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“It was about history. I was Betsy Ross. I made the American flag.”

“Yeah, can I see?”

“I had four lines,” Camilla said as she scrolled through the iPad, searching for the video.

“Camilla, why don’t you leave the iPad with Elizabeth for the night? She can watch your show while you get ready for bed,” Palmer’s father suggested. “It’s bedtime, sweetie.”

“But Elizabeth is here,” Camilla replied.

“I’ll be here tomorrow, too,” Elizabeth told her. “It’s Christmas.”

“Christmas is here!” Camilla yelled.

Elizabeth had noticed her volume increased and decreased erratically at times. She was such a happy kid that Elizabeth found Camilla’s happiness rubbing off on her, and she liked it. As hard as it was, being around a family when she’d only just lost her own, there was still something so comforting in being withthisfamily.

“Yes, Santa comes tonight,” her father replied.

“She still believes in Santa,” Palmer whispered into Elizabeth’s ear. “Don’t ruin it for her.”

“Never,” Elizabeth said, smiling at Palmer. “Camilla, if you let me borrow the iPad, I’ll watch your show tonight. We can talk about it after presents tomorrow.”

“Yay!” Camilla gave her a big hug before practically jumping off the sofa and bursting up the stairs leading to the bedrooms.

“I’ll put her to bed,” Palmer’s father said.

“I’m tired, too. And we have to get the gifts down here under the tree,” Palmer’s mother said. “You get her in bed. I’ll get the gifts under the tree. Then, I’ll go in and kiss her goodnight.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he replied like a man who had done this at least twenty-nine times before. “I’ll say goodnight now, ladies.”

“Night, Dad,” Palmer said.

“Good night,” Elizabeth added.

“Elizabeth, honey, I know security is just outside, but you will be safe here tonight. Please stay in Palmer’s room. Camilla is usually up so early on Christmas morning… I’d hate for you to have to go to the hotel tonight only to turn right back around, and I definitely don’t want you to miss her seeing her presents for the first time. She’s the reason we still make such a big fuss at Christmas.”

“It’s true. She’s happy no matter what she gets,” Palmer added. “I could buy her a pencil with a unicorn eraser, and she thinks it’s the best thing in the world.”

“You didn’t, did you?” Elizabeth asked.

“No, I didn’t. But it doesn’t matter whatIgot her – you got her a freaking tiara. No one can compete with that,” Palmer replied.

“You two fight over your gifts for Camilla all you want. Just do it quietly, please. You know she wakes up easily,” Palmer’s mother told them. “And, Elizabeth, please stay.”

Elizabeth gave her a nod. Then, they watched Palmer’s parents follow their daughter upstairs.

“Will you?” Palmer asked. “If you can’t, I understand, but I need to stay here tonight.”

“I just need to tell security to go back to the hotel,” Elizabeth replied. “I’m sure they’ll give me a lecture.”

Palmer turned to her, slid a hand over her cheek, and said, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“It’s still early,” Elizabeth told her. “Want to watch a movie with me in bed?”

Palmer smiled and said, “Yes.”

“Good. I have a play to watch. Camilla is Betsy Ross. Did you know?” Elizabeth said, standing up.

“Not again,” Palmer sighed out.