Chapter 5
The Christmas tree glowed with tiny colored lights, enchanting the living room with its fresh pine scent. The family was gathered in the large formal dining room, every leaf in the table to accommodate the crowd.
“Hush up now, and let the old Jewish woman say grace,” yelled Rhea, chuckles erupting around the table. She held out her hands, Fiona on one side of her, Chip Wheaton on the other.
“I love it when you say grace,” murmured Fiona with a smile, nudging Rhea with her shoulder.
Rhea cleared her throat and closed her eyes.
“Dear Lord, thank you for the food that we are about to eat, for the turkey and the stuffing, the cranberry sauce and the sweet potato casserole with the mini rainbow marshmallows. Thank you for the glorious wine, and for the blanket of fluffy white snow outside our window. Thank you for my family, for this new home we share, for your good grace that brought us together and filled my heart with love. Thank you for Fiona’s good health, for baby Oscar’s blue eyes, for his mama’s sweet smile and the love that she shares with her generous husband.
A year ago, Lord, you sent us a storm.” She shimmied her shoulders.
“But you gave us your guidance to get through it, pulling together with those we love, who we had somehow managed to lose along the way. We thank you for your blessings, Lord. Amen.”
“Merry Christmas, Rhea,” said Meghan, who was holding baby Oscar in one arm at the table. He’d been born just a week earlier. “Everyone, Liam and I have some news we’d like to share.”
“Already? Oscar’s not even a month old.” said Chip, earning him another round of laughter.
“No, no.” Meghan smiled, meeting Liam’s eyes over the table. “Oscar had a doctor’s appointment today, and they gave us the result of his HLA typing.”
Everyone froze. Fiona had been doing exceptionally well on the new medication, which had succeeded in putting her back into remission. But there was still a chance she would need a bone marrow transplant one day.
Tears began to fall down Meghan’s face. “He’s a perfect match to you, sweetie. Six out of six alleles.” A cheer went up around the table, and Fiona’s eyes glowed with joy.
“It’s a Christmas miracle,” said Patty.
“Just another reason to love my baby brother,” said Fiona. “That has got to be the greatest gift I could ever receive.”
Meghan felt tears slip down her cheeks.
The greatest gift of all is love, and each of us is blessed with it in abundance.
She turned to her husband, his knowing eyes glistening with tears. “I love you, Liam.”
“And I you, Meghan O’Connor.”
Thank you for reading Meghan’s Wish by Amy Gamet.