The Fireman's Christmas

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Danny stopped Tessa with a hand to her shoulder. He’d been a boy once, and knew what it was to be embarrassed about something and wanting a girl to stay out of it. Especially his mother. “It’s no big deal. If you’re ever interested, just let me know, okay? Let’s go meet the troops.”

“Okay,” Eric mumbled, looking relieved.

Danny led Tessa and Eric back to the table, where Josie was already engaged in conversation with Emma and Alison. Eric took a seat to one side, but the twins were not about to let him keep to himself. The noise level gradually increased. After allowing them a few minutes to get acquainted, Danny had to whistle to gain their attention. “Who wants what to eat?”

“Pizza!” the twins shouted in unison.

Eric shrugged. “That’s all right with me.”

“Me, too,” Josie chimed in.

“Me, too,” Emma repeated imitating Josie.

Danny turned to Tessa after Alison had also nodded in agreement. “We’d better get the pizza before they change their minds. Why don’t you help me play waiter?”

They left the chattering group and weaved their way toward the pizza counter. Danny glanced back once, but none of the kids seemed to notice they’d gone. “That’s funny. Emma’s usually shy, but she’s talking away to Josie.”

“As if she’d get a word in edgewise.” Tessa laughed. “Eric is shy, too, but he seems okay with Kevin and Kyle. It’s a good thing they’re not all shrinking violets.”

“You might wish they were in a few days,” Danny commented. “My house gets pretty noisy with my four around. But six might raise the roof. By the way, do your kids eat like you do?”

Tessa punched his arm playfully. “Not quite. You’re not changing your mind now, are you?”

“No…just wanted to know how many pizzas we need—eight or nine.”

“Two large pepperoni pizzas, please,” Tessa said to the waiting clerk with a smile. “I can always eat something when I get home.”

“Make that three large pizzas, then.” He grinned at Tessa. “I don’t want you to go home hungry.”

After placing their order, Danny watched Tessa gather napkins and straws onto a tray with quick, efficient movements. She moved with such easy grace and innate confidence that he found it hard to believe she was as unsure of herself—and as vulnerable—as Rhonda had implied. “Not worried anymore about handling six kids?”

“A little. Aren’t you?”

Danny shrugged. “I told you, it’ll be a piece of cake.”

“A piece of cake? Oh, you naive man.”

“Okay, a piece of very messy cake.” At Tessa’s chuckle, he added, “I hope you’ll give this arrangement a try. I think we’ll make a good tag team.”

Tessa gave him a quizzical look as the clerk slid three large boxes across the counter. Danny scooped up the pizzas while Tessa followed with the drink tray. They were met with a cheer. “Better stand back,” he added to Tessa as he placed the boxes in the middle of the table and flipped open the lids. “Here you go, troops. Dig in.”

“Talk about a feeding frenzy.” Tessa shook her head. “I didn’t realize they were all so hungry.” She slid into a chair near Emma and reached to help the little girl separate a piece from the rest without losing all her cheese.