A Christmas Stolen (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza)

by Lillian Duncan

  More sirens—fire trucks.

  “Dani! Dani! Come on, sweetheart, answer me.” He ran from room to room, the smoke making it hard to see. Soon it would be hard to breathe, but he still had time. Of course, many people who ran into burning buildings probably thought that. God, protect me and protect Danica. Both of us are in Your hands.

  The fire seemed to be the worst at one end of the hall. Through the door and the smoke he could just barely make out a burning baby crib. “Danica. Where are you?” Connor yelled at the top of his lungs. He went to his knees and crawled around the room searching for her.

  More coughing. He wasn’t leaving without Danica.

  A fireman entered the room and grabbed his shoulder. “We gotta go.”

  “Someone’s in this house. I’ve got to find her.”

  “That’s my job. I’ll look for her. You need to leave.”

  “I’m not going anywhere without her.”

  “I’ve checked the other rooms. She’s not in them. She probably already got out.” He tugged on Connor’s arm. “We have to get out of here.”

  Connor pulled his arm away. “I’m not going.” Then something urged him forward. “The closet. She must be in the closet.”

  The two men moved in tandem.

  The fireman opened the door.

  Danica was huddled on the floor, unconscious.

  “I’ll get her.” The fireman yelled. A moment later, Danica was over his shoulder. “Let’s get her out of here.”

  A few moments later, they emerged from the burning house.

  The fireman carried Danica to a waiting ambulance.

  The man and woman from the car were in handcuffs.

  The woman was sobbing. “That’s my baby. It’s not my fault. He made me do it.”

  Everything in him wanted to be with Danica, but she would want him to make sure Angelica was safe. He moved toward the female officer.

  She looked at him. “Do you have time to answer some questions now?”

  “Is the baby OK?”

  “Seems to be. You said she was kidnapped?”

  “One of those babies is probably Angelica Barnes. She was kidnapped from her home yesterday. There’s an Amber Alert out for her. You can check.”

  “I will, but what makes you sure of that?”

  “Because that’s the baby’s aunt who just got carried out of that burning house. She’s unconscious and tied up. What do you think that means?” He pointed at the sobbing woman. “She’s probably the one who took the baby. I don’t know who he is.”

  The officer nodded. “OK, I’ll check the system. Hold on.”

  “I’ll be over at the ambulance.”

  The fireman who’d carried Danica from the burning building walked up to him. “They need you at the ambulance.”

  The look on the man’s face did nothing to comfort Connor. He couldn’t find his next breath as he jogged toward the ambulance.

  A cluster of people surrounded the vehicle.

  The EMT worker straightened.

  Lord, give me strength. He couldn’t voice his question.

  “She’s alive, but just barely.” The paramedic said, answering his unspoken plea. “We’re taking her to the hospital.”

  Danica would want him to stay with Angelica. “What hospital?”

  The medic named a well-known hospital and then added, “they have the best burn unit in the city.”

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He bent over and brushed Danica’s forehead with his lips. “I’m praying for you, Dani girl.”

  Within seconds, the ambulance drove away.

  Firefighters were hosing down the house. Police officers were going home to home to clear the nearby houses. Neighbors were standing outside their own homes—probably worrying and waiting to see what they should do.

  Would Connor ever get the chance to tell Dani the truth—that he loved her just as much today as he did all those years ago—that he wanted to create a life with her? He closed his eyes and prayed once more then walked over to Katrina and the man.

  “I didn’t steal no baby. I don’t care what he says. I don’t look anything like the woman who did it. I have short blonde hair. She had long black hair and glasses.” Katrina screamed at the female officer. “You better let me out of these cuffs, or you’re going to regret it.”

  He walked up to the officer. “So is it Angelica Barnes?”

  She nodded. “From the Amber Alert picture, it looks that way to me. There’s no hiding that mop of red hair.”

  “It’s not my fault. Why won’t you listen to me?” Katrina screamed. “He made me do it.”

  The man spoke up, “Look I don’t have anything to do with any of this. She called for a driver so I came. She asked me to help her off the porch with the two babies. That’s it. Then this crazy man crashed into my car.”

  The officer looked at Connor.

  “The two of them were walking out of that house with the babies. This woman, Katrina Martin, told her aunt her baby had died. She’d received help from Mothers’ Helpers, the organization from my church. Angelica was taken by someone posing as a Mothers’ Helper. So where’d Ms. Martin get two babies? My conclusion was that one of them had to be the Barnes baby. I wasn’t letting them leave.”

  “I’m sure we’ll figure it all out. And, of course, the witness will be able to tell us if he had anything to do with it—as soon as she’s conscious.”

  God, please keep Danica safe and help her wake up. “You’re right, she’ll be able to tell us everything when she wakes up.”

  “In the meantime, I’ll let the detectives take over with these two.”

  “What about the babies?”

  “An ambulance is on its way. They’ll be taken to the hospital to be checked out.”

  “That’s my baby.” Katrina screamed. “If he’s going to the hospital, so am I.”

  The officer turned to her. “I’m pretty sure that’s not happening.”

