He and Rachel turned to each other, and he pulled her close, as close as he could with Grace between them. "Merry Christmas," he whispered, kissing her softly. "Merry Christmas," she said. They both kissed Grace, too, at the same time. She was sandwiched between them, looking surprised and then very pleased. "What's goin' on?" Zach asked. "Tradition," Rachel whispered, grabbing him and lifting him into her arms. "Trahh... Huh?" "Something we always do," she said. "Now you're supposed to hug me and wish me Merry Christmas." He did and then said, "Now what?" "Now you hug everybody in this room. You can kiss them, too, if you want. And wish them Merry Christmas. And let them do the same to you." "Ever'body?" He looked skeptical. "Everybody," Jo insisted, grabbing him away from Rachel for her hug. Rachel's brother grabbed her, and Sam lost her for a moment in a flurry of hugs and kisses that he still found a bit awkward and disarming, too. When that was done, Rachel's father settled into his place by the tree and started handing out presents, one by one and very slowly, telling stories about each of the recipients as he went.
