with her brow raised. “I don’t understand.”
“Open it.” He smiled so big both his dimples showed.
Anne opened the book and found Melanie’s name. This was the book that told her story since birth. “This is Melanie’s book?”
“Yes, there is plenty of room for you to add to it. Melanie and I discussed it, and we wanted her mommy to start adding to it.”
Anne’s hand fluttered to her heart. “This is such an honor. Thank you both.” She stood and hugged Kyle. “Now, I think someone else needs to open gifts. I’ve monopolized too many in a row.” She giggled, embarrassed at all the attention being lavished upon her.
Once all the gifts were opened, the baby started fussing. Anne excused herself so she could change him and feed him. As she was walking into the room, Anne heard Melanie exclaim that she couldn’t decide which gift was her favorite.
Chapter Seventeen
Once the baby was changed and fed, Anne made her way back to the living room. A smile spread over her face as she took in the sight of her family. Melanie was snuggled up with Pop, and Nancy and Kyle were sipping coffee, talking quietly. When Kyle glanced up, she felt her heart skip a beat at the lopsided grin he gave her. He set his cup down and hurried to her to take his son in his arms.
Placing a kiss softly on her lips, he held the baby close. “I love you,” he whispered. “This is perfect, isn’t it?” He turned to see what she was looking at..
“I’m so happy. Kyle, look.” Anne laughed as she pointed to Mavy walking quickly across the living room carrying one of her babies. “What’s she doing?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “We’ll have to wait and see.”
Mavy jumped up into Pop’s lap and placed it against him. She looked up and meowed, patted his chest with her paw and jumped down to run back to her box. Anne and Kyle watched as she took one of the other kittens and did the same with Nancy before going back to get Lucky, who she placed in Melanie’s lap. When she finished, Mavy sat watching her kittens then turned, sat, and looked up at the tree.
“I think she’s looking for the ornament, Kyle,” Anne whispered, leaning closer against him.
“I think you’re right. Look!”
Mavy stood and walked closer to the tree, looking up toward the branch where Gram’s special ornament hung. She meowed and started purring. “I’ll be darned. We have a very special cat here.” The baby stretched and burped. Kyle looked down at the sleeping cherub. “Looks like a good time to put him down and give Melanie her big gift.”
“Do you want me to take him?”
“No, I can lay him down. Why don’t you help Melanie put her boots and coat on?”
Anne watched as he went into the room and gently laid the baby in his crib. Gram, my heart is so full. I know you are watching us and sending so much love our way. I miss you. “Melanie, would you give Pop the kitten. Daddy wants you to go outside with him for a minute.”
“Okay, Mommy. Here Poppy, can you hold two?”
“Yep. Do you want me to put them in their box, Anne? Do you think Kyle might need another hand?”
“Sure. Let me take them while you get your coat on. Nancy we may as well go out and see if we can help, too.”
Nancy winked. “I think that’s a wonderful idea.”
Anne helped Melanie slip on her boots and coat. “Where are your gloves?”
“In my pockets.” A huge smile spread over her lips. “This is the best Christmas ever, Mommy.” She threw her little arms around Anne’s neck, hugging her close before she placed a kiss on her cheek.
“I think it is, too.” She finished buttoning her coat and helped Melanie tug on her gloves. “Put your hat on, it looks cold out.” Anne took her jacket off the hook and pulled it on as she slipped her feet into her boots. “Kyle, will he be all right in here for a few minutes?” She suddenly felt torn between going outside and staying inside with her baby boy.
Kyle pulled the door closed slightly. “He’ll be fine. I put the monitor in my pocket and you’ll only be out there for a few minutes. You know you don’t want to miss this.” He gave her hand a quick squeeze. “Pop, do you need a hand?”
“If you don’t mind. I’m not as steady on my feet as I used to be,” he grumbled and let Kyle take his arm as they moved slowly down the porch steps. Anne held Melanie’s hand as they followed behind Kyle and Pop.
“What are we doing, Mommy? I wanted to play with my new doll.”
“Patience, little one. You’ll see in a few minutes.” Anne touched her little cheek.
Once they were down the steps, Kyle turned toward Anne. “Why don’t you all wait here with Pop, and I’ll be right back.” Kyle made his way around the side of the cabin as they all watched him shuffle through the snow.
“Why can’t I go with him, Mommy? I thought he needed help?” Her little eyes were wide as she looked up at Anne with her mouth turned down.
“You’ll see. You’re going to help him in just a minute.” Anne felt a thrill when she glanced up and saw Kyle coming back around the corner with the beautiful little chestnut and white Pinto that looked just like the pony she imagined from the book about Misty. She stooped down. “I think Daddy is ready for you.” Anne took a few steps in front of her and watched Melanie’s face as she turned to face her daddy.
Melanie’s jaw dropped and her eyes went wider than Anne had ever seen them. Pop was snapping one picture after another as he chuckled at her reaction.
