Christmas Secrets Collection. Laura Iding

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СКАЧАТЬ href="#ulink_2debab5d-028a-570c-bbe8-221cc220728f">EPILOGUE

      JADON gazed nervously down at the tiny babies, their faces barely visible through the blankets tucked securely around them in their respective infant car seats.

      This was it. Grace and Gretchen were coming home. They wore tiny infant apnea monitors, but otherwise they were just fine. The realization that the two were solely dependent on him and Alyssa made him feel just a little panicky.

      Alyssa’s eyes were full of excitement. “It’s Christmas Eve. It’s a miracle that we’re able to bring the babies home in time for Christmas.”

      He swallowed hard and nodded. He thought it was a miracle that they were going to have a family dinner this evening at his house. His mother had already prepared most of the meal so that everything would be ready to go when they arrived.

      “Thanks for everything,” he said to Louis Downer and Carla, the nurse they’d grown close to over the past two weeks. “Are you ready?” he asked Alyssa, grabbing Grace’s car seat.

      “Yes.” Alyssa gave Louis and Carla quick hugs before picking up Gretchen’s infant seat. “I’m ready.”

      Getting both car seats tucked into the backseat of the car wasn’t an easy task, but soon they were on their way home.

      “Are you sure about this?” Jadon asked, darting a glance over at Alyssa.

      She simply smiled, looking far more relaxed than he was. “Yes, Jadon. I’m sure.”

      He couldn’t seem to mask his own anxiety, but nodded anyway. When he pulled into his driveway, he saw that another car stood in the driveway, behind his mother’s.

      They were here.

      He helped unbuckle the infant seats, which was much easier than getting them strapped in. He handed one of the babies to Alyssa and he took the other.

      Inside the house, the scent of honey-roasted ham and cranberries filled the air. His father and his brother were busy setting gaily wrapped gifts beneath Alyssa’s lopsided Christmas tree. By pouring gallons of water into the bowl at the base, they’d managed to nurture it along until Christmas. It seemed to fit right in with the rest of his family.

      Alyssa’s eyes widened when she saw his brother. Jack rose to his feet uncertainly, tucking his hands in the front pockets of his black slacks and gazing wistfully at the infant carrier seats.

      His brother had cleaned up nicely, making his resemblance to himself all the more startling. Jack’s most recent stay at the hospital had brought some great progress and it had actually been Alyssa’s idea to have the entire family together for Christmas. He’d only agreed after discussing the possibility with Dr. Liz, who’d ensured Jack’s medication blood levels were within therapeutic range to avoid any erratic episodes before giving her permission for the visit.

      “Hi, Jack,” Alyssa greeted his brother warmly. “It’s great to meet you.”

      “It’s good to meet you, too, Alyssa. Thanks for inviting me to dinner.” Jack’s earnest expression made Jadon relax a bit. Things were going to be fine.

      Alyssa smiled and unbuttoned her coat. “Would you like to meet your nieces?”

      “Sure.”

      Jadon set Grace’s infant seat on the couch and took Alyssa’s coat from her hands. She unbundled the babies just enough for Jack to see their peacefully sleeping faces.

      “This one is Grace Aubrey. She was three pounds, nine ounces at birth. And this one is Gretchen Louise, who was three pounds, three ounces when she was born.”

      Jack stared at the baby girls in awe. “They’re beautiful. Jadon is a very lucky guy.”

      “Well, I think I’m pretty lucky, too,” Alyssa said with a tiny laugh, putting him at ease. Jadon noticed his mother and father exchanged a grateful look.

      “Mom, do you need any help in the kitchen?” he asked.

      “Nope, I have everything under control,” she claimed before disappearing back into her haven.

      His father had picked up Jack at the hospital to bring him to Cedar Bluff. Jack would only stay for a short while and then his father would take him back to the hospital.

      “Would you like to hold one of the babies?” Alyssa was asking Jack now.

      His brother’s eyes lit up. “Yes, please.”

      “Take a seat on the chair over there. You can hold Grace.” Alyssa gently drew the baby out of her car seat and carried her over to Jack, who took the precious bundle in his arms as if he were holding the most priceless piece of crystal in the world.

      Jadon had to swallow hard and look away. Alyssa was doing everything right. She’d made his brother feel at ease and had trusted him with her most prized possession.

      It was perfect, having his entire family together at last.

      Later, after dinner was over and everyone had opened their gifts, which included lots of baby clothes for Grace and Gretch, it was time for his brother to leave.

      Jadon walked with Jack and his father outside. His father slid inside the car to warm it up, leaving the brothers alone for a minute.

      “You have a great family, Jadon,” Jack said in a low voice.

      “We have a great family, Jack,” he corrected. “Remember, we’re all in this together.”

      “I finally accepted what Dr. Liz has been telling me about taking my medication for the rest of my life,” Jack said slowly. “I realize that if I stop, bad things happen.”

      Jadon nodded. “I’m glad you’re following Dr. Liz’s advice. She really cares about you, Jack. We all do.”

      A ghost of a smile flitted on Jack’s mouth. “Yeah, I know. Maybe if I keep taking my medication, I’ll have a chance at a normal life someday, too.”

      Jadon hoped so. He really hoped so. And maybe he and Alyssa together could help Jack better than he’d been able to do alone. Small, delicate snowflakes started to fall, and he threw an arm around Jack’s shoulders, giving him a quick embrace. “Take care, Jack. We’ll see you at the girls’ baptisms in a few weeks.”

      “I’ll look forward to it.” Jack returned his embrace, before climbing into the passenger seat beside his father.

      Jadon stood, watching them leave, barely feeling the cold snow-kisses as he stared at the spot where his dad’s taillights had vanished in the dark night.

      Alyssa came outside, shivering. “Hey, it’s snowing! Jadon? Are you all right?”

      “I’m fine.” He turned and hugged her, knowing how lucky he was to have such a wonderful woman in his life. She’d given him such a precious family. “Let’s go back inside.”

      “All right,” she agreed.

      He waited for her to take a seat near the Christmas tree before kneeling beside her. “I have a СКАЧАТЬ