The Tori Trilogy (21 page)

“Too early in the morning for pictures,” Nate says groggily. “I'll pose for ya later.”

“I'm counting on it,” Uncle Javi returns, dead-pan.

We all crack up.

When my parents return from the kitchen, it is time to get down to the serious business of...present-opening!

From Mom and Dad, I get three more Webkinz, the pair of ice skates that I asked for, super-cute jeans with beading down the legs, two cute tops, slipper toe socks, a couple of books about acting and Hollywood, and a Pillow Pet shaped like a bumblebee. Nate gives me a bright-green winter hat made to look like a frog (I actually love it), Ben gives me tiny silver microphone earrings (perfect for the aspiring actress), and Joey gives me a new overnight bag that says “Rising Star” on it in bold glitter letters.

“Joey!” I cry. “This is so cool!”

He shrugs. “Well, I couldn't
not
give you a gift, right?”

I reach out and slug him.

He erupts into laughter and wraps me in a
very
rare hug.

From Joy and her family, I receive an adorable hoodie and
another
Webkinz! “Thank you!” I cry. “This is perfect!”

Joy returns my hug, and Aunt Leilani beams. “I checked the size of the hoodie with your mom,” she tells me, “so it should fit.”

My brothers and cousins are just as happy with their gifts as I am. Like me, they get just what they wanted, and everyone loves the presents I give them: a bracelet for Mom, aftershave for Dad, hemp-cord necklaces for Nate, Ben, and Joey, and chocolate coffee-stirrers (the ones I made at my class party) with a Christmas-wreath mug for Uncle Javi and Aunt Leilani.

Originally, that was
all
I planned to give to Uncle Javi's family (along with, of course, the gifts that Mom and Dad bought for my cousins). But after hitting it off with them, I decided to do more. I hitched a ride to Walgreens with Nate, where I bought a new eye shadow palette for Bella, an action figure for Ethan, and rhinestone barrettes for Joy and her beautiful hair.

We all sit, content, in a sea of rumpled wrapping paper, still nibbling on coffeecake, the adults sipping now-cold coffee. We are talking and laughing, lounging and enjoying, when suddenly, Mom's cell phone rings.

At once, we jolt to attention, staring at her.

She fumbles in the pocket of her sweater, pulls out the phone, says “Hello?”

Within moments, her eyes are full and shiny, tears of happiness leaking onto her cheeks. “That's wonderful!” she cries. “Absolutely wonderful! Oh, Andrew, honey, I'm so happy for you both. What a
merry
Christmas! Yes, absolutely, we'll be over at the hospital later. Here, let me pass you to Dad.” Ecstatically happy, she shoves her cell phone at him.

“Andrew!” Dad exclaims, by way of greeting.

“Mom!” I pounce on her. “What did Andrew say? Is it a girl...or a boy?” I'm shaking so hard, I can barely see straight.

Joy squeezes my hand encouragingly.

Mom gives a mysterious smile, but says nothing.

“C'mon, Susan,” probes Uncle Javi. “What did he say?”

“Yeah, what did he say?” echoes Joey.

“You've got to tell us!” adds Ben.

“Niece or nephew?” asks Nate, eyes round and intent.

“I'm dying to know!” Bella squeals.

“You'll know soon enough,” smiles Aunt Leilani.

Even Ethan gets in on it. “Boy or girl?” he cries.

Grinning broadly, Dad extends the phone to me. “Andrew wants to talk to Tori first,” he says.

I gasp, my hand flying to my throat.
“Me?”
Heart pounding in my ears, I press the receiver to the side of my face. “Hello?” I say. My voice trembles badly. The whole room seems to tilt.

“Merry Christmas, Aunt Tori,” comes my oldest brother's friendly voice.
Aunt!
I'm an aunt!

“M-Merry Christmas, Andrew,” I stammer. My knees weaken and buckle. I drop onto the couch.

“I just wanted to tell you,” he says, pride and happiness clear in his tone, “that at nine-thirty-eight this morning, your Christmas wish came true. Stephanie and I have a beautiful daughter, and you, little sister, have a brand-new niece.”

A niece? A niece? The word seems to swim in the air, circling my mind but not quite sinking in. “A-A niece?” I gasp.

And suddenly, it all comes clear. A niece. Not a nephew, but a niece.
My
niece! “Oh, Andrew!” I breathe. Gazing around the living room, I see that every eye in the family is on me.
“Oh,
Andrew!”
My throat stings, and my own eyes grow warm and wet. “Now,” I say, swallowing a knot of emotion, “I've got everything I could ever want.”

On the other end of the line, my brother laughs, and there are tears in his voice, as well. “Aren't you going to ask what we named her?”

“Wh-What did you name her?” I rasp.

Mom scoots across the carpet and takes my free hand.

“Her first name is Noelle,” Andrew says, “because she was born on Christmas Day.”

“And her middle name?” I ask, my voice still shaky.

“Can you guess?”

I shake my head, forgetting that he can't see me, then say, “No.” Emotions churn inside me, and I clutch the cell phone so hard that my knuckles turn red.

“She's Noelle Victoria,” Andrew whispers, “after the beautiful aunt who wanted her so badly.”

Never before in my entire life have I burst into tears of happiness. Today, I break that record. I cry so hard that Mom has to take the phone from me, and next thing I know, I'm surrounded by family: hugging, loving,
wonderful
family, from Dad right down to little Ethan.

Joy squeezes my hand once again. “You got snow for Christmas,” she says, “and all the presents you asked for, and a brand-new niece on top of it! What could be better?”

I stare at my cousin, tears streaming down my face. All I can think is that Abuelita was right, after all. This is, by far, the most wonderful Christmas of my whole, entire life--a Christmas I will
never
forget.