An Angel for Christmas by Heather Graham

him.
    He laughed, stirring the hot chocolate mixture a last time. “Doesn’t that have to do with the fact that you can see the glass as half-empty—or half-full?”
    â€œCome along, Mr. Sunshine. The gifts are surely divided by now,” Morwenna said.
    They made two trips with the cups of hot chocolate and coffee, and then took seats on the sofawhere their presents had been left. Morwenna quickly saw that she wasn’t the only one who had found something for Gabe; he had a stack of four gifts.
    He looked around the room. “You didn’t need to do this! You gave me everything—by taking me in,” he said.
    Genevieve came to him and with her little hands pushed him down into his chair. “Santa knew you were here, Gabe. But I get to go first!”
    Morwenna noted that her mother had done a good job whipping up stockings for the children at the last minute. Genevieve received Fruit Roll-ups, quarters for the games at the tavern and a pretty little set of silver earrings—probably something her mom had bought for herself, since she was always losing one earring. She was delighted. Her present from her father was a real working kids’ stove and an electronic game. Stacy had wrapped up one of her collectible Cabbage Patch dolls, and the little girl was in awe of it, playing with it as Connor opened the rest of his gifts.
    Then Bobby told them that his gift was a song, and he pulled out his guitar and sang to them:
    Christmas morning, what a thrill, for Gen and Connor are here,
    Pretty girl, handsome lad,
    Giving us the best Christmas ever had!
    Christmas Day, what a thrill, for Gen and Connor here!
    Clever girl, brilliant lad,
    When they’re around, nothing can be bad,
    Oh, it’s a Gen and Connor Christmas,
    How we love it, ever so dear,
    Connor and Genevieve,
    Ring the bells!
    Light the lights!
    When Gen smiles, all the world is bright!
    Ring the bells!
    Light the lights!
    When Connor is with us,
    The world is all right!
    Oh, it’s a Gen and Connor Christmas,
    A Gen and Connor Christmas,
    And Christmas Day
    Burns so bright!
    The kids, giggling all the while, pounced on Bobby, hugging him.
    â€œHey,” Bobby cried. “Munchkins! Watch the guitar.”
    â€œCome on, Uncle Bobby. You’re up next!” Genevieve told him.
    â€œOkay, okay. Pummel the flesh, but not the guitar, eh?” Bobby teased. “Gen, you help me with that one. I don’t wrap well, and I open even worse.”
    â€œYou can’t open a present badly,” Genevieve told him, but she began tearing at the wrapping paper for him.
    Bobby was also delighted with his gifts. His stocking had been filled with Pez animals, beef jerky, turkey jerky and more. His parents had gotten him a new, down-lined coat. Shayne had gotten him an electronic reader with a special music application, and Morwenna had gone out of her way wrapping up a gift certificate to a nationalchain music store, nestled in a bed of guitar picks, strings and a tuner.
    â€œNow you, Auntie Wenna!” Genevieve said. “Are you really bad at unwrapping, too?”
    â€œWell, of course I am,” Morwenna said, sitting her niece on her lap. “Go for it, girl.”
    First, the stocking. Morwenna’s had sugar substitute, lip gloss guaranteed to prevent chapping in cold weather, nail polish and emery boards. Genevieve happily tore apart Morwenna’s gifts for her. Morwenna oohed and aahed over her presents—a computer bag with just the right number of pockets, a beautiful black cocktail dress, a snow hat with matching gloves and a tiny little box.
    â€œWhat’s this?” Genevieve asked.
    â€œI don’t know. Open it.”
    Genevieve opened the little box. It held a delicate gold chain that held an angel or cherub, almost like the one on her mother’s tree. It was a beautiful piece.
    Morwenna looked around the room; there was no signature on the box.
    â€œMom, where did you find