A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"I already brought all this out. Wouldn't it be weird to make me put it back?"

“Just take it, okay? You're just like Portia. If I'm giving it to her, then you guys should get it too!"

Crispin looked resolute, clearly not about to take back the envelopes.

At his words, Calliope and Mavis exchanged a glance, then finally accepted the envelopes.

Not long after, Quentin and the others came out of the kitchen.

Once the brothers had ditched their aprons, each of them pulled out an envelope as well.

They handed them out to Calliope, Portia, and Mavis, one by one.

"Oh gosh, you guys really didn't have to!" Portia said, though her hands were already busy tearing open her envelope to sneak a peek at what was inside.

Everyone burst out laughing.

Mavis was a bit more reserved. She thanked them, then fell quiet.

Her family situation wasn't great; she'd never gotten a Christmas stocking or anything like this before. But every year, if she spent the holidays with Calliope, Calliope's brothers always included her.

She looked down at the heavy envelope in her hands, feeling the weight of it in her heart too. Her eyes stung. She might not have the best family, but she had the best friend, and her friend's brothers were the best too.

"Mavis, you're not about to cry, are you?" Calliope teased, coming over to tickle her. "What, is it not enough? Are our brothers too cheap? Shouldn't they have stuffed it with more?"

"Yeah, yeah, we're way too stingy," Quentin chuckled. "Next year, we'll up our game!"

"No, it's already more than enough. Honestly, it's almost too much for me to handle," Mavis said, her eyes shiny with tears. She looked up at Quentin and the others. "Thank you, guys. Really."

"Oh, c'mon, you don't have to be so formal with us!" Julius replied with a grin. "Don't be sad, we get it. We know about your family. You're Callie's sister, so you're our little sister, too. It's only right we look out for you!"

"We already made a pact," Quentin said. "Every year, you get an envelope, just like Callie and Portia. And when you get married one day, we'll be your family, helping you out with all the wedding stuff!"

Calliope had mentioned this before, so the brothers had already made up their minds. No way would they let Callie handle all the wedding gifts by herself. What were her brothers for, anyway?

That was it. Mavis burst into tears.

"I'm not even talking about getting married yet, and you guys are already planning my wedding... My real family would never do that." She sniffled, voice shaky. "Why do you have to make me cry on Christmas?"

"Hey, enough of that!" Calliope said, wrapping Mavis in a hug. "You're my family. And my family is your family, too!"

"Exactly!" Portia chimed in. "We're all family here. But hey, don't cry too much, you'll mess up your makeup!"

"Alright, let's go light the fireworks!" Julius called. "It's dark out, and these fireworks are insane. Quentin even made a couple of them himself!"

"Yeah, let's do it!" Norton agreed.

Everyone started getting the fireworks ready. Their house was pretty far out in the country, with a big backyard and a lake just beyond. It was the perfect spot for fireworks.noveldrama

Calliope and the others carried the boxes outside, setting them up by the lakeshore.

"Everyone step back! I'll do the honors," Quentin said, holding up a match.

Silas gently guided Calliope a safe distance away.

Crispin did the same for Portia.

As Mavis stepped back, she suddenly bumped into someone. Flustered, she said, "Sorry!"