“Okay, but be quiet. Don’t wake your grandparents. Elizabeth, you go, too, and help carry the stockings.”

Lucy sat up and rubbed her eyes. She yawned and smiled at Bill. “I feel as though I just got to sleep.”

“I’ll make coffee,” Bill volunteered, climbing out of bed.

“Sara, hop in here. You must be freezing without your slippers.”

Soon the whole family was gathered in the sleigh bed. Lucy and Bill sipped coffee and smiled indulgently while the children pulled small treasures from their stockings. Reaching into a stocking and finding an oddly shaped, mysterious package—to Lucy that was what Christmas was all about.

“What’s this?” asked Sara, holding up a little catnip mouse.

“It’s a cat toy,” Toby informed her. “Santa must have made a mistake.”

“Maybe Santa hasn’t heard about Patches,” Elizabeth said reasonably.

“Or maybe he knows something you don’t,” said Bill thoughtfully.

“What’s that box doing in the corner?” said Lucy. “I didn’t put it there.”

“I’ll see,” Toby shouted, jumping out of bed. “It’s kittens! Three of them!”

“Careful, Toby,” Lucy cautioned as he picked up the carton and brought it over to her. “Look, Santa brought one for each of you. Now, who wants the little orange one?”

“Oh, I do.” Sara sighed and reached for the soft furry bundle.

“Be gentle. Remember, he’s just a baby,” said Bill.

“Mom, I want the black one. The black one should go to a boy,” Toby argued.

“Okay. That leaves the calico one for you, Elizabeth. Is that okay?”

“Oh, yes.” Elizabeth sighed. “Calico cats are always girls.”

“Well, that worked out well,” Lucy said. “What are you going to name them?”

“I’m naming mine ‘Softy,’ ” said Sara, “ ’cause he’s so soft.”

“I’m naming mine ‘Mac’ ’cause he’s so tough,” said Toby, holding up a very tiny fluff of black fur with two bright eyes.

“I’m going to wait until I know my kitten better before I name her,” said Elizabeth. “This is the best Christmas ever.”

“I’m sure Santa wants you to take good care of your kittens,” Bill announced. “No rough stuff, make sure they get plenty to eat and lots of rest. Okay, gang?”

As she leaned back against the pillows, watching the children dangle Christmas ribbons for the kittens to chase, Lucy rubbed her eyes and yawned again. Bill put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze as Bill’s father appeared in the doorway.

“So, you started Christmas without me? What have you got here, kittens? Well, don’t do another thing until you open my present,” he said, producing a large, gaily wrapped box.

“You want us to open this now?” said Bill.

“Right away.”

“But Mom’s not up,” Bill protested.

“Doesn’t matter. Open it up,” he ordered.

Bill shrugged and began to open the package but stopped in amazement when he realized what it was.