“What do you think?” Kyle stopped the pony in front of her. “Melanie, do you like your new pony?”
“She’s mine?” Melanie’s mouth turned up in the cutest smile. She reached up to softly touch the pony’s muzzle. “What’s her name?”
“You have to decide that. She doesn’t have a name yet.” Kyle chuckled. “You can think about it for a while if you like.”
“Can I? Because she has to have the perfect name, I have to wait until I find it. She’s so beautiful. Mommy, isn’t she beautiful?”
“She sure is.”
“Okay girl, I’m going to put her in her little barn and you need to get inside. It’s cold out here. Say goodbye to her for now.”
“Goodbye pony. I love you and I’ll see you later.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed her pony’s muzzle. “Grandma, Poppy! What do you think about my pony?” She turned and ran toward them.
“She’s very beautiful,” they both replied in unison and laughed.
“She’s a very pretty pony.” Nancy stooped down and gave her a hug. “Come on, let’s go make some hot chocolate. Walter would you like some as well?”
“I sure would. It’s cold as the blazes out here. Anne, do you mind helping me up those darn steps?”
“You know I don’t mind. Come on, we can help each other.” She took his arm and helped him maneuver up the steps watching him carefully. She realized he was looking much more frail these days. Her heart broke at the thought of not having him around anymore. I’m not ready to lose him, too. She sighed and held his arm a little tighter.
Kyle caught up to them and took his other arm. “I’ve got you, Pop. We’ll get you inside and warmed up.”
“That’s what I’m hoping. If I’d realized it was this cold out, I would have waited inside for you guys. Seems to me, I’m cold all the time anymore.”
They made it inside and Kyle helped him out of his coat while Anne went to check on little Walter, who was still sleeping soundly. When she returned, Kyle had him sitting in his chair with a blanket tucked over his lap. Melanie was snugg
led close under the blanket as well, and Anne couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of Mavy lying stretched out on his lap, purring away as Melanie pet her.
“Aren’t you three a sight?” She leaned down and kissed Pop on his cheek, patted Melanie on her head then reached down and gave Mavy a little stroke down her silky hair. “You both look nice and warm now.”
“Much better now that I’m with my best girl and my favorite cat.” He pulled Melanie closer and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Nothing better than sitting here like this except maybe having a cup of hot chocolate to sip.” He grinned as his eyes twinkled.
“I’m making it as fast as I can, Walter. You can’t rush good hot chocolate!” Nancy called playfully from the kitchen.
“I hope everyone had a spectacular Christmas. I know I sure did,” Kyle asked everyone as he smiled broadly.
“It was the best. Oh, thank you, Nancy.” Pop took the mug from her and took a sip. “Yep, perfect. I must say you make some darn good hot chocolate, Nancy.”
“Thank you, Walter. It’s my special recipe. I taught Kyle how to make it. Hasn’t he made it for you?”
“Yes, he has. But I don’t think he’s perfected it just yet from the taste of this.” He winked at Anne.
Laughing, she shook her head at him. She was glad they were getting along so well. It was a blessing in so many ways.
“So girl, what was your favorite Christmas present this year?” Pop smiled at Melanie.
“I love everything I got. What about you, Poppy?”
“I love everything I got, too. But I think my best gift is just being with all of you.” He was grinning from ear to ear.
“Well, I don’t want Mommy or Daddy to be upset, but I do have a best present, Poppy,” she said in what she thought was her whisper. “Do you want to know what it is?”
“I want to know whatever you have to tell me.”
“My best present was learning that even though Mommy didn’t have me in her tummy like my little brother, she still loves me like she did.”
“Well, that is a very good present. How did you figure that out?” he asked, glancing over her head at Anne, his eyes twinkling.
“From Mavy.”
“From Mavy?” Pop held her hand.
“Sure. Remember when Mommy found the little kitten all by himself on the porch and brought him inside?”
Pop nodded. “Sure I do. What about it?” His big smile crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“Remember how you told me Mavy jumped into the box and picked the baby up and took it to her box?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Well, I’ve been watching them every day to make sure that baby is okay. You know what?”
“What?”
Mavy sat up, yawned, looked up at Pop, and meowed. She put her paws on his chest and started purring.
“Are you getting into this discussion now?” He chuckled as she started meowing louder. “Okay, you need to quiet down cat so Melanie can finish her story. Go on, honey.”
“Mavy loves that baby the same as she loves hers. She cleans it, feeds it, and makes sure it’s safe just like she does with her own babies. So, I think that means it's her baby, too. Right, Poppy?”
“It sure does. So you understand now that Anne loves you just as much as she loves little Walter?”
“I do, she’s my mommy now, too, and you’re my real Poppy, right?”
“Yep, I told you that a long time ago. Come here girl, and give me a hug and kiss.” He held out his arms as she snuggled against him.
Anne was so happy she’d heard how her daughter felt now. She’d prayed so many times that the little girl would understand how much love she held in her heart and now, she did. Her heart soared. “Melanie?”
