Miracle On 34th Street Novels & Stories

[Sixteen years ago, in the city of Lenford…] - A single petal floated in front of his eyes. It was a cherry blossom petal, one that signaled the beginning of the tree’s full bloom in spring. It was the first thing Michael McGregor saw before a girl about his age suddenly walked up to him, her hand tightly gripping the strap of her shoulder bag.

Before I could respond, headlights swept across the front windows. Silence immediately filled the room. My father straightened. My mother smoothed her hair. And somehow my own pulse became deafening. A car door shut outside. Then another. The front gate clicked softly in the distance. For one insane second, I actually considered running. The knock came three beats later. My father practically rushed to open it. Cold winter air flooded the foyer first. “Merry Christmas,” he said warmly as he stepped inside, snow melting slowly from the shoulders of his dark coat.

Yes, if I had met him somewhere else, I would have been attracted to him. I tried to picture what this fake marriage would look like. Italy was a Catholic country, so we’d have separate rooms until the ceremony, wouldn't we? Then again, Mr. Len was French, and they seemed to have a pretty relaxed attitude toward sex. What would it be like to share a room with Albert? Did he sleep in pajamas or naked? A flash of his strong arms popped into my head, which I then extrapolated to envisioning him in all his glory. In my mind, it wasn't just his hands that were big, but other parts too.

"Miracle is bought by Hawkins Pride at a hundred thousand!" Those who recognized me were in shock, especially Mark Reeve and his girl. I ignored everyone else and turned to look at the Miracle. Oh, what a lovely name she has, and it perfectly suits her. Miracle Verity, now the face running on my mind 24/7 has a name. I was astonished when I saw a horrified look on her face, and she went as pale as a ghost. "Are you alright?" I asked her, and squeezed her hand, but she let go much to my disappointment.

—Ricardo was startled by his father's statement and must have understood that I had premeditated that night. ― I had said that I regretted dying without having the joy of seeing a grandchild born and Manuela revealed that she dreamed of having a child with Ricardo. That's why we made our requests to the Universe and it sent us more than two miracles, but three. My health and my two grandchildren. And now I want to make a toast to my Christmas miracles. Everyone raised their glasses. Alice and I had the fruit juice, but it had the same meaning as the champagne they all drank. Later, after the distribution of gifts, I asked Ric if he was disappointed in me and he replied: