“Oh yeah,” Grant nodded. “I’m talking like one leg is a good three inches longer than the other, and the little beaded eyes that move when you shake them are constantly crossed and looking like something straight out of the Exorcist.”
Hailey slapped Grant’s arm again. “I’m sure you made your share of tacky Christmas ornaments for your mama’s tree.”
“Nope,” Grant grinned.
“Liar,” Hailey pointed. “I’m asking her!”
“My dad’s going to ask me about her, you know,” Grant sighed. “Interrogate may be a more appropriate sentiment.”
“I know he misses her,” Hailey said sympathetically.
“Oh well,” Grant shrugged dismissively. “I guess he should have kept his hands off of the…”
“Grant,” Hailey pointed, preemptively saving him from any trouble his mouth may land him in. “It’s time for forgiveness…he knows he was wrong…you’ve held on to the hurt long enough…it’s Christmas time after all.”
Grant grinned. “And in the spirit of the season, I was simply going to offer a hearty, Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Hailey just rolled her eyes. “Of course you were!”
Dinner with Colonel North had been every bit the enlightening experience Grant had hoped it would be; Grant could have spent days listening to the captivating stories that man had to tell. He learned details of the television project Colonel North and his father were working on and about their efforts to get other key players involved. His steak was amazing; the conversation was truly fascinating; the company was a great honor, and, for the first time in a long time, Grant felt like himself again.
After dinner, Randy drove Grant to David’s house. When Grant walked in, Leah was standing in her nightgown. Her soft, red hair was in precocious pigtails, and her grin was priceless.
She scampered automatically to Grant, grabbed hold of his hand and began tugging him toward the Christmas tree in the corner with its big, colorful bulbs shining bright. As Grant picked her up and squeezed her tight, she pointed toward the tree, squealing with unabashed excitement. Grant walked closer, patiently pointing to and identifying each ornament.
“She loves the Christmas tree,” Melissa smiled, walking up behind Grant and rubbing his back lovingly. Grant shifted Leah in his arms, so he would have a free arm to hug his sister-in-law.
“Leah,” David cooed, too excited to wait another moment. He pointed toward Grant. “Who is this? Who’s got you, Leah?”
“Unta Gant,” came the most beautiful words Grant had ever heard.
Grant could literally feel his heart racing as it filled with pride. His mouth fell open, the words hanging there unable to escape; he was truly speechless. She can? How long? Why didn’t you tell me?
Melissa smiled. “She just started! We wanted to surprise you!”
Grant cuddled Leah close. “That is amazing!”
“Leah, say, Pop,” Randy urged.
“Pop Pop,” Leah repeated, suddenly becoming shy and burying her head in Grant’s shoulder.
“That’s my girl,” Randy clapped. “I’ll tell you, Grant, she’s really doing great.”
“She and Melissa go to therapy four days a week,” David beamed, his pride in both his girls evident. “And the other days, Melissa works with her herself here.”
As Leah stared, mesmerized by the Christmas decorations, Grant stared at her, mesmerized all the same.
“We’ve learned several words,” David said exuberantly, and his excitement brought tears to his little brother’s eyes. “Grant, ask her who that is on her nightgown!”
Leah spun her head around toward her daddy. “Santa!” she exclaimed, pointing.
Grant laughed, and then so did Leah. He bounced her on his hip. “Say Uncle Grant,” he coxed. She stared back at him, her eyes so full of the most pure love he had ever known. “Say Uncle Grant,” he grinned at her.
“Kiss,” Leah declared instead, puckering her lips.
“Leah, don’t give away all Pop’s kisses,” Randy called from the kitchen, where he was helping himself to Christmas cookies, despite the gargantuan meal he had just consumed.
“Kiss,” Grant repeated as he smacked his lips against Leah’s.
“What time do you guys fly out in the morning?” Melissa asked.
“Early,” Randy replied.
Grant looked at his watch. “We better go back to the house, Dad; Hailey’s waiting for my call.”
David poked his brother in the ribs. “Grant and Hailey sitting in a tree…” He stopped singing. “Really, she’s waiting up for your call?”
Grant stared at his brother. “At the risk of joining you in sounding remarkably like a sixth grade girl…she like totally is.”
Melissa laughed and hugged Grant again. “I’m so happy for you, Baby!”
“Thanks,” Grant grinned. “I’m pretty happy for me too.”
David slapped his brother on the back. “Proud of you, man.”
“So it’s getting pretty serious, huh?” Melissa smiled.