Her daughter turned her head. “Yes, Mommy?”
“Can you come here a minute?” She stooped down and held out her arms.
Melanie jumped off the sofa and flew into her arms. “I love you, Mommy!”
“I love you, too.” Anne hugged her close.
“I’m sorry I was mean before.” Her little voice broke.
“It’s all right, honey. You didn’t understand. Now you do and I love you so much. I’m happy you realize that.”
“Me too.” She sniffed. “Mommy, what’s your best present?”
“My best present?”
Melanie nodded.
“My best present ever is you realizing how much I love you. And I’m sure happy Mavy helped us have a Christmas miracle again this year.”
Kyle walked over, stooped down, and put his arms around them, hugging them tightly. Anne noticed a few tears rolling down his cheeks.
Pop chuckled as he picked up Mavy and held her by Gram’s special ornament. “You hear that Elma? You and your little cat continue to send us miracles.” He leaned closer to the ornament. “Our new little great-grandson is a real looker,” he whispered loudly. “I know you’re in love with him as much as I am. Merry Christmas, honey, I love you.” One lone tear slid down his cheek before he quickly wiped it away.
Anne slid her arm around his waist. “I love you, too.”
“Did you hear that, girl?” His face started turning red.
“Yeah Pop, I did. I came over to hug you and stopped when I heard you talking to her. She really is here touching us with her love in so many ways.”
Melanie grabbed Pop’s hand. “I love you, Poppy. Did you hear what my mommy said?”
“What’s that girl?”
“She said me knowing I love her and she loves me is her best gift.”
“Melanie, you gave us all the best Christmas gift ever.” Pop tucked her against his leg. “Yep, the best Christmas ever.”
Author’s Note
If you read Mavy’s Christmas Miracle, the first book in this series, you know my mother and father loved Christmas and it was a magical, special time thanks to them. Every year, she would lovingly decorate the tree and wrap each gift that was carefully chosen with the help and supervision of Pop.
Pop loved us in his own special way. Gruff as he always was, you knew underneath was a gentle, kind, and loving person. It was most evident when the joy of having one of the little ones around made his face light up and you would see him smile and laugh a bit more often.
This man was full of the most wonderful stories, for anyone who took the time to sit and listen. He would gladly and animatedly give you the details of every one, letting you be a part of the story as it unfolded.
Our last visit with him was bittersweet for me because just as with my mother, I had a feeling it would be the last time I saw him in this world. He was so sad from losing her that he didn’t even want to tell us any of his stories, something I can never remember happening before. He left us a few short days after Christmas last year, and I know in my heart, he is happy again because he is with the love of his life. They are looking down on us, wanting us to go on with our lives and carry on their legacy.
I will continue to carry on their joy of creating a magical Christmas for my children and grandchildren. Hopefully, I’ll be able to instill in them the same belief that Gram always held, that Angels do exist and that the people we love never really go away. They are with us always.
Just the other day, my grandson Logan and I were outside and a yellow dragonfly landed on my dress just over my heart. We watched as it sat looking up at me, and when I asked it if it was Pop or Gram coming by to check in with us, my grandson smiled and touched my hand as he told me he loved me and missed them too.
As I said before, remember to look for those small miracles, the gentle breeze as it touches your face, the soft drops of rain that cools your skin, the unexpected smile of a baby you pass in the store, the butterfly or hummingbird that flutters nearby. It just might be someone you love letting you know they are still with you.
Merry Christmas dear readers, I hope a small miracle touches each of you this year.
Hugs and happy reading!
National Best Selling Auth
or Sharon Coady has been a reader her entire life. She started writing as a teen and after years of encouragement from her mother finally published her first book, a contemporary romance. She has since published a YA paranormal, as romantic suspense 'Broken Lies', a sweet Christmas romance, Spicy Christmas romance and a new country music romance.
When not writing or working as nurse you can find Sharon enjoying her husband and grandchildren.
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Other books by author:
Contemporary Romance:
Yesterday’s Memories
Young Adult Paranormal:
Summer of Change, Elizabeth’s Story
Romantic Suspense:
Broken Lies
Country Music Romance:
Last One to Know
Spicy Christmas Romance:
Christmas Choices
Sweet Christmas Romance:
Mavy’s Christmas Miracle
Mavy’s Christmas Miracle
By
Sharon Coady
Chapter One
Anne couldn’t believe this was happening. She knelt down and sobbed as the tiny gray kitten tried to raise his head. His body was shaking and foam spilled from his mouth along with a diminutive meow.
“Oh poor baby, why would someone do this to you? I’ll be right back.” She ran into her grandparents’ cabin.
“Pop, one of the kittens is hurt. I think someone poisoned him. He can’t move and foam is coming from his mouth.”
“Let’s go take a look.” He reached over and took her arm to steady himself as she helped him down the three wooden steps and off the porch. At ninety years old, he was still independent, but smart enough to know his step was no longer steady.
