Page 116 of Last Chance Christmas

Macon was handed a plastic cup of something fizzy. He offered his hand to Natalie, and they walked to the sound system in the corner. With the music shut off, he grabbed the microphone.

“Is this on?” He didn’t have a free hand to tap the mic.

Someone called out, “Yeah, Chief!”

Macon smiled, and Natalie leaned against his arm. He lifted the mic to his lips. “I haven’t been the chief of this house for long. And yet, some days it feels like forever.”

Izan yelled, “That’s because of Amelia!”

A chuckle rippled across the room, followed a second later by the projectile from a kid’s dart gun. It bounced off Izan’s forehead and he yelped. On the far side of the room, Amelia handed the gun back to a grinning little girl.

“It’s been my honor to lead this house through all of it. And to stand here with you now, knowing this is a place where love binds us together. Where people reach out a hand when someone needs it. Where truth is spoken, and the grace of Jesus Christ teaches us every day to be the people He has called us to be.

“As we celebrate the Christmas season this year, and every year we have on this earth, let’s remember the best gift we can receive. The good news, the gospel of Jesus. That God sent His son to this earth to save even sinners like us.”

Macon lifted his cup. “Merry Christmas!”

Cheers and answering shouts of celebration erupted across the room. Natalie tugged on the back of his neck until he leaned down and kissed her. “Good job.”

“They make it easy.”

She grinned. “No, they don’t. But we love them anyway.”

He laughed. “It’s true.”