Christmas Miracle by Violette Dubrinsky Page B

supposed to be our family, not our family plus your side-piece of the
    week—”
    “Melanie is not a side-piece , Adeline,” Cameron stated, his firm tone one that he rarely used with his sister.
    She blinked large blue eyes at him and cocked her head to the side. “No?”
    “No.”
    “Melanie, huh?” Adeline repeated, running a hand over her dark locks and then using a finger to twirl one around. She looked around the living room, staring at the Christmas tree she’d assembled days ago. His home in Long Island was where all the Christmas celebrations took place, and it was decorated by professionals. Still, Addy had seemed saddened that her job as the “Christmas tree decorator” was taken away, so he usually allowed her to put up and decorate one in his apartment. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
    Cameron’s eyes narrowed about the same time that his sister’s widened. Maybe he shouldn’t have said her name.
    “Not Melanie Samuels, the publicist?” Adeline pushed off the couch and began pacing. “It is her, isn’t it? How could you? Now I’ll have to find you another publicist after you break her heart. CAMMY!”
    “Adeline! Stop being so dramatic and sit down.”
    When she did as he asked, he tossed her a smile and waited for her to stop sulking. “She isn’t particularly big on Christmases, Addy, so I want this to be a good one for her. That means no making her feel uncomfortable. Okay?”
    Adeline sent him a smirk. “Why would I do that?”
    “Promise me, Addy.”
    The smirk faded, and she frowned at him. “Fine. I won’t make her feel uncomfortable.” As he relaxed in his chair, she added, “But I can’t help what the rest of the family does.”
    ***
    “Hey, it’s me. You said to keep you informed about Janie, so that’s why I’m calling. She was released today, so now we’re both at home. I bought a humidifier for her room, and picked up some asthma inhalers. The doctors prescribed some in case another attack happens.” There was a long silence, and thinking that Lauren had hung up, Melanie was about to delete the message, when her sister’s voice returned, this time softer. “I’d like to talk to you, Melanie. Anywhere. Please. I won’t lie and say that it’s about Janie, because it isn’t. Not really. I want to talk about what happened...please. Here’s my cell number again, you know, in case you misplaced it.” She rattled off a number and continued, “Well, in case I don’t see you: Merry Christmas.” Another pause. “I love you.”
    The beep came, and Melanie reached over to the machine to delete the message. Instead, she hit the replay button. This time she copied the cell phone number into her BlackBerry before deleting the message.
    Her mind reeled as she stared at the number. A part of her wanted to call her sister and hear what Lauren wanted to say. Years ago, Lauren had been defiant, and angry, and the last “talk” they’d had had almost resulted in Melanie taking off her shoes and beating Lauren to a pulp. She’d retreated for one reason and one reason only. Lauren had thrown her trump card in her face, and Melanie had walked away. Two years later, Lauren had wanted to apologize, but Melanie had not wanted to hear it. A part of her still didn’t want to hear it.
    Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and in a few days, it would be a new year. Did she really want to spend another year hating her sister? Not seeing her niece?
    She remembered what Cameron had said when he was driving back to her place from the hospital, that if he had a sister and niece, he would rather spend Christmas with them than work. He didn’t know the entire story, but even she would rather spend Christmas with her niece than work.
    Pressing the send button, she lifted the phone to her ear and waited.
    ***
    When Lauren stepped into her office the next morning, she hesitated by the door, as if she was waiting for Melanie to change her mind and tell her to leave. Melanie had contemplated