Chapter Twenty-Nine

Amari tucked the sled under her arm. “Ready?”

Brianna looped her arm through Thalia’s. “Ready.”

They trudged to the park with Amari leading the way through the knee-deep snow. Shouts and squeals of laughter echoed from the park. A line of children and adults stood at the top of the hill above the park. Sleds of all kinds were dotted along the hill.

“Can I go first, Mama?” Brianna released Thalia’s arm and plowed through the snow.

“Yes. Find us a spot, will you?”

Brianna led them to a part of the hill away from the larger crowd.

Amari held the sled for her, and she seated herself in the saucer.

“Ready, set, go!” Amari shoved the sled and Brianna sped down the hill.

Thalia shaded her eyes with her hand. “How do you not freak out? She just got out of a cast.”

Amari looped her arm around Thalia’s waist. “Sledding is a true test of parenting nerves. The snow’s deep enough if she crashes it won’t be that bad.” Amari gestured to the other groups of sledders. “I worry more about grown-ups crashing into the kids.”

Brianna’s squeals and laughter filtered back to them as she careened down the hill. The snow saucer hit the flat below the slope and made two full circles before the sled tipped and she sprawled in the snow.

Brianna stood up and waved to Amari. “I’m okay,” she shouted before she grabbed the saucer and climbed up the hill toward them.

“Your turn, Ms. Thalia.” Brianna’s breath clouded the air. She held out the saucer with both hands.

“Why don’t you go again?” Thalia waved her off. “I like watching you.”

“Mama, you want to go?”

“You go. I’ll go in a bit.”

Brianna frowned. “I’m not hogging if I go again?”

“If someone tells you they don’t want to take their turn, it’s okay for you to go. It’s not hogging.”

Brianna placed the sled on the hill. “Give me a push, Mama.”

Amari shoved the sled away with her foot and the sled shot down the hill. She turned to Thalia. “Do you have plans for Christmas?”

“No. Only Nico is speaking to me.” Thalia settled her hands in her coat pockets.

“I’m sorry. Would you celebrate with us?”

Brianna joined them. “We could have a sleepover.” She turned the sled in her hands. “Then you would be there when we open presents with Grammy.” She tossed the sled to the ground. “You should move in with us. Mama said so to Grammy.”

“Brianna, for heaven’s sake.”

“Well, you did. And she should.” Brianna threw herself belly first onto the sled, dug her mittens into the snow, and shoved off.

Thalia burst into laughter as Brianna shot down the hill.

Amari covered her face with her hands. “That was so not how I wanted to ask you to live with us.”

Thalia peeled her fingers away from her face and then kissed her. “Yes. Yes, to Christmas. Are you sure about the other?” She glanced toward Brianna as she climbed back up the hill.

“Yes. I hate having to leave you on school nights. We’ll clear out the guest room so you have your own space.”

“When?”

“As soon as possible. Today if you can.”

Brianna arrived out of breath. “Are you going to live with us, Ms. Thalia?”

“I am.”

Brianna patted Amari’s arm. “I told you she would say yes. Can we go home now? I want some cocoa.”