To Love Again

came to stay with them all as often as they could. Which was quite often: Marsha, secure of

their custody now, was able to let them go because she knew they would always come back. Last

Christmas, the two children had spent the holiday with their mother and Uncle Julian, but this year

Marsha had offered to let them come to Lucas. In fact, the other couple were coming to

lunch on Christmas Day! Things could still be a little strained between Lucas and Marsha at

times, but Marsha’s happiness with Julian had enabled her to be more forgiving of the mistakes

she and Lucas had both made in the past.

Lucas crossed the room to join her now, putting his arm about her shoulders. ‘Maybe

we should have put the tree on a table, out of the way,’ he murmured ruefully as Shelley

once again crawled towards the illuminated fir tree.

Christi bent to scoop her daughter up out of harm’s way. ‘Now that she can stand up

and move about the furniture, even that isn’t guaranteed to keep her out of mischief.’ She

smiled down at the dark-haired, grey-eyed imp. ‘I wish everyone could be as happy as we are,

Lucas,’ she added with impulsive happiness.

‘You’re thinking of David, aren’t you?’ His arms tightened about her shoulders.

The two men had become good friends during the last sixteen months and, like Christi,

Lucas felt for the other man’s loneliness.

She nodded. ‘He said he was going to see his family for Christmas.’ She shook her

head. ‘He’s never mentioned them before; I’m not sure he was telling the truth.’

‘Wherever he is, I’m sure he’s all right,’ Lucas assured her softly. ‘Now, don’t you think

we should get these children up to bed?’ His voice lightened indulgently. ‘Father Christmas is

going to be here soon,’ he added, just loud enough to throw Robin and Daisy into a frenzy of

excitement, their cries of wanting to go to bed completely expected—if virtually unheard of

before!

‘Father Christmas’ carried all three children up to bed, Robin on his father’s back, a

daughter held in each arm.

Christi followed close behind them. Robin and Daisy might live with their mother most of

the time, but they were hers and Lucas’s, too. They were a complete family, loving and giving.

Most of all, loving.