Only a box

It was getting late, but the children were still awake.
"You three must go to sleep." Their mother urged softly, fatigue hidden beneath a gentle smile.
"But we're not tired!"
"Tomorrow's Christmas—"
"I'm so excited!"
Seeing the bright expectation in their faces, their mother's heart nearly broke. How disappointed would they be when no presents appeared under the tree?
Oh, they'd tried to get gifts, but the bills from Jonathon's accident had emptied their savings.
"Could you please try to sleep?" Her soft request was met with groans, but the children slipped back into their beds. Turning off the light as they settled in, their mother stepped into the hall and closed the door.
Walking back to the living room, she sat in her husband's chair and buried her face in her hands. Perhaps the children would enjoy visiting their father tomorrow. It was a long walk to the hospital, but maybe seeing Jonathon would brighten everyone's spirits.
No. The children should have at least one gift to open in the morning. Even a candy cane would do!
But she had nothing.
Nothing to—
Knock-knock-knock.
She glanced at the clock. 10:30 P.M.
Who could it be at this hour?
Slowly getting to her feet, the woman walked toward the door. wrapping her hand around the handle of Jonathon's worn baseball bat, She peered through the peephole.
There was no one in sight. Only a box.
She waited, counting the minutes under her breath.
Still no one.
Cautious, she opened the door and quickly brought the box inside.
Then after the door was secure, she turned to the box.
It was a simple brown box, like someone would use for moving. A note on the top read, "Merry Christmas", but bore no name.
Taking a breath, the woman opened the box.
Hand flying to her mouth, she stifled a gasp at the sight of wrapped presents.
As she pulled each out, she found that all had a blank name tag and a sticky note that described what it was.
Setting down the last present, he woman covered her face and cried.
For her children would have gifts in the morning.