"I didn't want to choose for you," Alexis explained. "I thought we might go together, though, so I can see the type of things you like."
Betsy clasped the gift card to her chest. "Thank you, Alexis. That's a great idea."
She sighed. "Yours is so sweet, now I want to do mine over."
Alexis began to unwrap her present. "I'm sure I'll love it." She pulled out a hand painted sign that read 'You And I Are Sisters, Always Remember That If You Fall I Will Pick You Up…After I Finish Laughing.' Alexis snickered.
"I had Debbie Facinelli make it for you. Do you remember her? She graduated with me. She's got a handmade craft shop in Flamingo Key, near Gatsby's."
Alexis admired the sign. "Good for her. Was she the one who painted the principal's golf cart with red hearts and rainbows?"
Betsy lit up. "Yes! He was so impressed with her work that he hired her to paint his daughter's bedroom."
The sisters smiled at the memory.
"I have one more thing for you," Alexis said, pulling out a manila envelope and handing it to her sister.
Betsy opened the envelope and retrieved the papers inside. "Wow, this looks so professional."
"Kinda what I do," Alexis said with a shrug. "It was actually fun working on it."
Betsy scanned the options, her brown eyes lighting up. "Is this for real?"
"Well, I will need hard numbers from your books and a valuation, but I did a little research so that I could come up with a few possibilities." She smiled. "I think you could have your cake shop and eat it, too, if you really want to."
Betsy threw her arms around her sister. "What an awesome Christmas present."
"What is it, babe?" asked Joe from across the room.
"Thanks to my sister, I'm gonna be a mogul."
"A mogul?" Joe echoed. "Sounds expensive."
Betsy rolled her eyes. "I'll tell you about it later." She clutched the papers happily. "I'll read these over as soon as I get some peace and quiet."
"If any of it confuses you, call me or send me a text and I'll explain."
Betsy was more excited about this than the lace teddy Joe had given her earlier that morning. She decided to keep that fact to herself.
Hours later, Betsy's brood was gone but their remnants lingered. Garbage bags full of wrapping paper and ribbons. Cups and dishes. Tilly rested on the couch with a cup of tea, unwilling to tackle the mess around her yet. Greg napped noisily in his chair.
Alexis emerged from upstairs and wandered into the kitchen for a drink.