“We haven’t really talked about it.”
“Can I name them?” Skyler asked. “You said I was good at names, remember?”
For things like cats and guinea pigs, yes. But actual children. I feared my little girl would come up with names like Snowflake and Turkey since they were born in a snowstorm a few days after Thanksgiving.
Mason chuckled. “We’d be open to suggestions, wouldn’t we, Danielle?”
“Of course, honey. We can decide as a family, like we talked about, remember?”
“Well, I’d really like to name the boy Mason, and call him MJ,” she said.
I raised an eyebrow at Mason. “That’s actually not a bad idea. What do you think?”
“Naming my son after me? Like I’d say no to that,” he said with a laugh.
“Hmm, well, we might take you up on that suggestion, Skyler. What else do you have in mind?”
“I was thinking since the babies were born in a snowstorm—”
Ahh, here we go, I thought. Here comes the snowflake or winter names.
“It made me think of Frozen. I really like Anna or Elsa.”
“What about Eleanor Anne?” Mason asked.
“Or maybe Elianna?” Skyler said. “And that’s similar to Eli! How cool!”
As soon as I heard the name, it hit me. It was perfect.
“I love the name Elianna,” I said. “What about you, Mason?”
“I think it’s beautiful,” he said. “Good job, Skyler.”
He held out his hand for a high-five, and she giggled as she slapped her tiny hand against his. “You helped, you know.”
“Yeah, but it was your idea.”
“I wouldn’t have thought of it if it wasn’t for you,” she said, grinning wildly.
And at least for a moment, it felt like all our day’s problems had melted away. She was happy again, smiling and no longer afraid.
Mason took my hand in his and gave me a look that said he was thinking the same thing.
Everything was going to be okay.
Ooo000ooo
“The babies are coming home!”
Skyler had been shouting those words for the last week, waking me up with them every single day. And most days, I had to tell her not today. But today was different.
Today was Christmas Eve. And she was going to get a very special surprise that had nothing to do with the presents underneath the tree.
“Yes, they’re coming home today, sweetheart,” I said, feeling like my face hurt from smiling so big.
My little girl bounced from the bed and practically ran circles around the bed, rushing over to Mason’s side. “Wake up! We have to get Elli and MJ today!” She nudged Mason playfully.
He groaned. “I don’t even think the doctors are awake to release them yet. What time is it?”
“It’s just after six,” I said with a laugh. “We can pick them up in a few hours, honey.”
“A few hours? I can’t wait that long,” she whined, though grinning through the whine.
“What if I told you I have another surprise for you?”
“I’m listening.”
“We’re doing something nice for Calvin this morning, so we’re going over to his house. You’ll get to see Oscar again.”
“Yes!” Skyler shouted, throwing her fists into the air. “Best day ever. And it’s Christmas too!”
“We need to get ready, so could you—”
“I’ll get dressed!”
I laughed as I climbed out of the bed. I still needed to shower and fix us breakfast. We weren’t going over to Calvin’s for a few more hours. I looked at Mason and asked, “Are you ready for this?”
“I just got the message from Steve that said his plane landed.”
“Calvin is going to be so surprised, isn’t he?”
“He has no idea,” Mason said, sitting up and stretching. “Though they’ve been talking for a couple weeks, ever since I tracked him down. They’ve really reconnected.”
“You did such a sweet thing by tracking him down.” I walked over to his side of the bed and kissed him, holding his face in my hands.
“It just all worked out. Steve and his wife divorced twenty years ago, and he was also alone, not wanting to admit to anyone he wasn’t into women. Now neither of them have to be alone anymore.”
“I love you,” I said, feeling a rush of warmth.
“And I love you too,” he said, kissing the palm of my hand.
“You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met,” I said.
“Stop, you’re making me uncomfortable. You know I don’t handle compliments well.”
“I know, but it’s true,” I said, staring into his grey eyes. “I doubted that any man could truly be this good and kind, but you’ve proven me wrong, Mason.”
He stood up and wrapped his arms around me, kissing me on the lips. My body