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I leave the roo on the ornahts and return, after a major search, with the one decoration I’ve had with , ht to me by my soldier husband when he returned from the Great War Isaac wires it near the top, next to a wooden angel that Patience says belonged to her old hts and plug in the tree? Everyone ready?" Daniel asks Patience , and instantly the rooreen bulbs The s Danny, whose eyes are round with surprise When I look over at Blu at

"O Christins, and Daniel slides onto the piano bench to bang out the tune I have never heard him play before and assuht us!" We wing through the English version, then Daniel sings the German

"O Tannenbaurandht me," he explains, then reaches for an old hymnal and hands it to me I draw a kitchen chair next to the sofa so that Patience and I can share We all know the first verse and sometimes the second, but without the words in front of us we can’t remember the rest

Blum still stands next to the kitchen door and I squeeze past hi in another chair, and then lead hi he would, he could share the hyests "Silent night Holy night All is cal the old words Patience looks up ata baby alone in the stable?"

I shrug and s of ether I tried so hard to make it nice for him

"How about nu’No, wait aspecial on the stove" He returns with a tray of four lass of sarm milk for Danny "Rum toddies!" He passes them all around and this ti alcohol

"Daniel first seduced erous drinks This was back e first ht crea Prohibition and it was Christrin, she s happened See you’ve shocked Becky," the vet jokes

The "; "The First Noel"; and then one I don’t know, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" For a ive Patience a good night hug My eer "Merry Christmas"

"Come here, you two" Daniel jumps off the piano bench and enfolds both Dr Bluing

"Me too Me too!" Danny hollers until we open the three-person circle and let hi belly "It’s Christ and see if Saint Nick will bring you a present I’ll sleep down here and keep an eye out Did we save old Mr Claus a few cookies?" Danny runs upstairs to find a sock and, returning, hangs it over the back of a chair Isaac brings in gingersnaps for Santa on a plate

"Good night, all," I say again "And off to bed, Dr Blum! I’ll brush your teeth in the kitchen Thank you for a lovely evening, both of you" I stand and take the doctor’s arm, then turn to look at the tree one more time In its simplicity it’s as beautiful as any we had in Verhts won’t you?"

"Yes, art" Patience sht I worry too et Blu the Hesters don’t do, and since I sleep downstairs it seems only prudent Before I latch the kitchen door, I open it and look out The flurries have stopped and ne covers every rock and stump, the fence rails, and branches An aled clouds and I suck in air so cold it s hurt