“How’d you know?” Shane asked, turning her head to look at Molly.

“Know what?” she responded, pushing the hair from Shane’s eyes.

“That I was worried about Shay.”

“Because I know you and I know your heart. I know that’s why you’ve been trying so hard to make this the perfect Christmas.”

Shane then proceeded to tell Molly how hard it was for her the first Christmas after her mother had left her. She didn’t want Shay to feel alone or sad, like she did. She wanted him to look forward to Christmas morning and to enjoy the holiday. He’s only a kid and he deserves to have fun on Christmas. Molly smiled and kissed Shane, telling her how much she loved her. Then, together, they finished assembling Shay’s bike and retired for the evening.

Having been up until the wee hours of the morning assembling the bike, Shane and Molly were in a deep sleep when Shay and Bella came bounding through their bedroom door.

“Time to open presents!” Shay squealed as he and Bella jumped up onto the bed.

“It’s too early,” Shane groaned as she buried her face in Molly’s shoulder. Bella squeezed in between Shane and Molly and began to lick at Shane’s face. Molly laughed as Shane began to smile. “Okay, okay, we’re getting up,” Shane grumbled, as she petted Bella.

“Yay! Presents!” Shay squealed again, as he jumped up and down on the bed.

“You two go outside and get ready. We’ll be there in a minute,” Molly suggested through her laughter.

“Okay! Come on Bella!” Shay called out as he was already out the door.

“And no peeking!” Molly called out after him. Still laughing, she rolled onto her side and placing her hand on Shane’s cheek said, “Merry Christmas.”

Shane smiled and kissed her. “Merry Christmas.”

She pulled her into another kiss, only to be interrupted by Shay screaming out from the other room, “Come on! Let’s open presents!”

Shane and Molly sighed as they dragged themselves from the warmth of their bed. Pulling on some sweats, they shuffled their way to the couch and plopped down, still exhausted. “Okay, Shay,” Shane said, while yawning, “Go ahead and open up your presents. I think Santa left one out back on the patio.” Shay’s face lit up and a broad grin curled his lips. He wanted desperately to run right out back to look at what Santa had left him, but wanted to give Shane and Molly their present first.