Christmas.

Arvilla woke up and looked straight up to the ceiling.

"Merry Christmas, Joe.  I know today will be a good day.  I know you want me to be happy, and I know Alan and Miguel's mother wants them to be happy as well.... So I am going to make sure that that is exactly what we are today.  Happy!" Arvilla giggles.

She then looks down to her bump and rubs it with both hands. "Merry Christmas to you too my little elves!  Mommy and Daddy love you so so much!  It's gonna be a great day!" Arvilla says with a beautiful smile.

At midnight Arvilla had a small breakdown.  She was overwhelmed with emotion, and just wanted Joe with her for Christmas.  But this morning she was different.  Arvilla is determined to have a glorious day.

**

Alan was so excited to be invited over to Arvilla's house.  He and Miguel couldn't wait.

Arvilla made a delicious meal, and had their presents beautifully wrapped.  Her father was also going to be swinging by before going to his sisters.

Arvilla let her natural curls down, she applied light makeup, and wore a deep red colored dress.

Just as she was finishing up, Arvilla heard her doorbell ring.

Arvilla took a deep breath and answered the door.

"Hi boys!  Welcome!"

"Hello!  Mrs. Holden, you look great!"

"Oh thank you, Alan!" Arvilla chuckles. "You boys look very handsome!"

"Thanks!"

"You're welcome, and Merry Christmas!" She smiles.

"Merry Christmas!  Miguel, this is Mrs. Holden.  Say hello."

"Hello Mrs. Holden.." Miguel says shyly. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas!  You're so cute!
  Come in, boys.  I have lots and lots of yummy food, so we better eat up!  Don't be shy, because I plan to EAT!" Arvilla giggles.

"Well Joe and Heidi are probably starving after smelling all this deliciousness!"

"Oh gosh, they sure are!  They're kicking so much, I feel like they're mad at me." She laughs.

"Aw, well they'll forgive you soon." Alan laughs.

**

After a lovely meal, Arvilla and the boys went over to the living room.

"So what did you do for Christmas Eve?" Alan asks.

"I went over to my friend Margene's house.  It's always a lot of fun when we're all together.
  Of course the babies were the talk of the night!" Arvilla giggles and places her hand on her stomach.

"I wore this shirt that said, 'The cutest cookies in the oven'." Arvilla laughs.
"I love cheesy shirts like that!"

"That's funny!  Hey, speaking of the babies.. Miguel and I have something for you and the twins."

"Oh boys, you didn't have to!"

"We wanted to, Mrs. Holden.  Come on, Miguel.  Let's go grab them from the truck."

"Aw boys.." Arvilla wanted to cry just knowing they cared enough to buy she and the babies a present.

After a quick trip to the truck, Miguel handed Arvilla two stuffed animals with bows on them.

"Aw how cute!  A bear and a ducky!" Arvilla says cutely.

"These were mine when I was little.. I wanted to give them to the babies."

Arvilla couldn't help but tear up at their sweet gift.

"Thank you so much!  They're going to love these, boys!"

"I put the bows on it myself." Miguel smiles proudly.

"You did a fantastic job, Miguel!" Arvilla smiles and cups his cheek.

"Thank you."

"This is for you, Mrs. Holden.  I wish it was more but.."

Arvilla gasps and immediately starts crying.
Alan made her a beautiful wooden sign that said, 'Holden'.  Underneath it had Joe, Arvilla, and the twins' names.

"Oh Alan!  Oh my goodness, I have no words.. This is so beautiful!  You made this?!"

"I did!  I'm happy you like it." He smiles.

"I love it!" Arvilla walks over and wraps her arms around him. "You're so talented.  Wow!  Thank you so so much, this is the most incredible gift anyone has ever given me, Alan."

Alan smiles and rubs her back. "Would you like for me to hang it up?"

"Yes, Please!"

Arvilla watched as Alan hung it up on the wall.

"Wow.. I cannot stop crying!" She laughs through her tears.

"It's okay." Miguel smiles and scoots over to sit beside her.  He then rubs her back for comfort.

"You're so sweet, thank you!"

"You're welcome!"
Miguel's little smile was beyond adorable.

"Are you boys ready for your gifts?" Arvilla asks.

"You bought us presents?!" Miguel smiles even bigger.

"I did!"

"Mrs. Holden, you didn't have to." Alan says.

"I know.  But I wanted to." Arvilla smiles then stands up to hand them out.

"Some of these are too heavy, sooo.. why don't you boys just come down here and read to find out which ones are yours!" She chuckles.

The boys do what she says, and Miguel quickly begins opening his gifts.

"I got some new clothes!  And new shoes!  Awesome!"

Arvilla teared up at Miguel's excitement.

"Me too!  Mrs. Holden, I really wish you wouldn't spent so much on us."

"Honey, just enjoy it." She smiles.

"Games!  Look, Alan!!
.. Oh wait but.. I'm sorry, we can't take this.." Miguel looks down.
"Alan sold our play station because we needed money.."

"Oh my gosh!" Alan says opening a brand new play station.

"No way!"

"Mrs-"

Arvilla smiles and stops Alan. "I wanted to make this year special..
  All three of us have lost someone very close to us this year.." Arvilla was trying so hard to hold back her tears.

"I don't know about you, but I don't wanna be sad today." She nods.
"I want to be happy.  I want to celebrate!  I wanted to make this Christmas one we'd never forget."

Both Alan and Miguel stood up and walked over to hug Arvilla.

"Aw, boys.. Merry Christmas." She says as tears finally begin to roll down her cheeks.

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Holden."

"Merry Christmas.."
Miguel shut his eyes and hugged Arvilla tightly.  He smiled and saw his mom smile back at him.  Miguel felt his mother sent a Christmas angel into his and Alan's life.

And Arvilla felt Joe sent two amazing young boys to make this incredibly sad Christmas, just a little bit brighter.

They then went on to make hot cocoa, and watch Christmas movies for hours.

***
These boys were added in super last minute, but I really like them so far! Lol.

  Hopefully you guys do as well! <3