She could simply be herself.
And that was enough.
Christmas arrived quietly at the Forrester home.
Rachel and Mark decorated the living room with paper snowflakes, colorful lights, and a small tree positioned where Ellie could reach its lower branches. They didn't plan a large gathering because she was still recovering, but several relatives visited in small groups.
Ellie insisted that Mr. Bumblebee needed a Christmas hat.
Mark made one from an old piece of red fabric.
It was crooked.
Ellie loved it.
On Christmas morning, she opened a collection of books, a soft blanket, a set of large drawing tools, and a small model motorcycle. The toy was black with pink wheels, and someone had attached a tiny plastic bear to the passenger seat.
Ellie gasped.
"Mama!"
Rachel smiled.
"What?"
"Look!"
She held up the motorcycle.
Mark leaned closer.
"That's a pretty impressive machine."
Ellie looked at the tiny bear.
"Mr. Bumblebee has a brother."
Rachel laughed.
Then she noticed an envelope beneath the wrapping paper.
It was addressed to Ellie.
Inside was a handwritten card.
Dear Princess,
I hope your Christmas is full of stories, chocolate pudding, and good days. I heard your bear likes motorcycles, so I thought he might need a practice ride.
Your friend, Doc.
Rachel read the card aloud.
Ellie smiled.
"He's funny."
Mark nodded.
"He is."
The little girl held the toy carefully.
Then she placed it beside her notebook.
For the rest of the morning, she created adventures for the motorcycle and its plastic bear.
They rode across mountains.
They visited castles.
They rescued imaginary animals from imaginary storms.
And in every story, the little rider came home safely.
Rachel watched from the sofa.
She had spent so long worrying about the adventures Ellie couldn't have that she sometimes forgot how much joy her daughter could create with the things already in front of her.
That afternoon, when Ellie fell asleep beneath her new blanket, Rachel looked toward Mark.
"Maybe we should send Doc a picture."
Mark smiled.
"Of the motorcycle?"
"Of her."
He nodded.
"Yeah."
Rachel took a photograph.
In it, Ellie was asleep with Mr. Bumblebee tucked under one arm and the toy motorcycle resting beside her pillow.
Rachel sent it to Doc with a short message.
Thank you for giving her something to dream about.