Christmas Eve Solace

Gareth was feeling helpless. It was Christmas Eve, and he hadn't prepared a thing. Going out was off the table. He thought, 'Celeste can really be a handful when she wants to be.'

He'd have to distract her.

He had a gift for her and went back to the car to get it.

He always remembered to get her a present every year.

Gareth carried Celeste on his back, step by step, down the stairs. The hallway wa