Darkness gave way to light as a golden ray of sunshine crested the horizon and eased its way through the window and into the bedroom. Billy Junior was the first to open his eyes and seeing that it was morning, he climbed out of bed and shook Douglas awake. They scampered out of their room and into their parent’s room and jumped on the bed, waking Marie up.

“Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!” they both shouted.

Marie sat up and grabbed them both then kissed their heads and said, “Merry Christmas, little ones.”

Billy was still sleeping in the rocking chair when they burst into the living room.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy!”

Billy jerked awake and he sat up, a crook in his neck from the awkward position from the night’s slumber. He wiped away...

Please subscribe to keep reading.