Hush little one, don’t you fuss now.” Rose Jackson spoke softly, her words and her attention directed to the tiny squirming bundle she held in her arms. The bundle issued a soft whimper, a tiny hiccup, and then was still.
“She is so beautiful,” said Rose, still speaking softly so as not to disturb the child. Amanda, who was seated next to her on the couch, smiled.
“I know,” she said. “I can’t stop looking at her. I get nothing done these days. I’ll put her down when she’s sleeping and walk away but then I turn around and just stare at her and I can’t pull myself away. I still can’t believe we have her.”
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“She looks so much like Brady did when he was born,” said Rose. “It’s not hard to see he’s her father. And their birthdays are so close together. Christmas babies.” She chuckled. She paused, remembering. “That boy was something to look at at for the first year of his life.”
“And then what happened?” said Amanda playfully.
“You can see for yourself,” said Rose with a grin. “You live with him after all.” She continued to stare down at the tiny child nestled in the crook of her arm. “Some babies have a tough time being born. They come out with their heads all smooshed this way and that, kind of lopsided. And some come out like Michaela here. Just about perfect. She looks as if she wasn’t born at all. As if she just appeared suddenly, like a perfect little angel.”
There was a moment of silence while the little girl squirmed and a tiny hand wrapped its fingers around Rose’s thumb.
“I can tell you for certain that she did not magically appear, like any little angel you would ever imagine,” said Amanda softly. “She may be the best Christmas present ever, but oh my goodness, I had to work for her!”
“Oh quit your complaining,” said a voice from the doorway. Brady stepped into the room grinning impishly. “It was a breeze, mom. Don’t let her tell you different.”
“I’m sure it was a breeze for you sonny,” said Rose.
Yup,” said Brady. “And what’s all this nonsense about parenting being difficult and challenging?” He sat down on the arm of the couch next to his mother and reached down to stroke his sleeping daughter’s cheek. “She sleeps, she wakes up, she cries, she eats, she goes back to sleep. Nothing to it.”
“Seriously,” said Rose. “Don’t forget, this too shall pass.”
“I thought that saying was for when things are going badly,” said Brady.
“It is,” said Rose. “It’s also for when things are going well. But maybe you’ll be lucky. Maybe she will just eat and sleep till she turns 18.”
“That would be weird,” said Brady. “Hey does Michaela have her mom’s nose or what? Isn’t it the cutest thing?”
“My nose is not the cutest thing,” said Amanda. “Although it is pretty cute isn’t it? But I think there are cuter things.”
“You’re probably right,” said Brady, “but I’ve never seen one.”
There was a moment of silence. All three of them continued to pay rapt attention to the baby.
“Babies are amazing,” said Brady finally. “They’re so tiny, but they change everything.”
“Except themselves,” said Amanda.
Rose looked up finally, her attention attracted by the twinkling lights and dangling ornaments of the Christmas tree across the room. “Who would have thought it,” she said. “Seven years ago there were five of us at Christmas dinner. Now there’s going to be 11. How does that even happen?”
“Well mom,” said Brady, “boys and girls meet and fall in love and then they…”
“Oh hush up,” said Rose. “I know how it happens.”
“Speaking of Christmas dinner,” said Brady, “it’s still two days away and I’m hungry. You got anything good in the fridge mom?”
“Leftover meatloaf,” said Rose. “Help yourself.”
“Yes! Meatloaf! I’m on it!” Brady was up and away. “Anyone else want some?” he called back over his shoulder.
“I’m good,” said Amanda.
“None for me,” said Rose.
When he was gone Rose looked at Amanda. “How’s my boy doing?” she asked. “Is he pulling his weight, or what?”
Amanda gave her mother-in-law a big smile. “And more,” she said. “He’s amazing. He cooks, he cleans, he even vacuums. It’s crazy.”
“He turned out better than I expected,” said Rose. “Just being honest.” She looked down at little Michaela once more. “Thank you for this incredible Christmas gift,” she said.
A dish clattered loudly in the kitchen. Amanda smiled. “And thank you for mine,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” said Rose. “Merry Christmas.”
“And God bless us,” said Amanda, “every one.”
