A Family Under the Christmas Tree

by Terri Reed

  She arched an eyebrow as if she’d heard his thought.

  Pastor Jeff halted beside them. “Hello, David.”

  “Jeff.” David shook the other man’s hand.

  “Do you mind if I steal Sophie from you?” Jeff said. “The craft girls are in need of some guidance.”

  Yes. No. David’s stomach churned. “Sure.”

  “I’ll be right over,” Sophie told the pastor. Once Jeff moved away, she put her hand on David’s folded arms. “When you look around here, what do you see?”

  He frowned. “Kids. Food. Presents.”

  “Look deeper, past the obvious.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. He automatically unfolded his arms to allow her closer, to reach for her, but she was already stepping away. “You might be surprised.”

  With that cryptic remark, her kiss imprinted on his cheek, she walked away and joined the girls at the craft table. What did she mean, “look deeper”?

  His gaze scanned the room, taking in the happy faces of the children, the parents talking to each other. He had to admit it was a festive party. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. He felt out of place, like an outsider looking in. A familiar feeling. He refolded his arms across his chest. He couldn’t help it.

  Then his gaze snagged on a boy in the far corner of the room. David guessed the kid was about eleven or twelve. His posture mirrored David’s.

  The kid leaned against the wall with his arms folded over his thin chest and had a scowl on his face. David recognized the resentment in the kid’s eyes. David had felt the same way so many years ago, every time his parents would drag him to events exactly like this one.

  No doubt the preteen begrudged the free gifts and food, and the pity that he figured everyone felt for him. But David didn’t sense any pity in this gathering.

  Only a generous spirit of love and hope.

  His gaze sought Sophie’s. The knowing look in her eyes said she’d seen him notice the kid. She nodded with a smile, encouraging him to take a chance.

  Slowly, David unfolded his arms and shook them out at his sides. He rolled his shoulders and waded in.

  “Here you go, sweetie.” Sophie handed a cookie to a little girl who was about three. Her chubby hands grasped the treat and she rewarded Sophie with a grin.

  The party was winding down. Pastor Jeff was encouraging everyone to make their way to the sanctuary for the Christmas Eve pageant. After a quick rehearsal, Troy and the other children in the pageant returned, and had been building Legos together ever since. Now they were picking up the pieces and dumping them back into buckets.

  Riggs loved all the attention from the kids and adults alike. Even Grandma and Simon had made some crafts at the craft table. Everyone had had a good time.

  Even David. She sighed with love and affection for the man. She was so proud of him. She’d been watching him when his gaze landed on the preteen boy in the corner. The kid held himself apart from everyone else. Sophie’s heart ached as she envisioned David as a young teen in the kid’s place.

  David made his way across the room to the boy. She’d strained to discern what they were talking about, but she was too far away. When David walked away to settle at the board game table alone, she’d despaired for the young man. Had David given up on him?

  David set up a chess game and waited. After several long minutes, the preteen pushed away from the wall and slowly joined David, sitting across from him with the chessboard between them. They’d been embroiled in a game ever since.

  “Is he your husband?” A woman moved to Sophie’s side.

  Sophie blinked. “Who?” She followed her gaze back to David. “Oh, David. No, just a friend.” Though she couldn’t help but wish that maybe . . . someday.

  “That’s my son, Kellan, with him.”

  Sophie stared at the woman and noticed the tears in her eyes. “He seems to enjoy chess.”

  Kellan’s mom nodded. “He and his father played.”

  “Where is his father?”

  “He was killed in action in Afghanistan.”

  Sympathy flooded Sophie. “My condolences.”

  “Thanks. Greg has been gone a year and this is the first time I’ve seen Kellan interact with anyone without snarling. He’s been so angry,” she said. “Lost.”

  Sophie wasn’t sure what to say or how to help. Her heart ached for the teenager’s loss, the mother’s grief.

  “Sophie!” Troy hugged her leg.

  “Hey, kiddo, you having fun?”