  16

  Tears rolled down Danica’s cheeks from coughing. The doctors said that was normal after smoke inhalation. Nobody would tell her anything about how she came to be in the hospital. The nurses kept telling her to concentrate on getting better. Something horrible must have happened to Angelica. The thought made her physically sick to her stomach. Grief flooded her being. The tears weren’t just from the coughing.

  Bobby Lee had said babies—one of the babies had to be Angelica.

  Why hadn’t she been able to save her little niece?

  The tears continued—her heart was breaking. God, I thought the blinking cross meant she’d be OK. That she’d come home. I thought You’d bring Angelica home. I don’t understand.

  How would her sister ever overcome this tragedy? And Danica had started the fire. Leah would hate her forever. In a few more hours, it would be Christmas. But Danica would never celebrate again. Her Christmas had been stolen forever.

  No Christmas meant no Easter. No Easter meant no resurrection. And that meant no hope for a world filled with hopelessness.

  She couldn’t breathe. It was as if a thousand bricks were crushing her. I’m so sorry, God. Please forgive me. I don’t understand but I trust You and Your love. You promised to work out all things for the good of those who love You. I believe Your promise—even if it’s really hard to understand right now.

  Her fear and anxiety melted away. She could breathe again. With God, she’d be strong enough to help Leah—no matter what happened. They could—and would get through this—only with God. Danica laid back on the pillow, closed her eyes, and focused on breathing—and on God. She made a list of things she was grateful for. A deep breath. God was good—no matter what. A deep breath. God loved her. Loved Leah and Mark. And, certainly, loved precious little Angelica. Her body relaxed, and she found sleep.

  “Merry Christmas. I’ve got an early Christmas gift for you.”

  Danica opened her eyes.

  Connor stood in front of her—with a nurse holding a baby. “I have a litt
le lady here who wants to meet her auntie.”

  “Angelica?”

  “It certainly is.”

  “She’s OK? I thought I’d killed her by starting the fire to signal the police.”

  “Not at all. She’s perfect and healthy,” the nurse said.

  Danica scooted up to a sitting position and held out her arms.

  “Normally, we don’t allow just anyone access to our babies, but we know of the extenuating circumstances.” The nurse gently placed the tiny baby in her arms.

  Tears rolled down her cheeks, but they were happy tears—and grateful tears. She brought the tiny baby up to her chest. Their hearts beat together. “Oh, thank You, God. Thank You.”

  “I can’t stop saying that either,” Connor said.

  She looked up at him. “Why are you here? Where are Leah and Mark? What happened?”

  “You saved her.”

  “Me? I don’t think so. The last thing I remember was being tied up and in a closet. I didn’t save anyone.”

  “Oh, yes you did.”

  As he explained all that had happened, Danica stared at Angelica—the most beautiful baby she’d ever seen. Her bright red curls were silky soft and the baby’s blue eyes stared up at her—filled with trust.

  The blinking cross raced through her mind, picture perfect and then vanished. God had kept his word—as He always did. Danica looked up at Connor and smiled. “She’s our Christmas miracle.”

  “No doubt about that.”

  “Do Leah and Mark know?”

  “They’re on their way up. They should be here soon.”

  “A little while ago, I thought I would never celebrate Christmas again. But then I realized how wrong it was to think that way. Even if…if we had to live with a tragedy.”

  “True—life doesn’t always work out the way we want. But Christmas gives us the hope of life eternal, where there’ll be no more tears.”

  “God loves us all, despite the evil in the world.”

  “God certainly didn’t orchestrate Angelica’s kidnapping but James 1 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

  “I thought God had abandoned us. But then, I saw…” Danica wasn’t sure what Connor would think of her blinking cross. Perhaps she’d explain another time. “I knew that no matter what happened He still loves us. As horrible as it was to think that something bad had happened to Angelica, I knew in my soul that with God we could survive it.”

  “That’s good.”

  “I’m glad I had that moment before I knew she was OK.” She touched the baby’s cheek. “She’s so beautiful.”

  “Adorable.”

  “Speaking of Christmas, shouldn’t you be at church right now? It’s Christmas Eve.”

  “Probably. But I’m not leaving you ever again as far as I’m concerned.” He touched her shoulder and then her cheek. “I know this will sound crazy, but I still love you, Dani girl. I never stopped loving—”

  “Oh, my baby. My baby.” Leah rushed in the room.

  Mark was right behind her.

  Danica held out the precious baby.

  Leah took Angelica and cooed, kissing her little head, her eyes closed in pure bliss.

  And then everyone was laughing, hugging, crying, and talking at the same time.

  Leah placed the baby on Danica’s bed and pulled back the baby blanket. She checked every inch of her daughter, caressing Angelica’s baby soft skin.

  Mark smiled. “She’s fine, Leah. The doctor’s said so. You don’t need—”

  “I don’t care what they said. I want to see all of her toes.” She pulled off the little booties.

  Connor smiled. “I don’t think she’s listening to you, Mark.”

  “She’s fine.” Leah pronounced, her tone satisfied.

  Mark hugged Danica. “Thank you for saving her.”

  “It wasn’t me. It was God—and Connor. All I did was set a house on fire and almost kill myself. Connor’s the one who stopped them from leaving.” She grinned. “At least, that’s what he told me.”

