“A push?” Lucifer asked.
“Yeah, like working on a project with a beautiful young woman. All those enclosed spaces, chemistry brewing, and having to meet to go over plans.”
“You set us up?” Salvatore asked, sounding shocked. Mary chuckled.
“I brought the five of you together, but it’s your job to keep together. Love and marriage is a big commitment. And it’s for life,” Mary said as Gabriele helped her put her coat on.
“Where are you going, Mary? Won’t you stay and help us decorate the tree?” Lucia asked.
“Oh, I think that’s something special for the five of you to do together. It’s going to be your first Christmas together. Enjoy every moment. Oh, and don’t forget about that box I dropped off, Gabriele. And, Maxwell, can you walk me out?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“I’ll see you soon, Mary. If I feel up to it maybe Gabriele or Lucifer could bring me to your place to help you get ready for Christmas Eve.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ll have a house full of helpers by then. You rest and just be sure to be there.”
Mary headed out with Maxwell, taking his arm as they walked out the front door.
“You’re up to something still, Mary, I can tell.”
She turned around and faced him.
“Your mother and father would be so happy and proud of you boys. I know I am. You take good care of Lucia.”
“We will, Mary. We almost lost her.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small velvet bag.
“What is this?” he asked as she put it in his hand and curled his fingers over the velvet pouch.
“You and your brothers open it when you’re alone. I think you’ll know what to do with it.” She got into her car and left, feeling happy as the Christmas music played on the radio and she prepared to start getting ready for Christmas.
* * * *
Maxwell walked back inside, hiding the velvet pouch in his pocket to show his brothers later.
“What’s in the box, Gabriele?” Lucia asked as Lucifer began taking the plastic wrapping off some new ornaments they ordered online.
Gabriele opened the box and undid the layer of wrapping paper.
“What is it?” Lucifer asked, seeing Gabriele’s expression. Maxwell and Salvatore joined them.
“These are ours. They’re our ornaments from when we were kids,” Gabriele told them.
Maxwell felt his eyes well up with tears as they began looking through the box, remembering the good times they shared as children and anticipating Christmas morning.
“I remember this military tank ornament. Mom went crazy trying to find it,” Salvatore said as he held the old ornament gently in his hand.
“Look at this one. A saw, wood, and hammer ornament. Dad got that for me because I was always helping him around the house,” Lucifer said.
“Look at this, a police bear in uniform. I was obsessed with bears when I was a kid,” Maxwell told Lucia.
“Look it’s the Tin Man. Remember when I got that first welding set? I was melting metal together and making those frames for your boxcars,” Gabriele said to Maxwell.
“I remember.”
“This is awesome. Mary is like a guardian angel here on Earth. It’s obvious she loved your parents and she loves the four of you,” Lucia said.