A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

"I already brought all this out. Wouldn't it be weird to make me put it back?"

“Just take it, okay? You're just like Portia. If I'm giving it to her, then you guys should get it too!"

Crispin looked resolute, clearly not about to take back the envelopes.

At his words, Calliope and Mavis exchanged a glance, then finally accepted the envelopes.

Not long after, Quentin and the others came out of the kitchen.

Once the brothers had ditched their aprons, each of them pulled out an envelope as well.

They handed them out to Calliope, Portia, and Mavis, one by one.

"Oh gosh, you guys really didn't have to!" Portia said, though her hands were already busy tearing open her envelope to sneak a peek at what was inside.

Everyone burst out laughing.

a bit more reserved. She thanked

Christmas stocking or anything like this before. But every year, if she spent the

weight of it in her heart too. Her eyes stung. She might not have the best family, but she had the best friend, and her friend's

coming over to tickle her. "What, is it not enough? Are our brothers too cheap? Shouldn't

too stingy," Quentin

Honestly, it's almost too much for me to handle," Mavis said, her eyes shiny with tears. She looked up at Quentin and the others. "Thank you, guys.

be sad, we get it. We know about your family. You're Callie's sister, so you're our little sister,

said. "Every year, you get an envelope, just like Callie and Portia. And

made up their minds. No way would they let

it. Mavis

planning my wedding... My real family would never do that." She sniffled,

Mavis in a hug. "You're my family. And my

all family here. But hey, don't

let's go light the fireworks!" Julius called. "It's dark out, and these fireworks