27

“Kind of like snow at our wedding,” Scott said, as he yanked the last piece of tape from the dispenser.

“Huh? What’s like the snow at our wedding?” I’d just peeked in on my sleeping babies, and then joined him to finish wrapping presents.

“I was thinking about how I wrecked our wedding plans last year because I couldn’t get my act together after I got sick. Everybody surprised us by pulling it off anyway. I remember thinking that, as wonderful as they all were, they couldn’t make it snow. You wanted that so badly in your heart of hearts. He made it happen,” Scott said pointing to the heavens, his index finger poking through an empty tape dispenser.

“Yes, He did. And to think I’d forgotten all about it in the chaos of those days, but God hadn’t forgotten. He remembered the desire of my heart. But what do you mean by “like” the snow at our wedding?” I fished around in the box of Christmas wrapping paper, found a new roll of tape and tossed it to him.

“Thanks. I mean that in our heart of hearts, we want Brenna to get better, and she has, at least for the time being. We have no control over her health, but I believe God made her better the other night. Then I got the idea to have Christmas in her room, just like at the wedding.” He continued taping paper around a mysterious little box.

“Have you been into the Christmas cookies? I think the sugar rush is clouding your brain. I don’t follow.” I scooted across the couch and pulled his forehead to mine. “Or maybe it’s my distracted mommy brain.”

He gave me a quick kiss. “Sorry, random, I know. What I mean is that when it started to snow, I got the idea to order Mr. Ballard’s horse and carriage to take us away from the church. When God answered your snow prayer, I knew exactly what to do. The carriage ride in the snow was pretty awesome, you’ll have to admit.”

“Perfect,” I said.

“When Dr. Lewis finally came to the waiting room that long, long night two days ago and told us that Brenna would be all right, that he just needed to adjust her chemo dosage, I thought about the snow at our wedding. Suddenly I knew exactly what to do to save Christmas for her.” He put the small, now wrapped box into his red flannel shirt pocket.

The wisdom of his words tried to sink in. I pulled an afghan from the back of the couch and wrapped it around my shoulders.

“I think I see. Last year with our troubles, and now with Brenna and everything that happened recently, it was all completely out of our hands. We couldn’t do anything but pray. We just didn’t know what to do about anything. But God works behind the scenes the whole time, answers our prayer, and then somehow we know what to do next. I guess we’d better learn this lesson well, if our life continues to be chaotic,” I said.

Scott rubbed his forehead, no doubt recalling how we’d bumped our heads together several times in those first few days. “Beautiful chaos, Beloved.”

I laughed, pulled him to me for a kiss, but then the wailing of two babies crying at once broke the mood.

“I better get to the diner and grab some of those Christmas decorations for the party in Brenna’s room. Wow, they must really be hungry, Bailey. Duty calls.”

“Love calls,” I said.

He walked to the front door, opened it, then turned to me, his eyes shining. “Merry Christmas, Beloved.” A big smile spanned his face as he nodded. He patted the little box in his pocket and left.

****

We all gathered in the hall outside Brenna’s room. I don’t suppose we could have gotten away with it if she’d been any sicker, or if weren’t for Christmas. The rooms for cancer patients were larger because of so much equipment, but Mom had the nurses move the extra bed out of her room anyway, because we were all coming.

“I’ll go first.” I knocked on the door, then tip-toed inside. “Brenna?”

“Bailey!” She extended both hands toward me.

“Up for company?” I asked.

“Lots and lots. I miss everyone, especially the babies. Did you bring them?” She threw back the covers.

She wore the Christmas pajamas Tracy bought her, red, with elves and candy canes all over. The outfit gave her a bit of color.

“Shhh,” I said, my finger over my lips. I opened the door and motioned in Mom and Toppy, who each held one of the sleeping babies.

The bigger-than-her-head bow that Mom had put on Helen sparkled with tiny red sequins in the light. Her little red velvet dress, trimmed in white, and the tiniest pair of shiny black Mary Jane shoes I’d ever seen made my baby girl look like a little Christmas princess.

Paul’s little green suit and red bow tie melted my heart.

Mom had topped his head with a red velvet newsies cap. He refused shoes, or socks, kicking and fussing.

Scott thought it was hilarious, since he thought the whole outfit was sissified.

I helped Brenna get propped up on pillows. Mom handed Helen to her, and baby and aunt cooed. Brenna kissed Helen’s little hand. I sat at the foot of the bed and Toppy handed Paul to me. Brenna reached for his little bare foot and squeezed it.

