LILY
Christmas had always been my favorite time of year—the only time I couldn't help but smile.
When I was little, it was because of the magic, the lights, the decorated trees so tall they seemed endless; but when I grew up, it was mainly my dad who made me love that holiday—or rather, the way he changed during the holidays.
During those magical days, he would become the dad I had known before Mom died, before Jane and Willow crept into our lives: he would become loving, attentive, funny, and close to Alex and me again. My joy during those days was so great that not even all the efforts of those two harpies could wipe the smile off my face.
There had never been Christmas in the basement: I'd lost count of the days after a while — only getting it back on the day Evan was born, because
