“Uncle Derek. Aunt Anabelle. Time to wake up!” The door slammed open and two bodies hurtled through before they jumped on top of Derek. Anabelle was thankful Derek had made her slip on her nightgown last night while he put on his pajama bottoms. He’d muttered, “Trust me,” before unlocking the door after their last bout of lovemaking late last night. “I see what you mean,” she said to her new husband who was under the blankets providing a lumpy cushion for Esme and Alex to bounce upon. “Told you,” he said with a grunt after a particularly hard bounce from Alex. Janie came in slower and leaned against the open door. “Merry Christmas, Uncle Derek. Aunt Anabelle.” Anabelle smiled. Janie was more reserved than her two younger sisters. While her two sisters plunged without thought into action, Janie watched and observed first before participating. Maybe it was because she’d known loss in her young life and was more cautious whereas the younger ones had been very young when tragedy had struck and had adjusted more quickly.
