“Mama?” Jessie sat next to her mother.

“What Jess?”

“Will Amy stay here forever?”

“Well, you’re father and I are thinking of adopting her why? Don’t you like her?”

“That’s just it. Avie and I like her a lot. She’s older than me, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she’s a year younger than Zac.”

“Then why does she act younger than me? She acts a lot like Avie.”

“Because Jess, she was hurt a lot when she was little. No one helped her grow up. They never sent her to school. They didn’t even feed her very well. That’s why.”

“Oh. Mommy, is it okay for me to call her my sister?”

“That’s fine, Jess.” Diana smiled.

December approached and the end of the break began. Taylor, Isaac and Zac began spending more time in the garage working on Christmas music for upcoming appearances.

“Only twenty-five more days ‘til Santa comes.” Avery and Mackie announced.

Amy smiled weakly.

“Don’t you celebrate Christmas, Amy?”

“My mommy and daddy did, but they said that Santa hates me, so I won’t get anything. I never have. But I do love the smell of cookies, but I’ve never tasted them.” She shrugged and continued trying to read the beginner readers chapter book.

Avie went down to the garage. “Isaac?” he gave her a look. “Sorry for interruption.”

He shook his head and smiled. “It’s alright. What?”

“Can Santa Clause really hate children?”

“No Avie! Why would you think that?”

“Amy’s parents told her that Santa hated her.”

“Amy’s parents were mean, nasty people. They stayed up late at night and told Santa not to give her any presents. But mom talked to Santa yesterday to tell him that Amy was staying with us now. He was thrilled that she was with us. He said that he has a lot of presents for her.”

Avery smiled. “I’ll go tell her.”

She ran up the stairs. “Amy, Amy!”

“What?”

“Santa doesn’t hate you.”

“How do you know?”

“Isaac said so.”

“Really? How does he know?”

“Mommy called Santa and he’s happy that you’re here because now he can give you toys.”

“Wow!” Amy was now very excited for Christmas.

A week later Diana went into the girl’s room

“Well, girls it’s time to pack again.”

“Where are we going?” Amy asked fearfully.

“New York. The boys have several performances to do there.”

“What kind of performances?”

They all looked at her strangely. Diana for the first time realized that Amy didn’t know that Isaac, Taylor and Zac were part of a band.

“Ohhh, we didn’t tell you. Ike, Tay, and Zac are in a band.”

“That’s why they’re doing them?” Amy asked.

“Well yeah, it’s their thing.”

“Oh…so you aren’t taking me somewhere and leaving me?”

“Oh no.” Diana went to Amy and put her hands on Amy’s cheeks. “No, no. You aren’t ever leaving us. We all love you.”

Amy’s eyes widened, “You love me? Me? Like you would Jessie and Avery?”

“Yes sweetie.” Diana smiled. She brushed Amy’s hair out her face and behind her ears. “We all love you.”

“All of you? Walker, Isaac, Taylor, and Zac too?”

Diana slightly giggled. “Yes, we all do.”

“Wow.” Amy filled with a warm feeling.

It was the night before they left for New York, Amy was on the couch next to Taylor. She had seen Jessie and Avery lay on his legs while they watched TV with him.

Diana said he loved me. She had wanted so badly to do what Jessie and Avery do. They looked so happy when they would be so close to their big brothers. My big brothers.

She slowly readjusted and lay on his legs.

Taylor felt a sudden weight on his legs. He looked sown and saw Amy’s blonde haired head on his legs. He smiled, but didn’t say a word. He just let her lay there.

After the show was over she sat up, and smiled. His necklaces caught her attention. She loved the one with the cross on it.

“That’s pretty, Taylor.” She pointed to it.

“You like it?”

“Yes, I do.” He reached around under his hair and unclasped all of them. He took the one she had pointed out and wrapped it around her neck.

“No, no. Taylor, it’s yours.”

“Well, now it’s ours.” He finished clasping hit around her neck.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Thank you.” She smiled and fingered it.

She hugged him. He hugged her back tightly.