  “He told you correctly.” Mark said, “But did he also tell you that he rushed into the burning house and wouldn’t leave until he found you? He had some smoke inhalation as well.”

  “He didn’t tell me that part.”

  “He’s quite the hero.” Leah said as she slipped the booties back on Angelica. “But so are you. They would have been long gone if you hadn’t driven up there and did whatever you did.” She looked at her sister for a moment. “What did you do? What did they do to you? Did they hurt you?”

  Danica saw no reason to talk about Bobby Lee hitting her. “It doesn’t matter. I’m fine now, Leah. God kept us safe. All of us.”

  “He did, didn’t he? What an amazing thing that is. Especially on this Christmas Eve night.”

  Mark chimed in, “Though it was a good thing Connor showed up when he did.”

  Nobody spoke for a few moments.

  “We should offer thanks, again,” Connor said.

  Hands clasped and everyone sent silent thanks to God.

  A few tears leaked from Danica’s eyes. She would never have enough words to thank God for all that He’d done for her and her family.

  Leah hugged Connor. “I can’t thank both of you enough.”

  “Just seeing her in your arms is all the thanks I need,” Connor replied.

  Danica nodded, overcome by emotion.

  “Are you OK, Danica?” Leah asked as she moved in closer. “Did you get burned in the fire?”

  “I’m fine. It’s only smoke inhalation. The doctors said I can go home in a bit, but I still have to talk to the police.”

  “Are you sure you’re OK? You’re not just saying that?” Her sister’s anxiety came through.

  “I’m not just saying that. Tomorrow we’ll all be celebrating Christmas together as a family. I’m not letting anyone steal that from us. Not now.”

  “Not ever,” Mark replied.

  “Well, folks I’m out of here. I don’t have to wish you a blessed Christmas. You already have your Christmas gift.” Connor started toward the door.

  “You don’t have to go,” Mark said.

  “I know, but tomorrow is Christmas and Sunday so I need to get a few hours’ sleep before the big day.” He gave a wave and left.

  Danica had so many things to say to him. Or maybe not. She was a big ball of confusion after hearing his declaration of love. Could she trust him again? Would the memory of all that pain fade?

  With God all things are possible.

  17

  Christmas Day.

  Somewhere in the house Leah was singing Christmas songs.

  Danica closed her eyes—sure that Leah was sitting in the rocker between the fireplace and the Christmas trees singing to Angelica.

  “Thank You, God, for giving her back to us.”

  There’d been those awful moments when she hadn’t known what had happened to Angelica. Danica had almost turned her back on God. She wiped tears from her eyes—so grateful that she’d remained faithful.

  She sat on the edge of the bed thinking of Connor. He’d told her that he loved her. Thank goodness, Leah and Mark had arrived right then, because she had no idea what she would have said. She lifted her eyes to the heavens. “You tell me what I’m supposed to do? Because I sure don’t know.”

  A part of her had never stopped loving him. The pain and why it wouldn’t go away was finally clear to her. It explained why she’d stayed angry at him for all these years. Interesting how she’d never been able to acknowledge that before. She wasn’t sure she could ever forget that he’d believed the awful things Willie Schaeffer had said about the two of them.

  She could see it now. Twenty years from now, they’d be an old married couple, and she’d throw that in his face. And he would look at her and
say he’d had enough of her and walk out.

  She put her head in her hands.

  It was all so confusing.

  But today wasn’t the day for confusion. Today was Christmas. And more than any other Christmas she’d ever had, there was so much to be thankful for. Angelica was home—safe and sound.

  She’d spent the last fifteen years without Connor so she could spend one more day without him. She’d deal with him tomorrow—not that she had any idea what to do. She stood up, stepped into her slippers, and padded out to the living room.

  Leah was in the rocker singing to Angelica.

  “Now that’s a picture I will never get tired of. Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas, beautiful sister.”

  “You’re eyesight’s a bit off.”

  Leah laughed. “I must admit you look a bit tired. Mark talked with the police. Katrina and Bobby Lee are both being charged. I guess they turned on each other. They’ll be arraigned tomorrow. Mark said he might go up, but I’m not. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over for me. All I want to do is take care of my precious angel.”

  “What will happen to Katrina’s baby?”

  “Her cousin’s stepped up and will take care of him. Probably adopt him at some point if I know Sandy.”

  “That’s good. It’s not the baby’s fault. Are you planning to go to church this morning?”

  Leah nodded. “All those people were praying and taking care of us. They deserve to see Angelica.”

  “I guess you’re right about that. I certainly see what you mean when you talk about your church family. Everyone was so good to the two of you.”

  “It’s what family does.” She smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll not hold you to your promise of going to church with us. You deserve to rest. Are you feeling OK today?”

  Danica grinned. “I’m more than OK, and I want to go. In fact, when I get home, I’ll be church shopping.”

  “Good for you.”

  “I saw the power of church these past few days.”

  Mark walked in with a tray. “Merry Christmas! Peppermint cocoa all around.”

  “Merry Christmas to us. Thanks, Mark.” Danica took a cup off the tray.