Jessica's POV
"Merry Christmas, sweeties!" Sophia's voice, high and filled with the sheer, unadulterated joy only a five-year-old can possess, rang out across the living room.
Alex, Stasia, and I chorused back the cheer. Sophia sat balanced on Alex's knee, leaning over the massive gingerbread cake on the table. The scent of pine and sugar filled the air, creating the illusion of the perfect, safe family fortress I had built.
"Ready, princess?" Alex prompted.
Sophia blew out the candle with a powerful gust, and we erupted in applause. The next fifteen minutes dissolved into a joyous, protective blur of ripped paper and excited squeals.
"Right, I need to open this window before we sit down for the main event," Alex announced, unfolding his impressive height from the deep lea
