Chapter Sixteen
Christmas morning. Never before had Beth experienced such intense pleasure in the delight of her children. The looming custody dispute imbued each happy exclamation and glad smile with special poignancy.
Things she once took for granted about the festive season had taken on a heightened significance. Decorating the tree, playing carols, wrapping presents. Final checks on Christmas Eve. The shining anticipation in her children’s eyes. Beth tried to hold onto and savour each precious moment. Such an uncertain future stretched before her, and she appreciated, perhaps for the first time, the brevity of childhood.
Rick and Sarah had roused Beth at dawn, spreading goodies from their Santa sacks over her bed, both talking at once. Afterwards, they went downstairs to open the pr
