Little Christmas Miracles: Her Christmas Wedding Wish / Christmas Gift: A Family / Christmas on the Children's Ward

When dinner was done, Molly led a sleepy Toby up to his bed, after the good-night hugs and kisses he gave both Richard and his mother.

Elizabeth looked at her son once the other two were gone. “What did you say to Molly earlier about Christmas?”

“What do you mean?”

“I noticed you two talking in the front of the car when we were on our way to the tree lot. She got upset. Which, I think, led to that comment about your generosity.”

“I told her I wasn’t excited about Christmas.”

“I was afraid of that. Don’t you think it had something to do with your dad’s death and then Susan’s?”

Richard sighed. “I don’t know, Mom. Christmas hasn’t been very exciting since I was still a boy. There’s a lot of rushing around and drinking and partying, but it seems kind of empty to me.”

“I don’t intend to go to many of the society parties this season, and I recommend you don’t, either. I feel I have a second chance to make a life for Toby. I know I failed both you and Susan because I wasn’t strong enough to stand up to your father. After his death, I was too despondent to make reparations. But Toby needs me now. And he needs you.”

“I know, Mom. And I’ll try to remember that I’m as close to a daddy as he’s going to get now.”

“I want to find things to do with Toby. Could you drive us around to see the Christmas lights one night?”

“Of course. Or if it’s not too cold, we could take one of the horse and buggy rides around Highland Park.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Richard.”

“Do you think Toby would enjoy seeing A Christmas Carol? Or do you think he’d be afraid of Scrooge?” He could just imagine Molly’s reaction to his suggestion.

“I think he’d love it. Are they doing that at the Theater Center?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Wait! I need to get a pen and paper so I can make a list. Then tomorrow I’ll discover times and dates and can buy the tickets.”

She rushed away from the table. Richard was surprised to find some enthusiasm growing in him for the holiday traditions. It helped that his mother was excited about them.

When she got back to the table, she wrote down his suggestions. He added a few more and decided Toby would be bored once Christmas passed.

“These are wonderful suggestions, Richard, and Toby will love them. He’s such a wonderful little boy…and he reminds me so much of Susan.”

“Yes, he does, doesn’t he? She always demanded the biggest Christmas tree, too.” Richard couldn’t hold back a smile, thinking of his little sister.

“Yes,” Elizabeth said with a sigh.

“But, Mom, you’re not used to all this running around. You have to be sure you don’t overdo it.”

“I will, dear. Molly is very good about that. Right now, Toby needs a nap every day because of the accident and his recovery. She’s sending me to bed for a nap, too.”

“Good. I like that.”

“She’s such a nice young woman. I know the doctor told us she didn’t have any family in Florida, but does she have any family anywhere?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t asked her.”

“I’ll ask her. She shouldn’t be completely alone in the world.”

“A lot of people are, Mom. They survive.”

“I know, but Molly deserves better.”

Richard couldn’t argue with that.

“Do you like our tree, Molly?” Toby asked her the next morning at breakfast.

“Very much, Toby. It’s huge.”

“Did you have big ones when you were little?” he asked.

“Not that big.”

Elizabeth looked up. “Do you have brothers and sisters, Molly?”

“No, I was an only child, like Toby.”

“Are your parents alive?”

“No,” Molly said and smiled at Elizabeth. She appreciated that lady’s interest, but she didn’t want to tell her life story. There was no need for that.

“Molly’s parents died when she was seven,” Toby informed his grandmother.

“Oh, no! I’m so sorry!”

“It was a long time ago, Elizabeth. I’m fine.”

“Did you go to live with family?”

“No, she lived in a—a what, Molly?”

“A foster home, Toby,” Molly said with a sigh. Now she regretted telling Toby about her past.

“But I’ve heard being in a foster home is awful. Was it bad, Molly?”

“Not bad, Elizabeth. It—it was just not as nice as being with family.”

“Well, this Christmas, we’re going to be your family!” Elizabeth said with a big smile.

Molly silently groaned. She knew Richard would think she’d put his mother up to that idea. “Really, Elizabeth, that’s not necessary. And please don’t buy me gifts. I wouldn’t be able to reciprocate in kind. I have a small budget.”

“Money doesn’t matter, Molly. But we’ve thought of all kinds of ways to celebrate Christmas. I’m supposed to check the times and dates of things Richard thought of last night. He was wonderful.”

“How nice. What did he suggest?”