This Holiday Magic by Celeste O. Norfleet Page A

hand.
    â€œIf you don’t have any plans, you’re very welcome to join us.”
    Janelle hesitated.
    â€œPlease, please, please,” Aneka said hopefully.
    Tyson and Janelle traded soulful looks as Aneka continued to tug on her hand. How could she possibly resist?
    â€œYou know what—I think I’d like that,” Janelle said. “But I need to make a few stops first. I can meet you.”
    â€œI’ll pick you up at Ben’s in two hours.”
    Janelle glanced at her watch and nodded. “Perfect.”
    Tyson nodded his thanks and the three of them walked over to the elevators to leave. As soon as they stepped outside, they saw the flurries. Aneka, holding both Janelle’s and Tyson’s hands, was overjoyed to see snow. She let go and started grabbing at the flakes. “Looks like we’re going to have a white Christmas,” Tyson said. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
    â€œTry to get some rest,” Janelle said before saying goodbye and heading to her car. Fifteen minutes later, she was walking through the biggest toy store in the Baltimore area. She picked out a number of toys she thought Aneka would enjoy, and then she went to another store and purchased something for her father and Tyson.
    Afterward, she hurried home, grabbed a quick shower and dressed. She chose one of the outfits Nya had bought for her—gray slacks and a burgundy cashmere sweater. It fit perfectly. She pulled her hair back into a bun just as the doorbell rang. As soon as she opened the door, Aneka, dressed in a little red coat and matching hat, came rushing inside excitedly. “We got a Christmas tree. We got a Christmas tree!”
    â€œYou did? That’s wonderful,” Janelle said as Tyson followed Aneka inside. He had changed into a charcoal cashmere sweater, black slacks and black overcoat, looking just as handsome as before.
    He looked her up and down. “You look gorgeous.”
    â€œThank you. You look pretty handsome yourself,” she said, closing the front door.
    â€œI look pretty, too,” Aneka said, twirling around and clicking her black patent-leather shoes on the marble floor.
    â€œYes, you look very, very pretty,” Janelle told her.
    Aneka looked up at the beautiful Christmas decorations in the foyer and in the rest of the house. Her eyes shone brightly as she gasped in delight, then started cheering. Janelle took her hand and walked her into the living room, where the enormous Christmas tree stood. Aneka’s face lit up and she ran over to look more closely at it. Janelle turned on the tree lights and the train beneath began circling as the locomotive’s whistle played “Jingle Bells.” Aneka applauded and knelt to watch the train.
    â€œThank you for coming out with us today,” Tyson said, standing very close behind Janelle.
    She turned and smiled. “Thanks for inviting me. I’m looking forward to it. Can I get you anything?”
    â€œNo, but we’d better get going. We have a lot of ground to cover.”
    â€œWhat do you mean? I thought we were just going to see Santa.”
    â€œI promised Aneka that I’d take her to the aquarium today, and I have tickets to a Christmas puppet show in D.C.”
    â€œShe’s going to love that.”
    Tyson nodded. “Yes, I think so, too. Come on. Let’s get started.”
    After Tyson pulled Aneka away from the tree lights and train, the three of them headed to the foyer. Tyson helped Janelle put on her coat then opened the front door. They stepped outside and Aneka skipped to the car. Tyson stopped and turned to Janelle as she closed the door. “I’m glad you’re back.”
    She nodded and smiled. “I’m glad you are, too.”

Chapter 10
    T he first stop was a trip to Santa’s House in Inner Harbor. When it was Aneka’s turn, she whispered to Santa, telling him all the toys she wanted for Christmas. Then they,