Epilogue
The kids had been taken out by sheer exhaustion after a long day of waiting and traveling.
Neva had been on a plane before, and she had no trouble falling asleep on the red-eye flight.
It was all new for Angie who was taking in every moment with awe…
That, and there was no way she could fall asleep to the sound of the plane.
Everything had happened so fast, and here they were, on their way to a romantic getaway to Paris. It would be an inspiration for Neva.
Angie, on the other hand, was constantly inspired by the woman by her side, but she also couldn’t wait to see landmarks, museums, and quaint cafés.
When her gaze fell on the flight attendant quietly walking the isle, Angie could feel her jaw drop. This couldn’t be…
She had wanted to leave a box of cookies for Nadine, but the house seemed empty when she went over, and she hadn’t seen her since. Nadine, the jeweler and wish granter, who seemed to have a number of doppelgangers.
The woman walked by and smiled enigmatically. No, not a doppelganger. This was Nadine, who looked as serene and happy as Angie felt.
How was that possible?
She walked the length of the plane, then returned with a cart, handing out drinks and bags of pretzels with a small napkin.
When Angie unfolded it, the words I knew you’d figure out what to do were written on it.
The truth was, Angie hadn’t done that much.
She remembered Nadine saying that no one wished for something they hated.
The moment she let go of her frantic activity and micromanaging, she had realized that she could make herself at home in whatever reality, as long as the ones she loved were with her.
It was all that mattered, at Christmas, and all year.
She wouldn’t get lost in the details anymore. If she needed help, she’d ask for it.
Angie leaned back and reached for Neva’s hand and closed her eyes.
Just before she fell asleep to dreams of family gatherings, cookie baking, and Paris streets, her mind went back to the curious time when everything seemed out of order, and out of her control. She was certain that Neva’s love, more than anything, had brought her home.
She understood it now. After all, Nadine had said that wishes could interact.
The rest, they might never know, and that was part of the magic of Christmas.
It was already perfect—and it always had been.