She'd never forget that Christmas. All her Christmases were memorable. But Christmas that year was especially so. That Christmas, a miracle took place. That Christmas, she met her best friend. Her baby sister.
It all happened one Christmas Eve...
"Sheridan," Pilar admonished, "you shouldn't tire yourself so. Kay and I have everything under control, and Theresita and Ethan are on their way. Go rest, Mija." Indignant, Sheridan opened her mouth to argue, promptly closing it when she saw the look on Pilar's face. She'd known and loved Pilar all her life. And she could definitely tell when she meant business. Oh, she meant business alright. Heaving a long-suffering sigh and grumbling under her breath, Sheridan waddled out of the bustling kitchen. Barely missing the smiles exchanged between Kay and Pilar.
Lily grinned at her as she looked up from the masterpiece she was busily preparing her beloved aunt Ivy. She tucked a stubborn blond curl behind her ear as she said, "What's wrong, Mom? Grandma kick you out of the kitchen again?" Sheridan cast an incredulous glance her nine-year-old daughter's way. Lily just giggled saying, "It's all Dad's fault you know. I heard him tell Grandma to MAKE you rest and not take no for an answer." Sheridan's eyes widened. Why the nerve of that man! When was Luis going to stop treating her like a china doll? She was just pregnant. For goodness' sake!
Lily hid her smirk from her mother. That wasn't all Dad had said, but she didn't want to start WWIII here. Finished with her task, she admired her handiwork for a moment, then tucked it away in a safe place until Aunt Ivy and Uncle Julian arrived. She couldn't wait 'til they got here. And Aunt Theresa, too. She smiled as she listened to her mom rant and mumble under her breath about her father. Her parents "disagreements" were legendary in this town. Even more widely known was their love. She was so lucky. She had the greatest parents in the entire world, she thought as she snuggled into her mother's warm embrace on the sofa where they anxiously awaited everyone else's arrival.
Minutes later, they heard an unmistakeable voice outside the front door. Lily smiled at her mother, and in unison, they exclaimed, "Nicky's here!" Sheridan laughed as the five-year-old burst through the door ignoring both his parents and raced into her outstretched arms crying "Aunt Sheri!" She waved away Theresa and Ethan's apologies over her nephew's little shoulder. She listened attentively as Nicky excitedly told her all about the snow and the snowman he and Ethan had made and making snowangels and Santa and his reindeers.
All in one breath. His big blue eyes were wide with wonder at all the wonderful things he had done. Ethan watched his little son in amusement. He was so much like Theresa. Lily got up to help her aunt Theresa with her sleeping cousin. Little Emily's dark blond hair peeked out from the blanket Theresa had her wrapped in. Niece and aunt talked softly as they carried Emily back into the bedroom to join her partner in crime. Angel was down for the count, too.
With each new ring of the doorbell, more guests arrived. And the cozy little house was filled with merriment. Christmas dinner was wonderful, and everyone had so much to be happy about as Pilar said grace. After dessert, they all gathered around the warm fire as Luis and Pilar took turns telling the children the story of Jesus' birth so long ago. Nicky listened raptly and grew impatient with every interjection Ryan made. Angel was curled in Miguel's arms, her dark eyes glued to her uncle and grandmother. Kay had her arms wrapped about them both. Ethan grinned at Luis's valiant attempts to answer all Nicky's questions.
Theresa sat beside him holding Emily who was more content to pull her mother's long dark hair. Sheridan sighed in contentment as she stroked Lily's long blond hair from her face and smiled at Ivy. Her eyes locked with Luis's across the room, and she got lost in their depths. He stole numerous glances her way throughout the rest of the story. They were oblivious to the picture they made. Two people more in love with each passing year.
A little while later, a noise sounded outside. The sound of Santa and his reindeer. Sheridan nearly fell over with mirth when she recognized the face behind the white beard.
Only Ivy laughed more. Lily arched a blond eyebrow at "Santa" when she sat on his lap and ran through her long list of Christmas wishes and Luis hugged Sheridan to him as he grinned at the look in Julian's eyes. Stranger things had NOT been known to happen, Pilar thought as she smiled at her former employer. Who ever would have thought the mighty Julian Crane would be dressed in the famous red suit sporting the white beard, the whole works. Ethan couldn't contain his laughter.
And Kay made Julian turn six different shades of red when she sat in his lap holding Angel and expressed all her Christmas wishes with a huge smile on her face. Everyone laughed until they cried. Luis was still laughing when he caught sight of the grimace on his wife's face as she clutched her stomach. Forcing a smile on her face, Sheridan said, "Don't mean to interrupt here, but I think it's timmmmmmmmmmeeeee!"
Eve met them at the hospital and hurried Sheridan and Luis to the delivery room. "Grandma," Ryan asked, "Is Mommy going to be okay?" Kay rushed to assure her little buddy before Pilar had a chance with "Yeah, Ryan, your mommy's going to be fine.
Just fine. And in a few hours, you'll have a new baby sister or brother. And, it'll be Christmas soon." Ryan sighed with relief then screwed his face up in disgust as he exclaimed, "Ewww! ANOTHER Sister! I don't want another sister. I want a brother. Tell Santa I want a brother!" Kay raised her eyebrows at his reaction and was very grateful then that Pilar took over. Nicky, meanwhile, sat in Santa's lap himself. "Santa, is my aunt Sheri going to be okay? Huh, Santa?" Julian was at a loss for words. But he rushed to reassure his young grandson and ignored the curious looks he garnered.
Lily held Ivy's hand tightly as she said a silent prayer for her mother. They all waited patiently. Well, not so patiently for news on the newest Lopez-Fitzgerald. All the children were fast asleep hours later when Eve came out into the waiting room smiling widely. She led them to Sheridan's room where she rested with Luis by her side. In her arms, she held the tiniest pink bundle. They all looked on as Sheridan said, "Everybody, I want you to meet the newest addition to this family. Katherine Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald. Katy. Our own little Christmas miracle." Tears sprung to Pilar's eyes when she heard this.
Hugs went around the room. And congratulations. Ryan's protests about a sister died on his lips as he stared, smitten with his new sister with the dark hair and bright blue eyes. Lily beamed at her parents as she whispered to her newborn baby sister in her arms, "Hi Katy! We've been waiting a really long time for you to get here. A real long time. You're the best Christmas present I ever had. We're going to share all our secrets when you get older. And we're going to be best friends." Behind her, her parents kissed tenderly, as the snow gently fell outside. And all was right with the world.
THE END