A Corisi Christmas (Legacy Collection #7) by Ruth Cardello

something for you, Nicole. I hope it makes you as happy as you’ve just made me.”
    Judy said softly, “Those gifts don’t look that exciting.”
    Abby corrected her gently, “It’s never the gift that’s important, Judy; it’s the love behind it that matters. Remember that.”
    Nicole started to cry as she read the letter, then she stood and rushed over to give Dominic a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. This is exactly what I needed.”
    “Me, too. I love you, Nicole. And things are going to be better from now on. I promise.”
    Judy was momentarily squished between them when Nicole threw her arms around Dominic. Judy peered out at her mother from between her father and her aunt and said, “I guess grownups like mail.”
    Abby laughed. “I guess they do.”
    Nicole walked back and handed the letter to Stephan who nodded as he read it, then hugged her. He blinked several times, and his eyes shone with emotion as he said, “Thank you, Dominic.”
    Dominic took Abby’s hand in his. “Thank you, Stephan, for being so good to my sister. We’re lucky to have you in our family.”
    Abby gave her husband’s hand a squeeze.
    Judy turned to Dominic. “Now can I open one of mine? Please?”
    Dominic eased her onto her feet. “Go pick one out, Princess.”
    Judy placed the gifts in a row and read over each tag of the most important presents beneath the tree. “Uncle Jeremy and Auntie Jeisa. Auntie Zhang and Uncle Rachid. Auntie Alethea and Uncle Marc. Uncle Stephan and Auntie Nicole. Which one do I open first?”
    “How about the one from Nicole and Stephan?” Abby suggested.
    Nicole knelt beside her niece. “Open it. I hope you like it.”
    Abby said, “She’ll like it. No matter what it is. Right, Judy? We’re always grateful for anything anyone gives us.”
    Judy rolled her eyes and quietly said to Nicole, “She was a teacher, and she can’t turn it off.” Louder she said, “Yes, Mom.” She ripped open the package and clapped. “It’s an airplane. Does it fly?”
    Nicole sat back and nodded. “It sure does.”
    Judy hugged Nicole. “You rock. Thanks. And it flies. That’s cool.” She picked up a small box. “This one is for you and Uncle Stephan. It’s from me.”
    Nicole carried it over to Stephan. She opened it and held up the handmade frame Abby had helped Judy decorate. “It’s beautiful.”
    Judy smiled. “You can put a picture of me holding your baby when it comes. That way you have two people you love in one picture.”
    Nicole wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. “What a perfect gift, Judy. Just perfect.”
    Judy reached for another gift. “Mom said we have to take turns opening them, so Dad is next.” She walked a large rectangular box over to her father. “Dad, this is for you and Mom. Uncle Jake helped me pick it out.”
    She handed it to Dominic who held it out to Abby, but Abby said, “No, you can open it.”
    Dominic removed the paper and the cover of the box, then one of his eyebrows rose as he studied the contents.
    Judy pulled one of the garments out of the box and held it up. “They’re pajamas for Christmas. Look, Dad. You get to be Santa. Mom gets to be Mrs. Claus, and I’m an elf. Isn’t that awesome? Can we wear them tonight?”
    Dominic looked over at Abby who smiled back at him. “Remember, it’s the love behind the gift that matters.”
    “When do we see Jake and Lil?” Dominic asked with a growing grin.
    “Thursday.”
    “That should be enough time for me to find the perfect presents for his children.”
    “Dominic . . .” Abby started to say, then gave in to the fun of the idea. “I’ll help you.”
    Judy picked up another present and opened it. “Auntie Zhang sent me a real princess dress. She says I can look like her now.” Judy spun with it. “I love it.”
    She looked over at her parents. “Can I open another?”
    “Go ahead,” Abby said, and Dominic put an arm around his wife.
    She tore the wrapping off the next gift. She looked