“Be right back,” Toppy said, and he and Mom left the room.

Brenna and I traded babies, and the cooing and cuddling continued.

A sigh started somewhere in my heart, and made its way to my lips. No words would come as I watched pure joy light up her face.

A soft knock sounded at the door. Scott stuck his head in. “Hey, up to more company?”

“Yes, please,” Brenna said, eyes shining like twinkle lights.

Scott opened the door and propped it wide with a chair. He popped out for a second, then he and the Pearson brothers scooted in with a giant, decorated Christmas tree. Some of the ornaments and tinsel fell off as they dragged it all the way across the room. The very top bent over at the ceiling.

Brenna’s laughter bubbled like the little brooks she read about in the Anne books she loved so much. “Isn’t that the tree from the hospital entrance?”

“It’s just for an hour. Bailey’s mom said it would be all right,” Scott said.

Greg and Todd did their best to reposition the balls that had rolled off in the transfer. They were less adept at the tinsel.

“Can I try?” Brenna asked.

“Sure, why not,” I said, and motioned for Scott to take Paul from her. She slipped off the bed and walked to the over-sized tree in her bare feet. I started to stop and insist on socks, but decided it could wait.

Brenna seemed to be in some kind of joy bubble, and I couldn’t bear to burst it. She directed the boys just where to put the tinsel that was out of her reach. She touched the ornaments, red balls and green with gold trim, as though they were precious diamonds. “It’s so beautiful,” she said. “Prettiest one I’ve ever seen.”

Mandy and Macy bustled in, their arms full of gifts. They placed them under the tree and settled in the respective crooks of Greg and Todd’s arms, their engagement rings sparkling.

“Hi, Sweetheart, we’ve missed you at the diner. Best little waitress ever,” Mandy said.

“I miss you pouring my coffee every morning. Be glad when you get back,” Greg said.

Macy and Todd merely blushed and offered a wave.

Brenna hugged all four of them. “I’m so glad you came,” she said. “This is so much fun.”

Mom and Toppy came in, their arms equally loaded down with gifts. They placed them under the tree. Toppy picked Brenna up and twirled her around.

We’d opted not to bring food, since Dr. Lewis had Brenna on certain foods while he adjusted her chemo. No one seemed to miss it as we watched Brenna enjoy herself.

David and Melissa walked in. Melissa went straight for the babies.”Finally. Oh, Bailey, can I hold them, or,” she laughed, “one of them?”

“Of course, but first let me hug you. I’ve missed you so much!” I laid Helen on the bed and wrapped her up in a bear hug.

“I was miserable when I finally got home, but couldn’t come to you because of that stupid head cold,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you. I know things have been just awful.”

“Yes,” I said. “But not today. We’ll get caught up later.”

Scott put Paul on the bed next to Helen, and Melissa had a baby talk fest over each one.

I noticed a sparkling diamond ring on her right hand. I grabbed her hand and held it up. “Melissa! He finally asked,” I squealed.

She smiled, her eyes shining like the lights on the tree.

David grinned. “Dr. Lewis has allowed me to give some good news, Brenna, if you don’t mind,” he said. He blushed as he changed the subject.

She turned toward David with a little shiver, excitement in her eyes.

“You cold, sweetie?” I asked.

“Just a little,” she said, smiling.

“Well, let me give you my gift first, then we’ll hear the good news.” I retrieved the package I’d wrapped for her. I held it while she tore into it.

“A shawl! Did you make this, Bailey?” She wrapped herself up in the crocheted shawl in red, green, and gold. “I’ll be warm enough in this. Now what is the news, Dr. Harkin?”

“Dr. Lewis said you can go home a week from today. He’s very encouraged by your response to the adjusted treatment.” He grinned as big as Texas.

“Yay!” erupted in the room.

“Keep it down, folks, there are other sick people on this floor,” Mom said.

“Yay,” everyone whispered, and pretended to clap their hands.

“Perfect. New year, new start.” Toppy grinned from ear to ear.

Pastor Jack waltzed in with Phoebe on his arm. He took his cowboy hat off and placed it on Brenna’s head. “Hey, little lady, Merry Christmas.”

Phoebe fiddled with a necklace, clearly showing a diamond ring on her finger I hadn’t seen before. Well, of all the things that were or ever shall be. Gran’s old saying made me laugh, but in a good way. The next year would be full of weddings.

“You look absolutely wonderful, you pretty thing,” Phoebe said, and put her arm around Brenna.

Just about the moment I wondered about Tracy and Liz, they walked in with Javier.

