And finally we come to Christmas at Valley Rise--which takes place in 2012 and features three generations of the Moss family as they gather for the holiday. As always, there's music, laughter, family, and fun, and of course, a little romance!
And there
was Staci, her eyes glittering with laughter, sitting by the fire with his
grandmother. In spite of himself he
grinned, as he freed his hair from Aiden’s grasp and set him on the floor. “Hi! I
didn’t expect to see you back here tonight.”
“Uncle Rob
insisted. Come here, Aiden. Your cousin Carter has your overalls all in a
twist. Really, Carter, you shouldn’t be
so rough with him. You’re supposed to
set an example for the little ones, aren’t you?” She scowled up at him, as she settled the
little boy on her lap, and Carter tried to look suitably contrite.
“He
started it. Besides, I was
outnumbered. I had to defend myself, you
know.” Taking a seat on the floor beside
her, he found it hard not to smile again.
“Give a guy a break, Staci. It’s
Christmas, after all.”
“What do
you think, Aiden? Should we let Carter
act like a little kid, just because it’s Christmas.”
Aiden
seemed to consider his answer.
“Uh-huh.” He nodded
solemnly. “Staci, Phoebe says Carter has
a crunch on you.”
Staci
blushed, soft color blossoming in her cheeks.
“A crunch? Aiden, I don’t even
know what that is. Carter is my
friend. Or at least I hope he is.”
When she
looked up to meet his eyes, Carter nodded with the same solemnity. “Sure.
At least as much as a guy can be. Friends with a girl, I mean.” Now he felt the blood rising in his own
face. He knew his grandmother was
watching them, one of those wise little smiles in her eyes. Even Aiden gave him a doubtful stare, before
snuggling more comfortably in Staci’s lap.
It was
magical, sitting there on the carpet with Staci beside him, kids all around,
the adults occupying every available seat, as they munched popcorn and listened
to the well-known story. Stani’s voice
was deep and warm, his distinctive accent perfectly suited to the phrasing of
Dickens’ work. Each year, the story had
become richer to Carter, as he understood better the symbolism of those ghostly
visitations. Now he watched the faces of
his cousins as they too listened, mesmerized, to their grandfather. When he stole a glance at Staci, her cheek
resting on Aiden’s coppery curls, her eyes gleaming in the firelight, a lump
rose in his throat. This was the best
part of his life, this time with his family, and now with the girl he
loved. This Christmas, as never before,
there was no room in his heart for hurt or resentment. Nearby, on the couch, his father sat with a
protective arm draped around the shoulders of his tiny wife, staring contentedly
into the fire. Gloria wore a sweet
little smile on her lips, as she slowly ran her hands over the roundness of her
belly, seeming to soothe her unborn child as she listened. All around the room, there was a feeling of
peace and unity.
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