Chapter 112: The Father's Betrayal, Part 24, Carol Singing

RICHARD

".... And a partridge in a pear treeee..."

Michael conducting, singing by rounds, we finish singing The Twelve Days of Christmas. "Don't know about you," says James, "but I'm pruning up. What's say we get out and dressed and settle by the fire again?"

Sounds good to me....

Michael jumps out of the tub, grabbing a robe. "I'll dash ahead and give the fire a boost."

The rest of us return to the lounge to find the hearth burning brightly and Michael stacking a fresh supply of logs to the side.

Charlotte passes me a paper hat from the crackers. I feel a bit of a fool, but James' gaze and mine meet. Wordlessly....

Fools together....

.... we each put one on.

Who cares?

It's worth it to see her smile...

Charlotte has that 'faraway' look as she stares into the fire, her mouth curving.

"So how is your first real Christmas going so far, Charlotte?" I ask.

She says nothing, simply flashing white teeth to me then turning away....

Going teary?