Brenna rushed them. “Hey! I’ve missed you guys!” She hugged them, then got quiet as Javier stepped forward. “You’re the man who helped the police find Bailey, aren’t you.”

He just nodded with a sweet smile.

She reached out her hand for a shake, but he gave her a hug.

“Everyone’s here. Let’s open presents,” Scott said. “Brenna, you call out the names.”

She sat on the floor by the tree and handed out one present after another.

I sat on the bed with my babies and watched all my loved ones having such a special time.

“I haven’t had a chance to get anybody anything,” Brenna said.

“You’re getting well is our favorite present,” I said. “All of us.”

Phoebe sidled over to me. “You remember when I thought that cross of yours had some kind of magic that helped you? Jack explained it all to me. I’m really changed, Bailey. I hope we can be true friends, now.”

I just hugged her. Words failed me at every turn.

Javier and Tracy held hands.

Scott walked over to Javier and stood next to him, but crossed his arms in a challenging sort of way. It tickled the stuffing out of me, because Javier had the arms of a body builder. He could take Scott in a second.

“Uh, hi, Mr. West,” Javier said.

“Why is it I can’t get you to call me Scott?”

Javier had a fit of coughing, and Tracy’s face was as red as the Christmas tree.

Liz stood beside them, and led Tracy away from the two men.

When Tracy was safely out of ear shot, Javier said, “Because, Mr. West, you’re the closest thing Tracy has to a father, and I want to ask you if I can marry her. Her mom already approves. What do you say?”

Scott raised himself to his full height, donned a grim expression, and then started laughing. He put both hands on Javier’s shoulders. “You go for it, but if you’re not good to her, you’ll have to answer to me.”

Javier’s smiled, then tried to look serious. “Yes, sir.”

Close quarters, but we managed. Wrapping paper flying, oohs and ahhs and ‘thank yous’ filled the air.

Scott took his little box out of his pocket and handed it to Brenna.

She opened it gingerly, as if it were the greatest possession she’d ever had. She pulled a gold cross necklace from the box. “Just like Bailey’s,” she squealed. She hopped up from the floor and practically jumped Scott for a hug. Then she walked over to me.

I helped her put it on.

“Picture, somebody take a picture!” she yelled, taking my hand and leading me to the Christmas tree. She threw her arms around my waist, and Scott snapped the scene with his phone.

“Sisters,” I said, hugging her tight.

“Beloved sisters, Bailey.”

“Look!” Tracy exclaimed. “Out the window.”

Snow fell in thick cotton balls.

Scott shook his head.

“I don’t believe it.” I positioned the babies toward the window. They probably couldn’t see, but it was their first snow!

#

“Let’s drop all this stuff off at the house. Everyone’s coming by later for food, but I have something I want to show you,” Scott said, as we pulled up to our home. The babies had ridden home with Toppy and Mom.

“Sounds like a surprise,” I said. I opened the car door to get out.

“Nope, I’ll do it. You sit tight.” Scott began to unload the car of presents and decorations. The twins had been given enough outfits to last till they were three years old, at least.

In a few minutes, we were back on the road. Instead of the left turn to the diner, Scott took a right. After about three miles he turned into a clearing.

“Did you do that?” In the midst of snow covered pines, a lone Christmas tree completely covered with lights glowed in the white quiet.

“I did.” He got out, came around and let me out. We walked to the tree.

“But how?”

He pulled back a burlap skirt around the tree to reveal a big battery. “I saw it all alone out here, and thought you’d like to see it decorated. The snow is all your doing. You must pray for snow day and night.”

“Not every day. It’s brilliant, and beautiful.” I touched the pine cones he’d stuffed on many branches.

“Dad bought this property years ago. It’s ours now. I’ll build us a house, right here.”

“Wow.” I couldn’t produce any more words. The joy and quiet hush in the woods descended on me with reverence and gratitude.

“Merry Christmas, my Beloved,” he said, and held me tight.

That poor lonely tree reminded me of my poor, fractured self when I’d first driven down Exit 477. Christ’s light made me beautiful again. Awe and wonder surrounded me as I realized anew that this was how the Father saw us. Beautiful.

“And Happy Anniversary,” I whispered.

His tender Christmas kisses sparked joy in my heart. I hadn’t felt such love or desire in many weeks. He’d been so patient. All the counseling and prayer had helped. The healing was an on-going process, but it was time to take back my joy. The scripture from the Psalms that Pastor Jack prayed over me in the hospital whispered into my spirit.

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.