Tam giggles.
“Where are we going? What should I pack?” Excitement fills me. I’m going in a real RV, on a real vacation, like a real family.
“A little bit of everything,” Zebb says, and I still don’t know what that means.
“And look, Eva. I brought you some new angel wings.” Tam awkwardly holds out a new set of wings that are much smaller than the ones I’d given her, but still just as wonderful. “Daddy says we’re going to fly down the highway.”
“Thanks Tam.” I’d cry but I can’t seem to stop smiling.
“Go,” Zebb whispers, leaning forward and giving me a quick kiss. He walks backward two steps. “Oh, and bring that serendipity mitten. Fate might need it.”
Because we’re a pair.
He winks and then turns toward the RV.
I rush upstairs and toss a collection of I don’t even know what into a bag, including a new lingerie piece I was saving for Valentine’s Day. As one holiday ends, another begins so to speak.
Once I’m back downstairs and climbing into the passenger seat beside Zebb, I laugh. “Can you drive this thing?”
“I drive fire engines. I can handle this rig.”
I turn back to Tam, who’s buckling a seatbelt at the mini-kitchen table.
“Hey, Tam. I’m going to kiss your dad, so don’t look.”
“Ugh.” She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms on the table. Then lowers her head to shield her sight. “I’m counting to ten.”
I lean toward Zebb and he meets me half way.
“Ten, nine . . .”
I don’t hear the rest of her numbers. When the countdown ends, it won’t matter. I’ll be kissing this man more and more in the future.
Where we’ll be on a new adventure, together.
Epilogue
One year later
“Hello, and welcome to Gingersnaps.” I greet customers as they enter. My specialty shop is not located downtown but in a smaller neighborhood within Chicago. We also have a strong online presence, but I love when people come into the store. We’ve made a reputation for ourselves with our novelty gift items.
And as we’re about to celebrate our first Christmas, for the first time since I can remember, I’m excited for the holiday to happen.
However, the most important part of this holiday is what I learned last year.
The gift of time is the most precious present.
Zebb, Tam, and I spent ten days on the road in the rented RV where we learned more about each other. And the learning didn’t end when we returned to Chicago. Zebb didn’t leave me behind.
Tonight, on the eve of Christmas, I’ll celebrate with Zebb and Tam. Tomorrow after Santa makes a visit, which might be Zebb’s final chance to pretend the big man is real with Tam, we’ll join the rest of his family at his mother’s place.
Marnie and Lisa will be there with their new baby boy.
Brock will be present with Nick and Eleanor.
And Zebb’s mother will welcome me as she’s done from the start.
I’m part of the family.