It was Christmas Day and the Hansons on the west coast were gathered at Zac’s place. His housekeeper Jacqueline had prepared a delicious Christmas lunch for them – and then had left to spend Christmas with her own family. Yeah, imagine that... the staff having their own families. Shocking, isn’t it?
Hope was there, in the hope, no less, that she and Zac could make amends. But although Zac was pleasant enough, he would change the subject any time Raphael’s name came up and refused to budge on the subject.
Emily, Kitty, Walker, Nadine and Pippa were playing on the floor with each other and their new toys. One year old Elijah was more interested in the leftover wrapping paper, and Elaine was sleeping in Marie’s arms.
“So, Alex,” asked Kelsey. “How’s the basketball going?”
“Good,” the fifteen year old replied. “We’re on break for Christmas at the moment though, which sucks.” Kelsey chuckled.
Sarah sat down next to Zoe.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey, Zoe replied with a smile. “You doing good?”
“Uh huh,” Sarah nodded. “I uhh, I have another present for you... if you want it.”
“Why wouldn’t I want a present?” Zoe asked musingly. “In fact, who would object to receiving presents?”
“Uhh, well, this is an... an unusual present,” Sarah swallowed nervously, and handed over an envelope.
Zoe gave her a curious look and opened it up. She pulled out a Christmas card, which she opened. As Zoe read the inscription inside her hands started to shake.
“Honey?” Chris inquired.
Sarah bit her bottom lip as Zoe silently handed the card to Chris. She didn’t know where to look or what to say, or anything. Chris gave Sarah a startled look.
“You serious?” he asked.
“Yes,” Sarah nodded.
“This isn’t because of the whole kidney thing, right?” Zoe asked, her voice trembling. “I mean, you’re my sister and I didn’t want you to die. That’s the kind of things we do for each other.”
“I know. And so’s this,” Sarah nodded. “Okay, I admit, the kidney thing does have some bearing on it -”
“I don’t want you to feel like you should pay me back or anything.”
“I don’t! Well, I do, but that’s not why I want to give you this. I want tot give you this because you’re my sister, and I love you, and this is something I can give you,” Sarah replied determinedly.
Zoe looked up at Sarah finally, the tears were welling up in her eyes. Abruptly she burst into tears as she wrapped her arms around her sister in a hug.
“Oh, thank you Sarah,” she wept. “Thank you.”
“What’s going on?” Zac asked, looking up with a confused expression on his face. “Tears at Christmas?”
“Sarah... Sarah just offered to... to...” Chris swallowed and couldn’t continue.
“To be a surrogate mother for Zoe,” Jim supplied.
“You serious?” Avery exclaimed.
“Very,” Sarah replied solemnly.