Kiki and Evelyn spent the rest of the evening watching the children open gifts until they could hardly hold their eyes open. When the last gift had been passed out, Santa gathered the children around and read A Visit from St. Nicholas, better known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. A few minutes later, Abby approached Kiki, her eyes drooping.

“Tired, little girl?” Kiki asked, her lips curling into a smile.

Abby nodded.

“Come here.” Kiki sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside her. Abby climbed up on the couch and leaned her head against her arm. Kiki wrapped her arm around her and Abby snuggled to her side. Evelyn sat on the other side of Abby.

“Merry Christmas, Kiki,” Case said, and then held out his fist to her.

“It’s Miss Long to you, young man,” Evelyn corrected.

But Kiki shook her head. “No. That’s okay.” She bumped his fist with hers. “You have a very Merry Christmas, too.”

A beautiful smile spread across his face and he gave her one last wave as he headed off to the bedrooms with the rest of the children.

“I’ll be right back.” Evelyn walked up the stairs, while Kiki stayed with Abby.

After Evelyn and the other ladies had put the last of the children to bed, leaving them to dream of Santa and the North Pole, she entered the room and stood before Kiki, who was nodding off herself.

“Well, it looks like Abby’s taken right up with you,” Evelyn observed, a smile spreading across her lips.

“She’s adorable.” Kiki loved children. Not having any of her own, she enjoyed her visits to the Children’s Home and tried to come as often as possible. But besides Case, Abby had been the first one to take up with her the way she had. “Is her mother coming to get her soon?”

Evenly scoffed. “I sure hope not.” Evelyn scooped her sleeping granddaughter into her arms and then whispered to Kiki over her head, “Her mother’s been out of the picture for a while now.”

“Oh.” Kiki was taken aback. Abby didn’t deserve that.

Evelyn adjusted Abby on her arm.

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Kiki rose to her feet and stretched. “Abby’s such a wonderful little girl.”

“Yes, she is,” Evelyn agreed. “She deserves better. And so does Taren.”

Kiki’s heart leapt at the mere mention of his name. But Kiki quickly recovered herself and looked over at Abby. “Well, you’re a very lucky woman to have a granddaughter like Abby.”

“Yes, I am.” Evelyn patted Abby’s back. “But it looks like tonight got the best of her. I think we should be heading home. Here. Let me walk you out.” She walked into the foyer as Kiki followed, and pulled Abby’s coat off the rack, but spoke to Kiki, “Do you have a place to go for Christmas?”

Kiki smiled as she shrugged her shoulders. “Just here.” She slipped into her coat and then helped Evelyn with Abby’s.

“Well, then!” Evelyn’s eyes lit up. “You need to come over tomorrow and celebrate with us!”

Kiki smiled, touched by the invitation. “That’s really very kind of you, but I don’t want to intrude. Besides, I’m planning on carrying some fruitcake over to the neighbors.”

“Oh, pish posh!” Evelyn said, handing Abby to her without asking. She slid into her coat, and then took her granddaughter back. Kiki liked that she felt comfortable enough to do that. “You can take fruitcake to the neighbors anytime! And Taren would love to see you again.”

“Where is he tonight?” Kiki’s mind told her not to ask, but her mouth had a mind of its own. Even though they had been friends in high school, she had always been out of reach. Yes; Taren had a league all his own.

Evelyn smiled, her eyes dancing, obviously pleased at Kiki’s interest. “He’s working tonight and couldn’t be here.”

Kiki nodded as she opened the door for Evelyn and Abby. “I’ll follow you out.” Snow flurries blew toward them as they walked out. Evelyn cuddled Abby closer, doing her best to shield her from the falling snow.

“But seriously,” Evelyn continued, “if you don’t have anything else to do, come on over.”

Kiki opened the back door of Evelyn’s car for her and watched as she laid Abby in the backseat and snapped the seatbelt into place around her. “I appreciate the offer, but—”

“Just say you’ll think about it,” Evelyn cut her off. Kiki could tell that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Okay. I’ll consider it,” Kiki replied, having no intention of going. She didn’t want to disappoint the woman, but she didn’t want to intrude on their family time, either. Also, she had no idea how she would feel when she saw Taren again, or what he would think of her intruding on his family’s celebration. No, it was best not to go, no matter how much she would have liked to.

“Good!” With Abby safely inside and her seatbelt fastened, she closed the car door. Kiki was surprised when she pulled her in for a hug. “You’re welcome to come over any time.”

Kiki patted her back, and then pulled away. It was nice having a mother figure in her life, even if it was just for the night. “Thanks, Evelyn. Will you be okay driving home, or would you like me to follow you?”

Evelyn shook her head as a smile spread across her lips. “I’ll be fine. I don’t have far to go. Well, you take care of yourself and don’t be a stranger. I need to get this little one home.” She walked around the other side of the car, and Kiki headed over to her own. “It was good seeing you again, Kiki!” Evelyn called to her over the top of the car and then climbed inside, giving her one last wave.

Kiki waved back and then slid into the driver’s seat of her own car, quickly turned the engine over, and listened as it roared to life. As she pulled the car out of the driveway and headed toward home, somehow, she didn’t feel quite so alone.