A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

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."

"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?"

good mood around the

called him earlier," Calliope said. "He said it was

him a text anyway, just

"Good idea." Mavis nodded.

girls shot off quick messages, Mavis to Portia,

her way," Mavis reported. "She's bringing extra fireworks, and her brother Crispin is coming too. Apparently, he didn't

more the merrier," Calliope

he never had much freedom at home, so

her tall older brother Crispin in tow. It was Crispin's first time joining their little holiday crowd, and he looked a

hope you don't mind me crashing the party," Crispin said

better," Calliope said warmly. "I'm glad

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