Josh had not exercised restraint when it came to Christmas shopping. If the pile of Lego sets, books, and nail polish were any indication.
“There’s more,” he said, jumping up. He wandered around the massive tree and pulled out another stack of gifts. “These are from me,” he said bashfully.
He sat down next to me, his eyes darting from kid to kid like he was nervous.
Maggie ripped hers open first.
“A riding helmet?” She squealed. “Wait. Does this mean—” She snapped her mouth closed, her eyes wide behind her glasses.
Josh nodded. “Logan says Daisy is doing so well in her training that you can start riding her soon.”
My daughter burst into wild screeches, ripping the helmet out of the box and putting it on her head.
Excellent, she’d probably sleep in that thing for a week.
Julian took his time unwrapping his box. He tended to be more methodical, carefully removing the paper. Inside was another box with several items inside.
“Are these tools?” He held up a small screwdriver set, studying it.
Josh smiled. “You’ve been so helpful fixing things around the farm, I figured you needed your own set.”
Face alight, Julian pulled out a tape measure, a child sized hammer, and a set of wrenches. “These aren’t toys.” Julian said excitedly. “They’re real.”
“Nothing dangerous,” Josh whispered into my ear. “But he’s gotta start somewhere.”
“And Ellie,” Josh said, handing her a very large box. “I didn’t forget about you.”
My oldest eyed him dubiously and then tore off the paper.“Bauers?” she said, her face brightening as she eyed the top-of the-line hockey skates.
Josh nodded. “After the holidays, we’ll take them back to the shop. They have a special oven that will mold them to your feet.”
She assessed him quietly, doubt swimming in her eyes. Fear and hesitance too. It killed me that this was her natural reaction. That her childhood had been so compromised.
But then she smiled, a real, genuine smile, and stood. Then she launched herself into Josh’s arms. Maggie and Julian followed, piling on top of him in one massive bear hug.
“Get in here, Mom.”
I wrapped my arms around the whole group as best as I could, soaking in this moment, relishing the feeling of togetherness.
Ellie broke away first, stepping away. “The skates are amazing, but I was hoping to ask you a favor as a Christmas present instead.”
Josh pressed his lips together thoughtfully. “Ask away.”
“So. You know how I joined the hockey team?”
Josh nodded. The season had already begun, but they’dallowed Ellie to join. It had been a while since she’d been on a proper team and she was a bit rusty, but she was having so much fun.
“We don’t have an assistant coach. And Olivia’s mom is doing a great job, but she needs help. We need help”
My eyebrows shot up and Josh’s cheeks turned pink.
“So I volunteered you.”
I scoffed. “Excuse me?” She did what?
“I volunteered you for the position of assistant coach for Maplewood’s peewee hockey team,” she said. “Can you do it? I know it’s a big deal and?—”
Josh stood and opened his arms. “I’d be honored.”