Standing here at the Snowy Valley Shopping Center, my heart fills with pride. Filson has become a fixture in the town. He’s been Santa Claus on Jingle Bell Lane's annual Christmas party every year since the first time I asked him. He dons the red velvet coat and big black belt, turning into the sexiest Santa I've ever seen and pulls kids onto his lap as he lets them whisper in his ear their dreams for Christmas; their wishes. But he is also the first one to lend a helping hand when someone’s roof is leaking, to offer assistance when someone needs their heating system fixed, or the first man to volunteer when the football team needs a coach.
It's romantic. Seeing him help others. When I first propositioned him as a fix-it man, I didn’t realize he’d been fixing things for people long before I asked him for help. Now I know it is in his blood as much as it is in mine.
His generosity makes me want to be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend. Speaking of friends, Annabelle waves at me from the crowd. I'm standing with my family, of course, up front next to the bright red ribbon that's about to be cut. Filson is talking to the older women in town who seem to think he is the sexiest Christmas gift around. I smile, knowing it's harmless flirtation and I’d never begrudge the women a moment with him.
“Auntie Annabelle,” Nicholas shouts, calling my best friend over. She leans down, giving my five-year-old a big hug.
“How's my little guy doing? Look at you. So handsome in your Christmas sweater.”
“Mom made us match,” he says proudly.
I reach out and squeeze my best friend's hand. “And how are you doing?”
“Pretty good. Although Isaiah said I shouldn't be out in my condition.”
“Your condition?” I ask with a laugh. “You're six months pregnant. I don't think that should ban you from this.”
“I agree. But he's just worried. You know with it so cold out and there's supposed to be a big storm.”
“So I heard,” I say. “But you're still planning on coming up to the cabin tomorrow?”
“Weather permitting,” she says. “And Isaiah is driving, so that makes him feel better. Of course, I can't go sledding with all of you guys, but it'll be awesome to make Christmas cookies together at Filson’s old cabin.”
I nod in agreement. “It will be a little chaotic, but Jody and her daughter are coming too.”
“That's great,” she says. Then looking around at the crowd, she shakes her head. “I still can't believe Filson pulled this off. You must be so proud of him.”
“We all are. It's been his dream for a long time.”
Annabelle nods in understanding. “And with Asher finally kicked off the city council, it’s like everything is finally right in Snowy Valley.”
I smile. “I still can't believe he had been embezzling money all that time and to think of all those people who weren’t able to be helped because of his choices.”
“I know,” Annabelle says. “It's terrible. But on the bright side, we have this amazing shopping center opening. The bookstore that is opening here is going to feature Jody’s soup recipe book.”
I nod. “She's doing a book signing. All profits will go to the soup kitchen.”
“I can't wait to come. It's going to be fantastic. I'm so proud of her,” Annabelle sighs. “Crazy what could happen in five years, isn't it?”
I nod, bringing my three-year-old daughter, Noel, closer to me. Her two-year-old sister, Eve, is twirling around in her red dress. Filson has our one-year-old daughter, Winter, in a carrier on his back. So many Christmas blessings. All our babies were born in December.
Annabelle leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I beam at my friend who looks so happy. “You just look so adorable pregnant,” I tell her.
“Are you jealous?” she asks. “This is the first Christmas that you haven't been pregnant since you got married.” When I bite my bottom lip, her eyes grow wide. “Oh, my God, you are!”
I look down at the kids, not wanting them to know, I haven't even told Filson. “I just found out,” I admit to her. “But you know it’s our dream, a baby every Christmas for as long as possible.”
“You guys are crazy and ridiculously adorable,” she laughs.
I don't disagree. Filson and I are the happiest people to ever live in Snowy Valley.
Moments later, when he calls me over and hands me the scissors for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, I look up into my husband's eyes, full of admiration. Looking at the boy I have loved since I was a little girl, all grown up. He seemed so misunderstood for so long, and now it's crystal clear. I see him as he is, and as he can be. A man who isn't just handsome because of his sexy beard, but a man who is handsome because he is my heart, my home, my forever.
“I'm so proud of you, Filson,” I say looking up into his pine green eyes. I cut the ribbon and he pulls me to him, giving me a kiss on the lips.
“I'm pregnant,” I whisper as we pull apart. The crowd behind us cheers as the red ribbon falls to the ground, his shopping center officially opened.
He shakes his head incredulously, my belly flip-flopping with love. “You always give me the best gifts,” I say. “But this year it's my turn to top yours.”
“A fifth baby. God, I love you, Maple.”
“Good,” I say, “Because I was hoping tonight once the kids are down, we can celebrate this new blessing.” I take his hand and press it to my belly.
He gives me a smile and I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him again, his beard tickling my face. Home is where the beard is … and his is never that far away.
Epilogue Three
Filson
Ten Years Later…
The line at the soup kitchen has finally slowed, and I take a moment to step away to take our eight-month-old daughter, Carol, from Maple’s arms. Our family is all here, helping out today like we do most Saturdays. The oldest kids, Nick, Eve, and Winter are serving bowls of soup, while the three younger ones are making snowflakes out of white paper with our new live-in nanny at a table in the corner. They remind me of Maple’s and my first Christmas together.
“Carol’s been a little fussy,” Maple says. “I think she’s tired.”
“Not surprised,” I say, leaning closer to my wife and kissing her softly. “It’s hard to sleep here. It’s been bustling all morning.”
Maple tightens the apron around her waist. Earlier in our marriage, we were going for one a year, but we’ve slowed down a bit and have stopped at six, though we’ve been talking about a few more once Carol starts walking. For two people who don’t have any extended family, we created our own little tribe, a bunch of Filson and Maple mini-mes.
“Honestly though, I’m feeling just as tired,” she says. I take a closer look and see her tired eyes. I’m sure her feet ache too. It’s why I planned the perfect Christmas gift for her.
“Want one of your Christmas gifts early?” I ask.
“Christmas isn’t until next week,” she says twisting her lips.