  He peered up at her. “Yes. Grandma Louise said you have my costume for tonight.”

  “I do. And I have Riggs’s costume, too.”

  “Pastor Jeff said we need to go get ready,” Troy told her.

  “Okay, let’s tell your uncle.” She tagged a teen girl who was standing close by to take over the refreshment table. She and Troy went to where David and the kid played just as the kid gave a triumphant “checkmate!”

  David fist-bumped Kellan. “Good job.”

  Kellan’s mother put her hand on his shoulder. “Time to go.”

  Kellan twisted around to stare up at his mother. “Can we stay for the service?”

  Surprise widened her eyes. “Uh, sure. I’d like that.” To David she said, “Thank you.”

  David held out his business card. “I told Kellan he can call me anytime. I’d like a rematch.”

  Kellan’s mom took the card and nodded. With her arm around Kellan’s shoulders, they walked away.

  Sophie helped David put the chess pieces back. “You made the boy’s day.”

  “He’s a good kid. Hurting,” David replied.

  “He’s hurt, too?” Troy asked. “Does he have stitches?”

  Sophie caught David’s gaze and they shared a smile. “No, honey,” Sophie said gently. “Kellan’s dad went to heaven.”

  “Oh, like my mommy and daddy,” Troy said.

  David lifted Troy into his arms. “Yes, like that. Now, shepherd boy, I think the stage is calling you.”

  “It is?” Troy cupped his ear with his hand. “I don’t hear anything.”

  Sophie tweaked Troy’s nose. “Silly. I’ll meet you two backstage with Riggs and the costume.”

  She turned to leave, when David captured her hand. She lifted her gaze in question to him.

  He opened his mouth to say something, then seemed to catch himself. Finally he said, “We’ll see you in a bit.”

  “For unto us, a child is born,” a preteen boy’s voice came through the speakers and filled the church sanctuary as he narrated the story of Christ’s birth.

  David sat in the front pew beside Sophie. Her grandmother and Simon sat on her other side. Sophie lifted her camera, the soft clicks of the shutter barely audible as she captured the sight before them. On the stage where the pastor normally preached, a makeshift manger scene had been erected. A doll played the part of baby Jesus, while a host of children played the various roles, acting out the story.

  Riggs, wearing antlers on his massive head, lay at Troy’s feet. Troy stood proud, holding his shepherd staff, dressed in a white sheet with a length of knotted rope tied about his waist. A headdress covered his hair. On the opposite side of the stage a little girl, also dressed as a shepherd, struggled to control her goat, who nibbled at her costume. A ripple of amusement went through the audience.

  Though David was proud of his nephew and pleased for him, heaviness filled David’s heart, which left him feeling confused and at odds. He should be happy. Troy was doing well. He was healing from the loss of his parents as only a child could. A child who felt loved.

  And oh, David loved Troy with a fierceness that at times scared him.

  But it wasn’t Troy who caused the oppressive weight crushing David’s chest. It was the woman sitting beside him. Sophie’s sweet scent filled his senses. Her goodness and light wrapped around him, making him ache for what he knew he shouldn’t want.

  He wanted her in his life forever.

  He forced himself to concentrate on the pagean
t and clapped enthusiastically when it was over. Troy would be going back to the great room with the other kids during the evening sermon.

  As the kids filed offstage to be replaced by the choir, restlessness filled David and he couldn’t sit there any longer. He leaned in to Sophie and whispered in her ear, “I need some fresh air.”

  He stood and made his way outside. The night air was frigid but dry. He kept walking until he was under the branches of a large oak tree. He put his hand on the rough bark and leaned on his hand. His heart beat an erratic rhythm as a prayer lifted from his lips and swirled through the air. “Lord, I don’t know what to do here. I love Sophie, but I’m too afraid to open my heart fully to her. To anyone. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to her or Troy.” His gut clenched. He’d lost so many people he’d loved. “Lord, please, what should I do?”

  He waited, but no answer came.

