I cranked up some Christmas music on my stereo, belting out the “Hallelujah Chorus” and the usual carols at the top of my lungs as I showered and dressed. I couldn’t believe this was already my third Christmas in California. Part of me still longed for a white Christmas, but the lights on the palm trees didn’t look nearly as funny as they had two years ago.

I hadn’t heard from Jack whether he was actually coming. I prayed God would solidify his faith and help him deal with the consequences. I shouldn’t have expected it to be as easy for him as it was for me; he had a lot more at stake.

Joker was pulling ornaments off the tree after lunch when I heard footsteps on the balcony. “Come on in!” I yelled as I tried to drag her out from where she hid beneath the tree. I heard the door open as I made a lunge for the cat.

“Merry Christ—Grace? Where are you?” Jack asked.

“Under the tree, over here.”

He laughed. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to get Joker. She keeps knocking down the ornaments and drinking the tree water out of the stand.” I finally got hold of her back legs and pulled her out; she mewed and howled the whole way and took off for the bedroom after squirming out of my grip. “Blasted cat,” I mumbled before grinning at Jack. “Merry Christmas! Want some eggnog?”

“Sure. Sorry I didn’t call before I came over.”

“That’s all right; I couldn’t remember if we’d decided you were coming for sure. I was expecting almost anything.”

“Ah. Then I should have come with the sleigh and reindeer like I’d been planning.” He shook his head in mock disappointment, and smirked.

“I certainly hope a Santa suit would have been involved.”

“Oh, definitely.”

“Well, next year, right?” I grinned and handed him a glass of eggnog, then poured one for myself.

We sat on the couch, and he produced from his pocket a small box wrapped in red paper. “Merry Christmas.”

My shoulders sagged. I’d been too unsure of where we stood to risk getting him something, and being sick I hadn’t had a chance to shop anyway. “Oh, Jack, I didn’t—”

“I didn’t expect you to; don’t worry about it. I saw this when I was in Ireland and it had you written all over it.” He shook it a little; I could hear a faint rustle inside. “Open it.”