A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

After the big Christmas Eve dinner, it was still the guys who cleared the plates and did the washing up.

Calliope and Mavis offered to help, but the men immediately waved them off. "You two go have some fun. Once we're done here, we'll head out and set off some fireworks."

"Alright, if you insist," Calliope said with a helpless smile. She knew her brothers would never let her lift a finger during the holidays, so she grabbed Mavis and headed to the living room.

"I wonder if Portia's done eating yet," Mavis said, pulling out her phone. "I'll text her."noveldrama

"Yeah, ask if she knows when she'll be over."

"I'll check in with Archie too. He said he'd come after dinner."

"Come to think of it, he's been quiet in the group chat all day. Do you think everything's okay at home?"

Mavis frowned. "You know how it is. He's never in a good mood around the holidays. His stepmom and half-brother are a handful."

"I called him earlier," Calliope said. "He said it was fine. He'd head over after dinner."

"I'll send him a text anyway, just to check in."

"Good idea." Mavis nodded.

Both girls shot off quick messages, Mavis to Portia, Calliope to Archie.

"Portia's on her way," Mavis reported. "She's bringing extra fireworks, and her brother Crispin is coming too. Apparently, he didn't have anything better to do."

"The more the merrier," Calliope grinned.

Archie, meanwhile, didn't reply right away. Calliope knew he never had much freedom at home, so she didn't want to push. She figured he'd answer when he could.

Before long, Portia arrived, her tall older brother Crispin in tow. It was Crispin's first time joining their little holiday crowd, and he looked a bit out of place.

"Hey Callie, hope you don't mind me crashing the party," Crispin said politely, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

"Of course not! The more, the better," Calliope said warmly. "I'm glad you're here, Crispin."

"I actually wanted to thank you," Crispin continued. "If it weren't for your heads-up about Sandra, I might have gotten into a real mess. Tums out, you were spot-on. Anyone who got mixed up with her didn't have much luck."

"That's all in the past now," Calliope laughed. just mentioned it in passing. You all were smart enough to listen. If you hadn't, I couldn't have done anything about it anyway."

"It made a real difference. I mean it," Crispin said earnestly.

Calliope smiled. "You're family, Crispin. Portia and your folks have always looked out for me."

"Merry Christmas, Callie! You too, Mavis!" Crispin said, suddenly pulling out two red envelopes and handing one to each of them.

Calliope and Mavis both froze, surprised. Mavis nearly dropped hers in embarrassment. "Crispin, you don't have to do this! We're adults now. We can't take your lucky money!"

"Seriously, Crispin, you should keep it. It's sweet, but it feels weird!" Calliope said, half-laughing, half-protesting. She hadn't expected him to bring out the red envelopes, but it was so like him to keep the tradition alive, even if it was just a little out of place.