  Grandma nudged Sophie in the ribs with her elbow. “Where’s he going?” she asked in a hushed tone.

  “Needs some air,” Sophie whispered back. She hoped he was okay. He’d looked a little green.

  Concern shone in Grandma’s eyes. “This would be a good time for you to talk to him.”

  A flurry of nerves rose within Sophie. This would be a perfect opportunity to tell David what was in her heart. Setting her camera back in its bag, relinquishing the equipment’s care to her grandma, Sophie rose, grabbed her coat, and hurried out of the sanctuary. In the vestibule she paused to put on her coat.

  The edge of the envelope that David had given her poked out of her pants pocket, snagging on the coat. She tugged it free and opened it. Her jaw tightened to see a check, along with a handwritten note. She moved closer to a wall sconce so she could read the letter.

  Dear Sophie, please accept this money, not because I owe you, but because I want you to enjoy yourself on your trip. Buy something fun that makes you smile. We hope you’ll come back to visit soon. We’ll miss you. David.

  “Ah, David,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She tucked the note back into the envelope and hurried outside. The powerful streetlamps at the front of the church provided enough illumination for her to easily find David under the massive tree in front of the church. His head was bowed.

  She hesitated, afraid to intrude.

  Then he straightened and spun around to face her.

  His eyes widened. “Sophie? Is everything okay?”

  She blew out a breath and then strode forward with purpose. “Yes, it is. I need to tell you something.”

  Wariness entered his gaze. “Okay.”

  Suddenly she felt tongue-tied as the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

  He tilted his head. “Soph?”

  “Why have you been pushing me away the past few days?” She blurted out the question, then held her breath.

  He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “That’s a complicated question with a complicated answer.”

  She dipped her chin. “Really? From where I’m standing it seems like a pretty easy question.”

  “Okay, the question is straightforward, but Sophie, the answer isn’t.” He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ears, his touch a caress. “You see, I made you a promise and I really, really want to break it.”

  Anticipation lifted her spirits. “What promise?”

  He cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing along her jawline. “That I wouldn’t ask you to stay.”

  Elated by his answer, she turned her cheek into his hand. “You don’t have to ask.”

  “What?”

  She took his hands in hers and held his gaze. She needed him to know, to understand. “Grandma accused me of living my life safely behind my camera lens. She was right. My whole life I’ve been too scared to really live, to allow anyone too close when I was so sure no one could ever really love me.”

  “Sophie—”

  She put a finger to his lips to stop his pained voice. “I’m ready to fully embrace life. And love. I love you, David Murphy. There is nowhere on earth I’d rather be than here with you and Troy.”

  For a long moment, he stood there staring at her. “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” she told him, knowing that it was the truth. “I love you.”

  He tugged her closer. “I’ve held back my heart for so long, fearing love because it always came with pain. I’ve lost so many people.”

  She wrapped her arms around him wanting to absorb his pain. “I know. But you have me and Troy now. We’re not going anywhere, God willing.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “That’s it, isn’t it. Only God is in control.”

  “Yes. We place our lives and hearts in His care.”

  David exhaled, the tension leaving his body. “I love you, Sophie Griffith. Enough to let you go.”

  Her tummy fluttered. He loved her. Excitement built in her chest.

  Then the last part of his statement registered and it shook her. “But I don’t want to go. Not if it means leaving you.”

  He gave her a crooked smile. “Then I guess Troy and I are coming with you to Zurich.”

  Her heart soared. Love and joy spread through her, making her limbs weak. “As much as I love that idea, no. You’ve a company to run and Troy has school that starts back up in a week. I will ask my agent to contact the skiwear company to see if they’d be willing to substitute the Cascades for the Alps. I’ll send them a cute picture of Riggs and suggest using him in the images. And if they won’t . . .” She shrugged. Nothing was more important than this man and the family they could build together. “There will be other jobs.”

  “No, Sophie, you need to go. I refused to allow you to give up your career for me.”

  “It’s one job, not my career. Seattle is a thriving place with lots of opportunities for a photographer.”

  “You’ve wanted this job for a long time. It’s important to your career, your dreams.”

  She couldn’t deny that. “I’d be gone for three weeks.” It would seem like a lifetime.

  He cupped her cheek. “And Troy and I will be here when you return.”

  Her heart melted and puddled at his feet. Tears sprang to her eyes. He was such a dear, loving man. “Thank you. I love you. And come summertime, the three of us traveling together . . .” She touched his face. “I know now why my past romances failed. I wasn’t ready to fully give my heart. But I am now. To you. You have my heart, David. Both you and Troy. For now and always.”

  He pulled her into his embrace. “I love you so much. And I need you more than I can ever tell you.” He leaned back. “I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a slim box wrapped in red glittery paper. “Until I can put a ring on your finger this will have to do.”

  She took the box with shaky hands and undid the wrapping. Inside lay the beautiful snowflake bracelet she’d seen in the store. “Oh, David.”

  He lifted the bracelet from the cotton padding and secured it around her wrist. The dangling snowflake charms sparkled in the light. Then she noticed snowflakes landing on her arm. “It’s snowing for real.”

  He looked up and laughed when he saw that she was right.

  “My mother always told me that snowflakes were kisses from angels,” David murmured right before he captured her mouth for a soul-searing, heat-inducing kiss.

  “Sophie, Uncle David!” Troy’s exuberant cry broke them apart seconds before Troy wrapped his tiny arms around their legs. “You’re kissing!”

  Sophie laughed as tears of joy sprang to her eyes.

  David scooped Troy into his arms. “Yes, we are.”

  Troy peered at them. “Does this mean we can be a family?”

  “I do believe that is the plan,” David said, his gaze on Sophie.

  She snuggled into his side, wrapping her arm around him, the other holding Troy’s hand. “Would that be okay, Troy?”

  “Yay! I got what I wanted for Christmas.”

  Sophie sh
ared a startled look with David. Apparently Troy had asked Santa and prayed for them to be a family. Her whole being expanded with love and gratitude.

  Riggs’s happy bark drew their attention to Grandma and Simon. They’d come out of the church and were standing on the walkway. Simon had his arm around Grandma and she looked quite comfortable there. Troy wiggled out of David’s arms and landed on his feet at a run. He and Riggs played in the falling snow.

  Sophie turned to David. “Will you accept my apology for telling Grandma about the app? I didn’t think she would mention it to Simon. But obviously they’re a couple. And couples—”

  “Tell each other everything,” he finished for her and wiped a snowflake from her nose. “I forgive you. Will you accept my apology for overreacting?”

  “Yes.” She peered at him with a grin. “You do that often, you know.”

  He shrugged with a sheepish expression crossing his handsome face. “I’m not perfect.”

  She laughed. “Good thing, because I’m not either.”

  “To me you are.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips before urging her forward to join the older couple.

  “What a merry Christmas this has turned out to be.” Grandma beamed and laid her head on Simon’s shoulder.

  “Yes, indeed. A very merry Christmas,” Sophie agreed, hugging David.

  “Should we head home for a proper family Christmas Eve dinner?” Grandma asked. “And the presents under the tree?”

  Sophie smiled up at David. “Yes, a family for Christmas. The best gift ever.”

  EPILOGUE

  The small dressing room off the vestibule of the Good Hope Christian Church was fragrant with the aroma of a dozen gardenias and roses. Sophie lifted her camera to take a picture of the beautiful bouquets resting on a side table. She turned the camera toward the vanity, where her grandma sat while Sophie’s mom fussed with Grandma’s hair.

  “Smile, ladies,” Sophie instructed.

  Both women met the camera lens with bright smiles in the mirror.

  Sophie clicked off several shots. “Perfect.”

  Her mom looked stunning with her hair, still blond thanks to a good hairdresser, twisted into a fancy knot at the back of her head. A string of pearls rested just above the collar of her lilac-colored, designer dress suit.